Elemental Trial: Paranormal Outcasts, #2

By Sean Fletcher

Becoming paranormal queen will be a trial by fire

 

Riley's found the elemental throne. Beat the Pack and Deathless at their own deadly game. Embraced her destiny as a paranormal queen. That should have been the end of it, right?

 

Wrong. So, so wrong.

 

She's barely sat down on her cold new throne before she discovers another plot to overthrow her and threaten the Outcasts. To prove herself (again) Riley has to survive an ancient trial through the Dying Lands—a lost paranormal world filled to the brim with magic and dangerous secrets.

 

Worse, Jasper is one of her opponents, forced to compete for the Deathless under the blood oath neither he nor Riley can break.

 

It's official: fate hates her.

 

Along with her traitorous former-best friend, Riley will take on the trial to prove she's the real deal, and not even a growing evil in the Dying Lands will stop her.

Even if winning means giving up the things she loves most.

 

Elemental Trial is the second book in the *now complete* YA fantasy Paranormal Outcasts series! If you like snarky, fast-paced fantasies full of magic, mysteries, and a slow-burn enemies to lovers romance then this series is for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sean Fletcher
• Release date: Sep 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223363040

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

What does betrayal—true betrayal—feel like?

To me, it was worse than dying. And I should know. It hadn’t been that long since I’d been killed and revived among the paranormal Outcasts. Not that long since I’d discovered I was part of an ancient prophecy and destined to become an elemental queen.

At least the dying part was mostly painless. A knife to my gut and then…bliss.

But betrayal, this betrayal, it lingered. Like lava poured in my veins and left to burn me up from the inside. Like a stake straight to my heart and tugged down so that it tore and tore until I threatened to bleed out.

That was how it felt to stand across from my best friend as she told me she’d murdered me.

What? My tongue was so dry it stuck to the roof of my mouth. What did you say, Iris?

I’m the one who killed you. Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes. For some reason that was what jarred me from my disbelief. Iris almost never cried. She didn’t have any right to be sad. Not if she’d been the one who’d…If she’d…

I bit my bottom lip hard enough to bleed. I couldn’t believe it. Not my best friend. Not the person I’d trusted with everything for as long as I could remember.

I’m so sorry, Riley. Iris took a step toward me, hand outstretched, but I backed away before she touched me. It was the only way to…There’s a lot going on that you don’t understand. This was the only way.

I choked out a laugh. "Do you hear yourself right now? Iris, you killed me. That guy with the knife…"

I gestured to where, just a second before, a hooded figure—the same figure who’d stuck a knife in my gut and left me to bleed out on a public bathroom floor—had appeared, only to vanish once Iris waved her hand. Magic. On top of murdering me, she had magic, something I hadn’t known even existed until about a month ago.

I have no idea who you are anymore, I whispered.

Do we really have time for this? Hayes said. He grimaced as he pushed off the wall, still sore after taking a blow from Lukas. You’ve awakened the elemental throne, Riley. Any second, whatever parts of the Dead City were blocked from the surface are going to open up and paranormals from the Conclave are coming down. You don’t want to be here when that happens.

As though activated by his premonition, the entire throne room shuddered. A tremor of magic shot through me. The palace in the Dead City had been dark and dormant when I’d fallen down here with Jasper and sought the throne of the elementals. But ever since I’d touched said throne, it seemed the palace was waking back up.

Riley? Jasper limped inside the throne room. He still clutched the bloody part of his stomach Lukas’s claws had punctured. Only after I’d thrown Lukas off the edge of the palace had I been able to heal him. Our kiss—the kiss where Jasper had almost drained all my magic from me—still tingled on my lips.

He froze when he saw Iris. Who are you? His vampirically crimson eyes flicked to Hayes. A growl simmered in his voice. "And what are you still doing here?"

Before anyone could answer, the entire room rumbled again. Loose stones beneath my feet momentarily threw me off balance. The chunks of stone missing from the marble columns began to magically fill in, along with iron trim tracing the frame of the throne room’s ceiling and snaking over our heads.

I heard more rumbling from the city outside and rushed over to the columns. Though there was more light down here than when we’d first arrived, it was still difficult to make out the cityscape of skyscrapers and squat huts below in any great detail.

Can you see anything? I asked Jasper as he joined me.

He squinted. His frown grew, which I didn’t take as an encouraging sign.

More tunnels have opened up in the rock walls. He started pointing to dark points the growing light hadn’t yet illuminated. There, there…A lot of places. I can’t tell where they go.

