by Verna Clay
"Funny you should bring him up." Dina reached into her pocket and retrieved a cell phone. Tapping it she said, "She's with me," then held it in front of Zoe. "Watch," she commanded. Zoe stifled a sob when her father's face filled the screen. The camera panned backward until she could see that he was tied to a chair. A male voice came over the speaker, "Say hi to your daughter, Wade." Wade refused to talk.
The voice said more forcefully, "I said, 'say hi to Zoe'." When her father still refused to talk, a fist slammed him in the mouth and blood spurted. He couldn't even wipe the blood away because his hands were bound. She heard a female laugh in the background and then the male voice repeated, "Let's try that again. Say hi to Zoe, Wade." Wade looked at the person beyond the camera. "You're dead, shithead." Then he looked at the camera and said quickly, "Zoe, whatever they want you to do, don't do it." Another fist hit him and the screen went blank. In shock and tears, Zoe looked from the screen to Dina. "Please don't hurt him," she begged.
Dina dropped the cell phone back in her pocket. "As long as you do what you're told, he's as snug as a bug in a rug. You cross us, and he's a squished bug." She clapped her hands in a loud pop that made Zoe jump. "Just make sure you keep your mouth shut and that necklace on." Dina patted Zoe's knee, stood, and walked to the mirror. "Lovely," she said to her own reflection, and then, without a backward glance, exited the ladies' room. Zoe sat for a long time trying to compose her emotions. Finally, she summoned the energy to rinse her face before returning to Davide. When he saw her, he jumped to his feet.
"What's wrong, Zoe."
"I feel ill. I think I'll skip dessert. Let's go back to the Dolphin."
As soon as her feet hit the deck of the Dolphin, she ran to her bathroom and threw up. When she came back into her room, Davide was sitting on her bed. "Zoe, if you're not better tomorrow, I'm taking you to a doctor."
"It must be the flu. I just need to rest."
Davide returned later to check on her and tuck blankets around her. He pulled a chair beside her bed and gently stroked her forehead and hair, saying, "I'll stay with you for a while." For the next hour he made small talk, getting up occasionally to wet a cloth and smooth it over her brow. Then he talked about their destination. "I still want to pinch myself to see if I'll wake up. I never thought my father would reveal the way to the Cave of Thirteen. He told me no human has ever set foot on the island, so you'll be the first. I'll be the second mixed blood human, my mother being the first. I'm truly honored the council has agreed to this. They must have a powerful reason for allowing us to enter their territory. Do you realize that shapelings have been protecting humans since the beginning of time? Without shapelings, the human race would have ceased to exist long ago. My father has shared the details of some of his missions and his courage makes me proud. He has literally placed his life on the line over and over, not only to protect humans, but to guard the secret of the shapelings' existence."
Davide trailed his fingers down Zoe's cheek. "I made a vow to myself years ago that if my father revealed the coordinates to the island, I would die before exposing them to anyone—that's how important the missions of shapelings are. By far, the destiny of creation is more important than my life."
Davide stood and bent to kiss her cheek. "But we won't leave until you're well, princess. I'm taking you to a doctor tomorrow."
After he left, Zoe cried herself to sleep because she knew what she must do.
CHAPTER 20:
BOUND FOR THE ISLE OF SHAPLINGS
Davide woke to find Zoe in the galley pouring herself a bowl of cereal, and although she still had a pinched look, she seemed much improved from the night before.
"How are you feeling, honey?"
"I'm doing great. I'm looking forward to finding the island, resolving your questions with the co-Princes, and then returning home to Dream Catcher Ranch." She poured cream on her cereal. "Would you like me to cook you some breakfast?"
"Uh, no, that's okay." Davide had experienced Zoe's cooking before. "I'll just have cereal, too."
She handed him the box of Frosted Mini-Wheats. "When do we leave for the island?"
"I'm not leaving until I know you're well."
"Well, Captain Beowolf, you can weigh anchor because I'm as right as rain. I don't need a doctor. It was just a flu bug. How far are we from the island?"
