Chapter Twenty-One

 

Funny how one unexpected incident could really throw a total curve in your life.

Dreary skies masked yesterday’s bright sun from the beach. I didn’t consider the change in weather an omen, rather a common facet of life on this side of the island. The soaked scenery blurred as we sped past, the wipers swooshing back and forth.

Even though I should have spent my time rehearsing questions to ask Pele, I stared blankly out the passenger window of the Firebird where rivulets of rain streamed across the glass, thinking of nothing beyond Liam’s kiss. It had held the magic of a first kiss unlike any other I’d ever experienced before, like the mere action of our entwined lips sparked feelings inside me I hadn’t known existed. I couldn’t say how long we’d stood together, our arms wound around each other, our mouths refusing to part. Even today, I could still taste Liam’s kiss upon my lips.

But when we neared Kilauea, a pit of dread formed in the bottom of my gut—small at first, but gradually growing wider and wider. I realized once again I had unintentionally placed someone I liked in harm’s way. It didn’t concern me that I hadn’t revealed my identity as an Elemental to Liam. If I had a choice, I would relinquish my powers in a heartbeat in exchange for a normal existence and a chance to be with him. Still, the threat of Gaia and Skye’s return loomed in the back of my mind. So far, there had been no sign of their approach, but that didn’t mean they weren’t near.

After arranging to meet Lulu an hour before the park closed, I waved good-bye and headed out across the lava field that stood empty, a result of the light rain. I knew I no longer needed to search for the goddess directly; she would find me when she felt ready. I had only hiked halfway across the lava field when I felt a rush of hot air behind me. Turning into the heat, I saw the goddess standing before me, a red blossom tucked behind her ear. The molten ends of her hair steamed with each cool drop that fell from the sky.

“Follow me,” she directed and led me out into the middle of an open basin, away from the designated trails. From her hurried pace, I could tell she seemed eager to start, so I decided to hold my questions and complaints for a moment and let my mind dwell on thoughts of Liam instead. What did it matter if my magic had failed and I didn’t end up where I had intended if I’d managed to find happiness in my current location?

“Today,” Pele announced, “we step your powers up a notch. Have you ever made a lava lake before?”

I scrunched my nose. “Considering I don’t even know what a lava lake is, I’ll say no.”

Pele rolled her eyes, my sheltered lifestyle amusing her. “You’ll start small to begin with, so you can get the idea.” She placed her hands side by side, with thumbs overlapping, and focused her energy upon a chunk of lava rock, about the size of a bowling ball. An intense beam of heat poured from her hands, concentrating on that single spot until the solid rock gradually changed shape, its edges rounding and softening until it melted into a liquid state of matter. When her thumbs unlocked, the beam dispersed, leaving a puddle of molten material in the place where the rock had previously rested.

“That’s pretty cool,” I said, marveling at her work. I considered the possibilities of this new skill in defending Liam and myself from the threat of the other Elementals. I mimicked her hand position and closed my eyes, forcing every ounce of my strength into a single, focused beam of heat that burst forth from my palms. Sweat beaded across my brow from the exertion and the magnitude of the heat aimed at the ground. Daring a glance at my progress, I watched proudly. The rock’s solid form slowly softened into a red-hot mass.

Pele nodded, pleased. “Now bigger,” she directed and traced a finger around the area she wished me to cover.

I wanted to protest that her designated boundaries seemed far too large, but held my tongue. This is it. Finish your training, I coached myself, searching deeper within my soul to call forth more heat. Keeping my thumbs interlocked, I aimed my palms at a spot in the middle. Surprisingly, the heat I produced helped melt the adjacent areas as well, allowing the puddle to fan outward and swell in size. Despite the coolness of the light rain, sweat poured from my brow and stained the sleeves of my shirt. When I finally reached Pele’s set limits, I let my weary arms fall to my sides. I panted from the side of the lava pool, watching with pride as the lava bubbled furiously, like a pot of red-hot liquid boiling on a stovetop. I chanced a glance at Pele, gauging her mood before I asked the question that burned foremost in my mind. She appeared satisfied, which meant now was as good a time as any.

“So, do you think I’m ready?” I dared to wonder.

She tilted her head sideways. “Ready for what?”

“To take on the other Elementals and finish this thing once and for all,” I explained between ragged breaths. My life would be mine to do with as I chose. Finally.

Pele blinked in surprise.

“Okay, I know what you’re thinking,” I continued. “I can never have my old life back and can never bring back those I’ve lost. But I’m strong enough to take them on and finish them like I finished off Hydros, right?”

Pele looked down at me, shaking her head sadly as she whispered, “An Elemental’s body may perish, but not the Essence.”

“Essence?” My eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “What’s that?”

Pele sighed. “A long time ago, the four Elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire fused together with living beings to create the Elementals. As you have learned through experience, Elementals are capable of surviving extended exposure to their element in a way that would kill other humans, thus making them seemingly immortal through time. However, as individuals, you are still subject to mortal wounds, like you saw when Hydros perished in your last battle. Because of her Elemental powers, she did not die like other mortals. Instead, her Essence lives on in a spirit-like form.”

“So Hydros isn’t really gone?” I gasped. My body felt conflicted, a part of it relieved that I had not truly destroyed the innocent girl Shannon, the other part concerned she might return.

Pele nodded. “She will never be truly gone.”

“But does she still have powers?” I wondered aloud, my hands trembling with every word.

“Yes, but they differ from the ones she had possessed before.”

Different in a good way or different in a bad way, I didn’t dare to ask. I gulped, suddenly frightful of her return. Perhaps I could pacify her temper, if I had a chance to explain my actions.

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I asked, “So can I speak to Hydros’s Essence and apologize?”

