The Sea of Change

by Tina Engel

  “You can feel them?” I asked.

  “Yes, ever since the octopus incident. When I went back to being this blasted human, I never stopped feeling the fey presence. It would be helpful though, if I could see them. I don’t need anyone sneaking up behind me, trying to trip me or any other funny business.” Jordan said, just as Kimberlite came up out of the ground, just behind him, ready to give him a shove. I gave Kimberlite a stern look and he thought better of the idea.

  Jordan said, “See, Princess, I was a fey for a long time and I know they can’t help but want to torment a human just a bit. What is he, the one behind me? Yes, I can feel him or her!”

  At that Kimberlite shoved him a bit harder that I think he meant to, and Jordan went flying towards Brett. He regained his balance just inches before Brett would have caught him. That would have caused embarrassment and then trouble, probably, would have started. I didn’t need squabbling at this time.

  “Kimberlite!” I said, in a scolding tone. “That’s enough!”

  I looked to Brett again, and without speaking aloud, I asked Brett if we could do anything to help Jordan see the fey.

  Brett responded aloud for everyone to hear, “Princess, I don’t have any idea how to make that happen. It was the Elders who changed him and took away his fey sight. Maybe you…” and Brett stopped talking.

  Everyone was looking at me, but I wasn’t sure what I could do for Jordan. I looked at him and he reassured me that it wasn’t a big deal. He could feel them enough to know when they were close and he would just try to stay out of the way. He wasn’t going to give up helping us on this quest to finding out who I am and where I belong.

  I walked over to Jordan and I said out loud, for all who was near and watching to hear. “I don’t care what the Elders think; I need you, Jordan Davis, to have your fey sight back. You are still fey inside and I demand that your fey self be returned to you.”

  I put my hand on his chest; the hand with the ring from Trevor. It started to twinkle and sparkle like a star in the darkest of night. Jordan didn’t make any movement; he stood perfectly still as if nothing was happening, but I could feel the struggle that was going on deep inside of him. The magic, if you want to call it that, from the elders and the magic within the ring were both fighting to take control.

  I won, of course; I somehow knew I would. I looked up into Jordan’s eyes as he looked around, and I could tell that he saw them all perfectly clear. When his eyes fell on Kimberlite, I knew he was aware that this was the fey who pushed him. There was an annoyance on his face; not anger or a need for revenge, just annoyance. Jordan didn’t change in looks, but there was something different in his eyes, his fey appearance was not to be seen, but he had the sight that he needed to have, in order to continue this journey with us.

  Eagle came up to Jordan as I removed my hand, and turned towards the rest. He put out his hand towards Jordan and as Jordan reached out, Eagle greeted him in the traditional fey manner. Eagle welcomed him and reassured him that it was good to have another to help keep me safe. Albee did the same.

  Kimberlite, however, wasn’t quite as accepting. He did come over and said something about it being just a joke, and hoped there were no hard feelings, but never greeted Jordan in the traditional manner. He then turned and walked away to stand by himself.

  Everyone started to talk at once, anxious to hear each other’s stories about what had happened over the last few days. It had only been three days but seemed like weeks.

  It was Albee who interrupted the chaos, to tell us we should really go to a safer place to get caught up and get some rest. Another tree fey came out from a tree, and Albee informed us he would take the car back to the main road so that no one would find it here. We didn’t need to leave a trail for those who were looking for us.

  Kimberlite disappeared into the ground, but not before telling me he would be just below in case I needed him, as he gave Jordan the evil eye. Eagle put his arm around my shoulder and told me he would be flying above to keep a look out for trouble. He actually kissed me on the cheek and told me that he was glad to be with us again.

  As Kimberlite and Eagle disappeared from our group, the rest of us followed Albee into the forest. It was a beautiful forest, lush with colorful foliage wrapped around the tree trunks. There were different shades of green but I would catch wisps of other colors now and then.

