The Soothing Scent Of Earth (Elemental Awakening, Book 2) by Nicola Claire Page A

flames of the open fire.
    Smoke swirled in a dizzying pattern on its slow climb to the hole in the roof of our hollow. It hid me from his sight. I made sure he couldn't hear a change in my breathing as well. I needed to know what I was up against, before I took flight.
    But oh Lord, keeping my heartbeat steady was impossible and I was too scared to call on the Earth to help, out of fear the doctor could tell.
    "This is a severe breach of protocol, Noah," the disembodied voice replied from the flames. It sounded slightly distorted, not helped by the crackle of wood as it burned.
    "I understand, but I couldn't allow her to be used in such a way. She is ours to protect."
    I struggled to comprehend meaning from his words, but it was useless.
    "Her creation was allowed under strict guidelines," the voice answered and my heart leapt into my throat threatening to make me gasp and choke.
    I was created ?
    By who?
    For what?
    "You have effectively ruined decades of work," the voice continued, and despite Noah's duplicity, I mentally urged him to defend himself. "It will take us that long to get another agent into Gi land. This cannot be forgiven."
    "What is the point of her creation if she is harmed beyond repair?" Noah finally hissed back.
    "She is strong enough to cope and the bigger picture is all that counts."
    Silence as both men fumed mutely. The flames continued to crackle, and I'm unsure how I knew, but the other man was still there. Waiting for Noah's next admission.
    "What's done is done," Noah finally murmured. "Will you arrange an airlift out of Manaus?"
    "How long until you get her there?" the voice asked.
    "She's weak," Noah offered. "It'll take us two, maybe three, days."
    "I'll have tickets and documents waiting at the usual place."
    "Thank you," Noah said, but the man talked over him.
    "And prepare to answer some very demanding questions on your return to CERN."
    What? What was Surn?
    "Understood," Noah replied, shuffling in his crouch, as though uncomfortable with his reprimand.
    "May gold and silver line your pockets," the voice said.
    "May your life be blessed with longevity," Noah murmured.
    "May Fire flow through your veins, and Air sustain your lungs."
    "May Water provide sustenance, and Earth ground your soul."
    Then both together they intoned, "And may Quintessence bind them all in harmony one day."
    I expected to hear an Amen after that, but the fire continued to crackle, a slightly different pitch that let me know the man had departed and the conversation was over. Noah sat back on his heels and let out a long quiet breath of air.
    I couldn't decide whether to continue to pretend I was asleep and escape sometime on our trek tomorrow. Or whether I should just confront him, knowing the tree we sat in was completely mine to command, despite Noah having found and shielded this place. It spoke to me. It moved for me. Since we both arrived, it had done nothing for Noah.
    In the end the decision was taken out of my hands, as Noah sat his back against the far wall and said, "I know you're awake, Casey. I know you heard most of that."
    He didn't sound angry. He actually sounded relieved.
    I slowly sat up and and copied his stance, back to the wall, the only escape halfway between us through the vine covered entrance. My eyes flicked there briefly, but Noah only smiled. It didn't reach his eyes; he looked tired.
    "You have questions?" he suggested.
    "Why don't you just tell me everything," I answered, heart in my throat, breathing a little too rapid.
    Who could I trust? Not the Gi . And now I wasn't even sure what Noah was. How could I trust him either?
    "OK," he said, running a hand through his hair and looking ten years younger. He'd always appeared around thirty-five, fit and healthy, but due to my assumption that he was an Athanatos I couldn't be sure of his exact age.
    I still didn't have an answer. But I was about to.
    "I'm an agent of the Alchemists," he said without further preamble.
    My back stiffened, my