Elemental Rush (Elemental 0.5) by Elana Johnson Page B

fun, brother.”
    “I have fun,” I said, repeating a conversation we’d had many times. “Just not your kind of fun.”
    He nodded to the boots at my feet. “Have fun polishing your boots.” He chuckled as he shook his head and turned to leave.
    I exhaled as the door to my chamber closed. If Felix was playing cards tonight, he’d be awake until at least midnight. But I couldn’t wait another four hours. I had a long way to travel tonight, and I needed to get going. Still, I waited an hour. Then I folded my blanket into my pack, put on my polished boots, and stepped onto my balcony.
    I leapt to the ground and ducked into the shadows. I followed the spokes of streets toward the wall, which I had to go over. All the gates—Tarpulin had six—were locked until morning. I had to use my Element to get over the wall. I couldn’t help it and I hoped Alex was otherwise detained tonight, though I knew she wasn’t with Felix.
    I cupped my hands and invited the air to build me a cushion. It obeyed easily, and I directed it up and over the wall. I landed softly on the other side, took one last look at the only home I’d ever known, and turned my face north.
    I took the lesser-traveled mountain path, though these hills weren’t anything like the towering giants near Hesterton. These were sloping hills, but still required quite a bit of physical effort to climb. I pushed myself past the point of exhaustion, past the dawning of the day, past the hour when I’d be missed.
    At that point, I allowed myself to pause and look back the way I’d come. I’d been walking for over twelve hours, and I’d made good time because of my physical conditioning. I stood above Tarpulin, which was a distant dot on the horizon. A sizzle of discomfort let me know that I wasn’t far enough away.
    I took a deep breath and turned north again. Deciding I needed more distance over secrecy, I formed a pillow of air and held my hand in front of my body to direct it over the terrain. I blinked and had a hard time reopening my eyes. I was glad the plains only had low bushes and the occasional rock.
    I rode the wind until I couldn’t keep my eyes open a moment longer. I disembarked near a pod of trees that grew next to a sliver of water. Fall was fast approaching, and the late summer sun had stolen most of the water from this stream. It was enough to quench my thirst, and all I could do was hope I wouldn’t wake up violently ill. I leaned against a tree trunk and slipped into an easy sleep.

    Another night of walking and another couple of hours of air travel and I saw the outskirts of Cornish. I took my place in the abandoned warehouse and ate a piece of stale bread and a chicken leg. I wasn’t getting enough calories to match the physical exertion, but for now, I felt satisfied.
    Two days later—exactly as I’d predicted—I reached Gregorio. Orchards surrounded the city, but no wall. There was a flimsy fence anyone could’ve gotten past, but most wouldn’t go unnoticed by the orchard guards. I knew they functioned as the city’s wall as well, and I steered clear of their watchful eyes.
    As a sentry I knew how to hide as well as the guards knew how to look. I made it past the fence and through the orchards by nightfall, just in time to see the market close. I followed the merchants as they headed to the only open establishment—the city tavern.
    I had precious little money, and only that which I’d stolen from the sentry store. I ordered a bowl of stew and a pint of beer, salivating just from being in the tavern. Before my food arrived, a searing pain tore through my back.
    I abandoned my table, swiping my pack from the floor as I flew outside. I could not have a transmission episode in public. Everyone would know what I was, and I couldn’t afford to alert the sentries here in Gregorio.
    I made it to an alley between two buildings before the pain became so unbearable I couldn’t take another step. I fell to my knees, gritting my teeth