Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series by F. R. Southerland Read Free Book Online Page A

her leg brought her back to her senses. The wind stopped and the world came crashing back. Loren gasped and braced herself.
    A pair of strong, warm arms caught her. Her eyes opened to stare at Avery.
    “Oh. I fell.” She was breathless and her head swam.
    A line formed between his brows. “Are you all right?”
    “Uh yeah. I um...” Loren trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. He was close and strong.
    She didn't want to move away, but then she was on her feet. She swayed, thankful that he had one arm around her for support.
    “I’m sorry,” she murmured. She forced herself to look away from him to survey the damage of her windstorm. The planter, flower, and all the soil had swept aside. Some of the items on the walls littered the floor and the punching bag lay ripped from its chain. It rested in the corner, far from where it had swung.
    No one seemed hurt, only windblown. Eva’s hair was out of place, but she remedied that and let her long hair loose. Levi stared at Loren with wide eyes. Callum’s shirt was rumpled and a lock of hair brushed across his forehead. He pushed it aside.
    No one said a word.
    Loren's head buzzed. All eyes were on her. It was as she had envisioned it. Fear. Judgment. Anger. She bit down harshly on her lip.
    “I—I think I need a few minutes. I just—” She staggered at first before her feet reacquainted quickly with the ground and she walked to the door.
    As she expected, no one followed her. She left the room and didn’t look back.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    Loren wanted nothing more than to run from here and pretend none of this had ever happened. She could easily convince herself it was only a dream. Going back to the city was laughable. Even if she could remember how to get back, what did she have left?
    Loren knew better than to think she could ever go back to that life.
    The sun dipped behind the clouds, reaching closer to the horizon. This was a quiet spot and Loren was thankful her room had a balcony. She hadn’t noticed it last night, or this morning when she’d gotten dressed for breakfast, but here it was. A nice secluded perch overlooking the terrace. From here, she had a great view of the backyard and gardens. There was the swimming pool she’d glimpsed before. It looked clean, cool, and inviting—or it would’ve had Loren been in a better mood.
    She folded her arms on the railing and leaned against it. It was better if she wasn’t around people for a while. Even so, deep down inside her she longed for someone to check on her. Her mixed feelings on the matter always drew some confusion. What did she really want?
    She'd been asking herself that question her entire life and there was still no answer.
    Her leg stung where the pen device had pricked her. Loren still wasn't sure what it was, but it averted chaos and calmed her powers instantly and she was glad of it.  She hadn’t meant to lose control. She never meant it.
    Loren sighed. She'd made a mess of everything. How could she be part of a team when she couldn't control her power? She wouldn't be surprised if they told her to leave. It didn't matter if she was their fourth. She wasn't any use to anyone.
    Tears threatened to fall. Loren leaned her head back and blinked them away.
    The knock on her door startled her. She wiped at her eyes quickly and glanced over her shoulder. “Shit,” she muttered as she composed herself.
    “Loren? May I come in?” Avery's voice was soft.
    “Yeah.” She cleared her throat. “Yeah, come in.”
    Avery entered and crossed to the balcony. He had changed his into a black t-shirt and jeans, his hair tied back.
    “How are you feeling?” He leaned against the door.
    “I'm...” She thought about it and shrugged. “I'm okay.”
    “Just okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m not sure how to feel anything else.”
    Avery looked her over. “Any side effects from the inhibitor?”
    “The what ?”
    He made a gesture with his hand. “The device I stuck you with. The one that stopped your