Read Online Under the Winter Sun (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 3) by Carrigan Richards - Free Book Online Page A

the pool. “Didn’t you say it took Gabriel over a month for his to return the first time this happened?”
    “What is everyone doing at the Manor if none of their powers are working?”
    “Watching the Elders show us things. Learning to fight. Everyone asks about you.”
    Ava laughed, and Peter gave her a cautious look. “So, we’re just going to learn how to fight like we’re Ephemerals and fight against Havok? Has everyone lost their mind? Did they forget how powerful he is?”
    “It helps keep our minds off—.”
    “Minds off what?” She spat. “He took our powers away. He took our friends. He killed others. Nothing will keep our minds off that.”
    “And I’m there learning as much as I possibly can so that it doesn’t happen again. I wish you’d come with me.”
    “I can’t.”
    Sighing, he rolled his eyes. He drove her home in silence. Ava hated arguing with Peter, but she couldn’t bring herself to go back. Not yet. Not when she didn’t have a purpose. 
    Before she got out of the car, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. His eyes trained on whatever was outside the windshield. Something weighed on him.
    “What’s wrong?” She touched his hand. 
    Peter’s eyes snapped to hers. “Nothing. I’ll see you later.” He pulled out his phone, forcing her to remove her hand from his. He started typing something.
    She watched him for a second, wondering who he was texting. Feeling shut out, she reluctantly got out of the car. “Will you come over tonight?” she asked.
    “Maybe.” He didn’t look up from his phone.
    “Okay.” She clenched her teeth and shut the door. What was up with him? She ambled toward the stairs to her apartment, but stopped and watched him drive away. She couldn’t figure him out.
    Ava barely ate dinner. Her nerves wouldn’t allow it. She fell asleep waiting for Peter.
    The nightmare began in darkness. She could see her breath, white against the black night. She was searching. But she could never find Melissa and Jeremy. Savina knew where they were, but wouldn’t tell her. She ran but always stopped once she saw Havok’s menacing face - pale like the moonlight. Eyes, black as the night, and evil. His thin lips curled into an ominous grin, and soon a deep laughter echoed in the night.    
    Ava bolted upright in her bed and grasped her necklace. It warmed against her skin. Her shirt was sticky from sweat. She felt the blankets next to her and didn’t feel Peter. Complete darkness surrounded her as she fumbled to find her cell phone. She pushed a button and its bright light almost blinded her. It was after midnight and there was a text message from Peter.
    I’m sorry I won’t be there tonight. I’m exhausted after practicing, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.
    Ava sank back into the bed, dejected.

CHAPTER SIX
DISINTEGRATION
    The sun’s brightness almost blinded Ava as she drove to school by herself. The car’s heater was on full blast but it wasn’t warm enough. Gripping the steering wheel, she tried not to let Peter’s aloofness bother her.
    Ava slammed on her brakes and stopped just in time. She was inches from the car in front of her. They took forever moving forward and Ava laid on the horn. She took a deep breath.
    When she arrived, she was surprised to see Thomas waiting for her. He hadn’t waited for her in over a year. Today wasn’t a good day.
    “Hey,” he greeted. The sun touched his pale blue eyes.
    “Hi.” She couldn’t hide the irritation in her voice as she moved passed him and entered through the double doors.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Fine. Why?”
    “Well, last night you were sad.”
    “Yeah, I was.” She reached her locker, and spun the combination.
    “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “Nope.”
    “Why don’t you come to the Manor?”
    “Because I don’t want to.” What was everyone’s obsession with that? Ava lifted the lock, but it didn’t open. She tried the combination again with no luck.
    “Why?”
    She