Chapter 75:

Chapter 75:
Natalie POV: 

As we walked around the corner I noticed that everyone else was standing and watching Avery practice with her elements. I honestly had no idea how long I was Zina and realistically I didn’t want that time to end. 

“How did it go?” Ezmerlda asked. Everyone turned to look at me,

“Really good actually. I know how to help heal someone, strengthen them when needed and I was told of a gift each carrier is giving me.” I smiled. I could see Adira smiling out of the corner of my eye. 

“What did they do?” Bobbie asked. 

“They are going to share memories they have with my mother with me while I sleep. I can get to know her that way.” I replied. I was still just so shocked at their generosity. 

“That is awesome! How is that going to work though?” Mariah asked. 

“Tonight, when I sleep the memories Zina has will come to me and I’ll dream of it. I’m nervous though.” I admitted. 

“Why? It sounds like it is all good things.” Ezmeralda responded. 

“I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to know who she was. It’s hard to explain.” I said. I wasn’t really sure how to put it in words.

“She doesn’t want to get too attached to the memories. She knows that it is only a dream.” Adira answered for me. 

“Thanks, not sure how you got that out of everything.” I chuckled. 

“It’s okay to get attached to her, she was your momma.” Bobbie whispered. 

“I know, I just really wished I could just sit and talk to her, you know? And I just want to make her proud.” I sighed. 

“I can promise you, she is incredibly proud of you.” Gaia smiled as she walked towards me. I looked around her and saw that Avery was still practicing with Anil. 

“I hope so. Can you tell me why she needs guards in Siennas realm?” I asked. 

“It’s not guards she needed my dear, it’s friends.” Gaia answered. I smiled at the thought of that. She wasn’t alone, she had the two people she trusted most in this world with her. But a part of me felt sad for Avery, she was robbed of the chance to get to know her parents and at least her dad wasn’t a raging psycho trying to kill her. 

“You aren’t wrong.” Adira laughed. I narrowed my eyes at her and she held her hands up. 

“How is Avery doing?” I questioned. She looked like an absolute natural. 

“She is doing incredibly well. You have to remember that this is embedded in her. She is already quick but the more she trains the stronger she will become.” Gaia answered. 

“What about the oath bound thing? How does all of that work?” Ezmeralda asked. I had to admit that I was curious about that too. 

“When Sienna comes to do the ceremony Avery will be introduced as Natalies oath bound warrior. She will cut both hands and they’ll shake hands. Whatever alarming emotions Natalie feels so will Avery. She will have a direct line to her.” Gaia started. 

“It will help keep Natalie safe and if she finds herself in immediate danger Avery will be the first to find her.” Gaia finished. That is interesting but I’m sure also nerve racking. I’m going to have to work on not being scared so easily. 

“You can also call to her if you feel uneasy.” Gaia whispered. 

“How would I do that?” I asked

“Easy, just think of her name, like how wolves mind link. She will feel it and come to you.” Gaia replied. That was something we were going to have to practice. I’m sure in any situation it’ll come naturally to me. 

“That will come in handy. I had wondered who your guards will be.” Mariah said. 

“I had a few picked out for her but they don’t top someone having four elements.” Will replied. He was right, we had some of the best warriors here but if I have Avery then I won’t need anyone else. They can go to either Ezmerlda or Mariah. 

“Why don’t you fine young men go train or something? We need some quality time with the ladies.” Anohallen said. 

“Yes, ma’am. Let us know if you guys need anything.” Ash replied. Will kissed my cheek,

“I’m going to go check on our son. Have fun and be safe.” Will whispered. As soon as they turned around to walk off I focussed on what was happening in front of me. 

“Natalie and Adira, come with me and have your siphons ready.” Gaia called out. 

“Ezmeralda and Bobbie come with me, we need to see what the two of you can do with your shield and electricity.” Anohallen said. We split off into our groups, Adira and I following after Gaia. 

“This is going to be interesting.” Adira whispered. 

“I know but aren’t you excited? This is so cool.” I gushed making her laugh. 

“You are such a nerd sometimes.” Adira said. I saw Gaia standing in the middle of the field, she was smiling from ear to ear. 

“Earth is where we come from, it is also where our bodies return to when the time comes. You should always handle it with care though because as much as it wants to help, it can also fight back.” Gaia stated. I was glued to what she was saying. 

“Earth is strong and fierce, it changes in different ways to protect what surrounds it. When you cracked the earth open it was to keep someone safe and removing people who were causing harm to the earth itself. Gaia added. 

“So I wouldn’t be able to do it just to do it?” Adira asked. 

“No, should you try, you will be swallowed by the earth.” Gaia answered. Well that didn’t sound good but I understood what she was saying. 

