by Jaymin Eve
“What’s happening here?” Lucas asked.
“Besides finding you on the Sacred Isle and the mutant creatures that shouldn’t exist, we also have incidences of missing wood and fruit.”
Talina and Raror’s expressions indicated this was the gravest of crimes.
“We’ve also had a few Spurns go missing in the water, which is not a common occurrence.” He looked grim. “But even if we assume that was the work of that creature, there is something in the waters, a new type of darkness.”
His words reminded me of Francesca’s warning just before we left.
“You might find this is a ricochet from the release of the Seventine. Apparently, First World’s energy travels to the youngling planets, and since the Seventine is pure negative energy, this is influencing the planets.”
It didn’t hurt to let them know the seriousness of the situation. I wanted Talina to be happy to leave; kidnapping was not part of the plan.
“Have they already been released?” Raror asked, his features falling in lines of horror.
I shook my head. “No, not all of them. The information we have is that one or two are free. But it’s any moment until the others find freedom. Each subsequent release will only throw the balance of these worlds even further off. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”
“Why haven’t they just freed them all? This has been bothering me for a while?” Samuel draped his long arms over Lucy’s shoulder.
She cuddled against him.
“I get the feeling that it’s not that easy to release them,” Brace said. “It either takes a lot of time or requires lots of energy.”
I raised questioning eyes in his direction.
“That’s what Josian always indicated to me whenever we discussed possible scenarios for our journey.”
The doubt must have shown on my face, considering the way Josian had treated Brace before we left. I couldn’t imagine my father discussing anything important with him.
“So when do we leave, Abby?” Talina looked like she was both excited and hardcore freaking out.
She reached out and took Raror’s hand, squeezing it tight.
He growled. “Talina, no, I have already decided that we must travel to Silver City and discuss this with Ladre. I know you hate Spurn. I know you have always dreamed of an escape, but this story is borderline crazy, and we don’t know these people.”
Gee, don’t sugarcoat it for our benefit, Raror.
“That will probably work out for the best.” I interrupted their intense stare-off. “At the moment my powers need recharging, and I can’t access a Walker doorway until this happens.”
“How long will that take?” Raror asked. “We will only need a few days to reach the city.”
“I’m going to say a week, but it’s only a guess. My powers seem to require an intense charge or some form of motivation to work correctly.”
The previous dream scene had demonstrated that I had the power levels. I just couldn’t figure out how to use them.
Talina’s eyes were crinkled at the edges as she turned to me. “Sorry for the extra stop, but I know Ladre will understand, and then I will be free to leave. Plus, this is a big deal; not everyone gets to visit the city under the sea.”
I smiled back at her. She was right; it was an amazing opportunity. If only Raror wasn’t scowling and mumbling under his breath at me, it would be perfect.
“Alrighty,” Lucy interrupted. “I’m not sure about everyone else but I’m tired as hell. I think we should get some rest if we’re cruising ... under the sea, oh, under the sea, nothing is better, down where it’s wetter ...” Her eyes twinkled as she started to sing. Her voice was awkward and off-key, but endearing somehow.
Uncontrolled laughter spluttered from me. I remembered that song from when we were kids. Everyone else looked pretty confused, which only made the pair of us laugh harder. Nothing like an inside joke to break the tension.
“I’ll show you where you can rest for the night, since I assume you do not sleep in the water.” Talina words broke through our laughter. She waved us toward the room exit.
“Uh, no, we don’t sleep in the water, or on a water bed, thanks,” Lucy said, her laughter turning to astonishment.
I followed along with the brief hope we wouldn’t drown in our sleep that night.
I woke early the next morning. The half-light of the sun shone through the small round window. We had camped out on the meshy beds on the floor in the same place I had woken yesterday.
Lucy was on my right side, but she had snuggled into Samuel. I almost couldn’t see where she ended and he started. Observing them, in a completely non-creepy way, I really thought they fit well together. She’d confided in me a little while before that they, despite her best efforts, hadn’t had sex. Apparently, Samuel was an old-fashioned sort of man; he was waiting for the perfect moment or some crap. Lucy told me she was continuing to work on changing his mind, one skimpy pair of underwear at a time.
This wasn’t the first time they’d slept next to each other. But here they seemed more comfortable than they had in our previous prison. Samuel had an arm protectively around her, and he looked relaxed in the pose of deep sleep. It softened the anger and pain he carried around with him every day. And I could really see Lallielle in his features.
My heart panged at the thought of my parents; I’d been missing them a lot the last few days. Josian’s booming roar and hug every morning, and the gentle nudging of Lallielle as she forced me into a normal First-World life – well, even that seemed less annoying in retrospect.
Pulling myself to my feet, I moved across the room without disturbing anyone. I did notice that Brace was already gone, but everyone else was still sleeping.
Talina had left us new wraps on the chair. Before changing, I used some of the cucreamer juice to rinse out my mouth. Its absorbing ability worked the same way as teeth-brushing, removing all morning breath and cleaning my teeth. Talina had demonstrated its hundred and one amazing uses before she’d left us to go sleep in her water-pod. Yep, that’s right, a water-pod.
