Free Elemental Rush (Elemental 0.5) by Elana Johnson Page A

villages settlements, and they didn’t wear teeth around their necks.
    “I’m Adam Gillman,” I said. “I’m an Airmaster from Tarpulin.” I made my voice strong, yet soft. “My Academy was buried, and I’ve been on the run for several weeks.”
    “Have you broken any laws?” he asked.
    “No,” I replied. “The Supremist just decided we didn’t need a school anymore. I was one of the lucky ones who survived.” Technically, everything I’d said was true.
    “Where are you going?” he asked.
    “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m just trying to find somewhere I can stay for a while. I need to rest and gather some supplies and food.” I looked at him, silently pleading with him to let me stay in his settlement. “Are you the…?” I didn’t know what to call him. Councilman was obviously wrong. The Unmanifested villages were overseen by Councilmen, but still maintained a non-Elemental lawman. A mayor , I remembered from my lessons.
    “I am Chief Tavar, leader of this Spirit-speaker settlement.” He appeared majestic as he spoke, his eyes alight with the flames in the fire.
    “Spirit-speaker?” I asked. I hadn’t heard the term before.
    “That is a name your Supremist gave us long ago. It has stuck.” He gazed into the black forest surrounding us. “We have some gifts that someone decided were not worthy of being Elemental. We were separated from the rest of society, and have been living in this settlement for many years now.”
    I peered at him, anxious to know more. I was surprised this race of people had been left out of my education. Sentries were privileged to learn everything about every culture. We had to be knowledgeable so we could assess threats and dangers accurately.
    “What kind of gifts?” I asked.
    He waved his hand. “I can commune with nature. It’s how I knew you were loitering just outside my borders. I could feel your distress singing through the leaves. By the time I found you, you were unresponsive. My healer could scarcely find a pulse.”
    I couldn’t seem to form a response.
    “We all have varying degrees of gifts. Some can heal; some can speak with animals; some can direct energies. Your people call us Spirit-speakers, or Outcasts.”
    “Oh,” I said. “Outcasts, yes. I’ve heard of you.” But it wasn’t anything good. Crazy came to mind, as that was what I’d been taught. I analyzed the Chief and decided that anyone who saved a complete stranger wasn’t crazy.
    Just human.

    Several air messages came in the next day. More Councilmen who had received my message and were interested in hearing what else I had to say. I had yet to get a message telling me to leave them alone. I wondered if Alex had instated other questionable policies that I didn’t know about.
    “My son will show you to the bathing pool,” the Chief said after breakfast. He gestured to a teenager, maybe a few years younger than me. He wore only shorts, and he grinned from ear to ear.
    “You’re an Airmaster?” he asked before I could introduce myself. He handed me a towel and a bar of soap. He set off into the forest, and I followed.
    “Yes,” I said. “What’s your name?”
    “Hanai,” he said. “I’m fourteen.” He glanced over his shoulder. “My father wants me to make sure you’re trustworthy.” He said the last words in a low voice, like we were conspiring together.
    “What?” I asked, almost laughing. “How are you going to do that?”
    Hanai shrugged. “He wants me to give you some of our terms.”
    I wanted to stay in the Outcast settlement. In the twenty-four hours I’d been here, I’d felt more security and peace than I had in months.
    “Go for it,” I said. “What does he want from me?”
    “The Chief expects undying loyalty,” Hanai said, his voice floating back to me as we continued down a well-worn path. “He thinks you can teach us some survival techniques, and he expects all skills to be shared among the settlement. In return, he’ll help you