by C. A. Bleu
Following Jake through the arched wooden entry into a massive foyer, she was hit by the strong scent of sage and sandalwood enveloping her. A beautiful white antique entry table was set to her right with a small vase filled with fresh lavender as well. All the scents invited her in, awakening her soul.
Stepping forward, she noticed the floor of the entryway was inlaid with beautiful stonework, creating the image of an angel floating above the Trinity symbol, outlined with small gray stones. Surrounding the image were pictures of each of the elements of nature; earth, fire, air and water. It was a majestic and mystical landscape to view. She wondered how they were able to make it look so lifelike, almost like the images had movement.
Clearing his throat, his eyes gentle, Jake said, “This way, Zara.”
She followed him up a white marble spiral staircase to the second level where he stopped at the first door to the left. Opening the door for her he stepped back out of her way. The moment she stepped inside, she was caught off guard by pictures of her mom on the wall and table.
“What’s this?” she asked Jake in surprise.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just assumed you would want to stay in your mother’s room,” he said, looking down apologetically. “I can move you to another room if you wish.”
Zara looked around the room, mouth open wide in disbelief. “My mom lived here? When?”
“I’m sorry, I assumed Aaron would have told you,” he said with his eyebrow raised in question. “Your mother grew up here, she left just before she became pregnant with you, Miss Trinity. We have left everything the way it was in case she returned, but after what happened we just decided we would not change anything. I hope it’s alright?” Jake worried, wondering if he may have said too much. His palms were sweating, revealing how nervous he truly was to finally meet Zara Trinity, the prophesized one. Staring again, he found himself taking in her long fiery red hair and her golden amber eyes.
“It’s more than alright. I hardly know anything about my mom. This is amazing,” she replied, oblivious to Jake’s nerves or that he was staring at her. Jake smiled as he left the room, giving her privacy.
Captivated by the photographs, she had never seen these images of her mother before. She ran her fingertips along one of the photos on the wall of her mother laughing and looking so carefree running in the shallow water of the ocean’s edge. Her mother’s shirt was blowing in the wind and she had one hand on a sunhat, it seemed she was trying to keep it from blowing away. There was a spark in her mother’s eye she had never seen before, and she wondered who was with her, taking that picture.
Walking over to a set of white French doors on the opposite side of the room, she opened them the view took her breath away. It was nearing sunset and from her bedroom balcony, she saw the most spectacular view she had ever seen. Hues of orange and periwinkle blended together as she watched the setting sun being embraced by the sparkling teal blue waters. Staring out toward the ocean, breathing in deep the new scents around her, she felt the warm salty sea mist on her face. That familiar hum began in her veins, her power calling to her. Zara smiled as a feeling settled within her, she could be happy here.
Leaving the doors open wide, allowing the warm ocean breeze to flow in, she took a closer look at her mother’s room. How had Aaron never mentioned anything about this? Heading to what she guessed was the closet, she was surprised to find there were clothes still in there. A bit musty, but they were in good condition. Tenderly, she ran her hands over them, thinking about her mom, when a sudden gleam of light shined bright from up above, catching her eye. She blinked a couple times, looking around for the source of the light, until she found a small silver box tucked in the top right corner of the closet with a lock on it.
Reaching up, Zara pulled down the box and carried it over to the bed. Still mesmerized by the fact that she was in her mother’s room and may be able to learn more about her mother’s life. Using a bobby pin she found sitting on the bedside table, she worked to open the lock on the box. Zara’s heart raced when she heard a click, she had unlocked it.
Excited to find it was full of old photos and poetry her mother had written. There must be over a hundred poems stuffed in the box. Zara took a deep breath as she set the box aside, deciding she really needed that long hot soak before she dove further into her mother’s history, her history. Checking another door, she was relieved to find that her room had its own bathroom, a bathroom that had a shower and a large claw-foot tub.
