Page 47 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Jed snaps his head to Duncan. “Don’t act surprised, Cupid, it’s not like you didn’t know I was pureblood.”

“I didn’t know you’d told her.”

“She needed to know that I would be around for a long time, when her family would be dust.”

I tug my hand away from Jed and scrub them down my face. Gramps and Uncle Charlie. In the natural order of things, I would have outlived them. But an eternal existence without them? I mean, I’m heading for hell, but until then I’ll have Duncan.

“How long?” I ask Duncan.

“About a thousand years.” Wow, another seven hundred and fifty-odd years with Duncan. Good job he makes it into my top five of favorite people.

“What about Zee?”

Jed blanks his face. “What about Zee?”

“Have I extended his life beyond the norm?”

Jed glances at the ceiling. He won’t meet my gaze. “I’m not sure. A bond has not been created in a long time, and technically only gods can create that kind of bond with a mortal.”

“Are you saying I’m a god?”

He shakes his head. “No, Natia. Like I said, you’ve inherited some god-like powers.”

I stand and shake my hands out as if I could shake the excess power from myself. “I need to relax.”

Jed grins. “I think Archan is otherwise disposed at the moment.”

I roll my eyes and smack him upside the head. “Not that, Smoothie. Filthy mind.” My gaze catches on my duffle stuffed with clothing.

“You want to train?” Duncan asks.

I shake my head. The beautiful beach outside this cave calls to me. “No… I want to dance.”

* * *

Wind tussles my hair over my shoulders, the sun kisses my bare skin and the spray of the salty sea whips my face. I stare at the endless ocean with a question nobody but me can answer. Archan has burrowed under my skin and dug deep into my soul. Taking that step into his arms, I trusted him with my heart. Am I angry he didn’t return that trust? Absolutely. But do I understand it? Yes. We make mistakes, most of the time not of the apocalypse variety. But the true worth of a person isn’t what they do in their best moment, it’s what they do in their worst. Archan is trying to protect me, whilst I don’t know how this will end, I do know I will fight for us. Resolve settles through my body as I dig my feet into the grainy sand, allowing the earth to ground me. I close my eyes as “Head Above Water” by Avril Lavigne plays into the wireless headphones. I lift my leg, arching my foot, the thin fabric of the red dress fluttering in the breeze and let my soul guide me. My body flows like silk and warms my spirit. The wind is an invisible partner allowing me to achieve moves that I alone couldn’t manage. The lull in the song causes me to sweep my body across the sand, the beat hits and the sand explodes at my back, launching me into the air. I somersault and land with grace. My heartbeat picks up the rhythm, my power pulsing with it in an intense but content manner. Spinning in an arc, I steal a move from Zac’s training and roundhouse an invisible foe. Air catches my foot and flips me backwards. All four elements brush against my mind, a reassurance of their power and protection. I might not understand what I’m doing, but this power clings to me like a second skin, draping my soul in strength. The final drum beats drop in the song and I’m supported by my invisible partner in a final dip which sees my body bend backwards, my head almost touching the sand, whilst my toes point to the sky. As I straighten, I peel my eyes open and bow to the sand, which dips in return. A grin splits across my face as tiny raindrops dance on my head, I tilt my head back and taste the salty water on my tongue. I spin to face the sea and freeze. Arches of water dip, spin and curve into the air, their path following the blind dance I lost myself to. The waves lap at my calves as I wade deeper and push my hand into the largest loop, allowing the steady flow of water to caress my fingers.

“I’ve seen a lot of shit, but this is awesome, Natia.”

I spin to Jed, who’s standing amongst the swirling sand sculptures which have replicated the water. My breath catches as the physical representation of my power is displayed in such beauty. Something nudges my mind, like a sulky toddler who feels like it’s their parent’s least favorite child. I smile and throw my hand out. Fire ripples from my palm and spirals around the water. Steam rises into the air, creating an awesome display of the elements. Steven Spielberg would propose to me right now.

Clapping sounds behind me. Duncan, Zee, and Aaden have joined Jed to watch the display. “Do you feel better?” Duncan asks as I stride out of the water. I grin, settled for the first time in days.

“Yes.”

“I think you need to release your power more often to remain in control of it,” Jed says, touching one of the sand sculptures. He’s right, and he’s wrong, I need to interact with my power more often to stop it from acting up for attention. I snap my fingers and the sand explodes into the air, along with the water and fire. They stretch into the sky before tumbling to the ground with a whoosh.

Zee’s frowning at the scene with a concentration reserved for beating evil spawn. “What’s wrong?” I ask, touching his folded arms.

He drops them to his sides with a sigh. “I need to practice my power. Spitting tiny fire balls from my hand like a baby dragon will not make the King of Monsters second guess himself.”

“You want lessons?” I ask.

Duncan chuckles. “That’s not wise, Locks.”

“Why?”

“You and Zee have a habit of competing.”

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