Chapter 1
“Can I have a glass of tea, please?”
Isla chose the last stool at the counter, keeping her head lowered in the hood to obscure her face.
She was one of the few people born with the ability to command all four elements. Fire, water, air and earth. A gift that had also turned her into a fugitive after the government branded people like her enemies.
The tavern door suddenly swung open and patrol officers stalked inside.
Isla bit down on her lower lip, her hand tightening around the edge of her hood as three of them settled in the seats behind her.
She remained in her position, trying to suppress the racing of her pulse as the transmitter receiver belonging to one of the officers hummed.
“Fire Bender suspect still at large. Last seen in District C. Stay alert.”
“Understood.” The officer spoke into his radio then clipped it back onto his belt.
Just then, the bartender returned. Isla accepted the steaming cup from him, paid, and resisted the urge to look over her shoulder.
It was hard.
As if on cue, the bell above the entrance rang and her attention shifted. She noticed the room had gone silent, only the soft patters of rain now filled the room.
Suspicious, she risked a glance at her back and saw their attention solely fixed on the new people making their entry inside.
Isla turned back around to see for herself.
It was a family of three. Their young daughter, who appeared to be a preteen, stood where she was, trying to shake the rainwater from her clothes.
Unbeknownst to her, instead of falling, the droplets were rising into the air.
As if she already knew what was coming next, Isla couldn’t help but wince to herself.
“Water Bender confirmed in Central District,” One of the officers immediately reported into his radio. “Moving in to apprehend.”
Just like that, the squad rose as one. They surrounded the family before anyone could react.
Shaken with panic, the girl’s father pushed the girl behind and stood before her. “Excuse me, officer. What’s the issu—”
The father’s words were cut off as a fist slammed into his stomach.
He staggered back, groaning in pain and the officers moved in closer.
They grabbed him in a swift motion, forcing his arms behind his back.
“Daddy!” The girl wailed, throwing herself on them in an attempt to free her father. But they shoved her away; hard.
The child slipped and fell on the ground. They proceeded to grab her.
“No way. You can’t take my daughter. Leave my poor child alone!” The mother screamed, shielding her daughter with a mix of fear and desperation in her eyes.
If anything, her protests fell on deaf ears. Another officer dragged her away from her child without hesitation, cuffing her up.
As the girl’s terrified sobs echoed through the tavern, Isla released a sigh, slowly rising up from her seat.
Perfect. Just perfect.
She pulled a few bills from her pocket and left them beside the untouched tea. “Take this as my apology for this.” Isla muttered to the bar man, leaving the counter.
His face furrowed in confusion.
Only when he moved closer to the counter did he notice it; frost spreading across the wooden counter where the cup had been.
His breath instantly caught, dread tightening his throat.
On the other hand, Isla was now standing in the most noticeable spot in the room, eyes on the officers’ backs.
After a pause, she cleared her throat. “Hey, you all.” She half yelled, and her voice reverberated in the air, gaining their attention.
All at once, their heads snapped in her direction.
They stood there, watching her in astonishment at first. Then realization sharply flashed across each of their faces.
They outnumbered her four to one. Any sensible person would have retreated before getting herself into a mess.
But Isla wasn’t just anyone, she was the Avatar. Four opponents were barely enough to even the odds.
As expected, they were the first to make a move. Slowly, they began to approach her, the air surrounding them oppressive.
Isla's gaze turned icy cold, and in an instant, blue water was circling one of her hands. While lightning sparkled to life from the other fingertips.
At the sight, their expressions shifted from wary to alarm.
The officers immediately raised their rifles. All of them trained on her.