“With you, it’s embedded in you. You don’t need a siphon to pull from it unlike Adira. If you don’t have your siphon there is nothing you can do but the way you both use it is similar.” Gaia said. 

“When you want to pull from the earth element, let it come naturally. The more you try to concentrate or focus too hard on it the more it will resist you. It needs to feel wanted and needed.” Gaia added. It sounds easy enough but I know practice makes perfect. 

“Let’s try to build a wall. All you need to do is know you need it built and that you need help. Adira, for you, all you need to do is hold tight to your siphon and it will respond. Natalie, if you ever use yours it’s the same way.” Gaia said. I watched as she raised her hands and her eyes turned a bright green. The ground under us shook and before I could even blind a huge hedge sprung up from the ground. 

Gaia turned to look at us and nodded. I took a few steps away from Adira to give us both room so we would hit each other. I took a deep breath and in my head I knew I needed to build a wall. I needed it to come up to protect us and I started feeling a slight tingle in my fingers before the ground started shaking and a hedge popped up from the ground. I smiled looking at it. It felt a lot easier this time around. I looked over my shoulder to see that Adira was standing proud, smiling at her own. 

“See, just that easy, now let’s have a little fun and build a maze, but I want it decorated however you see fit.” Gaia laughed. 

“Race you.” Adira laughed as she took off running. I smiled knowing I was fully accepting the challenge. Before I knew it I was building multiple hedges at a time and with each one that came up I would stop and touch them, flowers started showing up but I didn’t stop there. I had created mini hedges inside the larger ones, creating different designs. 

I turned to see that all of them were connecting to each other,

“Come on ladies! Get those hedges into different shapes!” Gaia yelled out. I could hear Adira laughing at something and as I rounded the corner I saw she made one in the shape of Bobbie. She used white flowers for her eyes and twigs for her hair and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was also  great idea. 

I turned back around and yanked another hedge up but shaping it in the form of Jordan, another in the shape of Will and finally one of me. Our beautiful little family that I treasured most in this world. I took off running seeing everything that Adira was creating. I came around a corner and saw Gaia standing in the middle. 

“You both did wonderfully! I love what you have created. How do you both feel?” She asked. 

“Rejuvenated honestly. I had no idea I could even do this and so easily.” Adira replied. 

“The thing about having elements is that once you have them, they recognize you and respect you. The only time they don’t is when you start using them for evil.” Gaia replied. 

“What happens if someone does that?” I asked. 

“Eventually the element leaves them. Most think they won’t but the elements help keep the balance. Dark witches are more connected to the earth naturally.” Gaia answered. 

“Why aren’t any of them gifted with the earth element?” Adira asked. 

“In the past it was because they didn’t really need it, it is something I have started to consider though. We all have.” Gaia said. I thought it was a good idea. It could help protect them just like us. 

“Why can’t I read your thoughts?” Adira asked. 

“You won’t be able to do it with any of us my dear. We are protected from that because of what we do.” Gaia smiled. 

“I bet it is a relief for you though.” I said. 

“Considering how loud yours have been, it is a relief.” Adira winked. 

“Asshole.” I thought and she laughed. 

“That is why your mate takes that from you. Everyone deserves to have quiet time and peace. It will help you sort your own thoughts when you really need to.” Gaia said. I hadn’t really considered how hard it must be for her to be around so many people lately. 

“It isn’t too bad. Everyone has been happy and actually voicing what they are thinking and that helps.” Adira shrugged.    

“Nevertheless, you still need to be able to shut your own mind off. Especially with what is coming.” Gaia replied. Her voice was a little more serious and that told me she knew exactly what was going to happen. She shifted her eyes towards me,

“Zina told you what we are going to do I am assuming.” She said. 

“She did, I honestly can’t thank you guys enough. I’ve always wanted to get to know her. I have the books that everyone had but being able to actually see it is going to be better.” I replied. 

“It will be better, yes, just remember to lean on those close to you when this happens. You were just a baby when it happened. Now you are a beautiful young woman with emotions.” Gaia said. I understood what she was saying and I couldn’t agree more. Plus I had Adira to help me explain things if I find it hard to say. 

“I wish there was more I could do for you. I hope this is enough.” Gaia whispered. 

“It’s more than enough. Thank You.” I said hugging her. 

“It’s time to switch teachers. Just remember to only use earth in a respectable manner. She will hear you when you need it most.” Gaia said looking between us before she gently pushed us forward. 

“I honestly thought this was going to be a lot harder.” Adira whispered. 

“I did too but maybe we have just been overthinking it.” I shrugged. I knew for me I absolutely was and I am excited to see which element carrier we get next…