Davide appraised her from head to toe. "According to my father's directions, we're about three days out at moderate speed, and if I notch things up a bit, we can arrive in two and a half."
"What happens after we arrive?"
"I'm not exactly sure. My father said the island appears impenetrable and is often shrouded by mist, and being his usual cryptic self, he said we'll know what to do when the time comes."
"Wow. That is cryptic. But, of course, I trust your father as much as I do my own fa…" Zoe quickly sucked a breath.
"Are you okay?"
She exhaled. "Yeah, just felt a little queasy for a sec. But I'm fine."
"Until we reach the island, I want you to do nothing but rest. Understand?"
She grinned. "I understand, Dr. Beowolf."
* * *
Zoe stood at the railing of the Dolphin and watched the swell of waves, while Davide entered the Pacific Ocean beyond Honolulu Harbor. Not one cloud marred the azure sky. In her hand, she held the chain with her father's wedding ring and the tracking device. The agony she'd felt since being approached by Seraphina and Dina, with the demand that she wear the necklace, was suddenly replaced by resolve. Like Davide, she knew that protecting shapelings was more important than her own life or that of her father's because of what they did for humanity. Lifting the ring to her lips she kissed it, and then drew her arm back to thrust the chain far from the ship. She watched it hit the water and sink. Stifling a sob, she quickly turned from the railing.
* * *
Fawn followed the yacht while in the form of a dolphin. She'd always wanted an assignment as a dolphin, and the fact that this mission involved her own stepdaughter, made it all the more precious. Following instructions from the co-Princes, she remained unseen for the time being.
When she spotted Zoe standing at the stern and sensed something was amiss, she chanced a closer look. Curiously, Zoe flung something into the sea that glinted before sinking. Diving low and fast, Fawn's sonar zoomed in easily on the object. She circled what appeared to be a chain. Nudging it with her nose, she brought it closer to the light of the surface. Two circular objects floated outward and immediately her eye was drawn to one of them. With a shock she recognized Wade's wedding ring!
For several minutes she continued to nudge the ring to keep it from sinking. Finally, she let it fall to the bottom of the ocean. Swiftly, she swam to catch up with the yacht and continued trailing it at a safe distance.
Although panic tried to overcome her emotions, countless missions had honed her ability to focus. Her first instinct had been to pray and soar back to Wade as a peregrine falcon, the fastest bird on earth, but loyalty to the Source and her purpose for existence kept her on her current course. She had to lead Davide and Zoe to the entrance of the Isle of Shapelings. Focusing, she shifted all her energy to her current assignment.
* * *
For the remainder of their voyage, Davide watched Zoe for signs of relapse. She spent hours relaxing on deck under a glorious sun, and although her complexion improved, her sadness remained. Many times, he found himself losing patience and wanting to demand that she tell him what was wrong. But because he didn't want to upset what appeared to be a fragile recovery, he remained silent.
In the timeframe that he had expected they spotted the Isle of Shapelings in the distance, and as he guided the yacht toward the island, he watched Zoe standing at the bow. She turned her head and he studied her profile. Her curly blondish hair caught the afternoon light and surrounded her head like a halo. His breath caught and he imagined her as a fae princess descended to the mortal realm. He couldn't take his eyes off his childhood friend. She turned bac
k toward the island and he returned his gaze to the tall, impenetrable craggy cliffs. He steered the yacht to run parallel to land. There were no beaches beneath the austere rock walls. By evening they had made a circle around the isle and their quest had revealed nothing resembling an entrance.
Davide weighed anchor at approximately the same spot they'd first come upon the island. As darkness descended, they watched fingers of silvery mist enshroud the lower half of the cliffs, and Davide ran a hand through his hair. "All we can do is bide our time and wait to see what happens." He glanced at Zoe. "You need to rest. I'll wake you if anything breaks."
She nodded and started toward her cabin.
Davide fell asleep in a chair positioned in front of the window in the yacht's lounge. Before dawn, he woke with a kink in his neck. He stretched his long form and sat upright. Zoe sat in the chair next to him. "When did you get up?" he asked, rubbing his neck.