Probably up, I said. I looked toward the ceiling, somehow knowing without a doubt that I was right. We fell through the floor of the Conclave chamber, after all.

You’ve awakened the city, Hayes said. Like I said, the others will be here any minute.

What do I do? I said to Jasper, failing to stop a terrified note of panic from creeping into my voice. I’ve found the ancient’s throne. I’ve finished the prophecy. It doesn’t say what happens after.

Riley.

I closed my eyes for a beat to let Iris’s voice wash over me. The old part of me—the part of my life before vampires and magic and ancient thrones—leapt with joy.

Friend! It said.

No, I firmly told it. Not anymore.

I steeled myself and turned to her. What?

She flinched at my chilly tone. You may not have actually taken the throne. Not yet.

Why not? I’m here. I found it. What do I have to do, sit on it?

Maybe. But I think it could be more than that. Hayes is right, let’s find a safer place before the others get here, and then maybe we could—

No. I cut her off. I’m not doing anything with you. I think you’ve ‘helped’ enough.

"Riley, please—"

I felt Jasper’s gentle-yet-firm grip on my arm. His expression said he knew there was something going on between Iris and me, but he didn’t press for more. I hear people headed this way. Don’t forget how much the Deathless hate you right now.

How could I? They and the Northern Pack, once they find out what I did to Lukas, I added bitterly.

I agree about finding a safe place until the rest of the Outcasts and I can figure this out.

I’m not going to sit back and let you guys deal with them alone.

He’s right, Hayes said.

Weren’t you just fighting against us? I snapped.

Hayes shrugged. I couldn’t tell if he was in too much pain to move much more, or if the answer to his sudden change of heart was too complicated to get into right now.

I waited for Iris to chime in—not that I cared what she had to say—but she remained silent. I could feel her watching me, gauging my reaction.

I’m staying here, I said. When they come in, I’ll—

Guys!

Ari and Leon were running across the throne room floor toward us. I let out a sigh of relief, and even Jasper gave a small smile. He’d told me not to worry, but I knew he was just as concerned after they’d been left above with the Deathless and Pack.

You’re alive, Ari said breathlessly. She gripped both my arms and looked me over, searching for any gaping wounds or claw marks. I’m shocked you’re in one piece.

Same, I said. Despite the total chaos of the battle I’d left, she and Leon both had nothing more than a few superficial scratches. One of Ari’s numerous piercings had been ripped out and dried blood dribbled down the side of her face onto the tattoos across her shoulders and upper arm. I was amazed she’d even been hurt at all. She was nearly impossible to touch in her cheetah form.

Leon grinned mightily down at me, his face framed like the mane of the lion shifter he was. Dropping through a hole in the floor? You sure know how to make an exit. Should have seen the Deathless and Pack’s faces.

"It wasn’t that funny," Ari said.

Leon gave a massive shrug. Distracted them enough for me to knock some heads around.

What about the other Outcasts? Jasper said. Do they know where we are?

They will soon, Ari said. Sawyer made a point to monitor how we were doing. Since we haven’t returned by now, I’m sure a few more of the others will join us eventually.

Wherever here is… Leon said, craning his head around.

When Ari was convinced I hadn’t been too badly maimed, she turned to Iris. And you are…?

Later, I said. I wasn’t sure my heart could take explaining things at the moment. Where are the Deathless and Pack right now?

Leon thumbed over his shoulder. Right behind us. I’m not one to run from a fight, but you might not—

Want to be here? Hayes cut in. I’ve only been saying that since the minute I regained consciousness.

Ari’s eyes narrowed on him, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. Hold on, weren’t you the one Sienna said broke into the Loft? Yeah…she called you a ponytailed prick.

Hayes scoffed. Ponytailed—

Is there somewhere we can go until things cool off? Jasper said, trying to take control.

We passed plenty of empty rooms on our way here, Leon said. Though this place is changing so much, I’m not sure if they’ll still be there when we go back.

Good enough, Jasper said.

I told you I’m not leaving— I started, but Jasper’s intense glare halted the rest of the sentence in my throat.

It’s not weak to make a strategic retreat, he said.

I didn’t say that.

Jasper smirked. You didn’t need to. You’ve just awakened an ancient magic throne inside of a once-lost city after fighting off a powerful shifter leader. Let somebody else have all the fun for once.

I agree, Ari said. You didn’t hear some of the paranormals behind us. They sounded furious.

I heaved a defeated sigh and waved for Ari and Leon to lead the way to my totally-not-a-safe-room to hide.

You two shouldn’t be here either, I said to Hayes, purposefully not looking at Iris. I can’t imagine you’re on the Deathless or Pack’s good side right now either.

