Water Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  “My thoughts and I are both confused.” Erin took another sip of wine and looked around the small room. She sat on a small brown leather loveseat. An oak coffee table sat in front of them with the remnants of their dinner. Half of the delicious red wine was gone, but Erin couldn’t blame her wayward thoughts on that. She was only on her second glass now.

  She could see the dancers on the floor gyrating to the steady beat of the bass. Women and men abandoned all inhibitions and let the music seduce them. Several couples were twined together so no one could tell where one ended and the other began.

  “Let’s dance.”

  Daniel arched an eyebrow. “You wish to dance?”

  “Yes.” Erin finished the rest of her wine and put the glass back on the coffee table. She stood and held out her hand. Daniel quickly stood and slid his hand into hers.

  “I am in your hands, querida.” His hazel eyes darkened. “Be gentle.”

  Her lips twitched, but she didn’t say a word.

  Erin opened the door, and the music assaulted her senses. But she didn’t shrink back into herself as she would normally do. She wanted to feel the freedom other people did. To touch and be touched. To possibly think that she was worthy of someone’s attention.

  She wanted to feel beautiful, damn it. Not secondhand.

  Daniel let her lead him to the edge of the dance floor farthest from the front door. Then he pulled Erin gently to him. As she let her body relax into his, Erin lifted her arms and looped them around his neck. She rested her cheek on his shoulder and simply felt.

  Daniel’s hands caressed her back slowly and rested just above the curve of her hips. They swayed back and forth, lost in each other. As she felt Daniel kiss the top of her head and gently sweep back a stray lock of hair from her face, Erin smiled.

  She could get used to this.

  The music changed from fast to slow in a heartbeat. Erin started to pull back, but Daniel murmured a protest and drew her back to him.

  “I’m enjoying this, Erin.”

  Erin moved her head just far enough to look up into his hazel eyes. They were intent on her. And then Daniel lowered his mouth so slowly to hers. And Erin felt the warmth and strength of the man in that single kiss.

  His tongue stroked and teased hers. Finding all the secret places in her mouth that brought her pleasure.

  The sensation was like a slow burn in her blood. Heat infused her body, leaving her breathless as he lifted his head once more and smiled.

  “Gentle enough?” she managed.

  Daniel chuckled. “You are so careful with everyone, querida. How could you not be gentle?” He spun her lightly in a circle and tightened his grip a bit. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to get you in my arms?”

  “You were just in my arms.” Erin blushed and tried to duck her head.

  “There is more than that, love.” Daniel brushed his lips against her cheek. “You don’t know how much it means to me that you accept my touch. That you trust me to lean against me like this.” He chuckled ruefully. “Not too long ago, I recall a certain beautiful blonde almost decking me.”

  “She thought you were trying to hurt her.” Erin stated it plainly and with no apology.

  “Never, querida,” Daniel whispered. “You are far too precious to me.”

  Erin let the words wash over her and struggled to accept the sincerity behind them. A small part of her was still scared shitless. Scared to lean too hard for fear of falling flat on her face again. So she said nothing.

  They danced two more dances before Erin looked at the watch on her wrist. “I’ve got to go, Daniel.”

  He sighed and loosened his grip a fraction. “So soon?”

  “You really are shameless.” Erin leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. “I’ve got to call Kendra tonight and see how her day went. And I want to check some of the papers I brought home last night.” She paused. “Have I ever told you how much your gifts mean to the children?”

  Daniel smiled, and his teeth gleamed in the dimly lit room. The beat of the music pulsed through the wood floor and washed over them. “I don’t believe you have.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Is that perhaps worth another kiss?”

  Erin smiled up at him and ran her fingers through his hair. Then she pulled his head down to hers and touched her lips to his. But she didn’t pull back after the first, soft touch. She stroked the seam of his lips with her tongue and sighed in pleasure when her tongue met his.