"A few minutes ago. It will be dawn soon." Looking toward the dark shape of the island, she murmured, "It's something to be protected."
Davide reached his hand to touch hers. "Yes, it is."
She turned her head and looked deeply into his eyes. "This is our destiny, Davide." Even though her eyes were in shadow, she held his gaze with mesmerizing intensity. Finally, she looked back at the island. After a few minutes, she said, "I'm going to the galley to make coffee."
As dawn peeked above the horizon, Davide watched mists swirl around the base of the cliffs. Zoe returned and handed him a steaming cup of java. While they sat and sipped their coffee, waiting for the unknown to happen, he felt himself engulfed in a mixture of anxiety and peace, feelings completely at odd with each other; anxiety because of the unknown, peace because there was nothing he could do but trust Source.
Suddenly, he leaned forward. "Look there!"
* * *
Zoe followed the direction Davide pointed toward. Not far from the cruiser she saw a dolphin swimming and jumping out of the water, moving back and forth and then forward, before repeating the same action. She recognized the aura of a shapeling. Her heart thumped against her ribcage. "Fawn?" she questioned aloud. Excited, she said, "Davide, I think we're supposed to follow the dolphin."
"That's exactly what I was thinking." Davide rushed to lift anchor and then steered the Dolphin after the dolphin. Zoe ran to the bow and prayed that the animal was Fawn or Roth. If so, and she could get a message to them about her father, maybe it wasn't too late to save him.
Zoe stood beside Davide as he steered the yacht down the ragged coastline following the dolphin. It led them closer to the cliffs and then seemingly disappeared. He let the ship coast until it became too dangerous and then weighed anchor again. Zoe stood topside with him, watching and waiting. "Look!" she pointed. Nestled into the cliff, barely noticeable because of the fog, a dark opening gaped.
"It's visible because the tide's out," Davide proclaimed.
The dolphin suddenly jumped out of the water just in front of them and then sped off toward the cavern entrance.
Davide shouted, "That has to be the way in! Come on. Let's get the skiff in the water."
Within minutes, their small boat was loaded with their backpacks and they were skirting the waves. They reached the entrance within ten minutes and when the dolphin swam close to them, Zoe felt tears sting her eyes. She started to shout information about her father, but the dolphin dived and didn't resurface again. Davide battled the swell of waves that was pushing them toward the rocks, and Zoe prepared for the worst when a crashing one almost drove them against the cliff wall.
CHAPTER 21:
ALAS, WE MEET
Davide knew they were too late. The tide was already rushing back to flood the cave's entrance. There was no way he could guide the boat inside. Cursing, he turned the skiff around and returned to the Dolphin. Back on board they stood at the railing gazing at the island, and Davide put his arm around Zoe's shoulders, pulling her close. "Now that we know where the entrance is we can start out earlier tomorrow and get there before the tide rushes back in. Because of the unknown, I don't want to chance entering the cave with evening tide."
She leaned her head against his side. "Yes, tomorrow, Davide."
For the remainder of the day, they kept a vigilant watch for the dolphin who had led them to the cave, but it did not reappear, and Davide saw the pinched look return to Zoe's face.
* * *
Zoe held her breath as Davide steered through swirling mists in search of the cavern entrance. After a sleepless night she'd risen early to join him at the helm. At first light, they'd boarded their skiff and headed in the direction of the cave, and now, skimming back and forth, they strained to see through the fog.
"There it is!" she shouted.
"I see it!" Davide carefully maneuvered their boat toward the dark opening and halted about a hundred feet out. "I'm going to wait and see if the fog lifts before venturing inside. The tide's still out; we have time."
As if commanded by the gods, sunlight broke through the mist a few minutes later and slanted rays across the opening. Davide pushed the throttle, steering them toward the gaping hole. For a space of time, the waves became treacherous and Zoe whispered a prayer for their safety. They reached the entrance and Davide struggled to keep their vessel centered and away from jagged rocks. She held her breath again as they entered the darkness of the cave, with only the light from their craft and cracks in the stone walls lighting the way. They were at the mercy of fate.