“Not yet, child. She is still bitter.”

Because of me. I didn’t need Pele to finish her sentence to know who Hydros blamed for never seeing her parents or twin again. Gaia might have destroyed her home and chased her through time, forcing Shannon to accept her identity as Hydros and her role in Gaia’s quest for power. But in the end, Hydros blamed me…and me alone.

“So what happens to the Water Element now that Hydros is no longer an active Elemental?”

“Why, the Element must choose a new life form to embody,” the goddess explained.

“Meaning…a new Elemental has already been chosen?” My mouth went dry as my world crashed upon me. All this time I’d presumed I was safe with her destroyed. Instead, I only worsened my situation, infuriating Hydros’s Essence and creating a new Water Elemental.

Oh. My. God.

A part of me finally understood why Pele had waited to share this truth with me. She was right—I wasn’t ready for this news before. And to be honest, I wasn’t even sure I was ready for it now.

“Do you know who the new Water Elemental is?”

Pele gazed into my eyes, but didn’t reply. For a split second, I thought I saw a trace of pity in her expression. I hoped she would budge, but she didn’t.

“Well, can I at least speak to the old Fire Essence?” I tried, desperate for an ally against so many foes.

Pele smiled softly. “In that regard, Hina may be able to help.”

“Hina? The healer?”

“Hina is my friend, the Hawaiian moon goddess and the goddess of healing.”

I blinked, remembering Cam’s story about the two angels who visited his hospital room. “The one who saved Cam.”

“And you.” Pele nodded. “I have arranged for her to introduce you to the Fire Essence.”

I opened my mouth to blurt a slew of questions, “When, where, and how?” when Pele placed a gentle hand upon my arm. “Don’t worry, child,” she reassured me. “Hina already knows you. When the moon is full, you will see her.”

“When the moon is full?” I repeated, baffled. “What do you mean?”

“You have so many questions,” Pele said amusedly. “Trust me. On the next full moon, call for her. You will see.”

I allowed a small grin to seep across my face. After everything I’d been through, I was finally getting somewhere. And I had a sneaking suspicion that Hina would tell me exactly what I needed to know. Still, Pele’s explanations seemed limited, like she purposefully withheld other vital information about the history of the Elementals.

“So that’s all I have to do to finish my training?” I questioned her. “Meet Hina and the Fire Essence?”

“You give up too easily,” she said with reproach. “There is more you must learn.” The Fire Essence will be accompanying you on the final journey of your training.”

I sighed. “I thought you said I was done with my missions.”

Pele shook her head. “There is still more you need to master. Your last journey is unlike the others. Inherently it is more dangerous, yet absolutely necessary.”

“Well, that sounds fabulous,” I said, my sarcasm spilling over the top. “I think I’ll pass.”

“It’s too late for that,” she cautioned. “I called you here for a reason, you know, and you will finish your training.”

“But what if I don’t? What if I can’t do this?” I challenged.

Disturbed by my insubordinate behavior, Pele’s eyes glowed red. “Don’t tell me you’re ready to give everything up? For what? A boy?”

“No,” I exclaimed, my jaw dropping in mock surprise. The blush rose in my cheeks to belie my emotions.

Pele crossed her arms over her chest. “You think I haven’t been in love many times before? I can see that look in your eyes.”

“Look?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound innocent. “What look?” Especially since I hadn’t realized I had actually fallen for him.

“Now is not the time to lose focus, Jordan.” Pele stared at me with reproach. “Remember, call for her at the full moon.”

“But where is the Fire Essence taking me? And why is it necessary?”

“I’m afraid I cannot tell you more at the moment,” Pele said sternly.

I knew I shouldn’t press her, but my curiosity got the best of me. “Can you at least tell me who the new Water Elemental is?”

She thrust one hand behind her, making the ground cleave and a molten jet of fiery lava spurt into the sky. “That is all for today.” Dismissing any further conversation on the topic, she turned on her heels. The molten ends of her black tresses trailed behind her, melting everything they touched.

This time, I didn’t bother to follow. Like I’d learned countless times before, Pele wouldn’t volunteer any information beyond what she wanted me to know.

Dejected that things hadn’t worked out, I sulked back along the trail as the drizzle worsened, grateful Lulu would return soon. Pele’s remaining tasks repeated in my mind, even though I didn’t fully understand what she expected me to do when I met Hina and the Fire Essence. Worse, what if the weather didn’t clear and the clouds obscured the full moon? How would I call for Hina so I could complete the last portion of my training?

By the time I reached Volcano House, my clothes were drenched and my mind more muddled than before. My obligation to Pele and my desire to be with Liam warring inside my head, I wiped a brimming tear from my eye. From her hostile reaction, I knew she would never allow me to quit, not after all the effort she had devoted to my training so far. Somehow, I must learn to balance both sides of my life. I must find a way to complete the last of her tasks, so I could be with Liam and keep him safe.

I still had a few minutes to spare before Lulu pulled up in her Firebird. Rather than waiting by the parking lot, I stood amongst the tourists on the viewing deck and stared out across the expanse of black lava punctuated by a few straggly trees bearing red blossoms like the one Pele had tucked behind her ear. In the distance, the smoldering remains of her anger rose into the late afternoon sky. Visitors in cheap plastic ponchos found it exciting, snapping photos on their cameras and phones or dropping coins into the slots to peer through public binoculars mounted to the wall. But I knew the truth behind the active display—I had angered Pele yet again for letting my heart distract me from the tasks she set forth. I felt bad, not just because I disappointed the goddess—a feat I seemed quite adept at accomplishing—but because I doubted I could ever rise to her high expectations. Especially since every challenge she set before me only ended in frustration and failure.