Death In Her Eyes - Erin Bedford Page 0,17
one side to the other. “Yeah. My mom died.”
There was a collected inhale before an arm went around my shoulders.
“Joash, no!” Ayden cried out as my senses were overcome with the vision. My fingers dug into the side of the table as I struggled to breath. Water clogged my throat. My lungs. I couldn’t scream or even fight back. Steam filled the water around me, leaving my attacker a murky figure with long shadows spreading out around them.
I coughed and grabbed my chest, my mind thrown back into myself all at once.
“Geez, are you okay?” Coral gasped, a small sound that made me hold a hand up.
“I’m fine. Just give me,” I gasped, my throat raw and lungs still aching. “Give me a minute.”
“Damn it, Joash.” Ayden threw a piece of broccoli at him over me. “I told you not to touch her. She’s gonna think we’re a bunch of insensitive assholes.”
“Which is why she should be sitting with us.”
I blinked rapidly my breathing finally coming back to normal as I slowly turned toward the new voice. A girl about mine and Ayden’s age stood with two others. She wore the same uniform as Ayden except her necktie was purple versus the red of Ayden’s. I hadn’t really noticed the color coordination until now. Looking around the table I saw that each student wore a color coordinating with what their power was. Red for fire. Blue for water. I guessed brown was earth and green for air? I didn’t know how they figured that but then again, I wasn’t planning on staying long enough to find out.
The girl before me and her friends wore purple. Was that what I was going to be reduced to? A color? I didn’t even like purple.
“I’m Charity. This is Bishop and Dharma.” She gestured her silvery hair toward the two next to her. The guy’s, Bishop, black hair hung over half of his face, hiding a stoic expression. The other girl had pale strawberry blonde hair. Her blue eyes stared into me as if she were trying to read my soul. I immediately wanted to run and hide.
“Elle.” I jerked my head to her. “Why should I sit with you? Is it some rule?”
Taken back by my question, Charity’s mouth dropped open before clamping shut. “No. It’s just the way it is. Elementals,” she gazed around the table with clear disdain, “Don’t understand. They have no boundaries and will only cause you further pain. We,” she gestured to her and her friends, “can help you reach your full potential and we know a thing or two about the hazards of our abilities.” She gave me a knowing look.
“Hey, we can be helpful too.” Zephyr argued, his brows furrowed as he glared at Charity.
“That’s so sweet.” Dharma purred, her eyes locking onto Zephyr. “I’m sure she’ll think that when you try to go in for a kiss and end up shooting your dirty thoughts all over her.”
Zephyr’s face turned beet red, his fingers curling into fists. “I would not.”
“It’s no use arguing with them.” Ayden sighed and shook her head. “They’ll be three steps ahead with anything you try to say.” She turned to me. “It’s up to you, Elle. I can’t make you stay. And Charity is probably right.” She shrugged. “I can’t even begin to help you figure out your powers. I can be a friend though.”
Ayden reminded me of Nikki. A less in your face Nikki but none the less someone I wanted on my side.
Looking to Charity, I offered her a chilly smile. “I’ll take my chances but thank you for your concern.”
Charity gaped as if she hadn’t seen that coming. Apparently, they couldn’t read everyone’s mind because it was clear as day that I wasn’t going to go with her. I tucked that little nugget away for later.
“Come on,” Charity sniffed, tossing her silvery hair over her shoulder. “She’ll change her mind. They always do.” She and her friends slinked away.
Turning back to my plate, I decided I wasn’t hungry anymore. I pushed my plate away and stood.
“You’re leaving?” Ayden’s voice went up an octave. “I can’t believe you’re going to those crazies.” She huffed and clanked her fork against her plate. “Just great.”
I paused. “Chill. I’m going to my room. Not changing sides.” I rolled my eyes and stuck my hand in my pocket searching for the other cigarette I’d tucked in there before. “I’m not on anyone’s side. I’m on my side.”
Ayden nodded. “I get it. We all