Elemental Darkness (Paranormal Public Series) by Maddy Edwards Page A

knowing most of them anymore. Until this summer I had barely spent any time here since I had left for college.
    Feeling frustrated, I just kept walking, heading for the hill and the cemetery. I knew that my mom would know what to do, if only I could talk to her. I did my best with Ricky, I really did, but sometimes I just had no idea.
    By the time I climbed the hill and reached the small cemetery where Carl had buried my mom, I was breathing hard. It was a steep climb, and in my anger I had walked up quickly. But up here, unlike in town, I was alone. The only sound was the trees blowing in the wind, and the soft murmur of what was left of the rain.
    I don’t know how long I sat at my mother’s grave, wide awake and thinking. I wished I could go back to the beginning of spring semester, when my boyfriend had brought me here and my brother didn’t hate me for keeping secrets I couldn’t control, and when Lisabelle hadn’t gone away.
    I was struggling more and more with not having heard from Keller. I assumed I would hear about it if he were dead, but now I wasn’t even sure about that. Who would tell me? His parents hated me. I supposed Vanni would, but I didn’t even know where Vanni was this summer. On the other hand, there was no reason to think Keller would die, except that he was with Malle.
    Eventually, I stood up. I was wet and cold, and it was time to head back. But I knew as soon as I brought my thoughts back to the present that something was wrong. Not with me, not here, but at home.
    I’d had a growing feeling of unease for weeks, but I had tried to talk myself out of it. Cale’s showing up had only increased my worry, but I couldn’t put my finger on what was wrong.
    I broke into a run as my heart started to pound. As I raced along I gathered winds; it was now the dead of night and they whirled around me as my panic grew.
     

Chapter Fourteen
     
    The house looked quiet, but I didn’t believe it. My ring had started to pulse as I frantically searched the windows with my eyes. Ricky was upstairs, Carl was down.
    “Charlotte?” a voice whispered.
    I nearly screamed, but no sound came out because a warm hand gently covered my mouth. I met Cale’s eyes, which looked black in the darkness.
    “What are you doing here?” I whisper shouted.
    He put his finger to his lips.
    “There’s something here. Something new, beyond the usual demons. That’s why I’m here. Whoever they are, they’re powerful.”
    “They?” I said, terrified. “Ricky’s inside!”
    Cale tried to grab me as I headed toward the house, but I was already dashing up the porch steps and throwing the back door open before he could get a good grip on my arm.
    I pounded up my stairs. I knew Cale was close behind as I skidded to a halt in front of Ricky’s door. Glancing back at him, I saw a shrug. As quietly as I could, I opened the door.
    Ricky’s head was lying on his pillow. He was curled on his side and I could see the rise and fall of his chest. His hair was messy, as if he’d been tossing and turning. But he was fast asleep.
    Breathing easier, I carefully closed the door.
    It had just clipped shut when I saw Cale’s eyes go wide. Then, before I could grasp what was happening, he was ripped backward, his body slamming down the stairs.
    “Cale!” I cried, rushing after him. He broke through the bannister at the bottom, splintering it, and then he was yanked out the front door as if an invisible hand had gripped his ankle. I watched him struggle uselessly.
    It felt strange to be thrust back into the world of magic all of a sudden. All summer I had practiced, but that was different from the threat of an actual demon attack. Pelting after a friend in danger almost felt like getting back to normal.
    Whatever had gripped Cale, though, didn’t keep hanging on once he was outside. The invisible attacker just dumped him on the ground, which was still soaked from the rain.
    “Cale!” I cried again, rushing over to him.
    I barely saw