Hayes gave me a cheeky grin, the one Sienna must have thought was cute. Worry about yourself. I’ll worry about us.

I jerked a nod and started following Ari. Jasper walked with us, but I could tell his wound was still bothering him. Before I could offer to help, Leon wrapped an enormous arm around Jasper’s shoulders and helped him limp along, despite Jasper’s protests.

I could scoop you up, if that’s easier, Leon said, teasing. Carry you like a true princess.

Do that and you’re a dead man, Jasper said, his glare truly murderous.

I hadn’t made it two steps before someone grabbed my arm. I didn’t need to look back to know who it was.

Let go, I warned.

Not until you hear me out, Iris said. I know you hate me right now and I totally understand. I would hate me too. But please let me explain.

I don’t want to hear your explanation. Let. Go.

What I did was unforgivable, but I needed to give you a chance. If I hadn’t, you might have been in even more danger than you are now.

The embers of my elemental fire magic stirred in my core. My anger fueled them until they stoked into a simmering flame threatening to burst forth from my skin. I saw you with my parents, back when I first became an Outcast.

Iris looked shocked. You—how is that possible?

They were distraught looking for me, I said, ignoring her question. "They thought I’d been kidnapped or ran away. They were working with the police to find my killer and you pretended to have no clue as to what happened to me. You lied to them. And then, when I saw you again…"

My fire grew, threatening to burst into an inferno.

Even though you couldn’t see me, I talked with you. I promised you I would find a way to make things right again. You looked so worried, I truly thought you cared. I swallowed a sob. So no, Iris. I don’t want to hear what you have to say.

Riley—

Let go.

Riley, listen, there’s more to it—

I was done listening. My anger surged. Flames burst from my skin, and though I’d grown a little better at controlling them, and though this was nowhere near my full power, I felt the desire to feed them more, more, more.

Iris yelped and leapt back, clutching her burned hand. Her eyes were wide with terror. Good. I wanted her to fear me. I wanted her to hurt just a fraction of how much she’d hurt me.

I tempered my flames and watched a tear roll down her face. My chest twisted so tight it became hard to breathe.

I walked away before I could risk forgiving her.

CHAPTER TWO

The distant rumbles of the palace awakening boomed through the halls. The noise rattled the walls of the room where I stayed, shook the ground as I paced back and forth across the stone. I was reminded of an enormous, once-dormant beast unfurling from its hibernation. Magic had brought the Dead City back to life. My magic.

So why did I still feel so useless?

I grabbed the door handle for what had to be the thirty thousandth time. I could hear the other paranormals’ voices—the furious growls of shifters and deathly hisses of the vampires—echoing down the corridor. It sounded as though the Deathless had made it first, followed closely by the Pack.

My hand itched to turn the knob and storm out there.

You’re at the center of this, Ari had told me when we’d found this room and they shuffled me inside. Ever the mother hen, she’d demanded Jasper stop for five frickin’ seconds so she could patch him up as best she could. She’d talked to me while finishing up the last of Jasper’s wrappings. No one knows what’s going on and one of them could try to take advantage of the confusion.

"They will try taking advantage of it," Jasper said.

For shame, Leon said, pretending to be hurt. Don’t you have any faith in your fellow paranormals?

Not this group, no.

Touché.

Anyway, Ari cut in as she’d finished with Jasper and they’d filed out of the room. We won’t be long. Stay here until we come back.

Jasper had poked his head back in one final time. And actually stay in here. No running off and causing more trouble.

I’ve never done that! I’d protested. Or if I have it was maybe once. Possibly twice. I can’t remember.

He’d just smirked, a haughty, devilish smirk that made my stomach flutter and my face heat far more than my fire magic ever could. Then he’d shut the door and left me completely alone.

Gee, way to make a girl feel good.

With a huff, I pulled my hand off the door and paced another lap around the room. It’d begun to change since I’d entered. Curtains grew like ivy over the windows, exactly matching ones hanging in my room back home. The stone walls scaled over with cream-colored plaster like that of my place back at the Loft, where all the Outcasts had lived. No, where they still lived. Just because I’d started…something didn’t mean we were out of danger and could leave the safety and security of the Loft’s charms and geas just yet.

There was even an enormous fireplace like the one in the Loft’s living room, only this one didn’t have the blank stone slab above it where the prophecy revealed itself.

I ran my fingers down the wall. As much as I missed my room at my parents’ house—as much as I missed them—I felt a strange longing for the Loft as well. For the training room and rooftop terrace. For the other Outcasts, now my friends, popping in and out and crashing in the living room. I’d been so lost and confused when I’d first arrived, but it’d quickly become a space filled with friends.

