Elara

Alarmed, Elara looked up at Clara and shook her head "How would I communicate with anyone? It's not like I'm a telepath like you!" She snapped at her and stormed into her room to have some privacy. Clara certainly didn't deserve that kind of treatment but Elara had to get her off her back for a while.

How could she forget about her mating bond with Nolan? Since she'd been in the Tiassili camp it never occurred to her to try and reach him. She always tried to link with her friends when the obvious thing to do was reach out to her mate.

Nolan, are you still there?

I'm here. I kept trying to reach you but you have walls around your mind. Are you safe?

I am. I have to build up walls all the time, I'm surrounded by telepaths. Don't worry about me. I'm sorry I had to leave like that.

She could feel Nolan's despair as his voice came out soft and laced with sadness. Where did you go?

Elara paused for a second not knowing if she should tell him or not. She wanted to tell him everything, but was it safe? Clara told her not to trust the Tiassili witches, what if they went after her loved ones? She wouldn't be able to protect them being so far away and wouldn't be able to live with herself if anything happened to them.

Elara?

I'm with the Tiassili coven. They came to get me. I couldn't say no. She blurted before slapping her forehead.

What do you mean you couldn't say no? Do you know how dangerous they are?

Elara smiled as she could feel the worry in Nolan's tone. He was livid. It felt good to hear his voice even if it was just in her head and he wasn't in front of her.

I know! I have no choice in the matter, Nolan. Apparently, I'm eighteen and I belong to them now. I don't think I'll ever be able to leave.

Nolan said nothing which got Elara nervous a bit. She sat down on her bed and closed her eyes.

Could you please tell my grandpa I'm alright? And the girls?

I will. And I'll find a way to get you out of there.

I'm working on something as well.

Elara... I...Take care of yourself.

Elara blushed as she had a feeling about what he was actually going to say. But she was also glad he didn't say anything. She wasn't ready to hear it. No matter how strong their mating bond was, she didn't really know him that well and didn't want to be like everyone who just blindly went into a relationship because they are mates. It might have been a stupid thought since she couldn't really control her feelings but she wanted to try. She wanted to have something special with him.

Good night Nolan.

A cold splash of water on her face and a deep breath were all Elara needed to calm herself and hide her happiness before going back out to the patio. She had been rude to Clara who was nothing but nice to her. She wasn't even sure an apology was enough. But she was happy and relieved that she wasn't cut off completely and she could still talk to Nolan. Maybe there was still hope to get out.

"So I start my training tomorrow?" She asked Clara as they sat on the porch drinking chamomile tea. Elara didn't know if it was just a coincidence that her mom loved chamomile tea or if that was a witch thing.

"I think you've rested enough. We can start tomorrow. But I wanted to ask you something. Do you want to continue high school? You can graduate here if you wish."

I don't wish at all! Elara thought as she shook her head. All she wanted was to go home and graduate with her friends. She had no intentions of making new friends or building a new life here.

"Alright, if you change your mind just let me know. Now, what would you like to learn first?"

"The portal thing you did when you kidnapped me. Is it hard?"

"I teleported us. I didn't create a portal, but no, It shouldn't be too hard for you."

"You mean I can teleport as well?"

"I'm not sure what you can or can't do Elara. So far I just know you can control the five elements, and usually, a witch who can do that has many more abilities than others. But we'll have to train you and see what you're capable of."

Clara took a sip of her drink and calmly turned her attention to Elara with a raised brow. "You sneaky witch! You want to teleport out of here?"

Elara shrugged "Doesn't hurt to try!"

"It does Elara. What can't you understand about the fact that no one leaves alive?"

"So you want me to stop trying? Is that it?"

"Look I'm getting tired of having the same conversation over and over with you. This is your new life, your new home, get used to it!"

Elara watched Clara as she stomped her foot before going to her bedroom and slamming the door so hard she felt the cabin shake a little.

A hard banging in her head made her open her eyes with a jolt. She looked at her door but it was open and no one was banging on the front door either. It wasn't long after she realized the banging was in her head. Someone was hitting her shielding walls trying to get into her mind.

"What the hell?"

Elara hurried to the kitchen hoping to find Clara and tell her but she was nowhere to be seen. She didn't let panic take over her as she closed her eyes shot and focused on the banging. She had to throw whoever it was out of her head. She had never done anything like it before and had no idea how to actually do it but acted on instinct. Wolves. Different colors and shapes were growling at the intruder and ready to attack.