  It was strange, as I looked out into the forest, I saw so much more. The trees became thick, some almost touching each other and some growing together because they started out so close when they were young. The mosses on the trees seemed to slither slowly around the trunks, up into the tree branches, joining and parting with their own kind; almost like a dance. I saw movement in-between the trees. They moved so fast that at times I thought I was imagining it. The colors were vivid; reds, blues, purples, yellows, oranges and greens. I was sure that I was seeing the other dimension again, the fey’s realm, their world within the humans. I wondered, though, if it was Terrafirma or Nirvana.

  The colors I found fascinating. They all had different feelings or sensations radiating from them. There was grey, on the verge of black and it had such negative energy. I saw white wisps of movement that seemed calm and content to just exist. There was blue, the color of the sky just before dusk. I sensed honesty, peace and kindness radiating from these. Then there was purple, the color of the darkest lilac, my favorite. It seemed to project imagination, intuition and a sense of calm. I saw the color orange, so vivid that I could almost smell an orange just after it’s been picked from a tree. It emitted feelings of creativity and pleasure. The yellow though, was my favorite; sunny, bright and happy. It sent out humor, fun and power to the surrounding area.

  Then there was green that blurred in with the green from the trees and foliage around it. It emitted such harmony, love and acceptance. All the colors seemed to rotate around the white though; it seemed so pure and all-knowing.

  Brett saw that I stopped walking and was entranced with what I was seeing. He walked back to where I was standing and put his arm around my waist in a loose, but affectionate manner.

  “What is it that I’m seeing?” I asked, in a whisper, not wanting them to go away. Yes, I knew it was not a thing but a who.

  “They’re the spirits who live in Nirvana. I told you, Emilee, we don’t die. Our spirits or energy stay on this planet out in the air, up in the sky, down in the waters; all around us. They are in all dimensions on this planet. They have no boundaries; all dimensions are one in that final realm. They want you to see them, but only in the form that a human does. It’s strange though, that they want you to see them this way.” Brett said.

  “They look like colors of the rainbow but they each have their own personalities. Why do they want me to see them this way, I wonder.” I said, just as much to myself as to Brett.

  “They’re what makes up the rainbows that humans see. Humans see them after a storm, be it a torrential rain or just a sprinkle. If there is moisture in the air, the sun shines on the droplets and the spirits can be seen in the image of the rainbow. The colors in the rainbow that humans see are the happy and peaceful spirits that want to be seen. They move so fast and stay closely together, and that is why it looks the way it does, in a rainbow form. Why you’re seeing them separate, apart from each other, I don’t know.

  “The grey wisps that you see come from the dark fey who visit our peaceful realm to stir up trouble. They are full of negative energy and violence. They are tolerated, but watched carefully.

  “The white flashes are the souls of the ancient Fey, the ones who existed in their body form the longest. They have the most knowledge and are pure, positive energy. Humans see them in the sky as the large, white fluffy clouds and they allow humans to see them whenever they fancy.

  “When the dark fey spirits decide to stir up trouble for the human population, which they like to do often, the ancient fey spirits try to intercede. That causes the storms that humans see. The number of dark fey spirits co
ngregating together will determine the strength of the storm, and how long it will take the ancient spirits to send the dark fey back to their homes in the fey’s dimension.

  “Afterwards all the other spirits, the colors of the rainbow, come out to dance and sing praise in honor of the ancient spirits, trying to keep peace between fey and humans.

  “Why they’re letting you see them in their true form in this dimension, is baffling to me. Of course, you are more fey now than human. I see them on and off in the human’s world. It’s like a game to them. Maybe you’re just about done with your transformation. Maybe it’s time to do our traveling in the fey’s dimension.”

  Hearing this brought my attention away from the colorful spirits, and to Brett. “Can we stay in our world? I thought it was too dangerous.”

  “It looks like it’s dangerous no matter where we are, Emilee. We’ll discuss it with the rest over dinner tonight. You’re looking like it’s time for some nourishment.”

