He nodded. "That's what everyone's supposed to think. Keep the secret and you'll be fine."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Any other secrets I need to know about?" I asked Lex as we followed Asher over to the other Storms.
"Probably," she admitted with a grin.
And that's when Chrissen's eyes locked onto mine. He hopped up like someone lit a fire under his ass and he pointed straight at me. "You!" he cried.
"You," I said back, just for shits and giggles.
"You're alive? How?"
Dear gods this was going to be a long day of repeating ourselves over and over again.
I sighed. "Why don't you all come inside, and we can reminisce over some coffee and a steaming hot bowl of fish stew?"
Chapter 29
ALEXIS
As soon as we entered the beach house, my nerves buzzed with energy.
The excitement of finding Gemma alive had clearly gotten to me.
I sat there listening in awe as she told the story of their escape, and I found myself absolutely floored by her bravery and strength. Without even knowing it, she encouraged me to be a better person. A stronger leader. A braver princess. A fiercer friend.
And a more lethal enemy to the Storm King.
I'd seen how she perked up when she thought I'd killed him. I'd heard the relief in her voice. Felt the repose of her emotions as they settled around me.
I couldn’t wait for the day when I told her he was dead and it was the honest to gods truth.
She spooned us all some soup, and after we ate our fill, she made us all some coffee. I wasn't a natural born coffee drinker—I generally preferred tea—but who was I to turn down caffeine after the night we'd just had?
I blew the steam away from my mug and gingerly sipped at the boiling hot beverage.
"So what about you?" Gem asked me excitedly. "How'd you guys get washed up on our shore?"
I took a deep breath and blew it out across my coffee, hoping that'd help to cool it. "That's a long story."
She glanced at wooden clock hanging on the wall. "We've got time."
I supposed we had some. It was only midmorning, after all. But still, I knew we couldn't stay long, not with the world falling to shit so quickly back home.
I summed it up as best I could. "The Storm King sent us to retrieve a magical object called the Eye of the Sea. On our quest to find it, we were attacked by a hydra."
"Actually," Dan cut in, "we were on our way to attack Brineton, but we were separated from the rest of our fleet."
"Brineton?" Gemma blinked, her neck straightening up in surprise. "That's just down the coast from us."
"How'd you get separated?" Tristan asked. He was sitting in a chair at least three times too small for his burly frame, and Gemma was cozied up in his lap, looking three times too small for him as well.
Why either of them asked about Brineton and our separation from the fleet before asking about a mythological fucking hydra was beyond me. That would have been the first question out of my mouth. Followed by, what the ever-loving hell is the Eye of the Sea?
"The hydra separated us," Dan told him. "The bastard caused a landslide in the Channel of Glite. I'm hoping our crew survived and regrouped back home, but we haven't been able to make contact, so I'm honestly not sure."
Gem glanced between Dan and me with an uncertain expression. She seemed to have lost some of her vivaciousness since I'd last seen her, and that made me sad. No doubt the Storm King had beaten it out of her. I hated him so damn much.
"So, which is it?" Gem asked hesitantly. "Were you attacking a port or looking for the Eye of the Sea? I don't understand why either of you would lie about it."
"Neither of us were lying," I assured her, taking a sip of my blazing hot coffee and burning my tongue. "They're both true. We've been on a search for the Eye since we arrived in Western Blackwood. But Hydratica just attacked Ebony City, destroying everything in their path. We were about to retaliate when everything went to Hades."
"And what exactly is this Eye?" Tristan asked skeptically.
"According to a spirit hanging around a shipwreck"—Rob ran a hand through his dark hair—"it's a magical pearl."
I nodded my agreement. "According to a bartender in Western Blackwood it's a pearl too."
"But in all actuality," Cal cut in, "it could be anything."
"But given the vast majority of the evidence," Ben argued, "it's most likely to be a pearl. A bluish-purple one."
Gem's bright blue eyes went wide.
