Wrath of the Sea Queen

by Cynthia Woods

  Salma closed her eyes and concentrated on the location of Vin's internal bleeding. She located a web of small blood vessels that had been ruptured by the impact of the back of Vin's head on the concrete. One larger blood vessel in particular pumped out blood at an alarming rate. Salma recognized Caeli's presence riding along with her as she mapped Vin's injuries. Caeli stopped the flow of blood as she had done with Ben's wound, except where Salma instructed her otherwise. It took Caeli several minutes before she finally succeeded in completing the repairs to Salma's satisfaction.

  However, Caeli was not done. She kept her gift flowing through Salma and worked on the rapidly growing knot on the back of Vin's head, hoping that fixing this would wake him. He was still lying unconscious on the ground. Caeli remembered from Salma's recent accident that it would be better if Vin woke quickly. When the knot was gone, she fixed Vin's arm as well. Though the wounds were still visible, the damage was nearly healed. The women worked together for several minutes more. Their combined gifts worked a miraculous feat. Unfortunately, there was only so much their gifts could do. At last, after almost fifteen minutes, Salma looked up at Ben and announced that they were finished. Vin would live. Caeli, however, was still not satisfied.

  Caeli was not a doctor and could not see anything else wrong with Vin. Yet, he still wasn't moving. Caeli tried again to reach Vin through their special link. He did not respond. She desperately wanted to be there beside him so that she could reach out and hold his hand, talk to him, let Vin know that she was there for him as he always was for her.

  "Salma, what else can we do?" Caeli cried.

  Salma, still awed by Caeli's newly-developed skill and her ability to work through another person from a distance, took a moment to gather her thoughts before responding. As much as Caeli could do, her limited medical skills had been learned on the fly. She did not have Salma's medical knowledge or experience. Caeli relied solely on Salma's expertise to provide her with an answer. Unfortunately, Salma did not have a good solution to offer her.

  "I'm not certain that there is anything else we can do, Dear, except wait for a change. Vin is out of immediate danger, but we won't know anything for certain until he wakes."

  "I watched you walk that road before, and I don't like it. There has to be another way. Wait! I have an idea. Salma, can you place your hand on Vin's chest again, please?"

  Out of curiosity, Salma did as Caeli requested. Another flow of energy moved from Caeli, through Salma's hand, and into Vin. What was Caeli up to now? It felt like she was feeding energy to Vin. This must be similar to what Caeli did on the ship when she reduced the large waves. Caeli siphoned the energy from the water and transferred it to Vin, whose depleted vitality had been renewed. At least, that was how Vin had explained it. Caeli must be trying to restore him in the same manner now. But, where was Caeli drawing the energy from this time? Salma knew that answer, too. Caeli pulled it from herself. Salma's own gift allowed her to feel it now that she understood what Caeli was attempting to do. Caeli was giving all that she could to help Vin; and Salma suspected it would have a negative effect on her recovery.

  "Caeli, Dear, that's enough. Give him a few minutes. He is coming around. Vin is going to be fine," Salma tried unsuccessfully to gain Caeli's attention, but her mind was focused elsewhere. She did not respond to Salma.

  Vin finally stirred and opened his eyes. Somehow, he heard Salma's words to Caeli and understood her concern regarding the influx of energy continuing to bolster him. Caeli was offering him an unencumbered stream of energy, which he could feel steadily draining out of her. Unfortunately, her own reserves were already vastly depleted. Vin sat up slowly, slightly dizzy, but Caeli did not stop sending the energy his way. She was so focused on the flow of her gift, that she allowed it to turn her mind further inward. Rika had been waiting for an opportunity exactly like this one and ambushed Caeli as she walked within her own thoughts.

  "You cannot stop now. He will take all that you can give, and it still won't be enough. You are not skilled enough to save him. He will die unless you permit me to help you. Why do you resist? We would both benefit from the arrangement. You cannot imagine the wondrous skills I could teach you."

  "Vin will not die. Salma said he would be fine."