  “Why?” I asked. “Are my eyes the same color of green as yours?” I smiled a sassy smile as I said this, knowing that they were and that he needed food also.

  Brett started to tickle me around the waist and I twisted out of his grasp, running behind a large tree to escape any more tickling. How did he know I was ticklish, I thought, but just as quickly as that thought came to mind, I remembered he was in my head more times than he should be.

  Brett came at me from one side of the tree and I escaped around to the other. We did this for a minute or two, laughing, forgetting for just a bit that we were in a dangerous place and on a mission to get me safely to my home, wherever that was.

  I decided this game was over then, and let Brett win, grasping me gently around my waist and pulling me close. It took my breath away, the vibration that was there between us. It was like an electrical current that connected us in an almost urgent way.

  As I took a deep breath, looking up into Brett’s eyes, he took a deep breath in unison with me. His eye turned from the green of hunger to a darker green; I had seen before…. I assume passion. I could see my eyes in his and saw that they were the same color.

  I wanted that kiss so desperately, but felt strongly that it was Brett who had to make the first move. Why, I wondered? That seemed so old fashioned.

  The vibration quickened as I felt my hearts beating faster. Brett pulled me so close now that our bodies were pressed against each other’s. I could feel his hearts beat in unison with mine. I could feel his need as much as he could feel mine.

  Brett bent down, and as he placed his lips on mine, I felt the fangs in my mouth extend, the way they do when I’m ready to feed. Brett separated my lips with his tongue and I felt his fangs also. His kiss became more forceful, but then a snap of a twig not far from us ended this connection and we separated, turning in the direction that the noise came from.

  There, standing a short distance away, was Jordan. He bellowed, “Do you two think you can keep up. We’re all here to keep you safe, Princess, and it’s a little hard to do when you insist on wandering away. There’s no time for goofing off or doing whatever it is you two are thinking about doing!”

  He turned and headed back in the direction that we had been going, before I saw the colors weaving in and out of the trees. I looked up at Brett and saw that his eyes were green again, with hunger for food, not me and I felt a pain deep down inside. It was a lonely and longing sensation that I didn’t like, but knew so well. I turned away from Brett, not wanting him to see my face, the need that I had for him. As I looked back to where I had seen the spirits, they were gone. This made me sad.

  “Don’t even try it Emilee!” Brett said.

  “What?” I said in an innocent manner, letting go of the despair that I was feeling.

  “I know what you’re thinking and you’re not going to the other dimension without us. You’re not prepared to do it alone.” Brett said, in a firm tone that a parent would use.

  I didn’t like his tone at all and I gathered that the fun and intimate time we had just shared was over. I gave him a look of defiance but didn’t try entering the fey’s world. I turned away from him and headed in the direction that Jordan had gone. I felt Brett behind me and I could feel him trying to get into my head, but I shut him down. I looked back at Brett and saw the sour look on his face, and I smirked just a bit for him to see my triumph. I was getting stronger and could stop him from entering my thoughts now, if I wanted.

  Chapter 15

  The darkness

  Is there,

  Just waiting

  To circle

  And consume.

  Be strong,

  Hold tight to

  The light.

  We hadn’t walked far before we joined the group again. They were all standing near a small pond that seemed to be coming out of the side of a slight hill.

  Kimberlite turned to face us and as he did, he moved just enough for us to see Queen Anahita standing there. She was just as beautiful as I remembered. She wasn’t looking at me, but at Brett, with a look of desire and longing in her eyes. This look faded quickly as I stood in front of Brett, breaking their connection. I didn’t need to see Brett’s look, for I was sure it was the same.

  Brett took my hand in his as we walked towards the group and I heard Brett saying with an amused tone in his voice, in my mind of course, “Calm down woman, she is my friend and our protector during our travels in the underground.” I looked up at the side of his face and saw that there was a slight smirk across his lips. He squeezed my hand gently, knowing that I got his message.

