Free Maxon by Christina Bauer

the cap and make a silent toast.
    To my big battle. At last, you’re here.

Lianna
    In my dream, I float in total darkness. My mind’s a blank, and not a peaceful Zen-like blank, either. More like empty and unsettled. Every so often, I feel like I should wake up and fight someone. It seems pretty important, too. Then, the emptiness overtakes me again. I go back to floating along, deep in sleep.
    The next thing I know, a flash of bright light overtakes my dream. Some part of me thinks it could be lightning, and another part suspects magic. No matter what it is, the result is the same. I end up wide-awake, my back pressing against a cold cave floor. It’s still dark, only now I’m freezing my ass off and freaking the hell out.
    Calm down, Lianna.
    What does Namare always say? Make a mental list of what you know.
    Item one. My skin is glowing elemental blue instead of dead blue, so I’ve got that going for me.
    Which leads directly to item two. I’m still an elemental.
    And item three. For some reason, I’m in the dark and it’s freezing cold.
    Okay. Could be worse.
    Raising my hand, I conjure a luminescent blue mist. A soft light fills the chamber around me. I’m in some kind of underground mini-cave made of black, slimy stone. A pulse drums through the air like a heartbeat. I’m fully encased in this snug place; there’s no obvious way in or out.
    I’d bet a million dollars I got sucked into Charybdis. Hey, there are worse things that can happen. At least there’s no sign of Zephyr.
    I need more intel than that, however.
    Raising my hand, I conjure a waterfall to appear before me. The liquid flares bright blue as it changes into a conduit for communicating with other water elementals. Within seconds, an image appears in the shifting liquid.
    It’s the Hall of Fountains.
    I exhale a breath I didn’t know I was holding. This is my throne room, or it will be once I’m crowned monarkki. The circular space is empty. Nothing except tall fountain-walls and a fancy blue throne.
    â€œHello? Anyone there?”
    A child’s face appears in the shifting falls.
    â€œWho are you?” asks the young boy.
    â€œI’m Lianna.”
    â€œOh, everyone’s talking about you. You took Namare’s powers yesterday.”
    So, I’ve only been out for a day. Good.
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œMy Dad calls you the us..usp…”
    â€œUsurper?” No point asking how everyone’s reacting to the news of my rule.
    â€œThat’s it. My Dad says that it’s better not to have a monarkki than to have a weak ruler.” He lowers his voice. “I mean, look what happened with Zephyr. He should never have been crowned, but the Valta went ahead and did it anyway. All of Dad’s friends agree.”
    â€œI’m sure they do.” I scan his little suit of blue armor. “You’re training to become a Water Valta, aren’t you?”
    He puffs out his little chest. “Yes. One day I’ll be Esau the Water Valta.”
    â€œI’m sure you will be. Can you do me a favor, Esau?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œGo find General Fisk. Tell him I wish to speak to him. He’ll be in the—”
    Esau takes off at a run without waiting for more information. As a Water Valta in training, I’m guessing he knows exactly where Fisk is. It doesn’t take long for my magical waterfall to encase a new face. It’s Fisk, and he’s positively beaming with joy. I smile, too.
    â€œLianna, is that really you?”
    â€œYup. Alive and kicking.”
    He exhales shaky breath. “I’m so glad, my girl.”
    I make a point to ignore the ‘my girl’ crack and get right to business. “How are my people?”
    â€œThey’re not yours yet. Until you’re recognized by the Valta, you’re just another elemental.”
    My body turns wary and cold. “Why are you bringing that up,