Enchanted Waves

by Ciara Lake

  The ocean was fully animated. White waves rose high, striking the shore with tremendous force. After watching the storm for some time, her legs became tired. If I don’t sit down, I’m going to fall down. She sighed then walked back inside the house. She laid down on the love seat and kicked up her feet. With one quick swallow she finished her wine and sat the empty glass on the floor next to her.

  Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she closed her eyes. At times the wind whipped into the house, but it was not destructive. Kittyman curled up next to her, enjoying her warmth. This feels perfect. It seems so magical. Feeling cozy, soothed by her cat’s vibrating purr, she slipped to sleep.

  The air temperature cooled several degrees. Something touched her hair. Waving it away, she turned, snuggling more into her blanket.

  “My child, you’re so beautiful. I’m proud of you.”

  Tabitha opened her eyes, but was unable to move.

  “It’s time you know who you are. I’ve waited so long to tell you everything.” A woman appeared in front of Tabitha. She was transparent, floating in the air. “Don’t be afraid, no harm will come to you. I’m your mother. I’ve watched you and loved you from afar for many years. I need to tell you your legacy.” The spirit hovered closer to her. It was cool, almost chilly.

  Tabitha still could not move. Her inability to move was not because she was afraid, it was as if she were restrained. Strangely, she was not fearful, she was irritated.

  “I hate these dreams.” Tabitha struggled to swing her legs down from the sofa. They would not move. Her cat was snoozing deeply, oblivious to their visitor. “I won’t let these dreams make me nuts.”

  “I left you be for a while because it was distressing you. You were too young. Now you’re ready.”

  “I’m not ready now, go away.”

  Kittyman got up and jumped to the floor. He didn’t seem to notice the floating woman in the room.

  “I’m pleased with how the Locks raised you. They were good people. I’m glad I entrusted them with you.” The spirit stared at her. The spirit was almost beautiful in an ethereal way. Smiling, its dark eyes sparkled oddly.

  “Who are you? What do you want from me?”

  “I’m so happy you’ll speak to me now. This is wonderful.” The spirit danced, clapping her hands. “I waited so long for you to actively engage with me.”

  “Then answer my questions. Who are you? What do you want? And why do you harass me?”

  “My child, I never mean to harass you. I love you.”

  “I’m not your child.” Tabitha struggled to move, she wanted to jump up off the sofa to escape this situation.

  “Tabitha, you’re indeed mine. I didn’t name you Tabitha. That was the Locks’ choice. But you’re surely from my loins. I’m Serena Saltar, your mother.” The spirit knelt next to her. “I love you, my child, with all of my heart.”

  The spirit touched Tabitha’s arm. Chills raced through Tabitha. Serena’s touch was icy, yet it was not fully unpleasant. Tabitha tried to pull away, but still she could not move.

  “My daughter, I grow weak. So, please listen to me.”

  “Are you a ghost? What the hell are you?”

  “No, not really a ghost. It’s hard to explain. I’m with Persephone. I serve her now as her handmaiden.”

  “Persephone? Like the goddess Persephone from Greek mythology?” Tabitha laughed loudly. “I am crazy. This is another one of my odd dreams. You’re not real... You’re not real. Do you hear me? You’re not real.” Tabitha gritted her teeth. “Why can’t I move? What’s going on? I have to wake up.”

  “You can’t move because you’re between a dream state and being awake. It’s a place where we can talk together easily. Eventually you’ll be able to move and interact more with me. You must learn and understand what’s happening. You mustn’t fight it, or fear it.”

  “I don’t freaking fear you. I need to wake the hell up and get away from you.” Tabitha tried to lift her arm. Feeling fully frustrated, she laughed hysterically. “You’re not real. Do you hear me? I’m having a dream. One of my damn dreams.”

  “Of course I hear you. You only laugh because you’re confused.”

  “You call this confused? I call it freaking insane.”

  “No, you’re not insane. And soon you’ll not be confused, you’ll understand the secrets of this world. At least you’ll understand when you reclaim your legacy. You’re an immortal. And yes, you do have the gift of dreams, Talise. You have many gifts. You’re very special. However, this isn’t a dream.”

