Under the Burning Stars by Carrigan Richards Page A

But I don’t think it could be true.”
    “ What have you and Gillian been doing this summer?”
    “Not much of anything really. We hang out at Melissa’s like usual.”
    Ava felt a pang of sadness. They always hung out at Melissa’s every summer but now that Ava had broken her Aureole and their trust, she didn’t see any of them. It didn’t make sense though. If Melissa and Lance weren’t mad at Ava, why hadn’t they come to see her at the Manor? So far, only Jeremy had.
    “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
    “Why hasn’t anyone come to see me?” She didn’t intend to sound so pathetic, but these were her best friends. They didn’t even know she was going to the Cruciari. Or why for that matter. Or that she’d been having nightmares for an entire month. Or why she needed information about Percipients. Had she really burned all the bridges?
    “Gillian has been hogging all of mine and Melissa’s time. And well, Thomas has been hanging out with Lance. For a while I guess some of us figured you were happy because you ha ve Peter.”
    “Of course I’m happy. But I feel so disconnected from all of you. Peter is trying to adjust and help Seth out.”
    “What about Gabriel and his clan?” He nodded toward Gabriel.
    “They’re nice and all, but Natalia hates me for some reason. We went to New Orleans a while ago, and she didn’t go because I went. What’s that about?”
    Jeremy shrugged. “I really wouldn’t worry about it.”
    “I think Peter’s still scared.”
    “Of course he is. His entire life has changed. But that doesn’t mean his feelings for you have changed.”
    “I’ve really missed you this summer, Jer.”
    “I’ve missed you too.”
    Once they were out of view, Gabriel instructed them to touch him so he could teleport all of them at once. Ava felt awkward taking his hand, but it was warm and surprisingly comforting.
    They arrived at a large embankment with small rowboats moored to the docks and several guards stood their posts. Across the raging sea was the Cruciari. The ocean waves pounded against the rocks that surrounded the building as if trying to knock it down. The wind blew Ava’s red hair all around her. She held it back, wondering if there was a storm pending. Seagulls flew above in the overcast sky, squawking. The salty sea air usually relaxed Ava, but the atmosphere was tense.
    T hen she felt Link’s animosity.
    “It would be so easy to bomb it right n ow.” Link clenched his teeth, glaring at the building.
    “Your powers don’t work here. ” Gabriel reminded him.
    “How did the Cimmerians escape before? Did they pull a Monte Cristo or something?”
    Gabriel chuckled slightly. “Maybe.”
    “I wish we had a morphing ability right now,” Nicole said and Ava winced. The last morphing Enchanter she had encountered made her believe he was her father, and Thomas had burned him while still in her father’s form. She would never forget that image.
    “Let’s just get this over with. ” Ava moved forward.
    They walked down an incline and met with a burly guard with an eye patch that watched them carefully.
    “What’s your business?” he asked in a gruff voice.
    “We’re here to see Xavier Holstone,” Gabriel said. He didn’t seem as relaxed as before, but being there made Ava uneasy as well. It could have been the looming storm.
    “He sure is a popular one.”
    “Who else has been here to see him?” Ava asked.
    “I’m not allowed to share that information.”
    “Why not?”
    Gabriel warned her with a look. “That’s fine. We’re ready to go.”
    The guard guided them down to a small boat and Gabriel took Ava by the elbow. “Don’t ask questions or they’ll get angry,” he whispered and then released her.
    “ Angry about what?”
    “I’ll explain later.”
    They stepped into the boat and Ava wondered if it was going to capsize in the giant waves. If only she could use her ability, she could calm the water. She gripped the sides of the