Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

before, she must be neon now.
    “It’s fine.” His voice was gruff and he gave her a mildly annoyed glance. Loren kept her distance while Avery moved over to the buffet table and began to fill a plate.
    Levi looked up from his tablet, grabbing a napkin to wipe at his chin. “Did you just wake up?”
    “What if I did?” Avery stuck a fresh strawberry slice into his mouth. He eyed Loren as he took a seat at the table. “He said ten-thirty. I slept in.”
    “Fair enough, but you look like shit.” Levi broke out into a grin.
    “And yet more attractive than you.” His tone was flat.
    “You’re still jealous about the hair, huh?” Levi chuckled.
    “Yeah, that’s exactly it.” Avery paused to look at Loren. She wished she hadn’t lingered. This was a small glimpse into the personal lives of Morgan family and associates. It wasn’t much of a glimpse and even though she sensed tension between them, they knew each other and here she was—an outsider.
    “Are you leaving?” Avery asked, giving a small nod toward the door. 
    “I’m uh going to walk around until it was time for uh whatever we’re doing.” Her gaze shifted to the clock. “But it’s almost time and I—”
    Avery took a swig from his juice. “Stick around. Cal’s never late. He’ll be right on the dot. Like fucking clockwork.”
    “Okay.” Loren resumed her seat at the table. Avery's focus was on his breakfast, but Levi stared right at her. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. It made her uncomfortable.
    “What?” she asked.
    “I haven’t known you for long. Barely even twelve hours and yet… I think I’ve figured you out.”
    She swallowed and tried not to fidget. “Oh?”
    Avery looked up from his plate. “Levi.”
    Levi didn’t break his scrutinizing stare. She shifted in her seat.
    “No, see, I think you’ve been alone a lot. You’re socially awkward—and well, awkward in general.” Levi brought up his drink and sipped from it. “Correct me if I’m wrong. I studied psychology for a few semesters. I understand people.”
    Despite her efforts, Loren’s bottom lip found its way between her teeth again. She said nothing. He wasn’t wrong.
    “Levi, stop it,” Avery warned.
    “You’ve been isolated. You’ve tried hard to fit in. You had problems with that, and I don’t think it’s just because of your abilities. No, you were afraid of something else—are afraid of something else.” He paused, eyes narrowed. “Rejection? Abandonment?”
    Loren wanted to bolt from the table. She wanted to hide. Her stomach knotted more and her queasiness returned. She swallowed hard and blinked a few times.
    “Are you an only child? Parents dead?”
    “Uh…”
    “You want to be noticed, but you want to hide too. You want to hide so someone can find you. Someone who can reassure you that—”
    Avery slammed his hand down and the tablecloth ignited beneath his touch. The flames spread out from his fingertips with incredible heat.
    “Shit!” Levi scrambled back, digging for something in his pocket. Loren stood quickly, knocking over her tea.
    Avery didn't move. His gaze remained fixed on the burning tablecloth.
    “Avery,” she called. He was in a trance, peering into the flames as if he'd never seen fire before. “Avery!” The room filled with smoke and the acrid stench of burnt cloth and wood.
    “I’ve got it. I’ve got it!” Levi rushed forward. There was something in his hand. It looked like a black ballpoint pen. Loren involuntarily gasped as he drove the point of it into Avery's upper arm.
    That broke the trance. Avery shoved at the other man. Levi stumbled, but caught himself.
    “It's okay now. Problem solved. It’s under control.” Levi grabbed the fire extinguisher from beneath a nearby cabinet. Within minutes, foam covered the table and the fire was out.
    It had been years since Loren had suffered from an asthma attack. When she’d gotten her powers, the attacks had ceased. But with the air thick and