Ice Queen

Three

A while later, Zima and the other Originals turned to tell us what was going on. "Elements!" Zima called. "We have a leak."

 Everyone gasped.

 A 'leak' meant someone had told a mortal about their powers, and the elements. It meant that both the mortal and the Elemental must be killed. That was why I hadn't told anyone in Pentatonix... I couldn't bear to have them killed.

 A mortal was brought forward by Heat. It was a girl... she looked about twenty. Almost like me as my mortal self. Her hands were bound in front of her, and Heat burned a red mark into her arm. Tears were dried to her cheeks. I noticed Flame hanging his head.

 He must've been the leak.

 "Kirstie," Zima called. I stood. I knew what was going on. This would be a test for me. Usually, a mortal would be killed by a twenty-year or older elemental. But it was time for me to begin learning. I didn't want to kill her. But I knew I would have to, or my powers would be taken. And having your powers taken meant death.

 "Yes Zima?" I asked, even though I knew what was coming.

 "Kill her." She said. Her voice and facial expression showed she didn't care. To them, this was just some silly mortal. The mortal was shoved to her knees. I could barely watch. Slowly, I raised a shaking hand and sent a zap of ice from my finger. It quickly wrapped around her, bringing her back to her feet and positioning her in a sort of statue pose. She was a trophy...

"Very good," Rain commented. I glanced back at Flame, who had his head buried in his hands. Had this been his girlfriend? His sister? I didn't know.

Flame would have his powers taken by his mentor, Heat. I sat down again next to Gust, who touched my shoulder lightly in an attempt to comfort me. I didn't dare cry. The tears would just freeze to my skin anyway. I had killed a girl I didn't even know the name of. The only downside of being an elemental was this. It was for the better, I knew, but... still.

Flame stood up and approached Heat. "You have disappointed me," the Original said. "You do not deserve to call yourself an Elemental." He brought up a jar which was enforced with an unbreakable seal, custom fit to the Summer Element. It would hold the power, which would be reserved for another chosen mortal. They could come along tomorrow, or a hundred years from now.

 Heat's face was a mask of calm as he made a fancy-ish hand gesture. A yellow curl of steam-type stuff came from Flame's chest, and he crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap. The steam went into the jar and Heat slammed the lip on top of it. It was put on the Tree. The Tree was a metal thing which stood on a gold base and had a gold 'trunk' that extended upward. Branching from the trunk was three Jar-Holders, which – obviously – held the Element Jars for the next Elemental. The Spring and Winter jars were empty, as the powers were within Gust and I.

 "Meeting adjourned," Heat said. I stood and joined Zima and Snow at the entrance of the room.

 "You have done well!" Snow said, smiling at me. I just nodded.

 "I'd like to go back now..." I whispered.

 "I can imagine," Zima said. "Ice, you understand that this is for the good of the Elements."

 "Of course," I mumbled. "I just... I don't like to kill. Killing the animals during training was one thing, but the mortals... they're innocent."

"They are tainted as soon as they know of us." Zima said, her tone grave. I gave a simple nod.