Breathing Air

  Breathing Air

  By

  Emily James Taylor

  Copyright © 2018 by Emily James Taylor

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise- without prior permission of the publisher and author.

  Any references to historical events, real people or real places are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead or actual events is entirely coincidental.

  Sexy African American Man by mimagephotography was purchased through Canva Pty Ltd using the Extended License Agreement. Space stock photo through Canva Pty Ltd.

  Cover Art Design and Editing by Kaila Duff

  Tables of Contents

  Glossary

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Also by Emily James Taylor

  About the Author

  To Cal

  My Best Friend

  To Mom

  Thank you

  for everything

  (including reading my dirty books).

  To Kaila

  Superfluffs, this book would not have been finished

  if it was not for you.

  I’m so glad that you picked me

  as one of the authors you’ve adopted.

  You rock.

  To Michelle

  Thank you! All your help

  has made this book even better.

  Tash and Marissa

  Thank you so much for beta reading for me.

  Your suggestions have helped so much.

  Alchemist: An individual whose genes allow them to live forever. They are still practically mortal but with their extra healing abilities, it makes them harder to kill. They are also gifted with an element that they are able to control.

  The Four Elements: Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.

  Nucleus: The central partner who is able to feel shocks of their partners in their body, it allows themselves the ability to bring the group together. (Also referred to as their ‘Heart’s Center’)

  Quad: A group of partners made up of each of the elements. The Nucleus brings them together. It is essentially a harem. The nucleus is the center and in a relationship with each of the partners. Four partners.

  Aether: The Universe Element. Rare. Only a handful of individuals possess this powerful element. They have the ability to open portals to any destination.

  Quint: When an Aether Elemental Alchemist becomes the nucleus, they complete their group with the remaining four elements. Five partners.

  Horus: Political Party currently in charge of the Alchemist society. Three quads or quints are chosen every ten years to be on the council. One quad or quint out of the three are then elected to lead on the council. The nucleus of each group is deferred to in most instances, for each quad or quints opinion.

  Nolan Rami Thomas (Most commonly referred to as Thomas): the nucleus of his quint, who are Council Leaders of Horus. He is an Aether Elemental Alchemist.

  Osiris: Political Party ostracised by Alchemist Society. They used to be the main Political Party until they decided they wanted to reveal what Alchemists are to regular humans. Currently in hiding. Jerome Travis and his partners are still the figureheads.

  Jerome Travis: Leader of Osiris. He is a Water Elemental Alchemist

  Adaline: Aether Elemental Alchemist. She is the nucleus of her quint.

  Nolan Thomas: Earth Elemental Alchemist. One of Adaline’s partners. Father is Thomas, the nucleus of his quint, council leader of Horus.

  Kevin Stafford: Water Elemental Alchemist. One of Adaline’s partners. His mother, Hadley Stafford is the nucleus of her quad and they are on the Council of Horus.

  Alt Earth (what the denizens call it): Sanctuary on a distant, unknown planet far from Earth. A safe haven for Alchemists running from either Osiris and Horus. You can only get there through a portal.

  Tobias Jones (alias: Easton Jacobs): Aether Elemental Alchemist. Adaline’s father. Former Member on the council for Osiris when they were still in charge. He is on the run from both Osiris and Horus.

  Emmanuel Subrun: Elected Leader of the denizens of Alt Earth.

  Mrs. Georgie: A denizen on Alt Earth everyone listens to. Emmanuel goes to her for guidance.

  My knuckles crack as my fist connects with my son’s face. His heads slams back, bouncing against the brick wall. Chunks of bricks and hidden mortar fall to the ground, leaving a decent indentation. Blood drips down the wall, satisfying me. My son stares at me with the same straight face he always used when he was growing up, trying to conceal his emotions.

  Tonight was the first time he showed his hand in years, he gripped the chair as I approached Adaline and placed a protective arm around her. He would have made a great politician, too bad it took him this long to find his nucleus. If I had known he still had potential, I would have kept him by my side, he was always trying to please me when he was younger, especially after a trip to my office. I should have kept him trained. But having an incomplete soldier by my side would have made me look weak. Now, looking down at him, all I see is a complete waste of space. I can’t help but to sneer down at him. It’s nauseating just standing this close to a worthless piece of shit.

  “How dare you try to keep her away from us? She could help us ensure our future!” The ungrateful bastard just spits blood, aiming for my shoes. Thankfully, he misses. These are my favorite pair. I can’t wait to visit him after he’s been arrested. It’s been too long since I beat him black and blue then made him wait in my office till he was completely healed. It’ll be nice not having to worry about people’s reactions this time, he will never be leaving the basement.

  I look back over my shoulders and nod for the officers closest to me to come forward. “Lock her partners up. They were trying to bring her over to Osiris. We can try to find her other connections, hopefully, they will not be traitors as well.”

