Air (The Elementals Book Three)

By Dominic Bergfield

After a grueling battle that nearly costs him his life, Markus once again returns to his training regiment. However, with the addition of a new pupil, Markus realizes that he has to live for more than just himself. Deciding to take his new family on a vacation for the opportunity to relax and reset, Markus travels to Atlantic City. As things begin to cool down for Markus, things start to heat up in Atlantic City where a youth faces terrible consequences for his actions. Can this strange newcomer be saved or will his surroundings swallow him up? Only time will if this newcomer will be a good turn of fortune for Markus or just another tragedy to weigh on his soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dominic Bergfield
• Release date: Mar 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215491263

Dominic Bergfield

Dominic Bergfield is a self-published author of the Elementals series as well as numerous other short stories. A lover of all stories, whether through books, video games, or movies, he sought out an education from Full Sail University to learn to better hone his craft. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment in 2018 and has since dedicated himself to gathering even more experience through various small writing projects. When not busy with his books, Dominic is an avid gamer and is always looking for new experiences.

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Air

Copyright 2023 Dominic Bergfield

Published by Dominic Bergfield at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Elementals Reading Order:

Earth

Water

Air

Fire

Table of Contents

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

Chapter XXV

Chapter XXVI

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Prologue

"Acceptance of what has happened is the first

step to overcoming the consequences

of any misfortune."

-William James-

I threw the object nearest me, a no doubt priceless vase, and watched it shatter into fragments against the wall. It did nothing to curb my anger. Markus was ruining everything that I had worked so hard to build. He killed some of my best men and now he stole my top assassin and added her into his ranks. She could divulge the entire inner workings of my empire. I could not let that happen. I slammed both of my fists into my desk, splintering it. I did not care. It could be replaced. I silently wished that it were Markus. That insignificant little pest had no idea what he was getting involved in. This was all just a game to him.

I was done playing.

Chapter I

I nervously checked my watch for what must have been the thirtieth time. It was eight o’clock. The casinos were usually in full swing by now, and the bars were no doubt filled. The cops knew this, so they would be at their favorite stakeout spots, waiting to stop that one drunk driver from taking a life. They would be busy, and we knew it. The streets were mainly empty, save for a few individuals. They were either going to a party, from a party, or they were one of those strange people who enjoyed walks at night.

Che massa di idioti.

They had no idea what dangers lay waiting in the shadows. I imagined them getting robbed then murdered. It wasn’t too hard to picture. It was more common than most would believe. I had seen three muggings in my lifetime that had gone south pretty quick. All three times, it had been for the victim. That doesn’t mean that there haven’t been others. I was mugged once, but I wasn’t a victim that night. I knew what to expect. I was never unarmed.

I looked out the windshield at the people. I shook my head at them. They didn’t know what dangers lay in the shadows, but I did.

I was one of the dangers.

I’d never taken the life of an innocent, but I didn’t have any doubts that someday I would. We all had to at some point. Whether it was for a good score or to prove your loyalty, we all did eventually. We were sadists and victims of poverty alike. We all had our reasons to join. Some were for the thrill of violence, some because they were pressured by peers, and some for a way out of the slums. My reason was waiting at home for me.

I had to force myself not to pull out my wallet and look at her picture. It would only sadden me. I couldn’t afford a distraction. I needed to shut off all feelings and thoughts. This was survival. This was necessary. I needed to be cold.

I got shoved against my window. What’re you doing, idiota? It’s time.

I rubbed the side of my head. "Mi dispiace. My mind’s elsewhere."

Get your mind back to Earth. We have a job to do.

Matteo got out of the car. I took a deep breath and followed suit. I lifted the bandana that was around my neck over my nose. I wore a hat with the bill pulled down low. My jacket collar partially obscured my cheeks and ears. All that was visible was my eyes. Matteo had a similar look, although his bandana was orange, whereas mine was red. I’d argued with him for an hour about that bandana. Orange was my favorite color.

Stefan, are you coming? I’m not going to wait forever for you. I knew that he meant what he said.

Change your mind about the bandana yet?

Are you still on that?

But it goes better with my outfit! I gestured to my dark green hoodie.

They’re basically the same.

Orange is not red.

But it’s made with it.

I went silent. I couldn’t argue his point. I had lost, so I bowed my head in defeat.

Matteo resumed walking. I followed after, ever the obedient lapdog. Others may have resented it, but I liked the instructions. I liked being led. It was funny, in a way. I enjoyed order, but I spread chaos. Matteo was already outpacing me, so I had to hurry to catch up.

We were approaching a gas station that, at the moment, was empty. Nobody was trying to fill up their cars and nobody was running in for a quick soda. The cops were out watching for drunk drivers elsewhere. We were alone. We wouldn’t be stopped.

We reached the door. I looked over at Matteo, and he nodded. He shoved the door open and drew a gun at the same moment. I rushed in immediately after him. I quickly looked around and saw a red blinking light in the corner of the room. I thrust my hand forward, and the camera snapped to the side. I was more forceful than I had intended, so the camera broke off from its mount and fell. Now we couldn’t be watched either. Matteo aimed the gun at the cashier. She was my age, maybe slightly younger. She was still in high school. She was terrified. I understood how she felt, but I had a job to do. I couldn’t let in sympathy. I drew my gun as well. I trained it on her, imitating Matteo. She had her hands up, which was good. If they weren’t up, then she could be trying to reach the alarm under the counter. I didn’t know if this gas station had it, but I knew some did. She still couldn’t be trusted.

Take the money out of the register. Now!

