Water's Threshold

by Jillian Jacobs

  Terran sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees. “He’d taken a young girl’s life. He’d taken Maya from me. I hit him with everything I had then shot him into space.”

  Nodin nodded. His face serious. “The final frontier.”

  Terran gaped at Nodin, because he’d uttered the words so seriously. Words from a modern movie coming out of the ancient Indian’s mouth brought a rush of hysteria. He laughed until his eyes watered and tears poured down his cheeks. He shot out of his pit and wrestled Nodin to the ground. “The final frontier. Ah, that’s funny.” He smacked a kiss on Nodin’s lips, and then stood. “I did it. I destroyed Quint and sent him packing. We’re safe now. He can’t touch us.”

  Anticipation of a time without Quint’s dark cloud over their lives had him breathing easy for the first time in months. Focus could return on serving the Earth. And Maya, once he found her, he’d serve her a helping of anger at her sacrifice then he’d make love to her until she was tied to him, like a ship at dock.

  Nodin remained on the barn floor. “And here I thought we’d never kiss again.”

  “I don’t care. I don’t. I’m relieved, ecstatic that it’s done.”

  Nodin stood and dusted off his pants. “Well, I wouldn’t say—”

  “Stop. It’s done and I need to see my girl.”

  # # #

  Maya opened her eyes then blinked—underwater. Her heart rate kicked up as a blurry form appeared above her.

  Where am I? In a tub?

  She blinked again and the blur became a woman’s face. Maya shot out of the tub and blasted a water stream from her hand.

  Pillar collapsed to the floor.

  As she stood knee deep in a tub above Pillar, she felt the water sluice off her skin. “What are you doing? Why am I in this tub?”

  Pillar glared and sputtered. “You bi—”

  “Pillar.” In a tailored black suit and white silk blouse, Violet Levina stood in the doorway. Her gaze remained on Maya as she spoke to Pillar. “Leave us.”

  Pillar glared for a long moment, and then squeezed water from her shirt and left.

  Salty dogs can learn new tricks. Perhaps Violet could offer training tips.

  “Welcome back, Maya.”

  “Violet. May I have a towel, please?”

  Violet nodded, “One moment.”

  Maya studied the area outside the bathroom door, searching for exits.

  Violet returned with a fluffy sea-green towel with the store tags still attached.

  After accepting the cotton towel and ripping off the plastic tags, Maya said, “Where am I?”

  Violet kept her face averted as she answered, “An apartment in Switzerland. My grandfather brought you here as a favor to Mother.”

  “Mother?”

  “Yes. I’m afraid now that you’re awake, I must leave. I’m being tracked, and I find you are a very large beacon. You’ve been in this tub for three days. If you’re well enough, you should go.” Violet twisted her hands together and picked at her thumbnail. “I wish things could be different. I’ve heard so much about you and your friends from Pillar.”

  “Pillar? I’m sorry. I am not sure where I should go. I thought—”

  “Your Earthman survived.”

  Maya dropped to her knees, splashing water onto the floor. “Terran survived?”

  “I’m sure he’d prefer telling the tale himself. Men like to brag about their victories.”

  “Victory?”

  Violet giggled. “I’m sorry. I realize you’re confused, but you’ve been repeating everything I say, only in question.”

  “Repeating…right, sorry. Switzerland, that’s what you said, right? Flint is here. I’ll contact him.” And get to Terran like yesterday.

  “No!” Violet’s hand shot up and covered Maya’s mouth then she glanced around the room as if monsters would burst from the walls. “You mustn’t even think his name.”

  Maya spoke between Violet’s fingers. “Why?”

  “It’s too late. I must leave.” Violet scurried out the door.

  Maya tried to glean Violet’s thoughts, but crackling static blocked her attempt. She focused on Pillar, but a purple field roadblocked her efforts. No admittance into the girl’s club.

  Maya rose from the tub and quickly absorbed the water from the soaked towel. “Violet, please wait. I just want to talk—”a door slammed shut—“to you.”

