by Erin Johnson
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Erin
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Chapter 1: The Forest
My leather sandals barely made any noise on the soft, dark earth of the path. Iggy, my magical flame, dangled in his lantern from my left hand, and with my right I absentmindedly swung a stick right and left. I swatted lightly at one of the bright green ferns that lined our way and sent up a cloud of white and pale yellow butterflies.
"Aw." I stopped and tipped my head back to watch as the pretty things fluttered up toward the tops of the towering trees above and the bright blue sky beyond.
"You're falling behind… again."
I lowered my face. Misaki glanced over her shoulder at me and lifted her thick, straight brows. "Forest full of monsters… remember?"
"Right!" I grinned and gave her a mock salute. I tossed the stick aside, then jogged forward until I caught up. I fell in step behind her; the path was only wide enough to walk single file. I grinned. Somehow Sam and Captain Kenta, who led the way, were managing to walk shoulder to shoulder. Kenta stumbled, and Sam grabbed his elbow, righting him. Kenta's knee had been injured when Kai and Ryuu Tanaka's goons had captured him. It had been just about a month and a half since the incident, and Kenta was doing much better. Each morning, Sam helped him with his exercises to strengthen and stretch the joint, then they'd go for a long walk around town together.
I bit my lip as I glanced past the others. Kenta pointed at something in the trees and Sam leaned his head close to his to get a better look. I couldn't stifle my smile. I wasn't sure if they were together together, but I was rooting for them.
And they weren't the only lovebirds. Jun, who towered over all of us, glanced over his shoulder and winked at Misaki. "Everything okay back there, cocaptain Misaki?"
She shook her head, her top knot bobbing. I could practically see her rolling her eyes.
Once the new councilors had been appointed to replace Ryuu Tanaka and the others embroiled in the monster fighting scandal, they'd promoted Misaki to captain for her bravery and dedication in finding Kenta. She and Kenta now shared duties over their unit—they made a good team. And while she was all business, and tough as usual on duty, when off she and Jun only had eyes for each other.
I threw my head back and took a deep breath of the fresh, clean air. The sweet, woody scent of the cedar trees made me sigh with happiness. A cool breeze ruffled my bangs and stirred up the sweet scent of the pretty blue and yellow wildflowers that danced in the sunlight among the tree trunks of the forest. It seemed with the onset of summer, love was in the air. I let out a happy sigh.
Misaki glanced back at me and cocked one brow. "You seem relaxed."
I shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be?"
She faced forward but shook her head. Her black hair, half up in a bun, swished over her slender shoulders. She, like the rest of us, wore her long-sleeved ninja shirt tied around her waist, her shoulders bare in her sleeveless black undershirt. "Uh… again, the monsters?"
I chuckled. "I know they're out there, it's just hard to feel worried about them with the birds chirping and the sun shining and the flowers blooming."
Misaki sniffed. "And the monsters’ mothers defending their young…."
Ben, still sporting his spiked fashion mullet, glanced back past Jun. He wiggled his brows at Misaki. "If I find a monster pup can I keep it? Please, Misaki?"
Jun cleared his throat and Ben glanced up at him, confused. He jumped. "Oh!" He grinned. "I mean, Captain Misaki?"
She answered flatly, "No."
"Ah, man." Ben turned around, his eyes on the gently curving path ahead.
"I don't know…," Iggy hemmed. "Maple's really gonna let that slip through her fingers, just for Wiley?"
I clicked my tongue. "Iggy." I lifted his lantern up to my face so I could see him, then darted my eyes toward Ben. The young guard kept his gaze forward and I hoped he hadn't heard. "Come on. He's just a kid."
Iggy sniffed. "You know my snark doesn't discriminate."