She glanced at Davide's shadowed face as he concentrated on keeping the boat away from the cavern walls. Thankfully, they soon rounded a bend and the passage widened. To her relief, she saw sunlight ahead, and with Davide's skill, the skiff traveled the distance with no mishaps and passed from darkness into glorious light and calm waters.
The unveiling of the interior of the island caused Zoe to gasp and Davide to whistle as they soaked in the ethereal beauty of an island untouched by humans. A small, sandy beach lay ahead of them, sparkling and pristine. Beyond the beach tall pines stretched toward a sapphire sky, and beyond the pines, mountains of more pines greeted them with a ribbon of waterfall cascading from a towering cliff. Zoe turned wondering eyes on Davide and blinked to keep tears from falling. Davide had finally reached his destination and she would not dwell on her father. She must help Davide fulfill his heart's desire to speak with the co-Princes. Perhaps then, he would accept that he was the Great Prince and fulfill his destiny. As for her father, she had to trust Source with his life.
Davide steered them closer to shore and then turned off the motor. He jumped out and pulled the skiff to the bank and then helped Zoe over the side. Together they hauled the small boat out of the reach of waves. After unloading their backpacks and setting them on the sand, Davide stood silent, unmoving. Zoe looked questioningly at him.
"I'm listening to nature—the waves, the breeze, birds. It's music…incredible music." He walked toward her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She gazed steadily up at him and he said, "I wouldn't want to share this moment with anyone but you, Zoe." Slowly he lowered his mouth to kiss her forehead and then leaned his chin on the top of her head. "My father told me to find the river and follow it upstream. It will lead us to a place called Ember Canyon. He said the entrance to the Cave of Thirteen sits below the eagle. He didn't explain. He said that I would understand. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, I'm ready," she breathed.
Davide squeezed her shoulders and then helped her slip on her backpack. He reached for his larger one with the paraglider. Glancing around, he pointed to an animal trail. "We'll follow this trail. I'll lead the way. Stay close behind me."
Zoe nodded and they followed the narrow path into a dense forest. Under the cover of trees, the waterfall was no longer visible. On the forest floor they saw occasional hoof prints where the soil was soft enough to embed them.
"It's deer prints," said Davide, pausing to squat and look. "There's a large one in the herd, that's for sure."
F
or the remainder of the day they forged through a forest so dense that light barely filtered through the copious covering. At evening, Davide stopped to make camp in a small clearing. "We should reach the waterfall tomorrow," he encouraged.
Zoe dropped her backpack and sank onto a fallen tree. "This is the most beautiful forest I've ever seen."
"I agree," he said, and began gathering decaying wood. An hour later, with a small fire warming them, they munched on trail food and sat on lightweight, thermal sleeping bags. Davide stretched and lay flat on his back and pointed into the night sky, "Look there, through that break in the trees."
Zoe lay on her back, too, and gazed at stars that seemed to touch the tops of the pines. The trail of a falling one made her gasp. "Did you see that, Davide?"
"Beautiful," he whispered.
She turned her head to see that he was looking at her.
"Do you think we're in heaven?" she joked.
"If not, we're very close."
They stared back at the night sky and she thought she heard Davide say something else, but she was too tired to respond. She closed her eyes in exhaustion.
At dawn's first glimmer, they were up and breaking camp. Davide pulled out his compass and then led the way in the direction of the waterfall. By midmorning the sound of falling water roared through the forest. Davide paused and Zoe waited beside him. He motioned and said, "Let's see what's beyond those boulders."
She nodded and followed him toward the outcropping. Several feet before reaching it he abruptly stopped and she almost bumped into him.
"Look, Zoe!" he whispered loudly.
She peeked around his shoulder to see what had arrested his attention. Atop the highest boulder was the most powerful buck with magnificent antlers that she had ever seen. Its unmoving majesty appeared frozen in time.
A breeze stirred the air and carried her words. "It's a shapeling, Davide. I know the aura." While they watched, the beast turned and leapt like a ballet dancer down the outcropping to the other side.