  Had Pillar left as well? Maya didn’t sense her salty presence. Why had Pillar hovered over the tub? Pervert. And why was Violet protecting her?

  “Just great.” She wouldn’t get answers by standing in this tub. She stepped out and tiptoed down the hall. Phone, phone, where was the phone? No phone. Glancing around there was nothing—no couch, no tables, no chairs. Only a department store bag on the floor lying next to a crumpled fast food bag and drink.

  No one lived here so how—

  The apartment door banged open and a gray-haired man appeared in the entrance. He wore a long black coat, almost like a cape.

  Maya wrapped the towel tighter around her body. Power exuded from this man. Not Elemental, but something else rested behind those bushy brows.

  “Greetings to you, Ms. Conway. Glad you’re awake.” He carried the same lilting accent as Violet.

  Interesting. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”

  “I am Mother’s helpmate and friend. I see to her needs when she is unwell.”

  “Unwell?”

  Could Mother get sick?

  “But of course, how else do you think you stand here today? You always underestimate her power and willingness to guide you along the proper path. Still such a child and yet, you are older than I. It seems those who live peri-mortal lives miss out on the wisdom old age brings. But that’s a discussion for another day. Mother suggests a return to your island to fully recuperate and your Earthman will join you.”

  “But how did Terran win?”

  “Do we ever really win? Or do we just live to fight another day? That is what your Earthman has done. It is for another to finish. For now, the four Elementals will work together and grow stronger. Your leader has proven his merit. The battles ahead will require your bond remain strong. Unbreakable.”

  She circled closer to the bag. Were there spare clothes inside? “I didn’t catch your name?”

  “I didn’t give it.”

  “You are related to Violet. The accent.”

  “Be careful, my dear, your curiosity steers you into trouble.”

  “We need her to join us. I’d like to speak with her.” Maya snapped her fingers. “Wait, she said something about her grandfather.”

  “Ms. Conway, shall I make you forget everything about today? Violet is operating under a bit of a misconception at the moment, but she must continue on her own path. Move forth without my interference.” He shook his head and mumbled, “Or much interference.”

  He paused a moment before continuing, “Now, I must leave. I sense your fiery friend drawing close, and it is not yet time for our paths to cross. Ms. Conway, a pleasure.” He waved his cloak before him and disappeared with a poof.

  A poof.

  She’d even heard the poof. Her brain must be waterlogged.

  Pounding followed the poof. Someone bounded up the stairs outside the apartment door.

  She stepped into the hallway and stood at the top of the steps. A sudden warmth flooded her system. “Flint, is that you?”

  “Maya?” Flint appeared at the landing, and he stomped up the final five steps. “Where is she?” He fired past her into the apartment.

  Maya leaned against the door pane. “She left.”

  “What did you do?”

  Maya straightened and shoved her hands on her hips. “Excuse me. I just woke up from death five minutes ago. I’ve had two unintelligible conversations and have no idea what the hell is going on. Don’t you start in on me.”

  Flint’s jaw clenched and he stared at the floor for a moment before casting her a sideways glance. “Did you speak to Vi
olet?” He growled out each word.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, what did she say?”

  “She said hello then goodbye. Basically.”

  Flint threw up his hands and went to stand by the open window. “I can’t pin her down, but when I do…”

  “Flint, let her go for a time. Her grandfather says, I don’t know what he said, but anyway, Mother says I need to recoup at the island. Come with me, hit a couple volcanoes then come back. You look like you could use a refresher.”

  “What are you doing here?” He glanced around the apartment.

  “I’m not quite clear on that and I don’t care, because the sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll see Terran. Let’s go.”

  Chapter 47

  Maya soaked in the sea, desperate to regain her strength. Only green and brown strands of seaweed floated by to hear her thoughts on life’s trials and tribulations.

  Waves surged around her and a soft breeze brought goose bumps to her skin.

  A voice floated through her mind, “I never did take you shoe shopping, did I?”

  She laughed. “No, I don’t believe you have.” How could he make her laugh when all she wanted to do was cry with joy?

