Read Restless (Element Preservers, #4) for Free Online Page A

of curiosity. My breath hitched in my throat as I realized April couldn't be older than fourteen.
    "Hi. Are you April?" I asked, closing the door behind me. The girl nodded, her long black curls jumping around her tiny shoulders.
    "I know you," she exclaimed, getting up from the bed. The small room was full of sunshine thanks to the huge window that looked on the endless meadow. A desk and a chair stood in the corner, covered in toys and flowers. One of the walls was completely filled with pictures of famous actors and singers.
    "You're Ria Milanez!" Her eyes widened as she approached me. "They told me you were just like me. I mean, they told me we had the same elements."
    "Yeah, that's me."
    April smiled and put her arms around me. "I can't believe you came to see me! I never thought I'd meet anyone famous."
    "Well, I'm not that famous." I stepped back and nodded in the direction of the posters where real celebrities were.
    "Yes, you are. All carriers know about you." She straightened her purple dress. "Come sit with me."
    "Sure." April led me to the bed and we sat down, our shoulders nearly touching.
    "I still can't believe you're here. They told me you were too busy." She pouted. "But I did hope you might come."
    "Who told you that?" I had no idea who 'they' were, but maybe April could enlighten me.
    "Mark and Sasha, my doctors." Her face lost a bit of its cheerfulness. "I wish more people would be allowed to visit me, but I don't want to hurt them."
    "I don't know your doctors, but I hope they're taking good care of you. How are you feeling?" I'd freaked out when I was alone in a whole house with a city nearby. I couldn't imagine what April was going through here, trapped forever in a small room with a huge window that showed her what she couldn't have. I thought I was going to be sick.
    "I'm fine, but I can't be around people with elements." A frown line appeared on her forehead. "Are you ok? You look pale."
    "Don't worry about me." I tried to smile, but I could bet it looked more like a grimace. "How long have you been here?"
    "A couple of months." She shrugged. "At least no one ties me down in here."
    I swallowed the bile that was rising in my throat. No, I couldn't take away this girl's chance to have a normal life. What were Paula and the others thinking? How the fuck could I be the priority? I was the one living at a university full of people with elements and I could do whatever I wanted. If April didn't get an earth element soon, God knew how long she'd have to stay in this room. She needed that element more than me.
    "Did they tell you there is a person who could donate his element to you?" I said, staring at my hands in my lap.
    "Yeah," she said slowly. "But you need that element, so I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer."
    "No, I won't let that happen. You are the one who needs that element the most, not me." I met her surprised eyes.
    "But..." She started to protest, shaking her head.
    "No buts." I took her hands in mine, squeezing lightly. "Promise me you will take that element for yourself when the time comes."
    She stared at me for a full minute, confusion and indecision crossing her delicate features. "I... I promise."
    "Good." I bit my lip to push back the tears that pooled in my eyes. "You're going to be fine, April. You'll get out of here and then we'll go shopping together. What do you say?"
    "Deal!" April squealed in delight, throwing herself in my arms. I pressed her to myself, closing my eyes. Even if I fell apart and completely lost control, no one could make me take the earth element before April.
     
    I waved goodbye to April, a broad smile on my face. She grinned back at me as I closed the door. I’d made only a couple of steps out in the hall when tears flooded my eyes. I let myself slide down the wall and pulled my knees up, hugging myself. There were so many carriers who would continue to suffer simply because we couldn't do anything for them. I had to do something, but I wasn't sure