The Sea of Change

by Tina Engel

  I scooted back away from where it disappeared, out of fear and confusion. Brett reached out his hand, and laying it on my leg, told me that it couldn’t hurt me anymore. It was a victim, just like everything else Stephan used.

  “How?” Was all I could say.

  “During the storm, when the tree almost fell on you, I assume. That was how Stephan got close and since you have a connection with him, as with me, it was too painful for you to have us both inside you. You didn’t know he was there, so of course you assumed it was my connection causing the pain.

  When I touched you and felt the pain, I knew it was Stephan but still didn’t know how he was doing it, so I couldn’t let on that I knew. Last night when I stood behind you and couldn’t feel his presence, that was when I was certain that it was your barrette he had infected with his venom. I needed you to put it back on so we could play out his plan, only this time I was ready for him. He had no idea that I was aware of his presence.”

  “But you didn’t know exactly what he was planning? If you had told me I could have helped.” I said, with a bit of bitterness in my tone.

  I felt hurt that he didn’t trust me with this information. Men are so stubborn at times and think that they can fix everything on their own. Such egos they have!

  I started to open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind but he put a finger over my lips to stop me.

  “Emilee, he would have known that we were on to him. He was there in your mind, as I am now.” Brett said, wanting me to understand that he was there, in my mind again, feeling what I felt and hearing my thoughts, if he wanted to, and he did.

  I realized then, that I could feel him within my mind and I could go to him, feel his feelings, see his thoughts; we were one again. The tears started to fall again but it was okay, they were happy tears, not the tears of pain from Stephan’s invasion of my inner self.

  Brett bent down and placed a kiss on my lips, soft and sweet, and as he pulled away slowly, he started to whisper, “I lo…” when the others came crashing through the bushes to stop him from finishing.

  Brett sat up straight, pulling his one hand out of mine and when he pulled away, it was like a door shutting. He realized and I heard in my head, “I’m still here.” And Brett smiled a meek “I’m sorry” smile.

  Ragnar and Eliza were with them, and they all came over and surrounded us, asking many questions. Their excitement over the fight and my safety was quite exhilarating, but also draining.

  After a few minutes of this war talk, reliving the moments earlier, Brett stood up saying that I needed to rest and eat, as he looked at Rose.

  I had one more question before I was ready to rest and taking Eliza’s hand in mine, I asked her, “How did you know about the tea and why did you give it to me?”

  I thought she would be embarrassed and ashamed that she brought Stephan out to hurt me but instead she was beaming with pride. She said aloud for all to hear, “The lady came to me, and told me, I had to made this drink for you and convince you to drink it. She told me that it would save you and I did save you, Princes.”

  I hugged Eliza and thanked her for her bravery and she continued to beam with joy. No one spoke, not sure what to say regarding this mysterious lady but I knew who she was. She was still watching over me, my grandmother. It had to be.

  Ragnar and Eliza left through the opening in the trees and everyone else went over to the warming stone. They all talked quietly, as Rose sat down beside me. She had a look of relief and pride, I was safe and she was the one who was to help keep me healthy.

  I took her wrist and drank just until I was slightly content. Rose wanted me to have more. I was pale and she wanted more color in my cheeks. I healed her wrist against her wishes and kissed her sweetly on the cheek. I needed more of something, but wasn’t sure exactly what it was. I wasn’t hungry for animal or plant food and didn’t want any more of Rose’s blood, so what was I craving now?

  I looked to Brett and saw him looking at me with a confused expression, and then it turned to shock, and a smirk crossed his face as he shook his head in a side to side motion. “Not yet Princess.” I heard him say in my mind.

  Not yet what? I thought, but he turned his head then to the others and blocked me from trying to get more information from him.

  I was surprised at this but Brett then said, “Rest now Emilee and stop trying to control it all. It will all come to you in time. Sleep for a bit, stop being so stubborn.”

  Chapter 20

  Dreams and reality

  All blending together.