Matteo spoke without his usual accent. It always amazed me how he could turn it off and on at will. My accent was less pronounced than his was, but there were a few words that you could definitely hear it in. In another time, in another reality, Matteo could have been an actor. Unfortunately, in this lifetime, we were robbing a gas station.

The cashier lady complied without hesitation. Good girl. I didn’t want to hurt her, but I would if I needed to. This wasn’t greed, this was survival. To survive, desperate measures needed to be taken. I had someone counting on me. I couldn’t let her down.

She took all the money out. It was barely five hundred dollars. That would only be two hundred and fifty between Matteo and me. I gripped my pistol tighter. It wasn’t enough. It was never enough. She needed more. I wanted to kill the cashier for not having enough, but a small voice reminded me that it wasn’t her fault. I moved my finger away from the trigger. I had no idea how close I’d been. I felt guilt course through me, but I shut it down, along with everything else. Guilt debilitated me. I couldn’t let that happen. I was a thug, a criminal, and I needed to act like it. Softness made you weak, and the weak died.

Matteo snatched the money from her hand and shoved it deep into his coat pocket. He kept the gun trained on the cashier as he backed away slowly.

Don’t do anything brave, you hear me?

Hold on a moment, I said.

What is it?

I went over to a nearby aisle and grabbed two packages of M&M’s. I held them up to show Matteo. I’m hungry.

You have got to be kidding me.

I shook my head no and walked over to him. He sighed and exited the gas station. He didn’t even hold the door open for me. I was mildly offended. Didn’t the phrase go, Thick as thieves? I looked over at the cashier. She was shaking in fear. Somebody was gonna need therapy.

Have a good night, miss, I said, then walked out.

Matteo was impatiently waiting for me in the car. I was surprised he didn’t leave me. He’d done that to me once before as a joke. Luckily, he’d stopped just around the corner. He got such a kick out of it, but then I got a kick out of him. Matteo was a bit of a jerk, but there was not a better friend to be had. I jogged out to the car and got in the passenger seat. I pulled my bandana down and smiled at him. He didn’t return it. I offered him some M&M’s, and he reluctantly took some. Nobody can resist M&M’s. Matteo put the car in drive and took off.

Not a bad payout, huh?

It wasn’t good enough, Matteo said glumly.

I sighed. When will it ever be?

We just need a better target.

What? Like a bank? We can’t handle anything bigger.

Not bigger, better. We need something that’s worth more.

Like what?

I don’t know, Stefan. I don’t know.

We were silent for a bit as he drove me home. Eventually, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the wad of cash. My stomach got queasy at the thought of how little it was. Matteo handed it all to me.

What’s this?

It’s money, you idiota.

I get that, but…why are you giving it all to me?

You need it more than I do, Stefan.

But what about you?

The night’s still young. Listen, just take it.

I hesitated. Had it been anyone else, I’d refuse it. I wouldn’t take pity, but Matteo knew what I go through every day. He knows I need it. I slowly reached out and took it. I looked him in the eyes.

"Grazie, Matteo. Seriously."

He dismissed me with a wave of his hand. Non c'è nulla. Now get on outta here before you start crying.

I smiled. Sometimes I forget about your allergy to human emotion.

He scoffed and I shut the door. He drove away and I watched him recede into the darkness. I stuffed the money in my pocket as I turned to face the slum that I called home.

I sighed. Casa dolce casa.

Chapter II

I slammed into the wall and gasped in pain. Markus walked over to me, swathed in flame. I held out my hand and shot a jet of water at him. Markus casually lifted his hand and his fire collided with my water. Our elements collided in a large cloud of hissing steam. Markus never broke his stride. He kept walking towards me, slowly forcing my element back. He did it effortlessly, as if I wasn’t even trying. His fire burned hot enough that my water couldn’t stand up to it.

More, Sierra. Focus. Reach deep inside yourself and unleash your element. Erase your doubts.

I’m trying!

Harder! Your strength is only limited by your focus.

I groaned with the effort that I was putting forth. I could feel my element within me. It wanted to be unleashed, but I couldn’t access its full potential. I excelled in small manipulations of water, not brute force. I prioritized tactics over trying to overwhelm my opponent with raw strength.

The hissing of the steam got louder as Markus resumed his walking. Before long, his hand was inches from mine. Our elements couldn’t be seen anymore. There was only steam. He took a final step and grabbed my hand.

If we were fighting for real, you would be dead right now. Your back is to the wall and I’m holding your hand. I’m in a position where I can burn it and disable you or I can pull you in for an attack.

I was vaguely aware that Markus was speaking, but I was even more aware that he was holding my hand. His words went in one ear and out the other. Not the best way to learn, I know, but I couldn’t help myself. Holding Markus’ hand was the closest that he’d been with me for a month. Ever since he rejected me, Markus had been all business around me. He trained me, but that’s all he would talk about. We never talked like normal people. I felt like he was trying to push me away after he let his feelings slip. I felt like I’d lost all the progress that I had gained with Markus. I doubted that many people could break through his walls.

Sierra! Are you paying attention?

Huh? What?

Where’s your head?

I don’t know. I’m just distracted today.

Markus let go of me and shook his head. That’s why your element is weak. Your power comes from your concentration. Let nothing else in your head but victory.

I gave him a mock salute. Yes, sir.

He sighed and walked away. He sat down on a weightlifting bench. He chose to work out in the gym today. I still maintained that we needed a more open workout area. Fighting inside wasn’t safe, especially with Markus’ fire element. I knew he’d never consent to training in the courtyard, but an outside training area was more beneficial.

I sat down against the wall. I held my hand above