Cal sighed. "I've never heard of a bluish-purple pearl, Benson. They're usually ivory, champagne, or pink. Sometimes blackish if they've been dyed. If I know this, then you definitely do."
Ben nodded. "Which is just another reason why this particular pearl is special."
"You mean, this particular pearl?" Gem asked, reaching into her apron and pulling out three tiny orbs. She plucked the only bluish-purple one from the bunch and held it up between her thumb and forefinger.
I couldn't help but gasp, accidentally spilling a splash of scalding hot coffee into my lap. As the brown liquid stained my once-white dress, I quickly set down my cup and clasped my hands together tightly, trying to contain my anxiety.
Could it really be the Eye of the Sea? My nerves were already buzzing with excitement. Or maybe that was magic making my nerves go haywire? I remembered feeling that same buzzing sensation as soon as I entered the house. I'd attributed it to the excitement of finding Gemma alive, but maybe it was the pearl all along?
She deposited the little bead into Ben's open palm, and he proceeded to examine it. He rolled it around between his fingers, stared at its coloring, tapped it to test its density, and even held it up to his ear to... I don't even know what. Listen for vibrations maybe?
Either way it was pointless—the longer he held it, the surer I became. I could feel the energy from across the room. Just like the night I found the alicorn in the glade, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was magic in this pearl.
"I think this is it," Ben muttered breathlessly, passing it to Cal.
Squealing in pure delight, I hopped up and down around the room. There was so much elation and exhilaration bubbling inside of me, I couldn't possibly hope to contain it. Jumping for joy was apparently contagious though, because soon everyone was jumping around, cheering and hugging. It was sort of odd. The guys weren't opposed to showing emotion or anything, but they weren't normally so hyper about it. It was almost as if my happiness had somehow infiltrated their systems, compelling them to feel what I felt.
If that was the case... was it because of the pearl or because of my secondary power of empathy?
Maybe my empathy went beyond me sensing other people's emotions? Maybe I could project my emotions onto them too? And maybe that's why other people got horny when I did?
Talk about a revelation.
I forced myself to sit down and calm down, so that I could test my theory. Sure enough, as soon as my emotions calmed, everyone looked around in confusion and awkwardly stopped jumping around the living room.
Shit. Hopefully that only happened when my emotions were extreme. I had a feeling it didn't happen all the time, or else I would have noticed it by then. But still, I kind of felt bad knowing I could affect people like that.
Tristan and Gemma curled up once more in a wooden dining chair. Rob, Dan, and Cal took comfortable seats on the couch. And Ash and Criss sat down on the floor next to the coffee table.
"You guys," I said, grabbing my coffee before opening up the latest can of worms, "I think I can project my emotions."
"Is that why we were dancing around like crazy people?" Dan asked, apparently relieved that he hadn't acted so ridiculously on his own.
I bit my bottom lip and took a sip from my mug. "I think so."
"Are you sure it doesn't have something to do with the pearl?" Ben asked, his tone slightly skeptical.
"No, I'm not," I admitted. "I contemplated that option, but then, the empathy
thing would also explain—" I glanced at Gem and my cheeks warmed a bit. "—my magical side effects."
Ben's brows rose and he nodded, considering my words.
"What will you do with the pearl?" Gem asked. "Will you give it to the Storm King?"
"Fuck no," Rob grumbled, crossing his arms on the couch.
Cal sighed, hanging his hands between his knees. "Our goal is to keep the Eye away from the Storm King and King Thane long enough to get it to the gods."
"And what will they do?" Tristan asked.
"Depends on which god," Ash admitted. "Ares would just turn around and help the Storm King like he's been doing."
"What?" Gem blurted out with tight lips.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. "But if we get it to Dion, I think he'll help us instead."
Tris raised a brow. "So, your whole plan hinges on the possibility of getting help from a party god?"
"No," Cal assured him. "The main thing is to keep the pearl out of the wrong hands. If the Storm King gets it, he'll remain untouchable for at least another month—and we need him weakened if we hope to take him down. If King Thane gets it, he'll open up a portal to the underworld."
