by Diana Paz
Kaitlyn didn’t bother hiding her snickering laughter. “I wish I could have taken a picture of that.”
Julia set her hands on her hips, but before she could say anything that would goad Kaitlyn into an argument, Angie said, “At least we know he can’t have succumbed to the Scylla venom yet. Not if he’s in bed with her.”
“No, I guess not,” Julia said, her eyes lighting up as she faced them again. “So… this is great news! He must be cured.”
“Not really. He’s still battling the venom.”
Kaitlyn glanced at Angie sidelong. “You haven’t told her about the other thing.”
Julia’s head tilted to one side. “Other thing?”
“Yes, well,” Angie began, “Meliah asked us if… that is…”
“She wants to know if she can keep him,” Kaitlyn said. “Forever.”
~ Chapter 30 ~
Julia
Keep him?
Meliah pulled the sheets back, sitting up more fully to reveal Brian. He lay sleeping, completely bathed in golden light.
What the heck did Meliah mean by ‘keep him’? What was he? A new pet? Well, whatever. “Tell her he doesn’t… um… belong to us, so that’s up to him.”
“Or we can tell her she can just keep him,” Kaitlyn said.
Julia’s jaw dropped.
“What? The Sorceress wouldn’t be able to reach him, the world would be safe. Everyone wins.”
“I’ll ask her to please not keep humans for herself, Brian or otherwise,” Angie said, and Julia almost giggled at her matter-of-fact tone.
Kaitlyn shrugged. “Whatevs.”
“I’m going to wake him up so we can find out what’s going on,” Julia said.
“Yeah, because if Julia doesn’t get a status update on Ethan soon she might start another emo pity party.”
“Shut it,” Julia snapped.
“Stop,” Angie said. “I need to concentrate or I can’t sing their language, and the spell won’t last much longer.”
Angie took a breath. Her lashes lowered as she began singing a slow, simple song.
Kaitlyn lifted her chin, her dark brows lowering. “I was going to tell you what they were saying.”
“I don’t care,” Julia whispered. “I want to hear it from Angie.”
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes. “Freakin’ baby,” she muttered, turning away.
Angie sang for a few moments more, pausing as she listened to Meliah’s response. She nodded and said, “First off, we shouldn’t wake Brian. Meliah enchanted him to sleep while he heals. It’s helping him, like a magically induced coma.”
Julia’s head spun. A coma? Holy cow. “That’s what the golden light is doing?”
Angie nodded. “He was getting worse, becoming more fully Scylla. Ethan brought him back here and the magical atmosphere reacted with the nymph-blood in his system, but since the Scylla venom kept causing him to revert, she cast a sleeping spell on him.”
“So… he’s going to be okay.”
“He might be okay, but not quite human. He will be half-nymph, half-human. She doesn’t think the Scylla venom will ever truly leave his system, but as a nymph, he will have control over it instead of the other way around.”
Julia bit her lip. “Better a non-human nymph than a non-human Scylla, I guess.”
Kaitlyn’s brows lifted as she leaned over the bed. “He looks good as a nymph. No wonder she wants to keep him.”
Meliah ran her fingers through Brian’s blond curls, her shimmering hair shifting to reveal more of her boobs than Julia cared to see. “What. The. Heck,” Julia whispered. Weren’t there a pair of seashells she could use to cover up her lady bits with? She turned away. “What do you think she means by ‘keeping’ Brian? Like, a slave?”
“No. She says she fell in love,” Angie said, her cheeks turning an adorable shade of bubblegum pink. “Nymphs are notorious for this.”
Kaitlyn let out a sound of disgust. “Sounds like something out of a princess cartoon.”
“It’s their way,” Angie said. “You know how nymphs are.”
“No. I don’t,” Kaitlyn said. “But from the looks of things, they’re idiots who fall in love with total strangers.”
“Did either of you read the books I lent you describing creatures—including nymphs? About Oenone? Nomia? Argyra?”
Noni-nomi-what? “Sorry, Angie,” Julia said. “No hablo Greek mythology.”
Angie sighed. “Now isn’t the time to brush you two up. Just know that nymphs are known for falling in love with mortals. They live for centuries, some for millennia, so of course it’s all very tragic.”
Kaitlyn arched a brow as she toyed with the ends of her hair. “Staying young practically forever, and getting mortals to fall helplessly in love with you whenever you feel like it? Sounds more like excellent to me.”
Meliah drew herself closer to the unconscious Brian.
Angie cleared her throat. “Is this… okay?” She tucked back a strand of hair and glanced between Julia and Kaitlyn. “He can’t exactly give his consent.”