  Focusing on the beach, she watched as Terran stepped toward the shoreline.

  “No, I’ll come in.” Maya waved him back, and then dove under the surface, swimming until she was close enough to stand. Waves broke against her knees then her feet as she met him where the water eddied against the shore. Her gaze rose and met deep, comforting brown eyes. “Your shoes are getting wet, so we’ll have to get you a new pair, as well.”

  His only response was a single raised brow.

  As she tiptoed into the shadows of his memories, she flipped on the switch and shined a light across everything. Tears slid down her cheeks as she gleaned the pain he’d endured and the anguish her disappearance had caused. “I’m still here. Water to your Earth.”

  “How could you? I can’t believe you’d…” He clutched her shoulders and gave her a bit of a shake. “Do not ever choose to leave me again. We fight together, not apart.”

  Maya glanced down at their feet—hers in the water, his in the sand. “It will always be so for us. We’ll always meet here. At the shore.”

  Terran cupped the back of her neck and kissed the tip of her nose. “That is partially correct. I believe the more accurate term is we’ll always join at the shore. Shall I show you?” He wrapped his leg around the back of her calve, tripped her, but twisted so she landed on top.

  Her heart beat freely once more as he proved his assertion.

  They would always join at the shore.

  Epilogue

  In a field alongside a stream on a rural farm, Maya leaned against the tailgate of a faded green pick-up. “Dumping acid whey into the ground could create an environmental nightmare. If the product flows into a water source, it could potentially exhaust all the oxygen. Fish need dissolved oxygen to survive. Do you understand now?”

  “Sure do, sorry miss. We just had all this extra, and well, it was taking up too much space in the barn. And we didn’t want the grandkids climbing on the barrels.”

  The farmer shuffling his feet before her had used Greek yogurt’s byproduct, acid whey, as a land-applied fertilizer and as a protein supplement in their livestock feed, but after overstocking had decided to dump the remaining barrel contents into a stream.

  Fortunately, she and Terran arrived before the pouring began.

  She kept her mental grip on the farmer and explained she would properly dispose of the product. As he hopped back in his truck, the only thing he would remember was the environmental repercussions.

  She glanced out over the rows of corn. Terran and Nodin stood in the middle of the field, the green leaves brushing against their knees. As Terran spoke to Nodin, he rubbed his hand over the wide shoots, maintaining his link to the earth.

  Winter had passed and with spring turning to summer, they had celebrated life in a myriad of greens, blues, and browns. Surrounding their lives with nature’s bounty. Searching for answers to keep nature clean and humans safe.

  In their Colorado cabin, they lived alongside the forest’s edge. Working as an Elemental team.

  Maya approached the two handsome beasts, marveling at just how gorgeous two naked men could be as the first rays of dawn struck their bodies. She fanned her face, knowing she should only be eyeing one figure, but peeking at the other. Although, due to their frequent transformations, she was very familiar with both forms, one more so than the other. Lucky me.

  Terran swiveled and smiled—a grin that lit up her world. A world with exciting possibilities and an optimistic future. Dirt crumbled under her feet as she ran across the field and jumped into his arms.

  “Maya…what?” With an “Oomph,” he stepped back for leverage.

  She kissed him.

  The sun warmed their skin as it rose over the horizon. Welcoming a new day. Offering life to the plants surrounding her.

  What was meant to be a quick kiss of pure bliss took an interesting turn to pure lust. He ran his tongue along the seam of her mouth. She welcomed the plunge. Terran did everything methodically. A point made clear by this kiss. When they came up for air, they grinned at each other like a couple of loons.

  “Well, that’s my cue to leave.” Nodin’s voice startled her and brought her back to the present. Though she and Terran had made use of fields before, they had company now. Shame.

  “I’ve got a field you can explore.” Terran whispered through her mind.

  She pinched his arm then flashed Nodin a sheepish grin. “Sorry, I’d kiss you too, but Terran might get growly.”

  “Growly?” The man in question tweaked her hair.