  It felt so right to touch him like this. To accept his words and his body at face value. Erin trembled beneath him. Her world shifted at a dizzying speed, and her heart slammed in her chest. She pulled back and blew out a breath.

  “I will take you home, querida.” Daniel kissed her forehead and then took her hand. He led her out to his car and tucked her inside. They drove in companionable silence back to her house. Halfway through the drive, Daniel leaned over and took her hand in his.

  When they pulled into her driveway, Erin leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Daniel picked up her hand and turned it palm up. He gently placed a kiss in the center of it and smiled. “I will see you tomorrow, querida.”

  She shook her head. “I’m going to be busy with schoolwork and housework.”

  “Then I will come over and assist you.” Daniel smiled. “I will cook for you.”

  “You can cook?” Erin’s face must have showed her surprise.

  “I have a good Mama,” he said simply.

  She stepped out of the vehicle and walked to her front door. Daniel’s headlights were on her the entire time. Erin fitted the key into the lock and stepped inside her house. A couple of minutes later, she saw Daniel drive down the road.

  Erin pressed her hand to her stomach and touched trembling fingers to her lips. A man who cooked. Who could bring her pleasure. Who wanted to touch every part of her life. She steadied herself with an effort and walked into her bedroom. The sheets were still mussed, and she smiled.

  Maybe acceptance was exactly what she needed.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Erin walked into her classroom and set her bag down. This was her life. She looked around the class at all the homemade art, desks, and books. A feeling of peace enveloped her. She had made a good life for herself.

  “Yes.”

  Erin spun around and grinned at her teaching assistant. “Kendra!” She chuckled. “You and your sister are so silent, you’re scary.”

  Kendra swept inside the room dressed elegantly in navy slacks and a white peasant blouse. Her hair swung freely around her shoulders, and she grinned. “I walk lightly.” She came closer and studied Erin. “Are you all right?”

  Tiny niggles of guilt worked through Erin, but she nodded. “I’m sorry about that. I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday.”

  “But now?” Kendra’s blue eyes probed hers.

  “Better. Thanks.”

  “Good.” Kendra nodded and stepped back. “I was hoping you would say that.” She brought a stack of papers from behind her back. “I had the students color you a picture yesterday. I thought you might want to take a look at them.”

  Erin took the stack and felt tears clog her throat. Get well Ms. Sanders was written very carefully on every paper. S’s were backwards. And some letters were almost unreadable, but the sentiment warmed her heart.

  She hugged them to her chest and smiled at Kendra. “Just what I needed.”

  “I thought it would be.” Kendra brushed her hair back. “And how is Daniel?”

  A blush worked its way into Erin’s cheeks before she could think to turn. “He’s, ah, good.” She turned quickly and laid the papers on her desk.

  Erin felt Kendra’s hand on her arm.

  “You are a good fit, Erin.” Kendra patted her gently. “I’m glad you see that.”

  “Not a word to Mary,” Erin mumbled.

  “I promise.” Kendra laughed lightly and stepped away from her. “Would yo
u believe she asked me yesterday if I was dating anyone?”

  Erin turned and looked at Kendra with an impish grin. “Not to be hateful. But better you than me.”

  They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

  * * * *

  The day went smoothly. All of Erin’s students were happy she was back, and she was sure to thank each and every one for her cards. The rain that darkened every day seemed to dissipate from the morning, and the afternoon found the kids outside playing on the playground.

  Erin watched all the kids run around and smiled. The smile faded when she thought of Erica. That was still one puzzle that she would solve. Come hell or high water. That little girl deserved to be safe and know for certain that her abuser would pay for what he’d done.

  The bell rang, and the students raced back inside. Erin gave her class the final assignment and watched as Kendra passed out snacks. When the final bell rang, Erin directed the children to their proper places in line. She glanced up at Kendra as she sorted through papers.

  “I’m going to be heading out sooner than usual.”

  Kendra looked up briefly and nodded. “No problem. I have some things to do around here, but I’m leaving shortly, too.” A frown touched her brow for a second before she smoothed it away. “You go ahead and go home. Rest up for another one tomorrow.”

