Beautiful Monster

by Heidi R. Kling

  “What about me? Am I not worth my ten cents? I sure was earlier, wasn’t I?” Jude added, feigning hurt. “Maybe, if I teach you how to control your temper? Teach you to reign in that…oh, how shall I put it…dark energy a little?”

  What did he know? “Leave me alone, Jude.”

  “Go off and play it cool, Lil, but the witches have been involved with the warlocks from the beginning, you know. Without the other, trouble starts: láidir le chéile, lag ó chéile. Strong together, weak apart. I can help you. If you’ll let me.”

  Jude looked at me knowingly. Another card in his bag of tricks, and his was a winning hand. His eyes shifted slightly toward Orchid and then back to me.

  Then it hit me. Jude knew.

  About Jacob and me. About the dark magic coursing through my veins.

  He smiled softly. Knowingly. Again.

  But he wouldn’t tell Orchid. He wouldn’t tell anyone else. Another secret we had to keep. Another rung in the growing ladder of our bond…I didn’t want another secret from Logan. I didn’t want Jude to think we had this special bond that the closest people to me couldn’t know about.

  Oblivious to this transaction, Orchid padded barefoot across the thick bedroom carpeting, opening the bathroom door. “Jude, please get her out of here. Your prisoner needs to shower and then I’ll be up to eat.” She surveyed the inside of the bathroom. “This is a shower?” She raised a pierced eyebrow at me. “It’s more like a port-a-potty.”

  “It’s a boat,” I said.

  She frowned. “It’s tiny.”

  “It’s fine.”

  With zero warning, she threw her bony arms around my neck and squeezed hard, the sharp angles of her bones digging into my skin. “If all that is true, if I did all that shit to you. I’m sorry, Lil. You know I would never hurt you,” she breathed into my ear. Her breath was hot and smelled musty. Like that cave. Only more bitter…I pulled back and absently patted her on the back, in the narrow hollow between her shoulder blades, and backed away.

  ………………

  Orchid closed the door behind her and I stood there until I heard the shower water.

  “Well, that was awkward,” Jude said, amused.

  “Slightly,” I concurred. “Goddesses, that girl knows how to push my buttons.”

  He cocked his head. “Do you think she’s telling the truth? About forgetting everything she did? Could it be the necklace making her forget? If so, it’s also keeping her awake.”

  “Who knows.”

  Jude shifted back and forth on his feet. A piece of his thick blond hair hung across his forehead. He looked tired. The skin under his eyes was shadowed. I’d never seen him look less than Abercrombie model perfect.

  “Maybe I could stay for a bit?”

  I bit my lip and tried to dodge his eyes. This narrow entry was too small. “That’s probably not the best idea…but I appreciate you helping Orchid today.”

  When Logan entered the narrow corridor of the sleeping quarters—the Sea Witch steered herself when we stepped away from the controls—I jumped back from Jude. Even though we weren’t doing anything, his very presence made me feel guilty. There was no black and white where Jude was concerned. It was all shades of gray. And it wasn’t a comfortable position for me. I needed him off this boat now, but apparently, the universe felt otherwise, because Logan didn’t seem to notice our proximity and announced, “We got trouble. Sirens. May be Harbor Patrol heading our way. Come on.”

  After a sharp glance at Jude, I sprinted for the above deck. Below deck, we heard Orchid scream and then cuss, likely getting tossed around in the shower as we took off into the night.

  Sirens roared behind us. A fleet of Coast Guard. Jude crouched down beside me in the brisk wind and murmured softly into my ear as he intentionally brushed his shoulder into mine. “I guess coming along with you is that other choice?”

  9. WHAT KIND OF A BOAT IS THIS?

  ………………

  ORCHID

  I STOOD IN THE SHOWER. Water—clean, wonderful water—rushed over my filthy hair and sandy body. I thought about the cave. How I dreamt of blood and bones. Of ice piercing veins, cutting through cold skin like glass. I dreamt of spider caves and curses and me dressed as Lily—no—with the eyes of Lily and the sweetly poisonous scent of her. I dreamt of kissing her warlock, then slashing his skin, watching his hot blood pour onto the dirt. Liking it. I dreamt of blood and bones and betrayal and when I was shaken awake by devil eyes on an angel’s face—Jude— my lips spoke my first thought, “Beautiful monster.”

