“Must be Charlotte.”

Before any of them could move, Charlotte burst into the room. Her dress from this morning was crumpled and covered in dirt at the hem. “Coco! I called so many times! Ray’s been kidnapped! I tried to stop them but—” Large tears rolled down her cheeks. Her nose was red and her face was puffy from crying.

Coco found it easier to deal with Charlotte’s emotions instead of her own. “Breathe. I’m glad you’re safe. What happened? Zach said you were at the park.”

“Right. That’s the thing. Three men confronted us, demanding Ray go with them. Next thing I know, I felt compelled to walk away. It was like someone else had control over my body. I was a few blocks away by the time I regained my senses. I tried calling, but you never answered.”

Zach motioned for Charlotte to sit in one of the recliners. “It wasn’t your fault.”

Coco looked at everyone, feeling very strange when she met Asher’s stare. “I think I want to know how you know each other and why Zach knows about sorcerers and entals.”

“I also know, if that helps.” Charlotte’s smile was fleeting.

“Not really,” Coco muttered. “Someone just explain something before I explode.”

Zach claimed the other recliner and angled it to face the group. “Charlotte is human and accidentally found out about sorcery and elemental wielding two months ago. I was being careless and used my abilities at work.”

“He’s a rarity among our kind,” Asher added. “Humans lack the ability to tap into the energies of the realms unlike sorcerers and entals. By some twist of fate, Zach is a mix of human, sorcerer, and ental. And knows a significant amount of ental history.”

Coco forced her mind to focus. There would be plenty of time to question Zach later. “Okay. So how do you two know each other?”

“Our paths occasionally cross when I’m looking for more resources about the realms,” Zach answered.

“What’s the difference between magic and wielding?” She was starting to realize that she needed to put more care into learning about these realms and how they worked.

“Beats me,” Charlotte snorted. “I only found out about this stuff recently.”

“I’ve told you plenty,” Zach jested.

“But not everything.”

Asher stood, shaking out his hands as he did. He motioned for Zach to join him. “Sorcerers and entals use the energies of the realms. Sorcerers call this magic. We’re born with the ability to tap into the energies through spells.” He snapped his fingers and a ball of light whisked into existence. “It takes years of practice and self-discipline before sorcerers can properly use those spells.”

“Entals,” Zach continued, “are confined to the energies created by the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Just as magic has a will of its own, so do the elements. It’s important for entals to have a strong will in order to be successful at performing feats that go beyond that of nature. One example is healing.

“Every element has the potential to heal. An ental’s will must be strong enough to wield their element to do their bidding. And, while not necessary, entals might add body movement to their wielding to strengthen their abilities. It could mean the difference between life or death in some situations.” He held his hand out, palm up. A blue flame flickered to life. “My element is fire.”

Coco frowned when she saw Charlotte’s eyes alight with curiosity. If her thoughts weren’t full of her missing brother and the deaths of all those sorcerers, she might have felt the same. “What do we do about my brother and Pulser?”

“I think,” Asher began, “it’s in your brother’s best interest if you go back to Pulser. My friend can track Ray. I’ll let you know where he is the moment we find out. I’m worried what Pulser might do if you go missing.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.” She had no desire to return back to the sorcery realm. But if it was to help her brother, she’d grit her teeth and manage. He was her only family. She wouldn’t give up on him. “Zach, why did you say the purpose behind Ray’s kidnapping was a longer story?”

Zach sat back down. He closed his eyes, seeming to contemplate something. “There’s no time to explain further. The people that took your brother are trying to lure you out into the open. We don’t have enough information yet. Charlotte and I will help. Once Asher receives word of your brother’s whereabouts, we’ll reconvene.”

Overwhelmed, Coco could only nod. She needed time to think and process the day’s events. Too much happened. She needed food and a good night’s rest.

“Come on, Coco,” Asher held out his hand. “I’ll take us back.”