Gem sat up straight in Tristan's lap. "Why the hell would he do that?"
"To get rid of my people," Rob spoke up. "He's hated them since the Sohsol Apocalypse. He feels they don't belong on our plane."
"Hasn't he thought about the consequences though?" she asked seriously.
I cocked my head to the side. "Like what?"
"Like the portal going both ways and more dead things coming through?" she asked with a shrug. "Or the portal opening up to someplace that isn't the underworld? Or the magic backfiring and killing everyone around it? I mean, come on, don't these people read books?"
I chuckled but immediately felt a deep sense of shame. I liked to consider myself an avid reader. Why the hell hadn't I thought of those things?
We continued talking and catching up like that for the rest of the day. Telling stories, exchanging news, and taking turns recounting tales of what we'd all been up to since we last saw one another. Some of it was light and happy, some of it was dark and depressing. But no matter what the subject matter, I was grateful to be conversing with my best friend again. The only thing that made me sad was that our visit would soon be over.
I sighed as the sun drifted lower on the horizon, casting its shadow across the beach.
"You have to go now, don't you?" Gem asked with delicate smile.
I swallowed hard. "Yes."
There was an unmistakable sadness in that raspy little word. But as sad as I was that I was leaving her behind, I was equally as glad that she had survived and found a way to be happy again.
Be strong like Gemma, Lex. You can do this.
"I love you, Gem," I told her as I wrapped her in a hug. "Take care of yourself."
She squeezed me back and rocked me side to side. "I love you too, Lex. Stay safe. And kill that dickbag, will ya?"
I chuckled as a single tear slid down my cheek. "I will."
I will, Rory. I will, Gem.
"Go," Gemma said, wiping a tear from her own smiling face. "Do what needs to be done. When it's all over, you know where to find me."
I smiled back and nodded, unable to speak without sobbing. I waved at her as tears flooded my vision; then I turned and walked out the door.
The beach was dusky, and the sea breeze was cool and welcoming against my heated cheeks. It soothed the sting of the tears and helped dry the salty trails they'd left down my skin. Breathing deep, I filled my lungs with the peace and tranquility of the ocean air and exhaled all the fear, sadness, and doubt that had somehow invaded my mind.
I turned to the guys and smiled. "I guess Brineton is over that way," I said, pointing. "We could try to acquire a boat?"
"Or," Ben said with a glimmer in his eyes, "now that we're on land, I can simply build us one."
He held out his hand and trees darted over from their homes in the woods, splitting and splintering until they molded themselves into the concave shape of a boat. He then held out his other hand and seaweed curled out of the water, tying itself around the joints of the boards and winding itself along the masts for use with sails.
Ben dropped to his knees, wobbling, but his magic continued to flow. Leaves floated over from the forest and braided themselves together until they formed giant sails attached to the seaweed vines. And after that was done, a stream of tree sap drifted over and filled up any cracks that were left in the hull and deck.
What we ended up with was a very natural, very exquisite-looking ship that would easily fit all seven of us for the journey to the archway and then back home to Blackwood. We were also left with a senseless Storm curled up into a ball on the beach with his eyes open, staring at nothing.
"I got this," Dan told us, before funneling some sea water and spinning it like a whirlpool. Salt separated and flew through the air like raindrops. When he was finished, he funneled the now fresh water into his brother's mouth until Ben finally came back to his senses and stood up.
Taking a deep breath, the Sand Prince put his hands on his hips and marveled at his creation as it floated on the surf. "I outdid myself this time."
Ash chuckled and patted his brother on the back. "That you did, bro. That you did."
"All aboard," Criss said, gesturing for us climb on the ship and get moving.
Cal and Rob were first in line. But instead of boarding right away, they paused and shared a knowing look.