  Erin grinned and waved as she ushered everyone down the hall. She looked up at the clock on the wall as she walked out of the building. When was the last time she left this early? She snickered. Probably never.

  She started her car and backed it up. Erin picked up a soda on the way home and planned to grade her papers before Daniel came over. That way they could spend the evening in relative peace.

  Erin bit her lip. And maybe she could persuade him to feed her in bed. Wicked thoughts rushed through her and heated her blood. An evening couldn’t get much better than that.

  She pulled into her driveway and stepped out. There were flowers on her porch again. A cascade of blue blooms that spilled their exotic fragrance the closer she came to them.

  She smiled and picked up the wicker basket. Erin snatched the white card from the blossoms and broke the seal.

  They can only hope to attain

  The perfect blueness of your eyes

  Till this evening,

  Daniel

  Erin grinned foolishly and opened her door. Daniel was quite the romantic. She gently placed the basket on her coffee table and sighed. Now she would simply finish her grading before he came over to make her dinner. Erin shook her head, kicked off her shoes, and pulled the papers from her bag.

  * * * *

  Erin.

  Erin blinked and looked up from the papers she was grading. Her blue eyes stared vacantly around. Then she shook her head and looked down at the next paper in front of her.

  Erin.

  Her head snapped up and she frowned.

  I apologize. But there is no other way to do this. To finish this. To show you what must be done.

  Kendra’s voice. Erin tilted her head to the side. She was having some type of odd hallucination. With Kendra’s voice. She glanced down at the papers. Obviously too much table time.

  Know that I love you, daughter of my destiny, and that only you can help. What I give you, I give not lightly. And when the gift is bestowed, I will be powerless. But I believe in you. I have always believed in you. You are strong. You are a survivor. And I know that you will save us.

  The voice weakened a bit.

  Forgive me, daughter. It is my final gift.

  The power slammed into Erin so fast her knees buckled in her chair, and she slid sideways onto the kitchen floor. Her eyes stared blankly as images raced through her mind. Her sisters laughing. Her parents’ edict. Wilda learning to make fire. Tempest controlling the wind. Eden pointing at the ground and dozens of flowers blooming. And she, the Water Goddess, pushing the lake to its boundaries and letting it settle with a deep satisfaction inside of her. Years of training. Years of failure with mortals. A deep kinship she felt with her family.

  And Erin.

  It was as if she watched a movie of herself. The day Kendra walked into her life. The subtle changes and guidance she wasn’t even aware she had. Her schoolchildren. Night after night at her kitchen table grading papers. And Daniel. His hazel eyes smiled kindly into hers. Their first kiss. How gentle he was. What a good man. A man she could trust with her heart. Her very soul.

  And then it changed again.

  Kendra and Erin came together as one. Their life lights twining and filling in where one left off. They saw the rest. Kendra mistaken for Erin. Taken back to the bar. Daniel pleading for them. Then Daniel being knocked out and dragged from the room. Mortals/men tying them up. Leering. Telling them what the men would do with them. And a dark man with cruel eyes. Daniel’s brother. He hit them. Pulled their hair. And he would do much, much worse. Their panic that they couldn’t interfere. They felt their sister’s horror at the situation. Crippling fear that rippled from the heavens down to her.

  Erin stood up slowly. Her blue eyes shone brightly with the power that only a Goddess possesses. Kendra’s voice faded completely from her consciousness.

  “Worry not.” Her voice a combination between hers and Kendra’s. “I will give aid to our sister.” She slid her hand down her body and clothed herself in a sky blue gown that whirled at her bare feet. Her blonde hair swirled freely, and she threw back her head.

  “I command the rain. Take me to Kendra.” She felt her body break into a million pieces as the wind wrapped around the mist in her house and carried her to her destiny.