  They are both so confusing

  Jumbled together like two

  Puzzles combined.

  How do I know what is

  True and what is false?

  I was so hungry, the pain in my stomach was intense. I was craving blood, but whose? I lay there with my eyes shut, trying to sleep. I could hear birds in the distance, waves crashing onto land, and wind meandering through the leaves. I opened my eyes, only to realize that I was in a hammock, rocking gently from the tree in the middle of the wheat field. The hunger was all I could think of.

  I was here again, in the dream, always the same place but this time so hungry. I saw Brett in my mind, I wanted him so badly. Wanted him how?

  I was perplexed, my mouth watering, the need so deep down inside, need for what though?

  I knew the answer, just didn’t want to admit it. Why would I want his blood…..why did I need his blood? That was what I hungered for though, never the less.

  I got out of the hammock and walked to the edge of the wheat field. Standing at the edge of the cliff, I looked out into the raging ocean before me. The sky was dull, overcast, clouds covering, just a thin layer but it was like a veil shutting me in, from what was out in the distance.

  I felt him then, behind me, not far. I was in his mind, he let me in. Brett needed me as much as I needed him. My blood? Why?

  He was there just behind me, his arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me gently to him. We stood there in silence but the hunger grew stronger, and I was afraid.

  Brett turned me around to face him, his smile was that of anticipation, lust, and need. “It’s okay Emilee, it is time.”

  Time for what, I thought and he answered, not in words but in my mind, “It’s time.”

  Brett kissed me, slowly and softly, on the lips. His tongue spread my lips slightly and explored for only a moment. He pulled away but was close enough for me to feel his breath on my face. “It’s time.” He said again but out loud this time, in a whisper, bringing his free hand up in front of his face and biting down on his wrist. Turning it towards me there were two dots of blood, seeping from his skin.

  The hunger inside me intensified, burning, I needed him, his blood. The questioning in my mind stopped, it didn’t matter why. He brought his wrist to my mouth as I opened and leaned in until his wrist was there, my lips surrounded the opening, and I sucked slowly, letting my tongue glide over the wound, letting the blood go down my throat slowly. I wanted to grab his arm, and bite down, make many holes, I couldn’t get his blood in me fast enough, but I didn’t. I was afraid of what I might do if I let go. I shut my eyes and stopped, pulling away but could still smell, him, his essence, his blood.

  As I opened my eyes, he was staring at me, his eyes as dark green as they could get without turning black. He had the same hunger, need, to have me also. I tilted my head to the side, exposing my neck and waited. That was where I wanted him. He bent down and kissed me softly and then I felt the sting of his fangs as they pierced my skin: then a tingling sensation throughout my body as he drank from me.

  I sat up with a start, looking around; all was dark except for the glow of the rocks that kept the chill of night at bay. All were sleeping, Rose next to me, Lily next to the warm rock in her cat form, and Brett was leaning against a larger rock with his back to me, sleeping, I could tell. Kimberlite, I figured was wherever he slept, down underground and Queen Anahita in the water somewhere. Jordan was sleeping nex
t to a tree stump in a sitting position with his head hanging down. He must have been the one on guard but fell asleep, but what did he need to guard us from; we had Queen Widow and her spider bunch, the goblins, and the tree fey, all protecting us.

  And what about Eagle, where was he and was he alright. I believed that if he was gone from us, I would feel it. I knew he was alive but how badly hurt, I wondered.

  I got up, feeling anxious, unnerved and exited; was it the dream or what was yet to come? I decided to take a walk, out to the open field where the cliffs met the open night sky. I needed some space, I couldn’t breathe here, surrounded by the trees and my allies; friends.

  I walked through the opening that led to the path, and as I walked between the bushes, I felt a presence. It wasn’t a goblin or tree fey or pixie. It was something that I had been around once, I knew, but couldn’t pin point just what it was or when I had encountered it. I continued to walk as my diamond turned from a soft yellow to a light orange in color; the color of caution.

