elemental 01 - whirlwind Read Online Free PDF Page A

grandmother.
    The older woman stood slowly and walked over to the coffee pot, taking a mug out of the cabinet and filling it before bringing it to the Aira.
    “You’ll have to excuse my granddaughter. She’s not her usual sunny self this morning.”
    Aira took a deep breath and removed her gaze from the two men at the table as she added sugar and cream to her coffee then stirred the concoction, forcing her temper under control with effort. Finally, when she had calmed herself, she looked up, taking a sip of her coffee.
    “My apologies.” Her tone was derisive. “So what brings you gentlemen to the house?” Aira forced her voice into a pleasant tone. A glance from her grandmother told Aira one person at the table at least was not fooled by the sudden change in her demeanor. Her grandmother smiled pleasantly.
    “Since you are unwilling to find a mate, I asked the boys’ parents if they would be willing to protect you as you come into your abilities.”
    Aira inhaled deeply, glancing from one to the other. The younger of the two men looked at her with a rueful smile, as if he understood her frustration. The older maintained a slightly proud expression, looking at her unemotionally.
    “I don’t entirely understand why it is I need protection, Grams.” Aira fought to keep her voice neutral and polite in spite of her sense of betrayal.
    Her grandmother sighed. “My dear, there are a lot of people who would like you either dead or under their control, and that’s the truth of the matter. You’re too powerful already—once you completely transform, you’ll be more of a target. The elders are already worried about you.”
    Aira took another sip of her coffee. She shouldn’t be lashing out at the men seated at the table, but they were the physical representation of her grandmother’s lack of trust in her ability to take care of herself.
    “So what are Aiden and Dylan going to do to protect me?”
    Aira’s grandmother raised one well-shaped, dark eyebrow at the insolent tone of her voice.
    “They’re going to stay with you. I know you have plenty of room in your apartment for guests. I will give you money for their share of the rent, and they’re going to receive some money for a living as well.”
    Aira opened her mouth to protest, but her grandmother continued. “They will be your body guards, day and night, until you find a mate.”
    Aira gritted her teeth, suppressing the first angry retort that came to mind. She took a deep breath and counted to ten mentally.
    “Exactly how are they qualified to be my body guards? And why do I need two?” Aira could see her grandmother was enjoying her discomfort, amused by Aira’s struggle to maintain her composure. The elder of the two also looked amused, adding gasoline to the fire building inside of Aira.
    “You need two because you are liable to get yourself into trouble that it will take three people to get you out of.” Her grandmother placed her coffee cup down. “Aiden is a fire elemental who came into his full abilities a year ago; Dylan is his brother and a water elemental. Between the two of them, they should be more than capable of protecting you.”
    Aira recognized the tone in her grandmother’s voice. There was nothing she could say to stop the plan from happening; her grandmother had already made up her mind. As the matriarch of the family, there was absolutely no way Aira could contradict the older woman. If she tried to fight it, tried to go against her grandmother’s wishes, she would come under fire from her aunts and uncles. She felt herself becoming angrier, and as her rage grew, the wind picked up outside and Aira didn’t care. Her grandmother knew she was angry; the demonstration of her feelings, unconscious as it was, didn’t make a difference.
    Instead of arguing, Aira stood, abandoning her cup of coffee and walked quickly out of the kitchen. She knew she would catch it for leaving so impulsively—her grandmother couldn’t stand for one