Page 65 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

“Wonder why she used the Greek word for hell instead of our language? It is written in the elemental language, correct?” Aviur asked.

Nasima nodded. “But if the spell was to be performed by a human, they wouldn’t understand the significance of the words if they were spoken in the elemental tongue,” she pointed out.

“True,” Aviur agreed.

Nasima turned the page, and her heart warmed at the words of Mother Gaia. “To my children,” she paused and swallowed down her emotions before she continued reading aloud. “I knew there would come a day when you would be the ones to use the devil’s trap spell. The demon you will face is powerful because of those he has gathered to himself. All of my royals must be present in order for the spell to work against one such as him. Be ready, be vigilant, and have faith that the light in you is greater than the darkness in the evil one. I am with you always.”

They were silent for a time. Nasima absorbed the words and tried not to worry over the fact that they didn’t have all of the royals present at the moment.

“That is going to make things difficult," Aviur said as if he could read her thoughts.

“Osiris must come through,” she said. “He knows what’s at stake if he does not.”

“We have what we need. I think it’s time we go and see how things are getting on with the teams that have been charged with keeping the world from falling apart,” the fire king said.

Nasima nodded. As she stepped through the portal Aviur had opened, she prayed to Mother Gaia that they wouldn’t fail. If they did, the human race would be doomed to a future of torture and death. Not to mention how the elementals all over the world would suffer because after the demons took over the human realm, it wouldn’t be long until they breached the realms of the royals.

Chapter 14

Kairi knocked on the door to Terrick’s office. She clasped her hands behind her back, attempting to hide the trembling that had begun after the meeting with Osiris. She had not come straight to the headmaster of Terra Academy but instead had made a detour to her realm.

Her own power was beginning to wane because her mate was not here to share his own. Going to her realm had helped energize her, but it still wasn’t the same as having Ecthelion by her side.

The door to Terrick’s office opened, and Kairi was met with the gentle smile of Iterra, the headmaster’s mate. “Your majesty,” Iterra said with a bow of her head.

Kairi waved her off as she entered the room “Such formalities seem silly considering what we are facing. And we are all equals in this battle.”

Terrick rose from his desk and walked around to stand beside his mate. “Where are the others?”

She knew he was asking about Aviur and Nasima. “They went to the Vatican to do some research on how to deal with the demon that Osiris has lost control of,” she explained. “I came to check in on how things are going with the teams.”

“There have been a few skirmishes with dark elementals and acolytes,” Terrick said. “But so far, we have managed to keep the upper hand. The major power plants and water sources have been kept operational, but the humans are beginning to panic because the smaller ones are freezing.”

“We’ve been watching the human news,” Iterra explained, pointing to a television. Though her people did not use modern technology, she was familiar with most of it. After all, they spent a great deal of time in the human realm.

“We are still waiting to hear from Osiris about our mates,” Kairi said. “I’m truly hoping he has enough incentive to figure out a way to release them.”

“I’m sorry you’re going through this,” Iterra said, her voice genuine and full of care. “If it were Terrick, I know I would be lost without him. We will do whatever we can to help you and the others.”

“Thank you,” Kairi said. “I appreciate your concern and willingness to help.” Neither of them bothered to acknowledge that they both knew there was nothing Terrick or Iterra, or anyone else for that matter, could do. At least not for the royals trapped in the underworld. But they could help the humans, and that action would at least be a distraction from her own worries.

“Now,” Kairi said, taking a deep breath and letting it out, “where can I help?”

* * *

Aston pulledhis phone out of his back pocket. He hadn’t heard from his brothers in over twenty-four hours, though he’d sent several texts to each of them.

He grinned as he read the text he’d just received. It was from Liam.

When did you turn into a mother hen? We’re fine. Or at least I am. I haven’t heard from Ra or Elias, but they’re probably just busy with a mission or sleeping. That’s all we have time for lately.

Aston couldn’t argue with that. If he wasn’t helping his team, he was sleeping. Though a lot of his help involved research instead of using his elemental power. Still, it wore him out.

Aston typed out his response.Thanks for letting me know. How’s your girl?

The last text he’d received from Liam had been informing him that he’d bonded, though not completely, with Gabby. Aston was happy for him, but, secretly, he was jealous of his three best friends. He saw what Elias had with Tara and what Ra had with Shelly, and he couldn’t help but crave that kind of bond for himself. Not only did it fascinate him, but it also called to a part of him that longed to have a deep connection with a female, to know she was his, and he was hers.

Liam’s response was quick.Best thing that ever happened to me.

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