Restless (Element Preservers, #4) by Alycia Linwood Read Free Book Online
Authors: Alycia Linwood
Tags: Romance, Magic, Young Adult, new adult, teen, Contemporary Fantasy, elemental magic, elemental
you take the first element."
"Since when am I thousands of people?" I couldn't understand her logic. If she was sure there'd be another donor soon, then I could wait for him. "I'm the one who can wait."
"The future of thousands of carriers is in your hands. It is possible that you will be able to wait, but we can't risk that something goes wrong." Paula threw the gloves into the trash can.
"I can't change the world, Paula." I chewed on the insides of my mouth.
"No, but you can try." She shot me an annoyed look. "Stop thinking only of yourself and what you want. There's a bigger picture you're not seeing. The decision to take the element or not is yours, though."
"Great. Then we can stop having endless conversations about this." I wasn't going to take the element no matter what. I only hoped that my decision wasn't the wrong one.
Chapter 08
I'd been overjoyed when I heard my idea for a reality TV show had been accepted, but my joy quickly disappeared when they told me I'd be the first guest on the show. It would be beyond awesome if I lost control on live TV. Too bad I'd come up with a show where people actually had to use their elements and I was only limited to fire. If any of my other elements popped up... I didn't even want to think what would happen.
Lily was outraged when she heard, but the TV house wouldn't accept any of my excuses. When I insisted I was busy, they simply said they'd reschedule the show. I wouldn't be surprised if the government had its fingers in it. If I did something to embarrass myself on the national TV, my already lame influence would diminish even more.
My hands were shaking as I made my way to the main studio where the show would take place. Unfortunately, every single person except for my two new bodyguards had an element, so I had to calm myself because it was unlikely my bodyguards would be able to reach me in time to stop the catastrophe. The only good thing in the whole situation was that there weren't any hidden carriers in the audience. It would be complicated to explain why a carrier couldn't feel my element while I was using it. In public, I could always say I was using an element-blocking bracelet, but not here.
I took a seat on the large black couch, opposite from the host, who was a middle-aged man with vivid dark blue eyes. His element was water and I could barely feel it. At least there was someone who wasn't having a breakdown because the show would go live in a couple of minutes. I offered him a shy smile, unsure what to do with my hands, so I folded them in my lap. Paula had made two braids on each side of my head to keep my hair out of my face, so I didn't have to worry about any stray strands ending up in my eyes. The dress I had chosen was black with silver flowers on the top. I could only pray I wouldn't ruin my perfect attire with my crazy elements.
"It's going to be alright, Ria," the host said, amusement flickering in his eyes. I was about to say something when someone tapped me on the shoulder, startling me. Turning my head, I saw a brunette who offered me an earpiece. I took it, confused, and the woman came around the couch and removed my microphone.
"Private call," she said. "From the president of the country."
Shit. I put the earpiece into my ear, watching the woman retreat. What could the president want now?
"I hope you can hear me clearly, Ria, my dear," the president said, and I noticed the cameraman turning in my direction, the red light on his camera blinking steadily. The president was watching me at this very moment. Fucking great. I nodded, since I doubted he could hear me even if I said something. It didn't seem like he wanted to hear my opinion on anything.
"Good. Now listen. Your boyfriend is in the backstage." I flinched, panic rising inside of me. What did he mean my boyfriend was here? "I know you were trying to avoid the press and have some privacy, but we think this is a perfect moment to reveal you have a boyfriend. You don't have to
"Since when am I thousands of people?" I couldn't understand her logic. If she was sure there'd be another donor soon, then I could wait for him. "I'm the one who can wait."
"The future of thousands of carriers is in your hands. It is possible that you will be able to wait, but we can't risk that something goes wrong." Paula threw the gloves into the trash can.
"I can't change the world, Paula." I chewed on the insides of my mouth.
"No, but you can try." She shot me an annoyed look. "Stop thinking only of yourself and what you want. There's a bigger picture you're not seeing. The decision to take the element or not is yours, though."
"Great. Then we can stop having endless conversations about this." I wasn't going to take the element no matter what. I only hoped that my decision wasn't the wrong one.
Chapter 08
I'd been overjoyed when I heard my idea for a reality TV show had been accepted, but my joy quickly disappeared when they told me I'd be the first guest on the show. It would be beyond awesome if I lost control on live TV. Too bad I'd come up with a show where people actually had to use their elements and I was only limited to fire. If any of my other elements popped up... I didn't even want to think what would happen.
Lily was outraged when she heard, but the TV house wouldn't accept any of my excuses. When I insisted I was busy, they simply said they'd reschedule the show. I wouldn't be surprised if the government had its fingers in it. If I did something to embarrass myself on the national TV, my already lame influence would diminish even more.
My hands were shaking as I made my way to the main studio where the show would take place. Unfortunately, every single person except for my two new bodyguards had an element, so I had to calm myself because it was unlikely my bodyguards would be able to reach me in time to stop the catastrophe. The only good thing in the whole situation was that there weren't any hidden carriers in the audience. It would be complicated to explain why a carrier couldn't feel my element while I was using it. In public, I could always say I was using an element-blocking bracelet, but not here.
I took a seat on the large black couch, opposite from the host, who was a middle-aged man with vivid dark blue eyes. His element was water and I could barely feel it. At least there was someone who wasn't having a breakdown because the show would go live in a couple of minutes. I offered him a shy smile, unsure what to do with my hands, so I folded them in my lap. Paula had made two braids on each side of my head to keep my hair out of my face, so I didn't have to worry about any stray strands ending up in my eyes. The dress I had chosen was black with silver flowers on the top. I could only pray I wouldn't ruin my perfect attire with my crazy elements.
"It's going to be alright, Ria," the host said, amusement flickering in his eyes. I was about to say something when someone tapped me on the shoulder, startling me. Turning my head, I saw a brunette who offered me an earpiece. I took it, confused, and the woman came around the couch and removed my microphone.
"Private call," she said. "From the president of the country."
Shit. I put the earpiece into my ear, watching the woman retreat. What could the president want now?
"I hope you can hear me clearly, Ria, my dear," the president said, and I noticed the cameraman turning in my direction, the red light on his camera blinking steadily. The president was watching me at this very moment. Fucking great. I nodded, since I doubted he could hear me even if I said something. It didn't seem like he wanted to hear my opinion on anything.
"Good. Now listen. Your boyfriend is in the backstage." I flinched, panic rising inside of me. What did he mean my boyfriend was here? "I know you were trying to avoid the press and have some privacy, but we think this is a perfect moment to reveal you have a boyfriend. You don't have to