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Thunder cracked again. This bolt of lightning skipped the trees and raced straight for earth.
The man with the gun laughed. He turned in a circle. At some point he’d hurt Hunter—now he was the only one standing.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he called.
“A trap,” said Hannah. “Who is he trapping?”
“Us,” said a voice.
She looked up. There, coming out of the darkness, wearing torn, bloodied clothes and covered in bruises and lacerations, were Michael’s brothers.
Michael had to be dying. That would explain the sudden wind on his cheeks and the mist in the air.
At this point, he’d welcome it. He’d lost track of how many times he’d been shot. At some point he’d realized that his brothers couldn’t be dead, if the Guide was using him to lure them here now. He tried stopping his power from reaching into the earth, but his body had taken so many injuries that he had no control left.
And of course the Guide was strong enough to keep any damage away from himself.
Tyler had long since gone silent, and Michael suspected one of those bullets had gone into him.
Hunter was crying.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Michael, I’m sorry.”
Michael didn’t even have the strength to answer him. He slid his hand sideways, toward Hunter, knowing it wouldn’t be enough.
But Hunter must have seen, because he took Michael’s hand and held it.
“Sweet,” said the Guide. “Hunter, you’re such a disappointment.”
Michael squeezed his hand. You’re not, he wished he could say. You’re not.
Hunter squeezed back. “No,” he said to his uncle. “You are. You killed so many people. Why? Just to get to the Merricks?”
“Oh, this is bigger than your friends, Hunter. Don’t you see that?”
“No,” said Hunter, desperation in his tone. “I don’t see it. Why?”
“You’re proof. Your father was proof. The Guides have lost focus. Priorities are no longer clear. Did you know your father wanted to help these Elementals? Can you imagine?”
“Yes,” said Hunter. “I can.”
The Guide pointed to the ground, at the cracked earth. “Look at this damage he’s done already.”
“That’s happening because you’re shooting him!” yelled Hunter.
Another gust of wind pulled at Michael’s cheeks. The air seeped into his injuries, and he felt a surge of power.
“Nick,” whispered Hunter.
No, thought Michael, feeling relief and despair battle for dominance in his thoughts. Run. Hide.
But they wouldn’t. He knew they wouldn’t.
“Good!” called the Guide. “Call more power. Try to destroy me.”
“We will,” said Hunter. His hand was tight on Michael’s.
The wind was a solid force now, flinging loose bits of earth through the air. Lightning arced to the ground, and the water surrounding the peninsula surged high against the rocky breakers.