  “You said that already. You can leave now.”

  “Please, my lovely Talise, I have much to tell you.”

  “Stop calling me Talise. In fact, don’t call me at all.”

  “I’m sorry if calling you Talise upsets you. I’m only calling you by your true name, the one your father gave you. I want you to know who you are. You’ve been worth everything I’ve sacrificed.” The cool phantom faded away.

  Tabitha fought to wake; however, sleep overtook her.

  * * * *

  “Father.” Jax sprinted toward the sliding glass door, passing directly through it.

  Magically, he slipped out of his house to appear on the rocky beach. The surf was wild with colossal waves beating the shore. The ocean foamed white as if rabid from its fury. The wind thrashed Jax, pushing him toward the water. Rain poured from the sky.

  “Father. I’m asking you to come talk to me.”

  Thunder boomed, and the sky lit up as if it were noon. An enormous wave charged the shore, followed by the sound of galloping. Jax walked toward it. His body was energized by the rain and the ocean’s call.

  Out of the waves emerged a white galloping stallion. A magnificent immortal horse created to carry a god. On its back was his father, the god of the deep blue. Poseidon’s dark robes bellowed behind him and he carried his trident at his side. His eyes were as silver as stars in the night sky. He looked at Jax, his stare penetrating.

  The muscular stallion picked up speed, pulling away from the waves and racing straight toward Jax. Another loud sound came from behind the racing horse. The wall of massive waves dropped, revealing an army of men. They sat upon their mounts, armed with bows and lances. They were mostly mermen from his mother’s royal patrol. They rode the sea, protecting its bounty, enforcing its laws.

  Damn, Father, why did you have to bring the entire neighborhood with you?

  His father’s powerful mount stopped directly in front of him, snorting and blowing hot steam from his nostrils. “Easy, Sthenios.” Jax reached out, patting the horse’s forehead. Sthenios stomped his feet and made a noise deep in his throat. “I see I’ve disrupted something?” Jax looked up at his father.

  Poseidon raised his arm, pointing his trident toward the sea. “Be quiet for now, while I speak to my son.” The sea quieted immediately. However, the rain and wind continued. “Son, you need to stop yelling for me so. It’s disrespectful.” His father leaned toward him. “I was busy. And I heard you the first time you called. I do have others to attend to. Although I love you, son, you can be...” His father shook his head. “Your mother has asked me to be patient with you.” He waved his hand. “So, I am here to see what you need.”

  “I’m sorry, Father, I didn’t intend to be disrespectful. You know I don’t call on you often.”

  “True, you don’t call me often, which is another complaint, for another time. You only call when you need something. Never to just chat. I have to initiate our chats.” Sthenios pranced about. Poseidon caressed the stallion’s neck. “Be still. We will return to our hunt soon.”

  “What are you hunting?”

  “A Strivand, the ugly bastard who has done unforgivable destruction to parts of the ocean. I’m going to imprison him for a time, teach him a damn lesson. He’s being clever avoiding me. No doubt he’s getting help from a much more powerful one, or I would have had his hide by now.” Poseidon looked back at his waiting militia.

  “I see. Sounds e
xciting.”

  “You don’t really sound interested.” His father frowned. “Never mind, speak what you need.”

  “Can you tell me about Uncle Nereus? This storm? Why did you send me here to this era? What’s special about the female Forsaken you sent me to find? Is there more to it than you’ve told me?”

  “It’s a puzzle, and there is more to it than you know.” Poseidon nodded.

  “There’s always more to it.” Jax put his hands on his hips.

  His father chuckled. “I guess you’d better start doing as I instruct. You waste too much time doing other things.”

  “I’m sorry. I just. . .”

  “Just what? You have better things to do?” His father glared at him. “I’m always patient with you, Jax.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “For a demi-god, who is an immortal and who has lived as long as you have, you can be clueless at times.”

  “Uncle Nereus thinks so too.”