Lying back, her eyes closed soaking in the hot water, she had nearly fallen asleep when a knock on the bedroom door made her jump. After all she had been through it didn’t take much to set her on high alert. Climbing out, she grabbed a soft pink towel off the shelf in the bathroom, wrapping it around her before asking, “Who is it?” She tentatively walked toward the door until she heard Dimitri’s reply.
Opening the door, she found Dimitri staring at her wide-eyed, obviously surprised that she answered the door in a towel. Noticing her blush, he stepped inside, setting his bag on the floor before closing the door behind him. Reaching out, he scooped her into his strong arms.
“Ah, I’ve missed you, and you smell so good.” Setting her down, he looked around, excited that they would no longer be sharing a room with Aaron.
“How was the meeting? Who was there?” Zara asked, eager for information as she walked back to the bathroom to get dressed.
“It was okay, but I think you and Aaron are the only ones who actually want me to be here. Once we shared the story of the past few weeks most of the room looked at me like I was living on borrowed time. I’m pretty sure they think I’m still the bad guy and that me being here is all part of some big plan Erebus had to take them out.” Dimitri rolled his eyes on a sigh before he continued. “Everyone seemed to look up to Aaron though, there was no question he was in charge, he must have spent a lot of time out here,” Suddenly exhausted, he collapsed onto the bed wanting only to shower and lay down with Zara.
“Look at this,” she said, heading to the silver box she had found, holding out one of the pictures of her mother for him to see.
Rolling over, he looked at the picture then Zara. “Is that your mom?” he asked, astonished.
“Yes, I know, it’s crazy. That guy Jake who showed me up here said this used to be my mom’s room, she grew up here! Can you believe that? There must be so many people here that knew her and my grandmother. I can’t wait to meet them.” She climbed into bed while he stood to head for the shower.
“That is unbelievable,” he said, amazed at the fact that they were staying in the same room that her mother grew up in. Pausing, he stood to look at her for a moment, she was lying in the bed looking radiant with that soft golden glow surrounding her. “You stay right there and I’ll be out in five minutes,” he said, closing the bathroom door.
Just as Dimitri turned on the shower, she heard another knock at the door. Now settled in bed she debated on ignoring it but thought she had better see who it was. Opening the door, she found Aaron staring at her.
“You’re not staying in here too, are you Aaron?” she asked incredulously with a raised eyebrow.
“No, of course not. I just wanted to check on you in case you needed anything. Are you feeling okay, you look a little pale?” he asked with concern.
“I’m fine, just tired. Tomorrow morning, will you fill me in on everything from tonight’s meeting? Right now, I just want to get some sleep.” Seeing that she had lost Aaron’s attention, she followed his gaze over to one of the photos of her mom, the one with her laughing and looking so carefree while holding on to the sunhat in the wind, running through shallow waves on the beach. Her mother looked so in love and it dawned on her who must have taken the picture. “You were there with her, weren’t you, Aaron?”
Blinking away his memories, he met Zara’s questioning eyes. “Yes,” he said, clearing his throat. “I just haven’t seen that picture in a long time. This room is exactly the same as I remember; I can’t believe it.”
Appearing as if she could fall asleep standing up, Aaron excused himself, “You look exhausted, Zara, get some rest and we’ll talk in the morning. I’ll just be next door if you need anything.”
After closing and locking the door behind him, Zara crawled back in bed just as Dimitri was coming out of the bathroom. Looking at her with an eyebrow raised in question, she quickly explained Aaron’s visit. As soon as her head hit the pillow, her eyes closed, she couldn’t believe how tired she felt but these past couple weeks had been a little crazy.
Smiling, his heart was full as he watched her quickly fall asleep. Crawling into bed, he wrapped his protective arms around her, shaping his body perfectly around hers. So grateful to have found her, he whispered, “I love you, Zara.” Even though it went unheard.