  * * * *

  Erin felt more. There was no other word for it. The power streamed through her body with a strength she felt to her marrow. She commanded the rain. Every drop of water. She could cause a hurricane or hurl lightning through the sky. Blue streaks shot from her fingertips while she traveled as rain through the sky to her destination.

  And they would pay.

  Anger built, and she let it swell inside her. Those men took Daniel and Kendra. The men would kill them. And for what? Money? Drugs? Her blue eyes flashed and a bolt of lightning parted the clouds in an angry white line. She felt her sisters’ gasp of distress but blocked it.

  She would solve this. Oh yes. And they would pay for what they’ve done to her. To her family. No excuse. Never an excuse. Nothing they say would matter. She would hurt them all. It was no more than they deserved.

  Erin descended in a rain-wrapped fury. She blew the doors open on the warehouse. The two guards glanced up and frowned. She reached through the rain to slap their heads together. They crumpled to the ground, still clutching their automatic weapons. Erin scowled, lifted the guns, and tossed them to the wind. They would be dismantled before they ever touched the earth again.

  Erin.

  Her name but a whisper.

  Erin, I know you are here. And the pain you feel is deep. But these men didn’t rape you. They didn’t take your family. Do not use your power to destroy. Only you can…

  The voice trailed off. Erin paused and closed her eyes. She looked deep inside herself. All those years at someone else’s beck and call. The nights she lay with men whose names she didn’t even know. The humiliation. The loneliness. It was a dark spot in her. A place the light never touched.

  But as she looked, light encompassed her. It stroked the dark spot with caring fingers and deep love. It seemed to whisper lightly. Promises that would never be broken. The words a duality of Kendra’s and Daniel’s voice. And as she watched, the dark spot shrank and lightened. It melted into the light and moved through her reluctantly. It didn’t want to leave, and Erin felt panic.

  She pushed deep and found the nest of pain. The secret hurts and shames. And she added her voice to theirs.

  I’ve found my home now. You must leave. I deserve more than this shadow on my soul. I was but a girl. A girl with no one to love and protect me. But I have that now. I have true love. Love that won’
t abandon me. And I will not have you a part of me any longer.

  The dark spot tried to coalesce, but Erin was firm.

  Leave me.

  It shimmered darkly and then dissipated completely.

  Erin’s soul mended in a heartbeat. Every emotion she denied herself flooded her system with the force of a tidal wave. She shook with the onslaught. There was a deep pain. And then peace rippled through her. Whole at last.

  Her eyes shone a brilliant blue. Now she could concentrate on the task at hand. She closed her eyes and reached out with her mind. Daniel and Kendra were downstairs in the basement. Hector taunted Daniel with what he would do to Erin.

  She was so focused on Daniel that when Kendra’s scream ripped through the air, a bolt of lightning shot down and touched the ground between the two open warehouse doors.

  Erin clenched her fists and moved as a wraith toward the stairs. A man came from nowhere and smiled a predator’s smile as he looked at her. He wore fitted navy slacks and a white T-shirt with short sleeves. His dark hair was pulled back away from his cruel face.

  “Lost, little lady?” His dark brown eyes fastened on her breasts, and he licked his lips. “I can give you what you need.” He brought a gun up from behind his back and aimed it at her. “Take off your dress.”

  Erin arched an eyebrow. “That’s how it usually works for you, isn’t it?’ Her blue eyes bore into him. “You threaten them. And when they give you what you want, you hurt them.” Her jaw tightened. “I think you need just a bit of that humiliation. A taste to remember this. Don’t you?”

  The man raised his hand up as if to hit her, but he never made contact. Erin slammed him to the ground with a thought. She silenced him before he could yell out. His dark eyes were scared.

  “Remember this, mortal. Remember it well. Because if you ever hurt another woman, I will find you. Find you and finish this. Do you understand?”

  The man’s eyes widened even further. And then Erin stripped him to the skin with a wave of her hand. He struggled hopelessly against the unseen bonds. She positioned him spread-eagled in the center of the dirt.