Yeah, I definitely knew that. I grinned. Poor Ben had a major crush on Maple. The guy turned bright red and could barely form a sentence around her. Last week, he'd bowed to her as he backed away to leave the guesthouse, stumbled off the porch step, done a backwards somersault, and landed in a mud puddle. Maple, to her credit, had dashed over to help him up and had managed not to laugh, though a vein in her neck had nearly popped with the effort. Iggy had laughed so hard he'd nearly extinguished himself from a lack of oxygen.
I let my arm fall to my side and walked on behind the guards. I'd come to enjoy these forays into the forest to check on the monster traps with them (which we were now finding full, since we'd broken up the monster fighting ring). I appreciated their catch and release (far away from the village) policy. It was nice to get out in nature, and with the onset of the perfect weather and the bright sunshine, it was hard to imagine that just several weeks ago these same woods had seemed dark and ominous. And while tagging along had several side benefits— exercise, I got to know the guards better, and sometimes Hank came and we walked hand in hand—mostly I was out here to look for Horace.
I sighed. "We've been out here almost every day for weeks." I shook my head. "Is Horace okay? Is he avoiding me? Or is he just on another part of the island? Is he even on the island?" I frowned and balled my free hand into a fist. "If he left the island without us I'll—"
"Yeah, yeah, angst over your brother, rarr!" Iggy gave a lazy shake of his fist. "Can you find me a cedar stick? I'm hungry."
I shot him a flat look. "You're a great listener." I scanned the forest floor, looking for Iggy's new favorite snack.
"Thank you." He closed his eyes and smiled beatifically. "And you, Imogen, are a great complainer."
I rolled my eyes, then dipped to grab a slender cedar stick. I slid the loop of Iggy's lantern around my wrist, then used both hands to peel the furry green sprigs and berries off as I walked. "C'mon. You aren't dying to know what's going on back home?" Huh. It'd been just under a year since I'd entered the magical baking contest and come to Bijou Mer, and it already felt like home. I handed the stripped stick to Iggy and he stuck one end in his fiery mouth.
"Sure." The stick cracked in Iggy's mouth. "But I kinda like it here."
Misaki, a few paces ahead, darted a quick glance at us over her shoulder.
I swallowed, then lowered my voice. "But Horace has portal mirrors—we could go back! Have our own bakery… our own space. You don't miss it?"
Iggy sighed. "I love Jiji, but she does make me boil water and cook her soup." Iggy took a big bite of the cedar stick. "Like, a little below my pay grade, am I right?"
I chuckled. "I mean, she is letting us stay in her guesthouse in exchange for help around there, it's part of the deal. And we'd be homeless if it weren't for her." I glanced at Misaki and spoke quietly again. "Though it does feel a bit cramped with all of us there."
The soft dirt path wound around some tall boulders, and then led to a simple bridge over a gentle stream. A narrow wooden plank spanned the shallow ravine, with the clear water softly falling over the green, mossy rocks below. I took a deep breath and followed the guards across. I focused on my steps, careful not to tumble over the side of the railing-less bridge. It hadn't happened yet, and would probably just result in wet feet and some bruises, but I didn't want to chance it. I let out the breath I'd been holding when I reached the other side. The path wound gently downward until a bigger river became visible through an opening in the trees.
I lifted my brows. "We're heading down there?"
The R
iver
I pointed at the rushing water when Misaki turned around.
She grinned. "Thought we'd stick our feet in at least, catch some fish while we're out here."
I smiled. "Sounds good to me."
Though the mottled shadows in the trees helped some, my head and shoulders still felt hot under the bright sun. Some cold water would feel great. I followed the others and side-stepped down the rocky slope to the rushing water below.
A few woody shrubs grew from between the wet rocks and I held on to the branch of one as I set Iggy's lantern down, safely high above the waterline, then unbuckled my sandals and set them beside him. I bent over and rolled up the legs of my black cotton pants as Misaki and Jun dug some fishing line out of one of the packs.
Sam, his legs blindingly pale, waded into the water up to his ankles, then turned and held Kenta's hands as the captain stepped in behind him. I bit my lip to stifle my smile. They were so cute. Ben rushed right in, soaking his pants up to the thighs.
