Page 76 of Above Cursed Winds

It filled her lungs with an unconscious need, autonomous and invariable. And just like air, Zia never felt the psychic punch of Jeremiah’s ability until he used it.

And it was powerful.

Every muscle in his torso was corded, the tension wafting off his body unbearable strong. A delirious static filled the space around them, whispering an unintelligible sound.

But one look at Rona, and Zia had known it wasn’t meaningless. Concentration marred the vampire’s face, her every attention focused on the noise. As if she could hear it … and could understand.

Gut clenching painfully, Zia refocused on the Elemental at the center of their protective circle. Nero didn’t have any choice but to plead with him, having originally come to Zia’s home to seek his assistance. He’d known what happened even before she said it.

Now, the Elemental was saving their lives, doing the impossible because Nero had asked.

Her chest tightened. Even without the ghosting mating bond between them, she could sense the debilitating bleakness surrounding Jeremiah. If she felt it this keenly, Nero would’ve been drowning in his pain.

Gideon had taken position behind Jeremiah in support, holding him as the wind Elemental’s consciousness faded from his body. Nearly the same height, the two Elementals stood stock still, the position familiar enough that they’d obviously done this thousands of times.

And then, as she watched, Jeremiah simply dissolved. One moment, he was standing, and the next, Gideon was jerking backward, his wide golden eyes unreadable. Staggering as he tried to right himself, the naked fear that washed over Zia’s senses iced her veins.

Nero was the first to speak. “What happened? Where is he?”

Gideon didn’t respond, transfixed to the place where Jeremiah had disappeared. Rona was by his side instantly, looking equally fearful.

“Gideon, did he … did he become his element?”

“I—he’s—he’s never …” The monarch looked as though he’d lost himself to shock. “Jeremiah has never become his element before.”

“What does that mean, Gideon?”

Zia’s focus snapped to Nero, her sovereign’s anxiety ratcheting up with every passing second. When Gideon responded, it was between shaky breaths. “Jeremiah dissolved into his element, became one with it, in order to move the hurricane.” A panicked shake of his head. “He’s never attempted it before. Air Elementals usually can’t.”

“But he’ll be fine, right?” Surprised to hear her own voice, Zia’s arms curled her arms around herself protectively. “He’ll come back?”

The dread swamping Gideon’s features too potent to ignore. Rona grasped her husband’s shoulder, trying to steady the male who’d become as pale as death.

The vampire spoke in low tones, just audible above the roar of wind. “From what I know, Elementals can let go into their elements, but it’s exceptionally rare. Only the strongest attempt it. Gideon became one with the earth to save my life once, and he paid the price to return, but the majority of Elementals only become their elements for one reason.”

Zia almost didn’t want to ask, “What reason?”

Rona offered a tearful smile as Gideon shuddered beside her. “To end their lives.”

Momentarily, Zia could only stare, dumbfounded. As tears burned trails on her face, she couldn’t help but glance at Key, desperate for a reason. But the woman was silent, those lightning-pierced eyes trained on the sky.

Shivering against the fear that suddenly swamped her, Zia began to sob. She had driven Jeremiah to this point. All the cruel things she’d said in her rejection had been too harsh for him to return from.

“Sovereign.”

Key’s voice broke her out of her cascading thoughts, and Nero asked, “What do you know, Key?”

“Jeremiah has successfully moved the hurricane.” Eyes still trained on the sky above, Zia snarled low under her breath, catching the future-teller’s attention.

“Where is he, Key?”

“In the air,” came the maddening response. “He’s reconverging, Gideon. He’ll return to us.”

Startling out his stupor, Gideon looked up, his eyes searching the clouds. No longer panicked, Zia scrutinized the now-clearing sky. Clouds that’d once been dark with malicious intent were dissolving into a hazy grey. Key’s attention, however, was transfixed on Zia, no longer minding the skies.

With a growl, Zia set upon her. “Where is he, Key?”

Her gaze slowly, deliberately, dragged skyward towards the north. Zia squinted. To her horror, she caught sight of his body plummeting toward the earth. Jeremiah was falling.

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