  "What does she know of real healing? She only plays at helping people with her bandages and bottled drugs. You and I hold the true power to grant health or deny it."

  "That's not true! Salma helps lots of people. Just because I can heal a wound does not make me a doctor. Salma has vast knowledge, tons of experience, and is highly skilled. By comparison, I am greatly lacking."

  "You are so much more than her. You just can't see it yet. Instead of letting me show you, you debate with me. In truth, you deny me for a man. He is a fine specimen, for certain, but you need not choose between us. You can have both. It will be better for him, too. In fact, your relationship could evolve into something… spectacular, as mine once did. Of course, you could lose him entirely if you are not careful. You must see that I am trying to help you. If I did not care, then I would let you continue this fruitless venture. He will die, and your reason to refuse me would be gone. As you can see, I am trying to save you both."

  "You speak of good intentions and great possibilities, but your words do not ring true. You are giving me a headache. Go away, Rika!" Caeli's command was insistent though weak as her energy continued to pour unfettered into Vin.

  Rika's presence faded away from Caeli's mind, but the distraction caused her to completely lose track of the aid she was sending Vin. She did not know how to stop the flow of energy now. In another couple of minutes, she would be completely drained and at the mercy of the water surrounding her. She would be at Rika's mercy. Too late, Caeli discovered Rika's duplicity.

  "Caeli, stop!" Vin's stern warning jarred her awareness. His hand gently closed over Salma's and pulled it away from his chest. Releasing Salma's hand sufficiently severed the outpouring from Caeli, but he held their link open.

  "Vin, you're awake!" Relief washed over Vin as Caeli's similar feelings flowed across their link.

  "Yes, and apparently just in time. I don't understand the portion of the conversation I overheard, but you are right not to listen to this lady. This is not the first time I have heard you talking to her, and I think we need to talk about this further. Actually, there are several recent events we need to discuss."

  "I would like that very much, Vin. I could sure use your help. I am so confused."

  "Sit tight. I will be there in five minutes. We will finally have our talk. And Caeli; thank you."

  Vin assured her that he was all right. It would not take more than five minutes to reach the hotel from the lighthouse. Vin could let Ben bring Salma back alone and run down the beach by himself. His gift could get him there even faster. After overhearing the last few exchanges between Caeli and Rika, Vin was more than a little anxious to find out exactly who Caeli had been talking to and what she wanted.

  Vin knew that Caeli had taken a huge risk to help him and something had gone wrong. She had almost gone too far. Having heard the way the woman spoke condescendingly to Caeli, Vin easily determined the source of the wrong turn.

  Regardless, whatever recovery Caeli might have made earlier in the day, if any, was likely to be undone. Vin decided to have a private conversation with her about such reckless action as soon as he got back to the hotel. Right now, Vin could not fault her love, which caused her to rush to his aid for the second time that day. However, he also wanted Caeli to be more careful before she dove into a situation where she might risk harming herself as well as the person she was trying to help. Vin much preferred the risk of his injury rather than hers.

  Having already helped Salma to stand, Ben offered his hand to Vin and pulled him to his feet. They saw Apela waiting by his truck. The ambulance was only just arriving, as slow as Apela had warned them. Vin thanked Ben and turned to Salma with a hug and another polite kiss on her forehead.

  "Thank y
ou, Salma, yet again. Whatever you and Caeli did was incredible. I don't even feel like I've been shot," Vin expressed his sincerest gratitude.

  Salma smiled and walked over to talk to the paramedics who were standing by the ambulance. They were looking around, trying to locate their patient. Vin was slightly tired, but that was to be expected after the morning he had combined with the use of his gift. Thankfully, since this ordeal began yesterday, Vin rapidly regained his endurance for using his gift.

  Ben pulled Vin aside to speak with him before anyone else approached. Although still astounded by the inherited traits of his wife and her family, Ben took everything they could do in stride. He noted, with interest, that this was the first time the ladies had intentionally combined their gifts. Together, they accomplished something extraordinary. Ben had seen many bleeding head wounds in his day, and told Vin how very lucky he was that they were able to perform such a feat. The fact that Vin was up and about as if he had never been shot was nothing short of miraculous. When Ben considered the twist of fate that brought him to know each of these three people and their special abilities, he did not complain. As a matter of fact, Ben was thankful for it every morning when he woke up next to Salma.