I flopped on the bed and forced myself to stop worrying. Jasper and the Outcasts had dealt with the other factions of the Conclave before. And now that Lukas wasn’t there it shouldn’t be any problem.

At least that’s what I told myself.

After an entire agonizing minute of kicking my legs against the plush of the newly formed mattress and sheets, I threw myself up to standing and took a spot in the middle of the room. If I couldn’t be out there facing the Conclave head-on, then I could at least check something that’d been bothering me.

My elemental fire magic had been a struggle since the first time it’d manifested, back when Iris had ki—since I’d been attacked at the fair. Jasper’s brutally honest training (what about him wasn’t brutally honest?) had helped to hone it; but I knew I still had a long way to go before I completely controlled it.

I focused on my breathing, trying to match the slow, steady rhythm of my heartbeat. I centered on that deep part of me where my magic resided. Unlike times before, it rose to my bidding relatively easily. I summoned a single flame on the tips of my pointer fingers, then down each successive finger all the way to the pinkies. I summoned a fireball next and tossed it back and forth before clapping my hands together and extinguishing it.

So far so good. I wasn’t even feeling the least bit drained.

Time for something a bit bigger.

I twisted my feet into the ground and focused on the heat radiating from my skin. I’d seen pictures of other elementals, true elementals, in images Sawyer had found; Immense beings with soulless eyes, leaving paths of destruction in their wake. When facing off against Farrar the vampire—and again against Lukas when he’d nearly killed Jasper—I’d felt that same primal rage. I may not have been a true elemental, but I was enough of one that I was scared to think of what I might become.

Come on… I whispered as my magic rose to the surface again. Not a little. A lot. More than I’d ever tried to control. I wanted to test the limit of what I was capable. I wanted to see just how dangerous I was.

I opened my eyes to waves of intense heat wafting off my body, nearly melting the newly formed curtains. The stone beneath my feet began to feel soft. In another moment I was sure the bed would spontaneously combust.

Just…a little more… I urged.

I saw the barest hint of a tiger’s fiery claw emerge from one of my hands, followed by a snarling mouth full of teeth. My muscles shook with strain. Red filled my vision. Anger, too. My earlier resentment toward Iris hit me full force and the resulting surge of magic caught one of the end tables on fire.

The hold on my magic broke. The tiger sank back inside me until I stood, panting and cold, in the middle of the room. A small crater had formed around where I stood. Everything within a five-foot radius was either charred or completely disintegrated.

I stared at my hands, biting my tongue in frustration. Using my magic had been easier than ever before, but thoughts of Iris had ruined it. I didn’t want to think about her. What she’d done couldn’t hurt me anymore.

I shook my head and focused on what I’d nearly done. Jasper had said the tiger magic was one of my body’s last lines of defense. An immensely powerful instinctual protector that only came out when I was in desperate need. I’d nearly summoned him all on my own. Queen or not, it was clear something in my magic had changed. Hopefully for the better.

The door opened. There was a squeal of happiness and I turned just in time to be assaulted by a hug. Strands of multicolored hair stuck in my lips as Sienna attempted to suffocate me with love and compassion.

You’re alive!

I’m alive! I squeaked.

I’m so, so happy—ouch!

Sienna suddenly let me go, shaking out her arms. "And you’re hot. What have you… She took a look around the semi-melted spot I stood and then at the charred room, eyes widening. Er…Practicing hot yoga?"

Something like that. Give me a minute to cool off and then you can try suffocating me again.

Sienna beamed, and my heart relaxed. I’d missed the smile of my latest best friend. She was the fourth Outcast and a self-proclaimed witch extraordinaire with the style of someone who could never decide what to wear so just threw it all on. A spaghetti strap top fell to just above her knees where polka dot tights took over, down to the combat boots on her feet. I noted with some dismay that my room smelled quite a bit like burned noodles, but she’d brought in the scent of incense and maybe some casting chalk.

Did you arrive with the others? I asked.

Sienna placed her hands behind her back and took a walk around the room, taking in what décor was still in one piece. Nope, just me. Jasper and Ari didn’t feel it was safe enough for everyone to leave the Loft. And Lucinda can’t, you know.

I nodded. Lucinda was our resident mermaid and could only be out of water for a little while. Are they okay?

Sienna waved her hands and muttered a few words beneath her breath. The curtains I’d burned began to regrow even faster, now turning a deep, witchy shade of purple. Everyone’s fine. But they’re all really, really worried about you.

