The Mistake: A Natura Elementals Novella by Sloane Calder

Author:Sloane Calder [Calder, Sloane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Natura Elements Novella
Publisher: Pretty Dynamite Press, LLC
Published: 2020-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

Savannah, GA

One year later

Aleron pulled back the black velvet curtain and peered out the window, catching what he could of the front yard and street through the massive wreath covering much of the panes. Red bows hung along the black iron fence at the edge of the yard. Pine laced the air like it was either being pumped through the vents, or Seanair had turned the first floor of his antebellum home into a tree farm.

A massive canopied bed took up much of the bedroom, all the heavy fabric and claw-foot furniture looking as if some decorator had vomited gilt and gothic everywhere. He’d sleep on spikes before he’d get in that thing.

A knock sounded at the door.

He turned, taking in the luxury of his antique-furnished prison. No, guest room. That’s right. He was Seanair’s “guest.”

“Come in,” he said, knowing exactly who’d walk through the door.

“Good evening, Mr. Foussé. Seanair requests that you join him for dinner. Casual attire,” the butler said, his craggy face and scratchy voice more Halloween than Christmas. Hands behind his back, the butler stood scarecrow-still.

“I’ll take my meal up here.”

“No. The period of mourning for your father is over. It’s been a year, and your exemplary performance and early graduation from the Elite One Conservatory are cause for celebration. You won’t be returning to the campus.”

Thank the Goddess. A top-secret school for indentured Naturas with cells for dorms hadn’t done shit for moving his plans along.

Aleron gave a nod. “I’ll be down in fifteen minutes,” he replied, not about to thank the butler, who was little more than some Beta Fire spewing false pleasantries.

Seanair could take his tutors and trainers and his Elite One Conservatory and shove them up his Dual ass. Of course, he kept that traitorous thought to himself and stuffed it down beside his darkest secret.

“Now that you’re on an accelerated track, you’ll be introduced to an Elite One team on Thursday in preparation for an upcoming mission.”

“I won’t be much use to them without power.”

The butler gave a trite smile. “Seanair’s men are in need of a pre-powered lookout with experience. Oh, and Christmas Eve dinner will be at six sharp tomorrow.”

Experience. Was that what his father’s death was? Grief shoved at his insides. The ways he wanted to release it wouldn’t get him what he wanted.

“I didn’t realize Seanair celebrated human holidays.” Decorations were one thing, dinners another.

“Blending in has been key to keeping our race secret. You missed last year’s extravaganza. Seanair’s grandchildren still talk about last Christmas. They’re on a skiing holiday in Europe and will return Christmas Day. Otherwise, you’d meet them.”

Grandchildren? He wouldn’t trust Seanair to parent a plant. And he wanted nothing to do with a bunch of spoiled-rotten brats. But hey, if Seanair wanted to fool himself into believing Aleron would forgive and forget, he’d let the man cling to his delusions.

“I need to dress,” he said, swallowing the clog building in his throat.

“Ten minutes. Don’t be late.” The butler gave his trademark bow, treating him like a Lennox and not a Foussé.

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