The banging went down a notch but was still there. She let out a groan and focused on the sound trying to find where the intruder was so she could unleash her guarding wolves. She found her. Standing in all her glory. Her crown was made of metal feathers, her dress flowing on the dais as she sat upright on her throne.

A shiver went down Elara's spine. The Queen. She was trying to get into her mind. She can't know who my mother is. With an animalistic groan, Elara ordered the wolves to attack and protect the shields around her mind. She knew she was invisible to the Queen, hidden behind the walls of her fortress. Her wolves kept pushing the queen out until she lost control and left Elara's mind.

It took her a few minutes to be able to open her eyes and yelp at the sight of Clara looking at her skeptically. She was breathing hard, felt drained, and sweating like a pig.

"What happened to you?"

"I just had a mental fight with the queen."

"Mental fight..." Clara looked thoughtful for a minute before sitting down and facing Elara. "Looks like you weren't convincing at the meeting yesterday. She just wants to make sure you weren't lying. But now she knows you were."

"How? I didn't let her in mind."

"Exactly. The best approach would have to let her in but make her see what you want her to see. Blocking her as you did just showed her how powerful you are."

"I just acted on instinct I don't even know how I did it!"

"Don't sweat it. If she asks I'll tell her I've been training you how to shield yourself since it's my specialty. She'll either believe me and tell me I did a great job, or, she'll know we're both lying. But if she approaches you, you need to act as if you had no idea it was her."

After breakfast, Clara took Elara to the woods. The same place where she cursed that man's soul. There were stone pillars forming a circle in the middle of the clearing. It was calm, no sound at all, not even a bird chirping. Elara felt a chill run up her back.

"This place is creepy."

"This place is secure," Clara smirked. "Once we get inside that circle, no one can hear or see us. It's the best place to train without showing anyone what you're capable of."

"You seem persistent in hiding my powers."

"And you seem not to know how dangerous this place is." Clara rolled her eyes and motioned to the circle. "Take off your shoes and step in slowly and stand in the center."

Elara raised an eyebrow but took off her shoes nonetheless. She ignored the coldness and wetness of the ground under her feet as she made her way inside the circle. Standing in the center as Clara instructed her, Elara felt a surge of power traveling from the dirt into her toes and her whole body. She let out a content sigh as she closed her eyes embracing the buzz of power running through her veins.

"It's amazing isn't it?" Clara smiled facing her trainee. "I can never forget the first time I came here to train. The feelings are amazing and are always stronger for elemental witches."

"What's happening?"

"You're absorbing power from the ground. Now I want you to conjure fire."

Elara chuckled "You want me to what?"

"Elara, I want you to call to the fire within you. I want to see a flame in the palm of your hand."

"And, how should I do that?"

"It's for you to find out. You can control fire, so call to it."

"Who said I can? I never..."

"Never is a strong word. And a lie. I got a glimpse inside your mind before you learned to put up walls around it. I saw a memory of you while training with your friends, and you burned the grass."

"Yes but it happened once, it doesn't mean I can control it."

"Just close your eyes and try."

Eyes tightly shut, mind wandering right and left, Elara tried her best to focus but she felt useless. She knew she couldn't control fire, so how would she conjure it? At first, she imagined a flame dancing in her palm thinking it might work but it didn't. Even though she failed for about ten times, she could feel Clara standing still, not uttering a word, and remarkably didn't lose her patience.

It was after her eleventh attempt that Elara let out a sigh of exasperation and threw her hands up in the air. "It's not working! Maybe it was just luck that first time, maybe I'm not able to control it."

"Nothing happens by chance or by luck Elara. You lit the grass on fire and were able to put it out. It means you can control it." She took a step closer to Elara "And stop whining! In this circle, I'm not your friend. I'm your mentor; I'm here to teach you."

With a slender well-manicured finger, she lifted Elara's chin and stared deeply into her green eyes. "Focus on a strong emotion within you. I used to think about losing my mom, being brought and trapped here, being used, and losing my freedom. Focusing on the anger always granted me access to my powers. You need to search your soul and find what the strongest emotion you have is. It could be love, desire, hatred or anger... anything."

With a light nod, Elara closed her eyes gently and images of her grandpa came to her mind, her friends and Nolan, her mom... At first, she was sliming, feeling at peace. But something shifted as she felt them being ripped away from her. She was brought here, and couldn't leave. She lost everyone at once and had no power over this. She gritted her teeth feeling hate... she hated the Tiassili coven, she hated the queen, and wished she could kill them all... she wished she could...

"Elara! Stop!"