Chapter 34
The next morning, Zara awoke feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Dimitri was sleeping peacefully next to her, he must have been so tired, she thought to herself. Quietly, she dressed and snuck out to explore. Closing the door behind her, the familiar hum of power began calling to her. Basking in the feeling for a moment, she let it sink into her bones as it made her feel whole. It felt as if the ocean was pulling her toward it, so she let her instincts guide her.
Tiptoeing quietly down the stairs, she found that no one else seemed to be awake yet. She hadn’t had time to look around yesterday, but in the new light of day, she noticed the extravagance of the house. Grabbing an apple out of the basket on the kitchen counter, she stepped through the French doors in the back of the living room. Time stood still, her breath caught as she cast her eyes upon the panoramic view before her.
A large well-kept pool and pool house were just in front of her. Beside the pool house appeared to be a long wooden walkway that led to a pier and boathouse. The full horizon was bathed in soft lavender and tangerine hues above the turquoise water that went on as far as she could see. The fragrant smell of the wildflowers filled her as she took in the lush landscape around her.
Breathing in the warm salty morning air she made her way down toward the ocean. The wooden walkway she followed veered off to the left with a path that led to the beach. Having never been to the beach before, she desperately wanted to feel the sand between her toes. The path ended and Zara took off her sandals, throwing away her apple core in a nearby trash bin before stepping barefoot onto the sand.
Power pulsed in her veins which she could not help but tap into. The breeze picked up as Zara walked out into the small ocean waves letting them crash into her feet and legs. Smiling, she thought of her grandmother and how soaked they would have been if she had tried to learn how to control water here instead of the small lake back in the mountains. She probably would have taken out the entire house with one large wave.
The hairs on her arms and the back of her neck rose as her senses warned her of someone approaching. Turning her head around to see who was behind her, the ocean instantly responded to her unspoken command, a huge wave erupted, standing tall and still, hovering behind her ready to go where ever Zara sent it.
“Miss Trinity, I didn’t mean to startle you. I, ah, just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m sorry if I scared you,” Jake said with his hands stretched out, looking at the massive wave hovering just behind her. Fish glistened, idly swimming through the wall of water behind her. “I’m sorry, I heard someone go out the back door, but when I realized it was you…I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” he said, knowing she was too important to risk anything happening to her.
As Jake’s words slowly registered, Zara eased off on her power, allowing the wave to gently dissolve back into the ocean. She could still feel the ocean in her veins, ready to bend at her will should she need it. Having been deceived before, she would not trust so easily now. “This is the first time I have seen the ocean and I wanted to check it out. I appreciate the concern, but you don’t have to follow me, you know.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I’m surprised you have never been to the ocean before. From what I’ve heard, your mother was out here all the time. Some said that her power with water was greater than anyone had ever seen before.” Jake seemed nonchalant, unaware of the gravity of his words and the effect they had on her.
Looking back toward the ocean she tried to process this new information. “I had no idea she loved the ocean, what else do you know about my mother?” she asked, motioning for him to sit down with her in the sand.
Taking a quick glance around before moving to sit down, he looked a bit nervous. “Well, I know that she was always happy, at least I think I remember that. I didn’t really know her, I must have been around five or six when she left, but from what I remember and the stories I’ve heard it seemed that she loved life and had a thirst for adventure. Everyone here was devastated to hear of her death. After she died, no one could find the Trinity Ring and everyone was worried about you and Aaron. Didn’t Aaron ever talk to you about her, about all of this?” he asked, waving his hand back toward the Protectors’ headquarters. His face looked pained as he sorted through the memories, imagining what this must be like for her.
“Aaron loved her, didn’t he?” Zara asked, though she already knew the answer.
“He was assigned to protect her, but people talked, they still do. Everyone could tell how much they loved each other. When Isabella had her twenty-fourth birthday, she notified everyone that she was leaving. She said she had to leave to keep you safe, that you were going to be the one we have all been waiting for.”
Staring for a moment, awaiting her reaction, reality snuck up on him that he was sitting with Zara Trinity. He had dreamed of a moment like this. Captivated by her, his teal eyes shined, mesmerized by her beauty, unaware of the moment when his hand tentatively reached out to touch her cheek.