  "Vin, thanks for getting here so quickly. You were the only person I knew we could trust. I certainly don't trust Dr. Jacobs, but I will fill you in on the details later. If I had known that this would turn violent, I would have found another way. I thought this would merely involve scaring off some drunken hooligans to give me an excuse to get Salma away from Dr. Jacobs."

  "I know, Ben."

  "And I don't know how Caeli found out. Perhaps she overheard Salma's call, but I didn't intend for that to happen."

  "I know that, too. Salma wasn't exactly subtle," Vin concurred.

  "I am sorry about all of this," Ben apologized.

  "Don't give it another thought. You couldn't have known. I'm glad I could help. What do you say we get out of here? I think we could all use a little rest, and I am eager to see Caeli," Vin said.

  "That's going to have to wait, Vin. You aren't going to be able to go back to the hotel right away," Salma said as she returned from speaking with the paramedics.

  "Why not?"

  "We called in a gunshot wound and a serious head injury. According to the paramedics, their protocol says they have to take all gunshot victims to the hospital no matter the severity of the injury. Apela also told me that the sheriff intends to press charges on as many of these guys as possible. He wants to get a statement from you while you are at the hospital. I'm afraid that if you don't cooperate with them, it will raise a lot of suspicions. The sheriff will start asking all sorts of questions we will not want to answer. He will probably even come by the hotel. And you know how the press follows the cops," Salma explained.

  "So what do you suggest I do? They are going to know that I'm not hurt. I can't fake a bullet wound that no longer exists." Vin asked.

  "I told the paramedics that, in my panic, I overreacted; when I examined your injury, it was not that serious after all. But, I don't see any way to avoid getting you checked out at the hospital," Salma provided further details.

  "I agree with Salma. If the sheriff expects you to be at the hospital to answer questions for the official record, then that's where you should be. Without your statement, it will be difficult to make a case against any of the men they arrested," Ben added.

  "Damn it! I need to get back to Caeli." Vin vented his frustration, but he knew Ben and Salma were right. There was no avoiding it.

  "If it makes you feel any better, she has been improving all morning, and I have some news for you about her condition. Go on to the hospital, get checked out, give the sheriff his report, and then get back to the hotel as quickly as you can. We can discuss everything once we are all settled in again."

  "Thanks, Salma. If it's all the same to you, I would prefer not to wait. What's the news on Caeli?"

  "I will tell you when you get back, Mr. Impatient. Trust that she is getting better. This is not the proper time or place to get into such a discussion. Go on now. They are waiting on you," Salma replied.

  "Here. Take my truck and keep an eye on Max for me. I will ride along with Vin and keep him company. I will try to keep him out of trouble. He seems to be diving into it at every turn today," Apela had been standing a few feet away waiting for Vin to reach a decision. He volunteered his vehicle to Ben and Salma with a joking elbow in Vin's side. He tossed his truck keys to Ben and joined Vin as he climbed into the back of the waiting ambulance.

  From inside his gray truck, Dr. Jacobs watched the group across the parking lot. He did not have a good view from where he sat, but he thought he saw Dr. Erickson tending the man he shot. When the man finally got up and walked away, Dr. Jacobs assumed that his aim was not as true as presumed.

  His first ploy to earn Dr. Erickson's friendship had failed. Waiting out the incident with her until the sheriff arrived did not turn out to be the bonding moment he anticipated. Unfortunately, Neal underestimated Dr. Erickson's husband. He was not as receptive, and much more suspicious, than the doctor. Ben's unexpected presence completely negated Neal's chance of sharing that moment with Salma.

