Sean took a shower to wash off the ash and dust, then changed clothing. He needed to talk to Camden. Eden’s response to him was becoming a hazard to the area. He’d noticed the occasional burned items that found their way into the trash. And he knew that though he didn’t set the fires, he was directly responsible for them. He irritated her elemental.

He heard Tyler and Camden on the front porch. He met them at the door. He wanted to talk about Eden, but first things first.

“Where are the girls?” He hadn’t seen Tessa and Trista this morning.

“Mae asked to have them for the day,” Tyler said. “Didn’t figure you’d mind.”

“All good.”

“Where have you been?”

“For a walk in the woods. Talking about… stuff,” Camden said.

Then Sean did a double take. That wasn’t Camden’s voice. He narrowed his eyes and appraised Camden. Then he looked at his brother with a quizzical expression on his face.

“This is Avala,” Tyler said. “Camden’s elemental.”

Sean nodded. Tyler had told him he was on friendly terms with Camden’s elemental, but it was just that… “I didn’t realize… I mean…” He struggled with the words. “I didn’t think that Camden, that, Avala…” Sean cleared his throat. “Nice to meet you?”

Camden smiled. But it wasn’t her smile; it was like another person.

“It’s difficult to comprehend,” Avala said.

“I’ll say,” Sean agreed. “I wasn’t expecting this sort of two people in the same body with different voices, and even different smiles.”

Tyler patted Sean on the shoulder. “Now you know what I meant when I said we were friendly.”

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t think that Avala could speak to others. Or outside of Camden’s head.” Pretty much the way it worked with their bears—except for the shifting and all. “So, no offense, but do you think Camden can come back?”

She looked at Tyler, then nodded.

“Hey.” It was Camden’s voice.

“Guys, look,” Sean began. “I’m new to this and it kind of gives me pause.”

“Avala can hear the things I hear, you know,” Camden said.

“Sorry.” Sean stuffed his fingers in his pockets. “So, you let her come out and talk to Tyler? What’s that about?”

“They’re friends.” Camden frowned as if she was perplexed by the question. “Why would I not want them to be able to talk? She has a right to a friendship and happiness just as much as I do. What her people have gone through…” She shook her head, her eyes filled with tears.

Now he felt even worse. And he’d already said he was sorry once, would it be hollow to apologize? This was his brother’s mate. He didn’t like seeing her in pain. Not to mention, the resemblance to Eden was so uncanny that it reminded him of Eden’s pain; a pain she displayed every time she lit something on fire.

“I didn’t realize.” That’s the only thing he could think of to say.

Camden put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m a bit hyper-sensitive to it still.”

Tyler put his arm around her. “Understandably.” He raised his nose to the air. “Do I pick up the scent of smoke?”

Damn his brother’s nose was sensitive.

Sean had already discarded the shirt he used to put Eden’s flash fire “Yeah.”

“What happened?” Camden’s eyes mirrored her concern.

“I was trying to talk to Eden earlier. She started a little fire. I know she wouldn’t have this problem if I wasn’t around. That thing she has about bears.” He shrugged. He was at a loss. “I’m thinking I should leave town. For some reason, her elemental hates me, and I know that means you two can’t do for Tessa and Trista what you need to.”

Camden frowned. “That’s no solution.”

“I don’t think that staying here and creating stress for her or waiting for her to burn something down is a viable answer either.” He didn’t want to say house, but that thought was there. As was the thought that Tessa and Trista lived here. A fire… Sean exhaled. He didn’t even want to contemplate what would happen if they were hurt in a fire he could have prevented by leaving for a while. Leaving home. Leaving Eden.

“But—” Camden paused, tapped her nails against the table.

Sean raised a brow and waited for the rest of it.

“But what you have. You and Eden.”

Sean glanced at Tyler. Did his brother give it away? Did he tell Camden that he had feelings for Eden?

Tyler gave him a slight headshake.

“Oh, for Pete’s sake.” Camden stomped her foot. “Do you think it’s not obvious? Not to mention, I know my sister.”

Sean scrubbed his face, his scruffy growth making a scratchy sound. Was she saying that Eden had feelings for him? “Wait—”

“No.” Camden shook her head vigorously. Dark hair flying loose from the ponytail she’d put it in. “You wait. I’m not willing to watch this—” she waved her hands to and fro, “whatever this is meant to be thwarted be a hardheaded elemental with a longstanding grudge toward bears she won’t talk about.”

Whoa.

Sean glanced at Tyler.

“She’s a spitfire, little brother,” Tyler told him.

“I see that.”

“Please. Just wait,” Camden added one last plea. “A while.”