  The warlock peered down at me, longish hair dangling over his eyes, tempting me to push it away. His chiseled features and bright cerulean eyes shone clear like stars in the foggy night.

  “Thanks. Usually they just say monster. Or hot monster. Handsome even. Depending on who’s doing the talking,” he said coyly. I didn’t recognize him, but he was obviously used to compliments.

  I strained to sit up but everything ached. I struggled to get out the words, “Who are you?”

  He frowned. “You don’t know me?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “Should I?”

  “Funny. You should probably lie back down. I’m here to rescue you.”

  “How noble of you.” I didn’t trust him. Something about him was untrustworthy.

  He looked down and smiled in that mock-humble way only truly gorgeous men know how to pull off.

  “Where am I?”

  “South of Melas. They found your hiding spot. Stay quiet and I’ll get rid of them—somehow,” a flicker of concern flashed across his confident brow—“and come back for you.”

  “Wait. Is this some kind of party prank?”

  He cocked an eyebrow. A very pretty eyebrow. “Party prank?” he sneered in a whisper.

  “Yeah. Am I wasted or something? Don’t even think about date-raping me, I’ll kick your ass if you touch me.”

  “This isn’t a party or a date, Orchid. It’s me, Jude. Perhaps your injuries affected your memory. We don’t have time to play catch up, but you’re in major trouble…but not with me. Certainly not like that.” He shook his head as if wiping away the image of him doing something that detestable. “Just stay here. Keep that talisman around your neck. And for God’s sake, keep quiet.”

  The warlock took off, scrambling away like an animal, leaving me shivering and confused and alone in the darkness. I felt my hips for a pocket—where was my cell? Nada. No purse either. Where were my things?

  I was wearing what looked like a torn up dress. I’d met exactly one warlock—that hot Chance—because they were our enemy, and we witches weren’t allowed to be with them. What was I doing alone with one in the dark on the rocks in a torn-up dress if there wasn’t something seriously fishy going on?

  I crawled slowly and peeked out of the cave’s mouth. Sure enough, this Jude character was talking to a gaggle of hooded warlocks who were searching frantically for someone, me, if Jude was telling the truth. I stayed quiet, watching him speak with them. He must have been pretty persuasive because soon they ran off after whatever clue he may have given. After a quick glance into the crack of the cave where I was peeking out, he disappeared too, scampering over the rocks to the opposite side of the cove.

  I waited for what felt like hours, shivering in the dark. I had just stood up to try and make my way back to town when he descended upon me, causing a ripple of chills to crawl down my spine.

  “Damn, dude, you’re like a vampire appearing out of nowhere like that.”

  “First a rapist, now a vampire. You think quite highly of me.” His hands were on his hips, his brow furrowed. He sure didn’t seem to like me much.

  I shrugged. “If the fangs fit.”

  “Funny. Look. How are you feeling?”

  I pressed the tops of my thighs with my palms.

  My dress was wet. I should spin a spell to dry it. Why hadn’t I thought of that before? My mind was so cloudy. I wasn’t entirely
convinced that this guy hadn’t drugged me. Closing my eyes, I waited for the tingling sensation of magic to flood my hands and heat my fingertips. Nothing. “It’s not working.”

  “You’re pretty run down. A lot has happened.”

  “I need to contact my mistress…Camellia..”

  “Do not try to contact ANYONE. Orchid. We have to get you out of here. If they find you, they will kill you. They tried already, and believe me, they won’t fail the next time. Do you understand that?”

  Although I had no memory of it, what the warlock said chilled me to the bone. “My coven will keep me safe.”

  “Your coven agreed to your death sentence.”

  “N—no.”

  “Do you not remember anything?”

  I bit my lip, straining to remember. Anything. Concrete. My dream. The blood. Lily’s eyes. Hurting Logan. Logan from the Boardwalk! The boy Lily was in love with.