  Turning, I walk away and let my officers handle them. I stop suddenly when the ground begins to shake. Before I can take another step forward, the earth splits open in front of me. My eyes snap to my son and Nolan’s palm is outstretched. Logan, my officer, should be putting enough power behind his air element so they can’t move. I try to yell at him but stop short as a burst of water hits Logan in the chest and he stumbles. The stream of water pulses and it knocks him backwards. I watch in shock as he falls into the opening in the ground. Taking a step towards Nolan and his partners, they drop to the ground as Logan’s power stops holding them. Nolan’s redheaded partner, Kevin, jumps up quickly and pushes water from his palms towards me and my men. I drop low to the ground as I watch a few more of my officers fall into the cracked earth. As I pull myself, up a wall of ivy spreads out in front of us, blocking us from moving forward. Damn it.

  “Richard, call the safe house and send more officers after them. Use your fire element and burn this ivy away, something you should already be doing. Incompetent idiot,” I pace back and forth while listening to Richard’s dumb, high pitched voice. I clench my fingers, together trying to calm my anger. The smell of burning leaves reaches my nose and I begin to relax slightly. I stop pacing, readying myself for the next fight.

  As soon as enough ivy is burned away, I jump across and run into the street. The little hope I have to recapture them is squashed as I round the corner and watch as
a tear in the universe closes. They’ve slipped out of my grasp.

  As I move toward the spot the fissure was, I kick one of the guards laying on the ground, hoping the bones don’t heal back properly. They allowed all three to escape. I’m surrounded by fucking morons. Getting closer to where the tear disappeared, my powers buzz loudly. It was intoxicating to be around another Aether, even if it was just briefly. No other Element gives off such a powerful charge. I trace my hands over the spot in the air still laced with energy. Since she’s a newly trained Aether, there’s a chance she left behind a trace of her location.

  A gentle swaying breaks through my sleep and I crack my eyes open halfway. Nolan’s serious face above me stares straight ahead. He has an arm under my neck and another under my legs, he must be carrying me. I try to take in my surroundings, but it’s hard because I can’t find the strength to move my head. Opening the portal took a lot out of me. That and the little fighting I did seems to have depleted me of any energy. Good thing we got out of there when we did. If we stayed longer, I think I would still be passed out.

  As I fight to keep my eyes open, I notice the sky. It’s green. A cloudy, lime green sky. How is that possible? I thought I saw weird colors just before I passed out but I didn’t have time to think about it. The trees are shades of yellow and orange, like marigold and yam. My eyes fall closed again, my energy waning.

  “Hello there,” a deep, male voice calls out and Nolan stops. “We didn’t know we would be having any newcomers. Tobias said he was leaving to get his daughter, is that her?”

  A part of me wants to jump up to ask him what he knows about my father. But I can’t bring myself to do it. After hearing that my father was alive at the party that was thrown by Horus last night, I was worried about him. He had been on the run and attacked. Hearing that he stayed away for the past three years of my life even though I thought he was dead was okay. I accepted it last night as I laid down beside Nolan to sleep, I told myself he was looking out for me and didn’t want me to be caught up with this. But now knowing that he was here the whole time, I’m angry and frustrated.

  Why didn’t he come get me and bring me wherever we are now? He left me alone with my horrible stepmother, Brenda. I thought he was dead. I left my home almost two weeks ago trying to start over and move on, to forget the loss of my father and the evil things that witch of a woman did to me. Yeah, I got lucky that I stumbled onto Nolan and Kevin. I don’t regret meeting them. I really don’t. I finally know who I am and what I can do. But I could have been with my dad, these past few years could have been different, I could have been happy.

  “...rough night from your appearance.” I missed whatever else that guy said. Nolan moves again under me, walking again. A buzzing fills my ears, my body. Wanting to find to source, I once again try to force my eyes, but it’s in vain, I can’t seem to keep my eyelids from staying closed. One thing is certain, we’re surrounded by Alchemists. People call out greetings as we move though what sounds like a crowded area. Exhaustion swamps me down to the bone. I’m too weak right now to have all these people I don’t know so close.

  After a while, the buzzing fades until only two remain. I relax knowing it is only my guys and whoever they’re following, probably the deep voiced man. Since I can hear this guy’s buzzing, I know he’s not a Water element like my Kevin. I can’t smell any power coming from him like Nolan whose beach smell fills my nostrils right now. So Earth is definitely out. That leaves Fire and Air… well also Aether but I would be really baffled if he actually had that since it’s extremely rare.

  Before I can figure out his element, we come to a stop and his deep voice speaks again. “There’s a list of food and what they taste like in the kitchen. All the furniture may look funny but we try to make everything the same as it was on Earth. Everyone here likes to gather at that open shelter in the center of the market once a week. That’s happening tomorrow night, so take today to relax and then come by tomorrow to meet everybody. I’m sure once Tobias knows you are here, he’ll show up. I expect to see him by the end of the week.” I don’t have to open my eyes to know he’s walking away, his buzzing dims to a low pitch. He must have brought us somewhere to stay.

