Free Redemption by Denise Grover Swank Page B

life for combat. I’m our best chance.”
    She sighed, her smile falling. “I agree. I want Jake to survive and you’re more experienced. But I want to make it perfectly clear that Jake is our number-one priority. Do you agree?”
    Will knew she’d accept no other answer. “Agreed.”
    “Okay.”
    He didn’t want to admit how nervous he was. He’d been in charge of a Marines unit in Iraq and faced the enemy more times than he could count, but the thought of bringing Emma into a mortal battle made Will queasy. Especially since the odds were against them.
    “So general , what are your orders?”
    He smirked. “You practice with fire and I’ll practice with water.”
    She studied him for several seconds, shaking her head, before she turned away. He’d expected a sarcastic retort since she’d suggested the exact same thing.
    He watched her walk along the beach, resisting the urge to tell her not to go too far. He doubted she’d leave his sight, more because she worried something would happen to him rather than herself. Especially after he’d been kidnapped. He wished he’d never left her that night in Farmington, New Mexico, but it had all played into their union. If Aiden hadn’t forced Emma to leave him, she’d never have freed him, releasing his power. They never would have joined. He never would have known what he was capable of.
    Unless Marcus told him.
    The thought of Marcus left a bitter taste in Will’s mouth. Marcus was an element, and he couldn’t be taken lightly. Every element was out for himself and Marcus had admitted that he had a plan for Will. And for Emma. The latter scared Will the most.
    All the more reason to find out what Will could do now. Staring out into the ocean, he had to admit that his power was both exciting and terrifying. He felt as though everything in his life finally made sense. As though he were looking through a polarized lens, bringing everything into focus. Will had a purpose. He only wished James were here to share it.
    If the thought of Marcus left a bitter taste, the thought of James was acrid. James’s betrayal was still hard to stomach. Maybe someday Will would get more answers. If James were even still alive.
    Thinking about James was pointless.
    Standing at the water’s edge, he closed his eyes. Energy flowed from the waves into his body, lapping through him. Was it like this for Emma? He didn’t think so. From what she said, she experienced a burning sensation with a surge of power. But this was the opposite of burning. Not exactly cold, but cooling. And the energy ebbed and flowed, along with the tide. That made sense. Water and Fire were polar opposites. It stood to reason they’d be opposites in power.
    Will hoped it meant they had an advantage in the battle, especially if they could combine and share their powers.
    He tried to remember what using his power had felt like when he’d saved Emma. He hadn’t even thought—the power just came to him. Automatic, like an extension of himself. Could he use it now, or did he need emotional distress like Emma needed in the beginning?
    Opening his eyes, he lifted his hand toward the water and called to it. It amazed him that days ago he didn’t even know his power existed. Now the energy of the water lapped through him like the movement of the waves. The water six feet in front of him bubbled, then swirled, rising into a water-filled tornado. He couldn’t stop his grin. What else could he do?
    Showoff .
    Down the beach, he spotted Emma scowl and turn away.
    He understood her irritation. Using her power hadn’t come naturally to her, and she’d struggled every step of the way. It had to be frustrating for her to see him do things with little effort. Hopefully, she’d appreciate it since they had so little time to prepare. Especially if it saved her life. And Jake’s.
    For the next hour, he controlled the waves, exhilarated from the energy of the water and the power, astounded what he could do.
    “That’s