  “I dreamt of some awful things.” Forgetting my wet dress, forgetting everything—I fell to my knees. “Without my coven…I’m nothing.”

  “You’re Lily’s best friend. You’re something.”

  When he said her name, his eyes got all…something. This guy was a trip. Why was he helping me? “Where is she?”

  “I’m not certain, but I think I felt her nearby. Now pull yourself together and follow me.”

  So I did.

  Now, I was on a boat moving at top speed, stumbling around a coffin-sized “shower.”

  I somehow managed to rinse before tripping out of the stall, falling against the wall, and bailing onto the bed. I hoped Lily and Logan hadn’t slept in here last night. By slept, I meant, NOT slept, if you know what I’m talking about, because yuck; I mean, mad props to Lil for abandoning some of her innocent ways, but still. Hygiene people. Anyway. I needed to get into the fresh air before I puked from seasickness. Tugging on the disgusting bones around my neck, I was shocked to see neatly folded pile of clothes on a shelf by the bathroom: a clean pair of dark skinny jeans—decent brand too—a black tank top, a black sweater, new high tops, and thick socks. And a pair of cotton underwear. Normally, I wore lacy thongs, but these would do in a pinch; at least, they were clean and new.

  I spun a spell to comb out my hair before frustratingly realizing there was no tingling. No sensation at all. No magic radiating from my skin. What the hell!

  The bones.

  The talisman.

  I don’t even think Lily noticed my new necklace. She was so self-centered, she wouldn’t. The only reason she was paying attention to me now was because I apparently pissed her off. Maybe I wasn’t always the best friend in the world, but I would never do the things she accused me of. Killing Logan? Not intentionally, but we were supposed to exchange magic in The Gleaning. That was our job. Our goal. To balance the others’ magic out. This other stuff was just crazy. I touched the bones lightly. Jude said to keep them on. That they were helping me. But could they be preventing my magic?

  Ignoring the warning in my head—who needed a goody-goody conscience 24/7—I lifted the grody bones over my neck and tossed them onto my bed.

  LILY

  With Orchid safely ensconced in the shower, Logan on my right and Jude on my left, I drove the boat across the sea in a blanket of darkness. I had cut the lights to evade the two Coast Guard boats that were chasing us but could see well enough with the full moon. Logan was worried that the Coast Guard might crash into us, but I knew they wouldn’t catch up to us. I knew we could shake them.

  I found myself in this incredibly invigorated mental and magical space, as, kicking the boat into high gear, we flew over the inky waves. The farther we sped from Melas Cove, the warmer the air became. The sweeter it smelled. Now my chills weren’t from cold but from the sensation of freedom.

  “I didn’t think yachts could go this fast,” Logan observed.

  “Magic yachts can,” Jude mumbled.

  Before he could reply, two jet skies appeared on either side of us, so fast they had to be magically enhanced. The riders wore thick, black wetsuits, complete with the waterproof hoods that Melas County humans used to night surf. One guy, about 20 feet from our boat, aimed something at us. “Look out!” Logan said, pulling me down as a fiery bolt flew over our heads.

  “That isn’t the Coast Guard,” I said. “Those are Carriag’s cronies.”

  “Crap,” Jude said, ducking down.

  Logan slid off his chair and crawled toward the side of the boat. After the hooded racer shot again, he stood up and belted him with two bolts of lightening. The guy flew off his jet ski, twisting into the air and landing in the sea.

  “Nice shot,” Jude said, impressed.

  “Logan! There’s another one!” The other rider’s eyes were red. “Jude, steer.” Jude slunk into my spot, pulling his hoodie tight over his face, hands gripping the wheel. Standing up, I faltered and leaned on his shoulder for support. After I recovered my balance, I summoned magic from deep within my core, felt the golden liquid flow through my veins and then, after aiming carefully at the hotshot rider, shot bolts from both of my fingers. The first one missed. The second one didn’t. Smack! In a fiery spin, he fell off his magical jet ski into the sea.

