Read Caution to the Wind: Book One of the Elementals Series for Free Online

stifling with smoke, she couldn't breathe. Levi opened a window and the smoke wafted outside. She sucked in a breath.
    She stared at the burned tablecloth before she lifted her gaze to Avery. He’d sunken back down into his seat. His fingers carded through his hair.
    “I’m fine.” The calmness of his voice surprised her. If it had been her, she'd have been less collected.
    “You’re welcome.” The sarcasm was clear in Levi's voice. He put the pen device back in his pocket. “Had to do it, man. You know that.”
    “Had to do what?” Loren didn't know exactly what the pen device did, but it stopped Avery. More of an explanation would've been nice.
    “You pretentious son of a bitch.” Avery lifted his head, a glare directed at Levi. “What gives you the fucking right?”
    “Hey, your powers were out of control. You know the rules Cal put down. At any sign, I’m allowed to—”
    “That’s not what I meant. You have no right to psychoanalyze anyone. Apologize to her.”
    “I was just—”
    “Fucking apologize to her!”
    This was nothing like their teasing banter earlier. She swallowed hard.
    Levi held up his hands in surrender. “All right. Fine. Sorry, Loren. I’ll keep my perceptions to myself and I won’t put you under another evaluation. I’m sorry.”
    She couldn't help but detect a small note of bitter sarcasm, but she let it go.
    “No, it’s okay. You didn’t mean it.”
    Her words earned a snort of disbelief from Avery. Loren soon focused on the foam covering the table, wishing she could be somewhere else.
    “What the hell is your problem anyway?” Levi kept his distance. He leaned over to grab a cloth napkin and attempt to clear up some of the mess in his immediate area. He shot Avery a sharp glare.
    “Bad mood. Wrong side of the bed. What fucking difference does it make?”
    Levi scrubbed at the tablecloth, worrying his lip ring between his teeth. “You set the table on fire. That’s not something you do. Not unless—” He trailed off, lifting his gaze to Loren.
    For a couple of seconds, she held his stare. There was something knowing in Levi's eyes. His mouth twitched upwards in a smirk.
    Before he could say a word, Avery pushed back his chair and diverted Levi's attention.
    “You’re a lucky man,” Avery told him in a low voice. “Lucky you didn’t finish that sentence and lucky I can’t use my powers right now.”
    Levi didn’t move but his gaze dropped to the table. Loren noted the clenching of his jaw. The tension was thick. She didn’t doubt the sincerity of the threat and was thankful Avery couldn’t use his power right now.
    Loren feared Levi might say something, but the swinging door opened and Eva and Callum entered the room. The smiles and conversation between brother and sister dropped immediately.
    “Oh dear.” Eva's lips pursed.
    Callum observed the destruction of the tablecloth first before he looked between the three of them. He finally settled on his brother.
    Loren held her breath and waited. She expected a shouting match or a scolding. The silence made her nervous.
    Avery lifted his head defiantly.
    There was no scolding, no shouting. Callum nodded to Eva and she sighed, stepping over to the intercom. As she called for someone to clean up the dining room, Callum glanced to his watch.
    “Ten-thirty-two.” He gave Loren a tiny, jaded smile. “It’s going to be a very long day.”
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Levi led the way with Eva close beside him. They talked so quietly Loren couldn't hear, but it didn't seem that important. Levi appeared somber now; the entire ordeal in the dining room left a lasting mark on his demeanor.
    Loren tried to keep her attention focused ahead of her, but her gaze drifted to look at the decorations on the walls.
    “Did you have any difficulty this morning?” Callum walked beside her.
    “Difficulty?” She glanced back briefly at a sullen and silent Avery as he trailed along behind. “I uh—”
    “In finding the dining