"Criss," Cal said with a sigh. "I want you to know that my vote is yes. I don't know what's going to happen when we reach the arch and come face-to-face with the gods for the first time, but I want to do so knowing that we're a team, that you're a true Storm brother, and that you're officially a part of the group."
Criss's brows knit together, his throat bobbed like he couldn't quite swallow, and his lips tugged at the bottom like he was maybe getting choked up. "Thank you, Cal."
Cal smiled. "Call me bro."
Oh my gods, I was going to cry again. This was everything I wanted and more.
Rob punched Criss in the shoulder and grinned. "Likewise, bro. In case something goes terribly wrong at the arch, at least you'll die knowing you're a part of the team, right?"
I breathed out a laugh as I wiped the tears from my eyes. My Storms were a team. They'd finally all come together. My heart was completely full.
Dan stepped in line next. "Six dicks and a set a tits," he clarified, glancing back at me. "Team tattoo. Happening the next time we port. For real."
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "No tits and dicks!"
Criss and Dan chuckled as the last two princes got in line.
Ben and Ash took turns giving Criss fist bumps and hugs. "Welcome to the group, brother."
"Thank you, guys." Criss's smile was huge, his eyes were misty, and the love and happiness he radiated was almost enough to knock me over.
Catching my balance, I walked up to him and stared into his hazel eyes for a long time.
"You weren't always one of us," I said, trying to find the words for how I felt. "But you've become one of us. If you climb on this ship tonight, you're going to be mine. Are you sure you don't want to heed Bria's warning and run for the hills while you still have a chance?"
Criss smiled and pulled me into his arms.
"There's been no chance of me running since the moment I met you, Alexis. I fell in lust with you on that dance floor back in Nightshade, but I fell in love with you this week on the beach. Every moment I spend with you, that love grows a little bit deeper. And now..." He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, but it didn't stay. Stupid fucking wind. "Right now, I'm so deeply in love with you that I'm never getting out, and I wouldn’t change a thing."
His lips met mine in a kiss so sweet I'd swear I was floating on air.
Actually, I was floating. Or rather, Rob was pulling me up by my hips onto the ship's deck.
"Sorry, Jewels," he said as he sat me on
my feet. "He might be an official part of the group, but I'm not ready to witness any sloppy make-out sessions just yet."
"We weren't making out," Criss protested as he climbed aboard. "I barely even kissed her."
"One step at a time," Rob assured him with a protective glare.
Dan chuckle and raised a brow. "Everybody ready?"
As soon as we all nodded, he took a deep breath, and we were speeding across the sea once more.
It didn't take long before the sun set the rest of the way, the moon rose high into the sky, and countless shadows appeared on the horizon. They were interesting shadows. Almost shaped like...
"Ships," I gasped, pointing in their direction. "Hydratican ships!"
Dan quickly steered our boat to the left, but more vessels appeared out of the dark, blocking our path. We turned around and went right, but the same thing happened. Our only other option was to head back to shore, but when we ultimately tried that too, we found Hydratican ships behind us as well. They had us surrounded.
"Hand over the Eye," someone from the ship closest to us boomed. They must have been using some sort of a horn in order to project their voice like that. "I know you have it."
The fact that he said I instead of we made me wonder if the voice didn't belong to King Thane himself.
"What are we going to do?" Dan asked us. "We can't let them get the Eye, but there's nowhere to run and nowhere to hide."
I knew immediately what needed to be done.
"You take the Eye," I told Dan, handing the pearl to him. "Slip underwater and swim away beneath all the ships. Get it to the arch, and we'll catch up as soon as we can."
He shook his head, torn between his duties. "I can't just leave you all to fight an armada of Hydratican ships on your own."
"We'll be fine," Rob assured him with a cocky smirk. "Kicking ass is an old pastime of ours, remember?"
"Besides," Ben added, "as long as one of us is alive, we all stay alive. If you and the Eye are safe, then we all are."
Criss nodded. "That's true."
Storm Chaser (Storms of Blackwood Book 3) Page 24