  “Grrr.”

  Terran shook his head at her bared teeth. With one arm supporting her bottom, he reached out with the other and shook Nodin’s hand. “Brother, good to see you. It’s been too long.”

  Maya stuck out her tongue at Nodin. “He’s a wanderer, Terran. Always flying solo.”

  Nodin raised a single brow. “Actually, I had altruistic motives. Figured I’d leave you lovebirds alone. Let you settle in your nest.”

  Terran shuffled her in his arms. “Where are you headed now?”

  “Not sure.”

  Maya unwrapped from Terran. “Come stay with us.” She poked Nodin’s rock-hard stomach.

  “No. I have my own battles to fight.” Nodin kissed her cheek. “Take care of each other.” Dust stirred at his feet before he rose with the wind and disappeared.

  Terran wrapped his arms around her and brushed a falling tear from her cheek. “He’ll be back.”

  “I know. It’s more that he’s lonely and sad. Pillar confuses him.”

  “Love is complicated enough, but when you add in all the factors of an Elemental life, relationships become more problematic.”

  “I sure hope you are not saying I’m complicated, because I—

  He stopped her rant with a kiss that was not complicated at all.

  When he pulled back, he flashed a cocky grin, very aware he’d averted trouble. “Race you back home?”

  “What do I win?”

  “Catch me and see.” Terran vanished before her eyes. At one with the atmosphere, he flew across the earth—exulting in his Elemental nature.

  Alone for a moment in the field, Maya breathed in the sticky sweet scent of corn, peered up at character-shaped clouds, and reveled in a warm summer breeze crossing her skin. Earth’s purity amazed her. True beauty could be found by standing in a field that for decades continually produced a gift from the earth. She should do this more. Take a moment. Breathe in her surroundings. Appreciate the peace.

  Revel in a love that was at this moment flying across a deep blue sky.

  No longer did her link to humanity drip away. No longer did she question her purpose in this peri-mortal existence.

  No longer would she wash away. Love linked her.

  She misted and shot through the air
, eager to win the race.

  # # #

  Flint walked the cobbled streets of Zurich or Turicum, as the Swiss city was known in Roman times. He walked passed Fraumünster, an old church. Stopping at the popular tourist destination was the last thing on his agenda. Flaming red hair, plump pink lips, oval face, petite frame—that picture remained seared across his mind.

  Heat flared through his body, alerting him to danger. He stilled and checked his surroundings.

  Finally.

  Pillar sat at an outside café, watching him. She lifted her cup in toast. “I will help you.”

  “What’s in it for you?”

  “Redemption.”

  Thank you for reading Water’s Threshold. I hope you enjoyed Maya and Terran’s story. If you did, please leave a review at your purchase site. Reviews are very appreciated by the author. Book #2 in The Elementals Series, Fire’s Field.

  http://amzn.to/1NHIBXr

  Please enjoy the following excerpt from Ember’s Center, Book #1 in The O-Line Series. Jillian’s Contemporary with Suspenseful Elements.

  After a long day of shooting commercials with Marauders’ team members, Ember sat at her desk, writing ad copy for a new sports drink. Ironic, since she’d never played a sport in her life.

  Well, school sport anyway.

  “Ember.”

  A husky baritone called for her attention. “One sec.” She raised her arm and lifted an index finger, finishing the perfect tag line before she forgot. After correcting the script, she clicked ‘save,’ swiveled in her chair, and then shot straight to her feet. “I’m so sorry. Had I known it was you, I wouldn’t have kept you waiting.” Her boss would use her face as a dartboard for making him wait.

  Owen Killion leaned with one solid arm spread along the top of her flimsy gray cubicle wall.

  “I’m sorry,” she repeated, then stepped around her chair, almost tripping on the wheel. Her tiny cubicle shrank now that his brawny frame occupied the space. His team’s mascot suited him perfectly—Marauder. A vision flashed of Owen single-handedly rowing a Viking vessel across stormy seas to plunder riches from a village. A towering force, he embodied everything she found attractive in a man.