Free Playing With Fire (Power of Four Book 2) by SF Mazhar

into the chair next to his. “When I saw him at the door with the other two Elementals, I thought he was here to take Aaron away, one way or another.”
    “He’s the oldest Elemental,” Chris said. “If he really wanted to, he could have taken Aaron, even against his will.” He shook his head. “But Neriah’s not like James had been. He doesn’t force, he gives a choice.”
    Kate didn’t say anything and picked up her mug of tea.
    “He’s desperate,” Chris said quietly. “It won’t be long before Hadrian’s core awakens. Neriah needs all the power he can gather before then.”
    Kate was looking at him with a frown, her eyes narrowed. “You want to go.”
    It wasn’t so much a question as it was a statement.
    “Want isn’t the right word.” Chris pulled in a breath. “I need to do this,” he said. “I need to fight, to stand with the rest and do what I can to stop Hadrian.” He looked at his wife. “The world can think what it wants, Kate, but I’m not a coward. I didn’t run from a fight. I ran to protect what I couldn’t afford to lose. But now that Aaron’s older and he knows the truth about who he is, I can leave him with you and go join the war.” He held her blue-eyed gaze. “These last fourteen years haven’t erased who I am. I’ll always be a Hunter.” His hands flexed, itching to close around his familiars. It had been almost a decade and a half since he held his weapons. “Neriah wants the Blade of Adams. I know I can’t use it. The legacy is now with Aaron. But that doesn’t mean I can’t use another sword.” He held Kate’s stare. “I need to help, Kate. I want to stand against Hadrian. I’m fighting this war.”
    Kate was silent, watching him. She nodded at last, before breathing out a sigh. “I know.” She smiled at him. “And so am I.”
    “You need to stay with Aaron, Kate,” Chris said.
    “I have just as much right to protect this realm as you do,” Kate said.
    “I never said you don’t,” Chris replied. “But if both of us go away to fight, who will take care of Aaron?”
    Kate dropped her gaze. “Family,” she said quietly.
    “Michael won’t stay back,” Chris said. “He wants to fight too. He told me just the other day he was thinking of going to Salvador to speak to Neriah.”
    “I didn’t mean Michael,” Kate said.
    Chris frowned. “What other family do we have?”
    Kate looked at him. “Family doesn’t always mean blood.”
    Chris’s eyes widened with realisation. He looked away.
    “Chris,” Kate reached across the table to touch his hand. “We need to go and see her. We should’ve by now.”
    Chris shook his head. “I don’t think I can face her.”
    “Alaina has every right to be mad at us,” Kate said. “But she won’t hold anything against Aaron. She will take care of him, and Samuel and Rosalyn too.”
    Chris shook his head. “Kate–”
    A door closed somewhere above them, then they heard footsteps down the stairs, coming steadily towards them.
    “We’ll talk later,” Kate said, getting up from the table.
    She pulled out another few plates and turned, about to lay the table for the three teenagers when the door opened. Kate froze, the plates in her hands. Aaron was standing there, wearing his heavy jacket, with a packed duffel bag in his hand.
     

 
    5
    Making Choices
     
    Aaron watched as Chris stood up, surprised eyes on him, taking in his attire – heavy boots, jeans, hooded top under his jacket. Aaron could almost see the realisation as it swept over his dad. A Hunter – he was dressed as a Hunter. Chris’s stare moved to the bag in Aaron’s hand before snapping back to his face. Aaron almost flinched.
    “What are you doing?”
    It was his mum who asked the question, standing with a stack of plates forgotten in her hands. Aaron walked further inside, and Sam and Rose trailed in after him, clutching their own bags. Aaron put the duffel bag on the table.
    “I’m leaving,” he said. He looked straight at his