  I came to the end of the path, entered the meadow and walked to the edge, where I met the stars all around me. The moon was full and lit up the meadow like it was day. It felt like home, I wanted so badly to jump, not down, mind you but jump, up into the night sky, to join with the stars, be free of the confusion that I felt inside. I just stood there though, knowing that it wasn’t time, for what, I didn’t know.

  Then I felt the presence again, it was just at the edge of the woods. I turned towards it and saw nothing at first, the darkness seeping from within the openings between the trees. There were eyes first, red and piercing. Then it moved closer to the edge separating forest and meadow. As it emerged from the dark into the light of the moon light, there stood an enormous wolf. It stood there, just staring at me, not moving a muscle. I thought maybe I was dreaming, the wolf didn’t move, didn’t even seem to be breathing. Then suddenly it changed, and turned into its human fey body. It was still dark and menacing in looks, with such piercing eyes that I was frightened for only a moment, and then the fear dissipated as I heard a voice say, “Do not be afraid.”

  A sudden movement from the other end of the woods took my attention away from the wolf for a second, as I saw Lily emerge. Looking back, the wolf was gone but the voice and what it had said, still lingered in my mind.

  Lily came to me in a nonchalant way, as cats do, and looked towards the woods where the wolf had been. “What are you doing out here alone Princess. Or are you alone?” Was all she said, as she continued to look as if anticipating someone joining us.

  She took my arm in hers and guided me over to a large, flat bolder where we sat facing the drop off and enjoying the stars and moon above. We didn’t speak; there was nothing to say at the time. I felt at peace with Lily there, the way I do when the stars are out and all around. Interesting, I thought, it is the same calm sensation, like she is a part of them, the stars up above.

  Lily kissed me on the cheek then and stood, bringing me to my feet as she took my hand and pulled gently. “It’s time to go back before anyone misses you, Princess. We don’t need any more drama on this night. It’s best to keep what you saw to yourself for the time being. No need to get anyone riled up.” Lily said, with a hint of a sneer on her face.

  Entering the camp, I went over to my bed and Lily jumped onto a tree branch not far from where I lay. It was quiet and cool, and I realized that I was chilled just a bit. I touched the warm stone and its glow intensified as the warmth increased. I shut my eyes as I reflected on the interesting visitor that I had, and the fact that Lily knew but wasn’t the least bit concerned. The wolves were dark fey, they followed the dark one; so why was he here and why shouldn’t I be afraid….and why wasn’t Lily worried? And then I slept.

  Chapter 21

  Do not judge a book

  By its cover,

  It does not tell

  The entire story.

  People and Fey are the same,

  Looks can be deceiving.

  It’s what is inside

  That counts.

  Upon waking, I smelled the sweet fragrance of apples and bacon. I lay there with my eyes closed, enjoying the smell and remembering breakfasts at home, mom making apple fritters with lots of fried bacon and scrambled eggs. I opened my eyes then. Looking over to where the larger rock stood, was a small fire and Eliza bent over, tending to something, the food I smelled, I assumed. She looked up and smiled as she saw me looking at her.

  Everyone was up, their beds rolled and packed, and talking quietly. I sat up and upon doing so; Rose came over to my side. She helped me to pack my things, and brushed out my hair, even though I could do it myself, and insisted I feed before we left. Before I put my barrette in my hair, I inspected it, probably more cautiously that I needed to but after all that had happened, I decided it was better to be safe and a bit paranoid, than sorry.

  Eliza had in fact made apple fritters, bacon and eggs, for all of us and we all ate our fill, even Rose, as she seemed to be a little jealous of Eliza and our relationship. Ragnar was there too and we all sat around discussing our next move. We would continue on the Appalachian Trail for a while, then leave the high mountains and follow the valley, until we reached Apalachee Bay, on the Gulf of Mexico.

  Ragnar had contacted the other Goblin clan leaders, along the Appalachian Trail, and they assured him that they would keep watch over the trail and make sure it was safe.

