No One: Element Preservers

By Alycia Linwood

Warning: This is the book 3.5 in the Element Preservers series and should be read after book 3 since it contains spoilers for the first three books in the series. The novella has approximately 18000 words (74 pages).

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Aware that Ria's condition is getting worse, Adrian is determined to do whatever it takes so he can touch her again without weakening her, and the only ones who might be able to help him are his greatest enemies. Haunted by the memories, he has to get the information he needs without putting his life in danger, but that is easier said than done... Especially if there is no one you can trust.

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The Element Preservers series reading order:
Dangerous (Book 1)
Runaway (Book 2)
Divided (Book 3)
No One (Book 3.5)
Restless (Book 4)
Indestructible (Book 5)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alycia Linwood
• Release date: Mar 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781516318407

Alycia Linwood

Alycia Linwood is the author of the Element Preservers series (Dangerous, Runaway, Divided, No One, Restless, Indestructible), the Tainted Elements series (Different, Invisible, Monster, Captive, Hunted, Resilient), the Deadly Destiny series (Vampire Trouble, Vampire Problem, Vampire Issue, Vampire Conflict, Vampire Trial), the Elemental Earths series (Water Princess, Fire Prince), and Human. She loves to read and write, especially urban fantasy, paranormal romance, dystopian and young adult novels. http://alycialinwood.weebly.com/ Sign up for Alycia's newsletter if you wish to receive a notification when a new book is published: https://alycialinwood.weebly.com/newsletter.html

Book preview

Chapter 1

Now

I stormed into the room where Lily and Paula were discussing something about magic disease. They went silent when they saw me, their eyes full of worry and pity. Don't give me that look, I told them. I'd always hated to see pity in people's eyes more than anything.

Adrian... Paula took a step in my direction, but then stopped herself, unsure what to do.

I won't give up on Ria, no matter what you say. I glared at Lily, who ran her hand through her long black hair, her brown eyes regarding mine.

If you love her, you'll realize the best thing you can do is let her go, Lily said quietly.

What do you mean ‘let her go’? I stopped only inches away from her, the room getting colder around me.

You can't stay with her. She has a lot of things to worry about and she can't afford to have any weaknesses.

Yeah, and that's why she needs me. I crossed my arms, locking my element deep inside so Lily couldn't tell how upset I was. We couldn't feel each other's elements, but she could definitely feel the room going cold.

Look, you were around too much. You were there to help her regain control and that's why she got addicted to you. When you’re away from her for too long, she goes through withdrawal. Sometimes it isn't that bad, but if you stay with her... She could snap. You don't want her to get hurt because of you, do you? Lily gave me what was supposed to be a reassuring smile.

I won't give up on her. I'll find a way for us to be together. There was no way I'd leave the only person who was willing to risk her life for me; the only person who might really love me.

Lily simply shook her head at me. "Fine. Do as you wish, but remember to do what's best for her, not what's best for you."

If you don't have any smart advice, you can fuck off. Anger spread through me like a wave, and I ran out of the room before ice decided to come out and turn the room into an igloo.

As I got outside the building and breathed in the fresh air, I couldn't stop thinking about Ria and what I could do for her. How the fuck was I supposed to know she shouldn't have touched me so much? I'd thought I was helping her, not making her more unstable. It was all my fault, but there was no going back now.

A damp newspaper lay on the ground, a huge picture of my parents on the front. I kicked it away so I wouldn't have to see what the press was saying about them or about me. Ever since I’d demonstrated my sub-element in front of the entire world, the press wouldn't leave the whole thing about my parents alone. And every time I saw my parents' faces, the images from my past wouldn't leave me alone.

Chapter 2

14 years ago

My mom burst through the door of my room, her light blue eyes wide with panic, her long dark brown hair flying around her beautiful face. Adrian, you have to go! Now!

Mom? What...? I sat up on my bed, looking up at her in surprise. She wiped away the tears with the sleeve of her red shirt, and pulled me into a hug so tight I could barely breathe. Realization dawned on me, and I buried my face in her hair, pushing back my own tears.

They found us. You have to go! Her lips spread into a smile, her hand gently caressing my cheek. A loud bang came from downstairs, as if someone had crashed open the front door, and we both jumped. There is no time! Go! It will be all right. I promise. I love you, Adrian. Don't you ever forget that. With another smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she rushed through the door, no doubt to stop whoever had broken into our house from finding me.

I slipped into my sneakers and ran out into the hall, my heart beating like crazy in my chest, my vision blurry with unshed tears. As I reached the stairs, a scream ripped through the house, followed by gunfire. Before I realized what I was doing, I hurried to where the sounds were coming from in the kitchen.

The scene in front of me stopped me dead in my tracks. Our kitchen was full of armed men, and my mother was sitting on the floor, her face streaked with tears, her hands covered in blood. My dad was lying next to her, his white shirt soaked with blood, his eyes open and staring into nothingness. A man stepped forward, his gun aimed at my mom's head as she begged him not to shoot her. I wanted to run to her, but my feet were rooted to the spot.

A broad smile appeared on the man's lips as he pressed the gun against my mom's forehead. He was laughing as he pulled the trigger, and she crumpled down, her empty eyes staring straight through me. Time seemed to stop, my heartbeat ringing like shots in my ears and filling my head. My mom's eyes were still looking at me, and I knew she wanted me to do something, but I was too numb to remember what it was.

Get him! Someone yelled, and the men's faces turned toward me. It was then I realized tears were streaming