  “He does?” Poseidon smiled. He laughed again. “Well, you don’t yet understand some things which simple, ordinary men would grasp. And you’re passively disobedient to me.”

  “I don’t mean to be disobedient.”

  “You don’t mean to?”

  “No.” Jax shook his head.

  “It seems like you could control your ability to follow my orders.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jax hung his head. The silence between them was uncomfortable. Jax didn’t fear his father, but he was always difficult to predict.

  “It’s only because you’re my well favored son that I ignore your disobedience for the most part.”

  “Thank you, Father.”

  “And I go out of my way to help you, though you don’t appreciate it.” Again there was an uncomfortable silence. “You amaze me, son. You live in denial. And I do believe you’re trying to be human. At least that’s the nasty rumor around the oceans. Is this how your mother and I raised you? Why don’t you embrace who you are? You’re a prince. The son of a great god.” He pounded his chest with his fist. “Act like it.” His father slammed his trident into the ground. The earth quaked from the assault. “Take what you deserve. Love, life, and to be happy. You pursue other things. . .like this conservation center. These are all human things.”

  “The conservation project is for our oceans. It’s much more than a human thing.”

  “Fine.” He waved his hand. “It may be worthy, but not without a family, a love to fill your life. A mate to procreate with.”

  “Please, Father, just tell me what I need to know. Why am I causing this weather change?”

  “I just told you.”

  “You did?”

  “Yes.” His father nodded.

  “I’m not trying to be human. That’s ridiculous.”

  “Let’s hope so.” His father snorted. “First, I don’t want to talk about your Uncle Nereus. He irritates me.” He looked out at the sea. His men waited patiently, eerily silent in the mist of the storm. Then he turned to stare down at Jax. His silver eyes blazed brighter. “You know, I bet Nereus is the one helping the Strivand allude me. Of course it’s him.” Poseidon raised his fist in the air. “Damn Nereus all the way to the lowest levels of Hades. He’s always trying to assert himself in my seas.”

  “Uncle Nereus is The Old Man of the Sea.”

  “Be careful, son, don’t make me mad. I can only take so much, even from you.” He glowered.

  “Okay, Father. Please, what’s going on with me?”

  “You’re in need of a mate.”

  “A mate? This awful weather is really because I need a mate?” Jax pointed up at the sky at the same moment lightning flashed, forking in several directions.

  “Wow, my son, Uncle Zeus would be proud of you, your lightning strikes are magnificent.”

  “Please, Father.”

  “You’ve ignored the mating call for too long,” his father said.

  Sthenios pranced about. He was growing more and more anxious.

  “This storm is caused by your wayward emotions. You’ve always known your strong emotions can impact the weather. You don’t live, my boy, you don’t feel. You hold it all in, all the time, and this is what has happened. You’re cold, yet full of rage inside.”

  “It hurts when you say such a thing. I’m hardly cold.” Jax shook his head.

  “You bottle up your emotions, you know you do. You could experience so much more. And now you have to face those emotions or you’ll cause worse than this storm.” His father looked up, the rain hitting his face. “I do like the rain.” He grinned and returned his gaze to Jax. “Boy, at times you do make me proud. You’re powerful. I can see your power, feel your power. And because of your power and your need, you’re a time bomb. And I do believe the timer just went off.” He threw back his head and laughed. Sthenios nickered loudly too.

  “A time bomb? I’m no time bomb.”

  “Yes, you’re going to drive these humans into the sea, it seems. So, you’d better do something soon. Or all the work you’ve done conserving the ocean life will be ruined by your destructive storms.”

  “What should I do?” Jax’s stomach tightened.

  “I’ve just told you. Boy, you need to listen.” His father leaned down toward him. He lowered his voice. “What immortal male, especially a son of mine, goes this long without taking a female?”

  “I enjoy female company when I want to. How do you know what I do in my personal time?”

  His father lifted his eyebrow as he regarded him. “I know many things. It’s a perk I have as a powerful god. Not only have you not mated, you isolate yourself, refuse yourself pleasures which are part of what makes life enjoyable. Women, my son, are to be enjoyed.”