With a quick glance to make sure no one was awake, I managed to shrug off my old wraps and get re-wrapped in pure white mesh – it took me a good ten minutes to get all the important parts covered. Honestly, wearing no underwear should make me feel all kinds of vulnerable, but instead under the wraps you couldn’t even tell.
I stepped over the sleeping people to make my way upstairs to the top deck. Of all the things my power-enlightening had brought me, the best was the feeling inside. I felt so alive. I was stronger, required less sleep, could think and process faster and my memory was almost perfect. There were definite benefits to being a half-Walker.
Stepping out onto the deck, I was captivated by the beauty of the endless oceans. Breathing deeply of the clean air, I loved that there were no buildings, no clouds of smog, no Gangers or Burbers, or any other weird and wonderful creatures in sight. Just silence and tranquility. I was fast becoming an eighty-year-old lady.
“Morning, Red, how did you sleep?”
I glanced over my shoulder. Brace was making his way from the top of the stairs to stand with me on the edge of the pontoon. He was wrapped in white mesh also, his skin looking extra tanned against the wraps. I had to contain my sigh of pure appreciation.
“Yeah, I’m surprised at how comfortable it is to sleep on the floor,” I said as I turned back to the view, mainly to prevent any untoward touching.
My fingers were itching to run across the expanses of skin that towered next to me.
I clenched my hands together and closed my eyes, trying to move past this unnatural obsession I harbored for Brace. I couldn’t explain my fixation with him despite my best efforts.
“I’m interested in seeing this underwater city,” he said as he stood close.
I could feel his warmth. And, damn, why did he smell so good? It was like clean fresh air combined with a spicy sweetness ... like donuts. Okay, maybe not exactly donuts, b
ut it gave me the same feelings. I attempted to focus on the conversation as I opened my eyes to the beauty of the ocean.
“I can’t even picture a building under the water. The dynamics seem impossible.” My life had taken a dramatic twist from my days on Earth. “But what will we do if they don’t let Talina leave? I mean, I always knew it was going to be difficult; imagine if aliens just popped in from another planet, and told you about a crazy mission and you needed to leave immediately. I know, if it was me, I’d have a few reservations.”
Brace’s expression didn’t change. Maybe that wouldn’t have been odd to him.
“I think that we’ll deal with that if it happens. I’m sure that Ladre is a reasonable man. We should be able to convince him,” he said.
If only Ladre was a man. Spurns were a whole other kettle of fish. I chuckled internally at my poor joke.
“I need us to book in some time to talk, Red.”
I lifted my face to meet his serious gaze.
“It’s important that I explain to you what’s been happening.”
His velvet eyes told me he’d made a decision and was ready to divulge some of his secrets. One of the things I loved the most about Brace was the intensity of his gaze, despite how unnerving it could be.
“I’ve always trusted you, Abby, trusted in our relationship. You’re the girl of my dreams; I just never expected to be so torn between my family responsibilities and ... everything.”
“Why do you think this has happened? Why have we been starring center-stage in each other’s dreams?”
He shrugged. “I have a few theories, and – ” He smiled before I could interrupt him. “I will tell you. Just try and have some patience. It will probably be a long conversation.”
Patience ... I don’t think so.
I couldn’t tear my eyes from him. For the first time Brace was almost talkative, and I wanted more. More of this beautiful creature that was so unlike the secretive one-dimensional dream-man I knew.
“You know you can tell me anything, Brace.” I decided to be brave despite my discomfort at being vulnerable. “There’s a connection between us; a reason why we’ve been in each other’s lives, in a manner, for a long time.”
“There’s more than a connection, Abigail. You must feel what I do. This is not just a weak link or a crush. This is much more. It feels ... epic.”
I savored his words and nodded. My breath caught in my throat.
“Yes.” I dropped my gaze slightly. “Yes, I feel the same way. But is this intensity just because we’re young, and First Worlders and Walkers feel emotions strongly?”
Or ...
I paused, my features freezing at my next thought. Was Brace my mate?
“Don’t sell this as some teenage infatuation, Abigail.” He leaned in closer to me, pausing when his lips were just breaths from my own. “This is beyond all that.”
I closed my eyes as his lips hovered over my own, his breath caressing my face. I was waiting for an interruption. The moment was just too perfect and these moments are always interrupted. Surprisingly there was no disturbance, but he also didn’t close that final distance.
My eyes flew open.
He was still close, his eyes locked on my face.
He smiled at my confusion. “Sorry, Red. I’m just savoring the moment.”
My heart was beating so rapidly it felt like one constant beat. I understood exactly what Brace was saying. This delicious moment before his lips actually touched mine was filled with anticipation and butterflies and pure delectable want.
Then he closed the distance, and I realized I was so wrong. There was nothing comparable to the actual kiss. The last time we kissed there had been a tinge of anger and desperation. But now he started slow, light, his lips just brushing my own.
And then he deepened the kiss.
I opened my mouth as his tongue flicked out. I swallowed a groan at the intensity of his lips on mine. Even with his height, we still fit perfectly together. My arms lifted of their own accord, and I rested my hands on the strong, bare muscles in his chest.