I picked my way, barefoot, over the slick black rocks toward the water's edge.
Iggy huffed. "I don't understand why you people feel the need to get in that stuff."
I looked up at him, perched up on the slope. "Stuff? As in, water?"
Iggy shook his little flame head. "Nasty."
I scoffed. "If you're a flame. Kinda essential for us mere humans."
He pressed his lips tight together. "Not into it."
Smiling to myself, I turned my back to him and dipped a toe in the water. I gasped and pulled it back; the water was ice-cold.
Jun chuckled as he wound the fishing line around his hand. "It's snow melt."
I nodded at the tall guard. "It feels like it, too." I looked up and down the deep ravine. Steep, rocky riverbanks rose from the water, and above them the lush green of the forest crowded in. White water rushed around the rocks in the middle and the bright sunlight sparkled over the surface.
"Aish!" Kenta giggled as Sam, walking backwards, led him deeper into the river. "It's freezing!"
Sam, his chin disappearing into his neck, nodded.
"You all right?" Kenta gripped Sam's forearms and dipped his head to catch the shifter's eye. "You're cold-blooded."
Sam's pale blue eyes blinked behind his glasses. A crimson blush flooded up his neck and cheeks. "You're keeping me warm."
I pressed my lips tight together and shot a look back at Iggy. Had he heard? My flame's little mouth disappeared and his eyes grew round. Yeah, he'd heard. I could hardly contain my glee. Those two…. I just couldn't, they were so cute. I ducked my head and carefully picked my way into the cold water, feeling around on the slick rocks with my toes before stepping forward.
A frigid splash of water smacked me in the face and I gasped as it took my breath away. "Ah! Ah!" I stumbled back, my chest heaving.
"Ha ha ha!" Ben doubled over in the water, a finger pointed at me. "Your face!"
Behind me, Iggy cackled.
My chest heaved and I stared Ben down. I swiped my hand across my face and got my wet bangs out of my eyes. "You splashed me!" I clenched my hands into fists.
Ben only laughed harder.
I growled and stalked forward, feeling strong enough in my rage to wrestle the teenager under the water. Ben stopped laughing and his eyes widened as I sloshed my way, thigh deep, closer to him.
He held up his palms and edged backward toward the middle of the river. "I was just kidding."
I pointed at him and cocked a brow. "I'm going to ruin that perfectly coifed hair of yours."
He sobered. "No. C'mon, Imogen. You know how long this takes me?" He edged back, his palms still raised. "It was a joke."
The current pulled at my thighs. I gritted my teeth and narrowed my eyes. My feet had gone numb and my adrenaline made me confident I could take this kid down. The cold didn't hold the same bite it had at first. I lurched toward Ben and he stumbled away, just barely out of reach.
"Sic him, girl!" Iggy shouted.
I glanced to my left. Misaki, Jun, Kenta, and Sam stood watching, grins on their faces. I swiveled my gaze back to Ben. "You're going down."
He chuckled, and we circled like boxers in a ring. I feinted left, then lurched right. I grabbed his wrist and leaned back, pulling him into the water. But as I did, my numb feet slipped on the wet rocks and I fell. I lost my grip on Ben and the current pulled me under. The cold of the water rushing over my head shocked me for a moment, then I thrashed and fought my way to the surface. I lifted my face and gasped in a breath.
"Imogen!"
I glanced towards shore, thrashing my arms, fighting to stay above the quick-moving water. Misaki and Jun scrambled along the rocky bank after me, but the current pulled me faster. In moments, I was already carried far past them.
"Help!"
I turned and, at the last second, managed to stroke left, out of the way of a half-submerged boulder. I gasped again and flailed my arms and legs, fighting to stay above the water.
In Deep
The rush of the water soon drowned out my friends’ shouts, their voices fading into the distance. The green trees that lined the ravine above flashed past me. I bobbed and dipped and fought the heaviness of my clothes to stay alive.