  Once again, Nolan moves again as someone, I assume Kevin, jingles a key in a lock. Nolan’s steady hands hold me securely, giving me comfort, as the hinges of a door squeal. A door bangs against a wall as Kevin’s heavy footfalls stomp away. Strange. Maybe he’s agitated from the fight still. Nolan takes a few steps then he gently transfers me to a soft surface. I should open my eyes and talk to him, find out what’s going on and where we are, but he bundles me up in a warm blanket and runs his fingers through my hair. It’s too comfortable to do anything but rest. I snuggle into the warmth and comfort of the blanket as warm lips settle on my forehead. Nolan stands near me for a second before his footsteps, and his scent, retreat. I push my body further back and feel a soft cushion. I must be on a couch but I could swear I’m resting on clouds. I shove away thoughts that have been plaguing me since we got here, there’s no need to think of where the hell we are or how it will be to see my father again right now. I can worry about that when I wake up.

  As I start to doze off, I hear Nolan’s voice, “Kev, we need to come up with a strategy here. I feel like we're sitting ducks. It would be great if you actually contributed more to this conversation.” A door slams and Nolan lets out a frustrated groan. I should probably try to wake up but I still feel so incredibly drained. I can’t seem to fight off this exhaustion anymore, sleep finally claims me.

  Giving them a salute, I leave the newcomers at one of the houses we have set up for refugees of Horus and Osiris and head off to the square. I need to see what we need for tomorrow night. I couldn’t bring myself to stay and question them about why they showed up here without her dad. They looked like they could use a breather anyway. Their clothes were torn and had blood stains all over. Horus must finally be showing their true colors. We really need Tobias to come back. He’s our only connection to the happenings on Earth. Lately I’ve gotten the feeling that he’s not been forthcoming with information. I hope nothing is wrong and he doesn’t stay away from here too long looking for her.

  Adaline. I honestly thought I would never see her again. Of course, she would never remember me. I was ten the last time I saw her and she was barely two. It was probably strange to everyone, us hanging out together then. I hadn’t made friends with anybody else here, at the time though. Yes, she was many years younger than me, but I felt a strong connection to her. I wanted to protect her. Maybe it was because of everything I had already witnessed in my young life, I didn't want this sweet child to have the same pain as me.

  The day she left, she was wearing a flowered sundress, her hair was wild and let loose. I was chasing her through the bright lilac colored grass while the adults were conversing. After we wore ourselves out, I laid in the field next to her and stared at the two suns in our sky. While trying to decide which one was my favorite, the smaller one that was dim yet warm or the larger one that was a bright orange, I listened to what they were saying. Mrs. Georgie wanted to keep Adaline here for her safety but Tobias wouldn’t budge on the issue. He wasn’t going to be separated from his daughter. He was going to find a safe place to keep her hidden from the Alchemist Society on Earth. Hide her among regular people and find her a mother. So if something ever happened and Thomas found him or our sanctuary, Adaline would still be safe.

  Mrs. Georgie tried to reason with him, saying little Adaline wouldn’t know anything about who she was if he kept her from all of us. He just replied that was what he was hoping would happen and ended the conversation by putting his hand up and turning away from Mrs. Georgie. He strode over to us, lifted Adaline up, and walked away. The last image in my head of her is tiny hands waving bye to me over her father’s shoulder.

  Trying to focus on what I need to get done for the party tomorrow night, I wave to people as they go about their business. They probably have a lot of questions abo
ut our newcomers, it’s been years since we have had any. I should probably make an announcement that Adaline’s back. Mrs. Georgie isn’t the only one that wanted Adaline to stay here. But instead of talking to anyone, I continue to make my way through the crowded street. I can’t keep my thoughts from racing, the memories of the scared little boy I used to be are running rampant in my head.

  Back then, I hoped she would have stayed too. I was alone. Tobias found me huddled over my father’s lifeless body when I was eight and transported me here. Horus killed my father. All because he wouldn’t help them fight Osiris. They’ve kept that aspect of their ways hidden from the average Alchemist. Yes, Osiris has grand schemes to tell the world that we exist. But there are some good people there. Tobias was one of them. He wanted to tell normal people about us so they could choose to better themselves too and become like us. Maybe then I would still have my mother.

  Alchemist genes are really strong. I’m half human and I’m still able to reap all the benefits. Like other Alchemists, I have an element and accelerated healing. I’ve stopped aging and I can’t get sick. My father met my human mother when he went back to Haiti in the 1980’s. She died from breast cancer when I was three. I don’t remember anything about her and I have no knowledge of their life together. My father was open about everything else in his history except for his time with her.