  As we approached the group, Queen Anahita’s expression changed to professionalism and dignity, as she greeted us both in the traditional manner. When she did this, of course, Brett had to let go of my hand, since she reached out towards Brett’s hand that was holding mine.

  We traded pleasantries for a bit, and then it was Albee who suggested we set up camp there by the small pond that Queen Anahita created from the spring water. Suddenly, the trees seemed to move closer together, causing them to create a cover over us.

  Bushes moved together to create a tall fence of sorts, to block the view of the pond. I sensed that this fence went all the way around the pond. A place for me to bath in private, I assumed. Looking at Queen Anahita, she smiled slightly and tilted her head as if she understood my thoughts, and was communicating that I was correct.

  I felt suddenly tired and hungry, but not for food. I needed the water, and Rose. Everyone was busy setting up camp, deciding who should do this and where that should go, as I stood there not moving, feeling a bit off. I could see the colorful movement all around at times and I was feeling like I was in a bubble, watching everything from afar.

  It was Rose who touched my arm softly, that brought me out of the strange trance I was in. “Princess, come with me. You need to bathe and nourish yourself.”

  Rose took my hand and led me away from the group. I turned to look at Brett and he gave me a nod and a smile, as if to say it was okay to go. Brett turned away from me then and started talking to Queen Anahita, and their conversation became very intense. I tried to enter his mind but was too tired all of a sudden to be able to, or he wasn’t letting me. Brett turned his head slightly in my direction and shook his head with a slight smile, and with his hand, shooed me in the direction of the pond.

  Rose tugged a little harder and I followed her around the bushes and to the pond. The water was beautiful, and so clear that I could see the bottom.

  “Princess, no one will come around so it’s safe for you to bathe in comfort. I have some clean clothes for you to put on after your bath. You should eat first, however, before you enter the water.” Rose said, and she tugged at my arm as she sat on a boulder, pulling me down next to her.

  Rose held up her wrist to me and I felt my fangs protrude from my gums. It was the same as when Brett and I kissed. I’ve been aware of these special teeth since the first time I fed from a pixie, but now it seemed that they had a life of their own. Why
had they come out, when Brett and I kissed, I wondered, as I put Rose’s wrist to my mouth, and gently forced my teeth into her skin.

  The taste was intoxicating, sweet, with a hint of iron. I closed my eyes and enjoyed visions of Brett, arms around me as I sucked at his neck.

  I felt a hand on my head and opened my eyes quickly, realizing that I was fantasizing about drinking Brett’s blood as I fed on Rose. I removed my teeth from Rose’s wrist and placed my hand on it to heal.

  I felt warm as if I was blushing, and assumed that I was. Rose had a look of concern on her face and a bit of fear. I took too much of her blood and would have continued if she hadn’t stopped me.

  “Princess, are you all right?” Rose asked. “You were deep in thought and I’m sorry that I had to disturb you but…”

  I put my hand on Rose’s shoulder and told her I was sorry and would be more careful. I couldn’t tell her my vision, if that was what it was. I was shook up by what I had seen, and Rose could tell but she asked no questions.

  I stood up, undressed and entered the pond. I felt stronger with Rose’s blood pumping through my veins and now having the warm water soaking into my pores, I was fully aware of my surroundings.

  I could hear the trees speaking to each other. I could see the ground squirrel in her den with her many babies. There were pixies not far up in a tree, talking about the strangers in the forest. There was an ant hill close by and I could hear all of their voices at once, millions of them, and it didn’t overwhelm me. I was alive and one with the surrounding forest and its inhabitants. I was rejuvenated by the blood and water; I felt young and strong.

  I laid back in the water, shut my eyes and allowed myself to sink to the bottom of the pond. As I lay there, listening to everything around me, I felt the grass growing on the bottom of the pond, brush against my back. It felt as if it was growing as it crept around my body to encase me in a cocoon of sorts. I was one with it all.