  The events from the night before still lingered in my thoughts. The wolf, telling me not to be afraid, and Lily knowing something but not sharing. I kept the information to myself, even though I felt badly doing it. I wondered why Brett didn’t know, we had been joined, our minds together on and off. I looked at him often, trying to see if he knew what had happened, but Brett gave away nothing. As I joined his mind, the only thoughts I could find were about the journey ahead. Oh, there were teasing thoughts also, about me being nosy, searching his mind, but it was all in fun, and then his thoughts were filled with planning for the day’s journey.

  We were ready to go; Ragnar and Eliza were going too. They insisted, along with a small group of Goblins for protection. Queen Widow came out from her hiding place to reassure us that they were out in the woods too, watching for any trouble.

  Tiny would travel with Rose and Rose was very happy to have her little friend close by. Eliza stayed close to me, so I guessed that was why Rose seemed overly excited for Tiny to be with her. Trying to make me jealous? I wondered, but I wasn’t worried or jealous, this was no time for silly emotions.

  I asked Brett about Eagle, was he okay, would he be joining us? Brett’s expression was that of sorrow as he said that Eagle wouldn’t be joining us anytime soon. He was going to survive, but was severely injured and was with others, caring for him.

  Brett tried then to be encouraging, and said with a grin, “Nothing can keep that pesky bird away for too long.”

  As we walked, the day was a pleasant temperature, mild with just a breeze. Being in the realm of Terrafirma, the fey were all around, some interested in our party, others seeming not to care. The beauty around me was astounding at times. The colors were so vivid, the smells, sometimes sweet, sometimes sour and at other times the smell of something rotting but never anything that I couldn’t stand. The fey were all so different from each other, small, tall, fat, bean pole skinny, dark, translucent, all depending on the family of fey they belonged to. At times I saw the rainbow wisps of color gliding between the trees, through the branches of the bushes, or up in the sky over the tips of the tallest branches of the trees.

  I felt it then, that same feeling, the presence that I had felt the night before. It was there out in the woods, not far from us and staying with us. I tried to keep my thoughts away from it, not wanting Brett to see into my thoughts. This went on for several hours. We stopped for a late lunch, sitting by a stream where Queen Anahita joined us suddenly. She and Brett conversed quietly away from the rest of us and Brett blocked me from his thoughts.

  I felt qui
te perturbed, but then the presence of the wolf became suddenly so strong that I ignored Brett and Queen Anahita, getting up and walking away from the group just a few yards. Standing there alone, I saw movement all around, surrounding us on this side of the stream as well as the other. I knew then that it was wolves, lots of them, and we were surrounded. How did I think it was okay to not share this information? I had been so foolish.

  Lily was next to me then, with her arm around my waist, and leaning in, she whispered in my ear, “Not to worry Princess.” That was all she said, as she stood with me.

  The rest of the group surrounded me then, with weapons out and Queen Widow, with her family, descended from the trees. Brett came to stand in front of me, telling everyone to simmer down, just as wolves started to emerge from the woods, menacing looking with their beastly red eyes, and as they growled, yellow saliva dripped from their mouths as they showed their sharp teeth.

  The one who came to me the night before, came closer and turned into the fey I saw. Then the rest of them changed, still creepy looking but not as menacing. I walked towards Brett as Lily released me, and as I touched his arm, I realized that he had known they were there, for some time. Brett looked down at me as I stood by his side, with a calm but wary look on his face.

  It was Jordan who broke the silence, bellowing, “Protect the Princess at all cost!”

  Brett held up his hand as everyone started to approach the wolves, but they stayed put, not seeming to want to fight. “Stop!” Brett yelled! And then out from the woods, came Douglas, on the back of a wolf, seeming to be out of breath as if they had been running a great distance.

  I was overwhelmed and confused, Douglas with the wolves, known allies of the dark one; belonging to the dark fey, I thought. Everyone seemed confused, it was so quiet.