  Neal adapted and quickly changed tactics. When Dr. Erickson's friends arrived, he decided to eliminate the one who got out of the truck. By this, Neal hoped to begin isolating Salma and perhaps push her deeper into her work and closer to him as a supportive colleague. However, this attempt also failed, making the entire test run a bust. Perhaps tomorrow's plan would fare better. Neal would have to be more aggressive, but once he had a chance to explain it to her, he had no doubt that Dr. Erickson would understand the necessity of taking such drastic measures to gain her compliance. It was essential that she cooperate. Neal put the truck in gear and drove off.

  CHAPTER 27

  When they returned from the lighthouse, Salma found Max and Caeli sitting on the beach. Apparently, Caeli could not stand on her own and Max had been trying, unsuccessfully, to help her get out of the water. After Ben accomplished that task and returned Caeli to her room, Salma immediately reconnected Caeli to the IV. Caeli's begging for Salma not to knock her out again went unheeded as Salma maneuvered around to plunge a small syringe into Caeli's IV.

  Caeli was exhausted, but refused to admit that she needed sleep. Her thoughts were focused on Vin. She wanted to go to the hospital and see him, but Ben, Salma, and even Max, adamantly refused her request. Caeli could not win this battle.

  She asked if she could phone Vin, but Salma did not think he would be placed in a room with a phone, and cell phones were prohibited in the hospital. Caeli was disappointed, but she did not give up. Since she could not do much else, Caeli lay on the bed and attempted to call Vin through their link. Unfortunately, the medicine took over more quickly than she anticipated. Caeli fell asleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes. She slept, unmoving, for two hours.

  While Caeli drifted off to sleep, Salma watched the clear liquid flowing into her left arm at a steady rate. Once she verified that everything was working to her satisfaction, Salma and Ben left the room. Max crept in from the porch and sat quietly in the chair beside the bed with his legs pulled up in front of him. He laid his head on his knees in the dimly lit quarters and watched Caeli sleep. Max wondered why she kept arguing with the Sea Queen. He did not understand why Caeli had not simply told the Sea Queen her decision.

  "She does not understand, Max."

  "Why not, Uncle Michael?"

  "She has not been well. The sickness and the medicine do not let her think clearly. The Sea Queen is taking advantage of that and trying to keep her confused so that she will not figure it out before it's too late. Caeli does not yet fully understand what she needs to do."

  "I can tell her what to do. I can help her," Max whispered.

  "No, you cannot. Caeli has to figure it out herself. Otherwise, it will not be her decision. If it is not her decision it will not work. But, when she gets better, Caeli can help you
if you let her," Michael told the boy.

  "She can? How?" Max turned and looked up over his shoulder at Michael in wide-eyed wonder.

  "When she was a little girl, not much older than you, Caeli also met the man in black."

  "She did? Did he try to steal pretty Caeli, too?" Max's eyes widened in alarm.

  "Yes, but she fought him. Caeli was determined. He could not keep her away from her mother. Caeli is much stronger than she looks; especially right now."

  "That's because she's sick, right? Pretty Dr. Salma says she will get better. How will pretty Caeli help me?" Max asked curiously.

  "Caeli will tell you how when the time is right, but you will have to trust her. Until then, you will have to help her get her strength back so she will be strong enough to do what is necessary."

  "Mama wasn't strong enough, and she got taken away. I don’t want pretty Caeli to get taken away," Max replied sadly as he looked over at Caeli.

  "Then keep helping her like you have been doing. She is going to need all the help she can get."

  Max sat alone for the next two hours until Caeli began to stir restlessly in her sleep. When she started to move the arm attached to the IV, Max jumped up and ran to get pretty Dr. Salma. As he reached the door, there was an especially loud clap of thunder, and all the electricity in the hotel went out.

  Vin arrived at the hospital with a fresh, gauze bandage covering the cut on the side of his head and another wrapped around the already healing wound on his right arm. He did not want to be there and intended to make a quick report, tell the doctor he was merely grazed, and then catch a ride for himself and Apela to the hotel. Vin knew that Caeli would be upset when he did not return with Ben and Salma. He had not seen her since the night before and fervently wanted to see, with his own eyes, how her condition had changed. More than anything, Vin wanted to hear Salma's status report.