Leaning back from his touch, Zara let out a nervous cough, uncomfortable with the way Jake was looking at her. “Um, I’d better get back Jake, thanks for checking on me and for sharing information about my mom.”
Standing to go back inside she dusted the sand off her clothes. Turning toward the wooden walkway, she saw Dimitri coming toward her. He looked angry for some reason and she feared there must have been bad news of Lorcan.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as he neared them. Glaring hard at her, through her, he walked right past her, hauling Jake up by his shirt.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he said, seething with anger and jealousy.
“Nothing, I was just checking on her, what’s your problem?” Jake said, trying to shake himself out of the strong grip Dimitri had on him. As tall and strong as Jake was, he looked like a rag doll in Dimitri’s grasp.
Knowing Dimitri could kill him in an instant and she had no idea what was going through his mind, she had to stop this. Immediately a large wave grew behind Dimitri and crashed hard right down on top of him. Jake saw it all happening and pulled back just as Dimitri was hit with the wave.
Marching toward him, Zara said, “Whatever you think you’re doing, just stop. There is nothing going on with Jake, I love you, Dimitri.” Both Dimitri and Jake turned and looked at Zara in shock. Dimitri apologized profusely and Jake stared blankly at Zara in surprise. “Jake, could you excuse us please and thank you again,” Zara said, dismissing him.
Sighing, Dimitri ran his fingers over his wet hair, looking out toward the water. “I’m sorry Zara, I saw you sitting with him and when he reached for you, my blood boiled. The thought of losing you to anyone or anything, it’s unbearable.” He looked back at Zara, his crystal ice-blue eyes pleading. “I have never felt like this before, this strong, this vulnerable, about anyone.”
“You will not lose me, Dimitri, I am with you forever.” Stepping toward him, she caressed his face with her hand, realizing just how vulnerable he really was. Deep inside he was still a young boy who tragically lost his parents and has been trying to navigate this life alone. His eyes brimming with unshed tears, she realized that his tough exterior was jus
t a mask to cover his grief and fear. He had spent years running from his loss and pain, the only thing he was sure of was his ability to kill.
“Dimitri, you have to trust me when I say that I want only you,” she said, leaning in to kiss him with an unspoken understanding that she knew it would take time for him to trust that she would not abandon him.
Wrapping his arms possessively around her, matching her kiss, he took all that she would give him in that moment. Inside though, he tried to process the fear and jealousy that shot through him at the sight of her with Jake. Knowing he needed to have faith in her, in himself as well, but it was hard to let his guard down, to trust.
Leaning back to look her in the eye, he said, “I’m sorry, I know I have a lot to learn, and maybe being here has me a bit on edge too. I think you and Aaron are the only ones here that do not want to kill me.”
Realizing how soaked he was from the wave, she laughed. Taking his hand to head toward the house, she said, “Come on, let’s go get you changed then we’ll meet up with Aaron.”
Walking away, she sent a silent thank you back to the ocean and felt its returning vow in her veins. Learning that her mother’s greatest power had been over water, she longed to see what more she was capable of.
Chapter 35
Soon, Zara and Dimitri joined Aaron for breakfast by the pool. There was an amazing spread with fruit danishes, fresh strawberries, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon and many other items laid out on a buffet for them. After filling a plate Zara sat back enjoying both the food and the view. While they ate, Aaron relayed information the Protectors had gathered on Lorcan so far.
“We were able to get a lead from Carson’s phone, other calls were traced, originating from within Erebus’s estate. They are still in the process of tracking down all the numbers and outgoing calls, but they have new leads on who and where his contacts are.” Pausing, he glanced at Dimitri. “Lorcan is smart, elusive, living all these years undetected. There was little information they could find on Lorcan even with the help from Dimitri’s input. However, because of Dimitri, they have now mapped out several of Erebus’s properties, including one not far from here.”