Chapter 2

I sat in the woods for nearly an hour just staring at the flower in front of me. I couldn't believe I did that. I shouldn't have been able to.

Yet somehow I did.

The only reason I left the woods was because I heard something snap a few feet away from where I sat. I ran as fast as I did in the race once the sound jolted me from my thoughts.

Now my stomach growls with hunger, my mouth as dry as the large desert country to the west of Esmera.

I enter the square of my small town Maldra, ignoring the decorations people are hastily putting up for tomorrow's parade. I always hate that event. The queen of the Silents comes once a year to visit her people. I claim it's to show off what she has; everything that we don't.

I don't know why she visits my town. Maldra is full of magical people. Elementals own nearly every restaurant while Magi run all of the shops, inns, and all other businesses except for a few. There are some Silent families living amongst us but not many. The ones that do only stay here because of old family businesses they don't want to give up. The Cole family for example comes from a long line of Silents. They're some of the richest people in town since they own the coal mines.

I guess now I can officially be labeled an Elemental. As an Elemental, you can have one of four powers: a gift over the earth, fire, air, or water. Magi are spell casters. Their magic is limited when it comes to the elements but they can still do some pretty awesome stuff.

I come across a picture of the Silent Queen in all of her glory. Her hair is dark and pulled into a high bun, showing off her high cheekbones and calculating eyes. A smile graces her face, obviously forced by the tightness of her lips. The picture is plastered to a brick wall of one of the Silent shops in town. Ironically, toilet paper is stacked on shelves behind her. More than likely, her picture is here to remind us that she may be their queen but she still governs us after the tragic accident that took place nearly ten years ago.

I barely remember it but when I was seven, the Magic Royals were attacked. All of them died when their castle fell, leaving no one but the Silent Royals to watch over us. They were supposed to find someone else to become our rulers but I guess Queen Ketha enjoyed the extra power gifted to her that day.

Sometimes I think I'd be a better ruler than her when it comes to the magic in Esmera. I've heard one too many rumors to like her.

I walk into the River where Water Elementals work and order a bottle of water at the bar.

"Ah, Lena. There's my favorite lass." A voice says from the other side of the bar and I turn to see an older man with graying brown hair and hazel eyes.

"Hey Canto." I smile at my dad's best friend as the younger boy behind the counter hands me my water. I start to pay for it but Canto beats me to it as he hands the boy the coins. "Thank you."

"Anything for the winner of the race and the birthday girl. The big 17 huh?" Canto's eyes twinkle as he talks.

"Big nothing. I'm still a minor." I grin and take a sip of the water.

"But you're all grown up now." He ruffles my hair and I push him away.

"Dad told me the same thing this morning but I still feel like me."

"Of course you do, you haven't changed just because you've gained a year."

"Such wise words." I mutter. A few people whisper as I pass to leave but I ignore them. They're probably talking about the events of this morning, something I have no time to waste on since even I don't know what really happened.

Earth Elementals control nature, they don't glow. And certainly no one gets their powers before their Trial.

I ignore the looks as I leave the restaurant. The air is warm against my skin, something I haven't focused on all day since I was so nervous about the race.

Canto follows behind me. "How's your dad doing by the way? I haven't seen him in awhile."

"He's fine, busy as ever. I swear he always has something new piling on his plate every hour." My eyes scan the square, looking to see if anything catches my eyes.

Merchants line the streets, booths set up behind them. Since the town was full of people this morning, it was the best time for them to come to town and attempt to sell their stock. They normally do this time of year anyway. The race is annual so the merchants travel through Maldra as one, leaving exactly a week after the race since that's when all of the celebrations die down. The race is supposed to mark the seasonal change. The summer heat starts to fade as cool breezes sweep in, signaling the beginning of fall.

Most of the booths are nearly empty, mostly sold out while others aren't faring so well. One vendor's stall is full of jewelry. Most of it is oddly shaped and multicolored but one bracelet catches my eye. Black pearls are centered around a red rose, the red seeming to flash against the darkness in an attempt to push it away, a flame among the darkness.

"Um, excuse me, Miss. How much is the black pearl bracelet?" I ask the vendor as I walk up to her stall, Canto following me. An older woman, probably in her late seventies I'm guessing by her silver hair and hunched back, smiles as she looks at me.

"Full price is 100 shillings but for you, I'll take 20," she says. Her voice is nearly gone so I have to lean forward to hear her clearly. Canto watches me from the side but doesn't say anything.

"Thank you, Miss, but I can't take it for that. I'll buy it at full price." I smile as I pull the money out of the bag that appears tied to my hip. My dad cast a spell on it a few years ago so it would appear to me and my siblings whenever we need it. Let's just say I've gotten into a lot of arguments with my brothers because of it. Mom tells him he should make two or three more but he always laughs it off, saying we need to learn to share and get along.

"No, dear. That's quite alright. I heard you're the winner of the race this morning. They said a girl of beauty with eyes like the moon won. I can only guess that's you." She smiles. Some of her teeth are missing but I still find her beautiful nonetheless.

"I can't imagine anyone saying that about me but yes, I'm the winner." I return her kind smile.

She winks. "A boy with ocean eyes told me so." My heart flutters as one boy in particular comes to mind. "He was very kind, such a gentleman and easy on the eyes."

I chuckle. "I believe I know who you're talking about. I'll have to thank him for the compliment."

"You do that, Dear. Now, what about the bracelet?"

"I'll take it for 100 shillings." I smile.

"Very well, if you insist." Her eyes twinkle mischievously but I don't question it as I pass her the money. "Take this bracelet as well, they're a set. Together, they are very powerful and may come in handy one day."

She hands me two bracelets, the red one that originally caught my eye and the other of the set. The bracelets are twins in everything except the roses. The original is the color of a lady bug's back while the other reflects the gold shillings I passed to the woman moments ago.

"How are they powerful together?" I finger the gold rose before slipping it onto my wrist.

"That is for you to find out. When you're ready, they'll let you know." She winks once more. "Now off you go, I can't waste your time. I'm sure you have a boy to visit."

I laugh. "I won't be seeing him today." Somehow I feel as if I can tell this woman everything and be completely safe in her presence.

"What's your name?" I ask her.

"Althea." She smiles. The Healer. "Now go on, Lena. Enjoy your day."

"How-"

"We all have our secrets, daughter." She vanishes.

Her smile remains in my eyes as her words ring in my ears. I shrug it off as I turn to head back through town. Before I make it more than a step, the bag at my hip seems to become heavier. I stop to open it. It's refilled. No, the woman returned my money, all of it.

I chuckle as I close the bag once more, running my fingers over the bracelet in my hand and then the one on my wrist. I can't believe the kindness Althea just showed me. I wish she was still at her stall so I could leave some money for her. I hope she didn't just return the money that very well may be the only way she gets through the week.

I look up to ask Canto if he knows Althea but he's nowhere to be seen. I shake my head and snort. It's just like him to run off at random moments.

Before I can manage to drop it, I put the red rose bracelet on my wrist next to the gold one, wanting to quickly get home. My house is nearly thirty minutes from the square if I walk but I can make it there in fifteen if I run.

I smile to myself as I set off into a light jog. I hold the water bottle tightly in my hand. I should probably put it in the money bag but I'd rather not have one of my siblings summon it away.