  “Another one, other side!” I heard Logan yell. Together, we dashed to the other side of the boat. I couldn’t make out the rider’s face. His bolt zipped through the air, narrowly missing my head—ssss—and hitting the chrome of the exterior kitchen cabin wall behind me, igniting it. “Fire!” I yelled. I tried to put it out with my hands, but it didn’t work. Only heat flowed from my veins. Irritated and trying to disguise my shameful secret, I wiped my hands on my pants. “I guess I used too much on the rider’s bolt,” I told Logan. He looked at me funny but lifted his hands to put the fire out. Cool air flowed from his palms. Logan was good. I watched him appreciatively. He turned to me, “Is that it?”

  At first, I misunderstood. “I think it’s out.” The wall was sizzling with heat. No real damage sustained; he’d put the fire out fast, and it wasn’t that big to begin with. “No,” he said. “I mean the riders. Are they gone?”

  I scanned the horizon. The only noise was the soft engine of the yacht, the waves crashing against the front of the boat as we rode over them.

  “I don’t hear anything.”

  “Do you feel them?”

  Sucking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes, trying to feel them out.

  Nothing.

  “I think we got them all.”

  Logan didn’t ask why I could feel them and he couldn’t.

  I appreciated that too.

  “Something’s ahead,” Jude called loudly from the captain’s chair. We ran over to him, peering over the front of the boat. “Not sure what to make of it, but it’s coming out of the water.” He turned to me. “And it’s huge.”

  10. AND HERE COME THE MONSTERS

  ………………

  LOGAN

  JUDE WAS RIGHT. THERE WAS something ahead and it was humungous.

  Mushroom-topped and glowing—translucent, actually—with thick hair-like strands streaming out from all sides. So many. Hundreds. All stretched out across the sea. They bobbed up and down like they were summoning us. A bizarre sea monster beacon.

  “What the hell is that?” Jude mused slowly.

  “It looks like a giant jellyfish,” Lily said.

  “It does! Look, it’s changing colors.”

  We watched, slack-jawed, as it shifted from chartreuse and pearl, to lava red and turquoise, to a sea-foam blue. Its spindles reached out. We were heading straight toward it.

  “Jude, steer away from it.”

  He cranked the wheel, but it didn’t budge. “I can’t.”

  “Move, let me try.” I bumped him out of the seat and used all my muscle, but the boat wouldn’t turn. The wheel was jammed. “I can’t steer it.”

  Lily gave it a try, too, and while I frantically tried to make a new plan, the steering wheel gave way and let her turn us
to the right. “Guess I have the right touch,” she said with a nervous edge to her voice. “Or I’ve seen Titanic enough to know that crashing into an enormous entity at sea never bodes well for ship passengers.”

  The humungous jellyfish rose all the way to the surface, bobbed twice, before disappearing under the sea. “Look!” Lily pointed over the side of the boat. Below us, hundreds, no thousands of jellyfish swam beneath us, translucent, in all colors of the neon rainbow. A kaleidoscope of magic.

  Lily made a face as one of the jet skiers—dead and limp—was carried under the sea in its spindles. “They’re getting rid of the evidence.”

  “Somebody is helping us out. Again,” I said.

  Jude gave Lily what I could only describe as a knowing glance. “We should go check on Orchid,” he said, pointedly. “We were bouncing around quite a bit back there. She might have gotten tossed around in the shower.”

  “Good idea,” Lily said, a little too quickly for my comfort. “Can you steer for a bit?” she asked me.

  I had to get rid of this guy.

  While they watched, I checked the steering wheel. It moved from left to right fine.

  They nodded and disappeared downstairs together.

  Why was Jude even here? We were so far out to sea that we couldn’t turn back and bring him home, but his interest in Lily made me increasingly uneasy. He was manipulating her, and I could tell by the way she reacted to him that it was working. She was softening toward him. He had saved her friend from Carriag; he somehow—conveniently—had come up with a magic necklace that restored her personality to what it was before she betrayed Lily. All these gifts. All these things that charmed Lily. But why? I knew Jude. He never did anything unless it suited his best interests. What was in it for him? I had to get Lily to see that he wasn’t helping her to be kind.

  Then Lily’s scream shattered my thoughts.