Page 2 of Elemental Hope
A sudden, sharp pain speared Nathaniel’s temple. “Fuck!” He jerked into full consciousness. “What the hell?” He knuckled his head in an attempt to ease the pain.
“What’s up?” Felix asked, sounding concerned. “You’re white as a sheet. Do you need me to stop somewhere?”
Nathaniel took a couple of cleansing deep breaths and the pain receded. “No, it’s okay. Someone’s messing with the elements. Someone with vast power. I’ve felt this a few times in recent months.” His stomach churned. “Perhaps weshouldstop. I needsome air. And it’s about time I gave Gregory Thanet a call. Apparently we have things to discuss.”
Felix pulled off the road at the next rest stop, bought a couple of coffees at the drive-thru then parked next to a grassy area where a few wooden picnic tables were set out. Nathaniel got out of the car and had to lean on the door for a few seconds.
“You need a hand?” Felix called.
“No. I’m just a bit dizzy. It’s passing.” Nathaniel took a few deep breaths. “I’ll sit at one of the tables and make my call.”
“Sure thing.” Felix reclined his seat a few inches. “Knock yourself out. Well, don’t…because then I’d have to come rescue your ass, but you know what I mean.”
Nathaniel slammed the door on him. He hauled himself to the nearest table then sat, straddling the bench seat for stability. After extracting his phone from his pocket, he scrolled through the contacts. He hadn’t spoken to Gregory Thanet in a while but they did keep in touch, albeit infrequently. On the occasions they talked it was often to share their mutual disgust for the behavior of the third warlock on the continent, Symeon Malus. Nathaniel dialed Gregory’s number. He waited for the call to connect, sipping his coffee.
“This is Gregory.”
“Good to know you’re still not into effusive greetings, old friend.” Nathaniel rolled his shoulders to ease some tension. One of his joints popped.
“Nathaniel. It’s been a while. I can surmise the reason for your call. I assume you’ve been experiencing some…fluctuations in the elements?”
“How could I not? What the hell is going on, Gregory? I just had a metal spike driven through my brain, and now I feel hungover without the benefit of getting wasted first.”
“It was quite a jolt, wasn’t it?”
“Quite a… That’s like saying Hurricane Katrina was a mild breeze.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true.”
“Gregory, is there someone new on the scene or is Symeon up to something? I didn’t think that snake had it in him.”
“He doesn’t…anymore.” Gregory sighed. “Three have become four, Nathaniel, and I have a lot to bring you up to speed on.”
“What do you mean, anymore? And who, how?” Nathaniel asked, feeling like he’d departed to an alternate reality.
“My godson, Evrain. What you felt just now was him venting. He’s also had to deal with Symeon’s latest misdeeds, with a bit of assistance from me. He hasn’t learned to buffer the rest of us from the effects of his power yet. He’s still quite wild.”
“Holy fuck. I thought Evrain was just a kid? You shielded him, didn’t you?”
“Agatha did and he fought it all the way. Look, Nathaniel, I know you’re busy, but do you think you could fit in a visit? I have far too much to tell you during a phone call and I should apologize for not getting in touch sooner. Evrain is living at Hornbeam Cottage, Agatha’s old place, but I’d happily put you up in Portland. Coryn and I are spending a lot of time there at the moment.”
Nathaniel grunted. “I’m sure your boyneedsa lot of support.”
“He does. He’s a quick study, but he has a long way to go. He’s not exactly…pliable when it comes to his training.”
“Well, as it happens, I am free for a few days. I suppose I could dig out some rain gear.”
“It doesn’t rainallthe time in Oregon.”
Nathaniel didn’t credit that with a response. “Can you book a room for Felix as well? He won’t want to miss out on all the fun.”
“How is that man still putting up with you?”
“I put a spell on him.”
“Felix is immune.”
“More’s the pity.” Nathaniel chuckled. “He’d be a lot less opinionated if I could work a little magic on him. He’s waiting for me now, so I’d better go. Text me the hotel details when you have them. We’ll see you in two days. I’ll give you a call when we arrive.”