Despite the slow beginnings, his kiss moved rapidly past light and teasing to hot and heavy. My breath came in pants, and he was breathing heavier than usual. I gasped as a familiar voice sounded behind us.
“I told you we would be interrupting, Sammy.” Lucy’s words echoed out over the expanse of ocean.
We both paused, but didn’t pull away.
“Ignore them,” I whispered against his lips. “They’re like monsters under the bed: if you don’t acknowledge them, they aren’t real.”
“If you want, I can kill them. That’s what I usually do with monsters.”
I chuckled, unsure if he was kidding. Upon opening one eye, I could see Lucy and Samuel paused in mid-step, as if they’d frozen there and weren’t sure whether to move forward or backwards.
Reluctantly, I untangled myself from Brace. I heard him mutter as he reached out to capture my hand, but his words were too low to understand. I’d noticed recently that he was quite the toucher, a bit like Josian, my tactile father. I had never thought I was so physical, but I was starting to think I actually liked it a lot.
“Come on over. We were just discussing the weather.” I grinned at my best friend.
Lucy bounced over, throwing her arms around me in a hug, not caring about Brace at my side.
She seemed extra bright and happy this morning. And, like the rest of us, she was wrapped in white mesh.
“Sammy and I are practically meteorologists, we discuss the weather that frequently.” She nudged me.
Samuel and Brace gave the typical guy-nod of ‘good morning’. Some of the strain that had been between them since Samuel’s return from Earth was dissipating. And Samuel made no comment at all about me and Brace, but then I hardly expected him to come across the heavy big-brother. He barely acknowledged me at all, let alone played the brother card.
“You and I are due some serious girl-talk, Abigail,” Lucy said, leaning in close to me.
She clearly thought I’d been holding out on her.
I put my free arm around her and gave a squeeze. I was apparently neglecting everyone since they were all trying to book in some talk time. Things had just been so crazy busy lately.
“I’m not sure I’m okay with you two discussing girl things, or whatever you women do,” Samuel said, looking uncomfortable.
I snickered. “I’m not sure I care what you’re okay with. And, trust me, I have zero interest in Lucy discussing your weather, its size, shape or ability to rain, storm or hail.”
Lucy cracked up laughing then, doubling over as she almost fell down. It only took a few seconds for me to follow. We had to hold each other up as we laughed. Eventually, we composed ourselves. Although, every time I saw Samuel’s face and his current shade of red, I wanted to laugh again. Brace’s lips were curved into the smallest of smiles, but he didn’t comment. Instead he reached out to re-capture my hand. Lucy’s eyes followed the movement, but for once she didn’t make a suggestive comment. Instead she turned to Samuel.
“Sorry, baby, you’re just an easy target. You should relax a little.” She moved closer into his side.
“I assure you, Lucy. I’m a thunderstorm where you’re concerned. Huge ...” His eyes twinkled. “And I can bring any weather you’ll ever need, want and desire.”
She patted his arm. “Oh, I know, Sammy. I more than know.”
I shook my head a few times trying to dislodge the mental images our metaphors were bringing.
“It’s a real shame that there’re some things you just cannot un-hear,” I said with a frown.
“Yes, I wouldn’t mind some brain bleach.” Brace squeezed my hand.
“Here you all are.” Talina walked into view, followed closely by Lucas.
And as the blond Emperor-to-be smiled at me, I was hit again by the connection between us. If Brace was my destined mate, then what the hell was this tie between me and Lucas? It seemed to intensify the more we were a
round each other and, although he kept his distance, he continued to stare in a way that told me he was just biding his time.
The moment Lucas walked closer, Brace’s smile faltered and his relaxed features hardened. He already had my hand, but he continued to tug me closer. I was sure that was his way of establishing ownership. But I was not a piece of property. I freed my hand before gathering a small portion of self-respect and moving out between the two of them. I wasn’t going to be the rope in their tug-of-war.
“I have arranged some cucreamer for you to eat before we journey to Silver City. Mother has agreed to let us have our own pontoon,” Talina said, looking relaxed and more confident.
“I’ll bet she was glad to get rid of us for a few days,” I said, returning some of her enthusiasm.
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, most definitely. But I do feel we are the winners in this escaping situation.”
I was suddenly unable to contain my excitement at seeing a city under the ocean. Like what the hell? When would anyone expect that to happen in their life? And if I didn’t think about how much water would be above us, my claustrophobia would stay uninvited, something to worry about only if a crack suddenly appeared above our heads.
Chapter 6
After breakfast, Talina and Raror ferried us through the cool water to a smaller flat-bottomed pontoon. I tried not to think of the possible monsters lurking below. Thankfully it didn’t take long to reach the side. Behind us the rest of the Earon convoy continued without pause, forming a long line of tethered boats sailing off toward the horizon.
Using a rope ladder, I climbed up onto the top deck of the two-level vessel. Almost immediately the heavy water exited from my white mesh wraps, leaving them light and damp.
“We will be at the tube entrance to Silver City in about four hours. I found a few extra seahorses to ferry us,” Raror said.
He had just launched himself up out of the water and onto the top decking, without any need of a rope ladder.