I couldn’t help grimacing. Even Colette?

Sienna grimaced right back. "Well, I mean she wouldn’t say she was, but she was. I’m pretty sure. And I am too. Her expression rapidly shifted to concern. I overheard a little of what Jasper and the others were talking about with the Conclave. They…did not sound happy, especially the shifters. What did you do?"

I knew she totally didn’t mean for that to come off so accusatory, but I still felt a tightness in my chest like I’d been caught trying to open my Christmas presents a week early. I’m not entirely sure…

I told her about what had happened since we’d left the Loft and gone after the magically appearing tunnel that led to the elemental throne. About how Farrar had betrayed us when he attacked me, how Jasper and I had fallen down here, to the Dead City, our fight with Lukas, and finally me touching the throne. I left out the part about Iris because…Well, Sienna wouldn’t totally understand just how much it hurt. And I wasn’t ready to think about it quite yet.

I guess by the end of my story I’d cooled off because Sienna clutched my hands like they were the safety bar on a roller coaster. You beat—You found—You—

Yes, yes, and possibly yes, I said, failing to stifle a grin.

Sienna pulled my hands up and down with excitement. "And you said Hayes betrayed Lukas. I told you he wasn’t such a bad guy!"

Sienna, I still don’t think having the hots for that guy is a good idea. We have no idea whose side he’s truly on.

Have the hots? I don’t have the hots. Sienna gave an awkward laugh. "The only one who has any hots is you. For Jasper and, you know, literally. Me, have the hots…especially for a guy with a ponytail…"

I rolled my eyes, deciding not to push the issue. But now that I touched the throne I’m not sure what comes next. You were just at the Loft. Did you happen to see if the words of the prophecy went away? Did I finish it and break the curse? Can you all see your loved ones now?

Sienna slowly let go of my hands, thinking. I didn’t actually see, sorry. But we can try to figure it out.

She raised a finger and traced fiery letters in midair, writing out the lines of the witch’s prophecy I’d unfortunately come to know all too well.

"The Thirteenth one shall be the key. That one’s kind of obvious. That’s you! Sienna scribbled that line out. The remedy to Outcasts’ strife."

"Not sure about remedy, I muttered. But true enough."

Sienna nodded and scribbled it out. "With blood of mortals, blood of old…"

That’s about me being part elemental. At least as far as we know.

Right. Great! See, this is easy, like a Sunday morning crossword!

Sure. Easy. I was just glad she was having so much fun.

Sienna stopped writing. The last couple lines…

"They ascend the ancients’ throne, and from the dark reveal the light," I read.

And you did that! Done! Sienna happily scribbled the remaining lines of the prophecy and then stared as though she expected them to start dancing. Well…That’s it, right?

That was it. I’d completed the prophecy in its entirety.

So…Do you feel any different? Sienna asked. Did you happen to find a crown lying around somewhere? Are you suddenly getting delusions of becoming a power-hungry queen?

I’m not getting much of anything, I admitted. I kind of hoped the prophecy would give the next steps. It’s led us this far and now…

I waved my arm toward the words, which caused them to vanish into wisps of smoke. Sienna gave me a comforting smile. I’m sure you’ve done everything you’re supposed to. Now all that’s left is to convince the other paranormals you’re the rightful queen…

She trailed off, but not before a weight like a cannonball settled in the bottom of my gut.

Before I had time to properly start panicking, Leon returned. He didn’t mention the smell or the singed parts of my room. His expression was troubled.

What’s wrong? I asked immediately.

You’re going to be shocked to hear this, but the other members of the Conclave aren’t too happy with the idea that there might be a new queen, Leon said gruffly.

Not even with all the evidence? Sienna asked.

Not even with the evidence, Leon confirmed.

The cannonball in my gut sunk deeper. I wanted to vomit. I wanted to curl up under my blankets. I wanted to do anything besides what I knew I needed to do.

Take me back to where they’re meeting, I said before I could chicken out. It’s time I faced all of them myself.

CHAPTER THREE

Each step I took felt like a dozen bricks had been tied to the bottom of my shoes. The way to the throne room where the rest of the paranormals were meeting wasn’t long, but it felt like a million miles.

Jasper and Ari have calmed them down enough to at least have a decent talk, Leon said. But the Pack and Deathless both…Well, you’ll see.

Surprisingly, that didn’t help me feel any better.

We’ve got your back, Sienna said confidently. She flicked her thumb to light a stick of incense she’d pulled from her pocket and stuck it behind her ear. And you know Jasper won’t let a single one of them get near you. She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Leon grunted.