Free Under the Burning Stars by Carrigan Richards Page B

head and she grasped his hair. Their necklaces glowed with the heat of their passion.
    Ava pulled him under and breathed into his mouth. He held her tight and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They came up out of the water, still kissing, and he gently pressed her back against a boulder.
    His eyes were hot with yearning as they met hers. “I love you, Ava. They won’t hurt you . I will protect you.” He whispered along her jaw. “And I will help you find out about your mom.”
    For a fleeting moment, she wanted to tell him about the Cruciari, but didn’t. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe she feared him telling her what a bad idea it was. But would he protect her? Even from the Ephemerals?

CHAPTER EIGHT
NOTHING LEFT TO SAY
    The wind billowed around Ava, her hair flying around her face like snakes, and the charging electricity throbbed in her veins. She watched the woman unpin bed sheets from the line and sloppily roll them into the laundry basket.
    A va could feel a smile stretch on her face.
    To finally end the betrayal of her best friend. One lightning strike was all she needed. The clouds darkened and once the little girl was out of sight, Ava raised her arms to the sky and were met with white veiny hands, holding her. Comforting her with the power of revenge.
    Ava ’s eyes bolted open and she looked around. Her breaths came in short gasps and adrenaline pumped throughout her. She raised up into a sitting position and wiped the sweat from her forehead. The room was sweltering and she made herself cold.
    For the past month, she’d had the same dream. From the killer’s perspective. Why had she been dreaming about her mom? Was it because of Marcel?
    She tried to breathe normally, but her body still shook. Knots twisted around her stomach as her necklace glowed.
    Her phone buzzed next to her and she answered.
    “Are you okay?” Peter asked.
    She nodded but then remembered he couldn’t see her. “ Yes. Just a dream.”
    “ Same one?”
    “Yes.”
    “I wonder what provokes them. I mean, have you been thinking about your mom lately?”
    Since the night Marcel told me that my mom was a Cimmerian? No. Not at all , she thought sarcastically. “A little. But not about her death.”
    “ Want me to come over?”
    “ No, it’s fine. You’ve got camping to do.” Ava was actually grateful that he and Seth made plans to go camping because she and Link were going to the Cruciari. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up but she didn’t want to tell Peter.
    “I can always cancel.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
    “No. This will be good for Seth.” He had been struggling with his new life more than Peter.
    “I know. I’ll see you tomorrow night. I’ll miss you.”
    “You, too.”
    She hung up and climbed out of bed and dressed. She wondered if her mother’s killer was at the Cruciari. Only one way to find out.
    Ava tried not to appear nervous as she headed downstairs. The quicker she found Link, the quicker they could leave. She walked into the library and halted once she saw Jeremy sitting at the table with Gabriel, Link, and Nicole.
    “Ava.” Jeremy smiled as he stood and hugged her. He’d cut his sandy blond hair short. Gillian hated that he cut most of it off. But he looked better, Ava thought. She wondered if he was going to get in trouble with Gillian for being at the Manor without her.
    She was so glad to see him. “It’s good to see you. How did you manage to come here without Gillian?”
    “It’s still early. She’s still asleep.”
    “I’ve missed you.”
    “I know. And don’t think for a second that I agree with Gillian and Thomas. They’ll eventually come around.”
    “Maybe. I wish I could stay and hang out, but Link and I have plans.”
    “Oh. What are you two up to?”
    “Yes, please tell us what your plans are,” Gabriel said in an all-too-knowing voice.
    She looked from Gabriel’s expectant eyes to Link’s guilty eyes. She clenched her teeth. Ava made him swear not to