Chasing Spirit

CHASING SPIRIT ELEMENTUM MYTH BOOK 1 DESI LIN CHASING SPIRIT © copyright 2023 Desi Lin All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the writer, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Cover Design Copyright © 2023 L&L Literary Services, LLC Book Design Copyright © 2023 L&L Literary Services, LLC www.llliteraryservices.com Copy Editing by L&L Literary Services, LLC Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 978-1-953437-88-4 First Printing, 2023 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This story is special. All stories are, of course, but this one is especially close to my heart. This is the story that spurred me to publish. When this story started, it was a fluffy piece of fun for me and a few others, then it was a fluffy piece of fun shared with a few more people. From the response I got then, I started to believe that I might have something to share with the world. This story has gone through several revisions since those early days, especially after Sera burst onto the scene. I could never have done it alone. So many people helped this book come into your hands. K. Swanson – my incredible partner in crime (I mean writing. Yeah. Writing.) for keeping me on track (and occasionally getting me off track). For maintaining my sanity through all the nuttiness of my life. For being the incredible support I need. Lyn – who helps me make sure I put my best story forward. Who never fails to answer my three thousand questions. My writing group – for about three million things. Seriously, you are all awesome, and I love you. Amanda – you were there at the beginning of this journey. Without you, this world may not exist at all. You finally got Ash’s story. My family – My biggest and most vocal supporters. You put up with so much from me and everything I’ve taken on. Thank you. For Amanda, who waited so patiently for Ash’s story GLOSSARY The Elementum are a society living within our own. They are as old as we are and, as such, developed in ways unique to them. Here you will find a reference for the terms used throughout this story. Ventus – Person with control of air element Ignis – Person with control of fire element Terra – Person with control of earth element Aqua – Person with control of water element Genus – Group of Elementum whose abilities are strongest together. One element per Genus is the norm. Iunctura – Joining of Elementum abilities into a Genus Foederis – when an Iunctura is broken Furcifer – an Elementum criminal Sapientes/Sage – Elder Elementum who serve as leaders and advisors Concilium Maximus – Grand Council. One Sapientes from each Elementum sits on this Concilium. These are the overall leaders of the Elementum. Tabularium – the Elementum library and archives. One archive is located in each major metropolitan area that is home to Elementum. Ad Aetatum – Coming of Age for an Elementum child. Takes place at eighteen. This is the first time an Iunctura can occur. This is a big deal in the Elementum world. Lex – Elementum Police Scholae – Headmaster of the Illustratio Academy. Quintus – Slang term for the fifth Elementum, supposedly just a myth. Menda – Person born to Elementum parents without any abilities. CONTENTS Introduction 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 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Claiming Flame Also By Desi Lin About the Author Normal. It’s such an everyday word. A word that people don’t really think about often. We don’t bother to define it, question it, or explain it. It is what it is, until it isn’t, then it gets redefined in the mind. We are adaptable, us humans. We’ve proven it time and again, shifting our cultures and beliefs, and religions and societies. Normal is what we choose to make it. CHAPTER ONE Raegan Darkness shrouded the parking lot as we left the movie theater. Back home, all the parking lots were well-lit, but in Marysville, it seemed people forgot that lights were a good thing when movies didn’t let out until after midnight. A breeze ruffled my pin-straight, white hair. With a shiver, I wrapped my arms around my middle and hunched my shoulders. Even after nearly a year here, I still wasn’t used to how cold it was, even in June. Next time we’d be out this late, I’d remember to wear more than just jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. The weight of a long, black trench coat settled on my shoulders. Shooting Pierson a grateful look, I snuggled into the warmth. “I told you to grab a jacket, but no, it would ruin the look,” Pierson teased as we made our way to the back of the lot, where we’d parked. I shot him a mock glare. At the deep chuckle on my other side, I turned my glare on Devin, too. “Oh, come on Pier, don’t you know by now? Fashion before function.” Devin reached over and mussed my hair. Stupid brother. I smacked at his hand, which did exactly diddly squat, so instead, I reached out and shoved him. Devin stumbled back a step, and just as he was moving in to retaliate, a blond blur threw itself at