  Jax couldn’t help but roll his eyes. His father noticed, and he glared at Jax, but said nothing.

  “I do enjoy women. I’m just not you.”

  His father sighed. “No, you’re certainly not me. You’re afraid to feel.”

  “I’m not afraid of anything.” Jax puffed out his chest. “My life’s full.” The sea rumbled up again.

  “I guess I should go back to my hunt, because again you don’t listen.”

  “No.” Jax put up his hand. “I’m listening.”

  “Then hear what I’ve been saying,” his father yelled. “Your emotions are out of the bottle you’ve kept them in for so long and now they’re furious. You must find what you need and soon. She’ll free you, and you her, if you let her.”

  “And what I need is a woman? Why not something greater, something more?”

  “There is nothing more powerful than the love of a good woman. There’s your problem right there. Listen to what you say. You. . .” Poseidon looked down at the reins in his hand. “You make me sad. To love, the type of love I’m talking about, is a great thing.”

  “You have loved too many too much.”

  “Yes, my boy, we’ve already established I’m not you. You’re different from me in many ways. You have your mother’s heart. You need a connection with another, a companion.”

  “So what am I to do?”

  “You might start by doing what I asked you to do. For those who are obedient, good things happen.” His father winked.

  “Is that all you’re going to tell me?”

  “What? I’ve told you what you need to know. Do you want me to tell you where to find this mate?” He laughed. “I didn’t think so. Now I’m returning to my hunt.”

  “Have a successful hunt.”

  “I surely will. Call me for a chat sometime, so we can bond as father and son. I believe bonding is a twenty-first century thing for us to do?” He grinned down at Jax. “I wish you good hunting too.” In the next moment, Poseidon and his men vanished.

  * * * *

  Tabitha jumped up from the sofa, nearly tripping over Kittyman. Her sudden movement made her dizzy. Kittyman dashed away to avoid being toppled on. “Sorry, kitty, I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought I saw something. I just wanted to get a better look.”<
br />
  She rushed out onto the porch. The storm had lessened but the lightning continued to flash periodically, illuminating the area. Tabitha waited for another light show. When it flashed again, she saw a man standing alone on the beach. He was shirtless with tight pants which molded him perfectly. This man was impressive, like the others she had seen sitting on horseback in the sea. But now they were gone.

  “I swear there was a group of men on horseback. They looked like warriors. But that would be nuts.” She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “My head hurts now.” When the lightning flashed again, the man was gone too. “I didn’t see him either. It’s just a dream, all a dream.”

  She walked back into the house. Kittyman sat on the arm of the sofa waiting for her.

  “I think I’m going to lock up now. I guess I shouldn’t sleep with the door wide open. Especially if there are warriors on horses nearby.” Tabitha giggled. “I sound completely out of my mind.” She went into the kitchen to fill Kittyman’s bowl with water. “Men who look like warriors and ride out of the sea on horses might be dangerous for a girl alone with her cat.” Kittyman meowed. “I’m glad you agree.”

  For several minutes Tabitha stood by the window, looking out. She had tried so hard to stop having those crazy dreams, but now it seemed that they were back with a vengeance. A tear rolled down her cheek.

  She sighed. She was sleepy, but afraid that if she went to sleep she might dream something wild again. Like my birth mother visiting me, sent from Persephone, who she serves as a handmaiden. Tabitha shook her head and rubbed the cat’s back. He arched into her hand.

  “Let’s go back to bed.” She grabbed another pillow off the other sofa, threw it where she had been resting, then laid back down. After a few moments she got up, checked the lock on the door, and closed the drapes. “Just in case the men were real. Better safe than sorry.” She picked up Kittyman and hugged the purring cat.

  Chapter 6

  Tabitha had her MP3 player cranked up, head phones in ears. She danced around the room as she dusted and made the bed. Playing music always helped her keep the dreams away, especially the ones which came by day. It was nearly noon, but outside it was gray and still raining. From time to time thunder boomed in the distance.