Each time the current pulled me under, flooding my face with icy water, I fought my way up and managed to gasp in a breath. But each time, I grew more and more tired. My chest tightened with fear. How long could I do this?
I cried out as the river slammed me against a sharp, slick rock, then threw my arms out and managed to cling to it, the pressure of the rushing water pinning me in place. But it was temporary—the current tugged at my pants. It dragged my legs to the side and I whimpered as I fought the current.
My teeth chattered, and my fingers ached as I dug them into the rock. Think. My eyes flew open wide. Magic—I had magic. I racked my panicked brain for a spell that would save me. The summoning one?
I looked to my right. A thick log lay across the rocky riverbank. I sucked in quick breaths through my nose and willed the log to slide across the river toward me. It didn't budge. I squeezed my eyes shut. Concentrate. I felt the powerful rush of the water and pulled magic from it, then opened my eyes and tried again.
The log zipped into the water. My spirits lifted. Success!
It promptly floated downstream and out of sight.
I whimpered, digging my trembling fingers into the sides of the rock. I couldn't hold on much longer. My arms gave out and I slipped under the water as the current dragged me feetfirst downriver. I tumbled and my shoulder hit something hard. My chest ached as I held my breath and thrashed, heartbeat thundering in my ears as I struggled to find the surface, the world a blur of colors and shadows, my limbs heavy.
Suddenly, something closed around my wrist, and with a yank to my shoulder that sent a sharp pain through my arm, I stopped dead. The rushing water flowed over my face and legs. My arm was pulled up and I gasped in a shuddering breath as my head rose above the surface.
I blinked, struggling to see through my blurry, wet eyes and the thick curtain of my bangs. Something closed around my other wrist, and I looked down, blinking at the strong, freckled hand that held me. I gasped as the person who'd saved me hauled me to my feet. They slipped on the sharp, wet rocks of the riverbed and the stranger righted me again.
"Hold tight."
I did as the deep voice commanded and gripped his arms as hard as I could with my cold, tired hands. In a stomach-turning lurch, he dragged me through the water, flying fast. He came to an abrupt stop on the riverbank and I slammed into his chest, knocking him onto his back.
"Ow."
The man groaned and I rolled off him, onto the rocks of the steep slope. I pushed to my hands and knees, my chest heaving, then roughly brushed my hair out of my eyes. I blinked the water away as I stared at the man who'd saved me. He lay on his back, chest heaving. His wet red hair was slicked back, his brows the same flaming red. He was handsome, with a sharp, clean-shaven jaw. His army green
tank revealed his pale, freckled skin.
As he pushed to sitting, I scrambled to my feet and backed away. The sharp rocks rolled under my bare feet. My trembling muscles fought for balance. "Who are you?"
He coughed, then swiveled his gaze to me and gave me a lazy once-over. "You're so welcome."
I let out a shaky breath and backed another step away. I was trapped, essentially. The river rushed to my left, and to my right, the bank rose steeply up to the forest. I had no idea where I was, but the river had carried me a ways away from my friends. Exhausted and barefoot, I couldn't outrun this guy if I needed to. I sniffed and found the power of the river in my mind. I'd use magic to defend myself if I had to.
The guy fixed his deep green eyes on me, his heavy-lidded gaze penetrating.
I held my breath.
He sighed and pushed to his feet, grunting as he did so. "Oh, Imogen, you really are a magnet for disaster."
Ice flooded my veins and the hairs on my neck rose. My voice came out quiet, barely audible over the rush of the river. "How do you know my name?"
He gave me a slow blink, then took a step forward.
I edged back and raised my palms toward him. "Stay away from me." My legs trembled and rivulets of water ran down my forehead.
The man let out a heavy sigh. And suddenly it registered with me—the red hair, the freckled skin—this guy wasn't from the island. Which meant—
"My name is Leo." He licked his lips. "I work for your brother."
To keep reading, but Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws today!
About the Author
A native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh. In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (so she can eat more).