“I hardly think he minds,” Kaitlyn murmured.
“Doesn’t seem like much we can do about it,” Julia said.
“Don’t you wish we could be here when he wakes up?” Kaitlyn asked, a sly look in her eyes. “The expression on his face is bound to be epic.”
Julia pursed her lips, not sure she liked thinking about this. Emotions really were the most confusing things.
“Maybe I could explain to Meliah that in our society, people don’t—”
“Let the girl have her fun,” Kaitlyn interrupted. “Snuggling with a naked magical being is probably on Brian’s fantasy wish list.”
Angie frowned. “Well, the important thing is that he isn’t turning into a monster.”
Julia bit back a smile at Angie’s never-ending quest to find the bright side of things. “If Brian’s situation is under control, I need to find Ethan.”
Angie blinked up at her. “He’s already in Atlantis. Meliah mentioned the both of them.”
Julia’s heart started beating at triple speed. “Why don’t you say important things like this right away!” She forced herself not to go tearing through the corridors looking for him. “Where is he?”
“Here,” a deep voice said from behind them.
Her breath caught. She spun around and found his eyes on hers, steely gray with flashing glints of silver. She wanted to rush into his arms and feel his heart beating in time to hers. She wanted him to lose control and sweep her up in a kiss. For once, she was grateful for the magic of Atlantis. She didn’t have time to put up her wall, and if not for the weird anti-magic atmosphere, Ethan would know exactly why her cheeks were probably turning five shades of red.
Not that he couldn’t guess.
“I’m so glad you found us,” Angie said.
Julia tore her gaze from Ethan’s, only half-listening as Angie discussed Brian’s fate. Now that Brian was safe, Ethan could join them, blah blah blah. She didn’t want to hear all of this crap about the mission. She wanted to know how Ethan felt. She wanted to share in his relief that Brian would be okay. She wanted things to not be weird between them anymore.
They reached the watery doorway that led to the outside world. Soon they would continue their mission, and she hadn’t had any time to tell Ethan… anything.
He stared at her with silver eyes that made her feel as though he could read her thoughts. “It’s strange, not being able to sense your emotions.”
“Atlantis makes things difficult,” she began before releasing a pent up breath. “You should know that while you’re in Atlantis, I can’t summon you.”
His mouth flattened into a thin line. “You were in trouble, weren’t you,” he stated, his voice lowering as she looked up into his eyes.
She nodded, unable to speak. She wanted to tell him she was glad he was coming with them this time. She wanted him to know how scared she had been when he didn’t respond.
In the space of a heartbea
t she was in his arms. “Jules, I’m so sorry.”
Tears trembled on the edges of her lashes before she could stop them. Everything from the pirates in the cave and nearly drowning to being chased down by creatures returned to her in a rush. The panic and fear wound itself around her heart. Her fingers twisted against his shirt as a sob broke through her chest.
He held her, his hand running up and down her back. “I’ll be there with you this time.”
She nodded, hating herself for keeping him away from his brother, but the terror of nearly being killed remained fresh in her mind. Still, she forced herself to say, “But what about Brian?”
“Meliah will care for him. I can’t do anything to help him here, and if I stay, I won’t feel you.” His voice dropped to a rasping whisper. “If something happened to you—”
“I know,” she said. “You would die, too.”
“That isn’t it at all,” he said, pulling back to give her cheek a slow, tender caress. “Even if that weren’t true, even if we weren’t connected, I never want to see you hurt. You mean so much to me.”
Her lashes lifted and her gaze locked with Ethan’s. Instinctively she tried to form the channel between them, but she couldn’t. Not in Atlantis. And yet, it was as though they shared a different kind of connection. A force that made her want to pull herself close to him, and before she could think better of it, she returned her head to his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
She breathed deep, relishing the scent of him, the warmth of his closeness. An aching sigh left his lungs as he enfolded her in his arms. Images flashed through her mind—she and Ethan at the beach, laughing, easy in each other’s arms, kissing in Paris—she blinked at the memories of both her past and future self.
“Jules?”
The whispered word stole through her heart. She backed away. “What’s happening?” She lowered her hand from her brow, not having realized when she had begun rubbing at her forehead. “I keep having these weird images… like...”
She shook her head, unsure of how to explain.
“Like… memories?”
“Yes.”
Ethan’s gaze remained inscrutable. He stepped forward, closing the space between them again.
Julia pushed back the strange visions, shaking her head to clear it.
Ethan lifted his hand to stroke her cheek again. Julia turned toward the caress, swallowing tightly. Heat burned at her lids as they lowered. Chaotic emotions battled in her heart. As warm as his touch felt, it promised no comfort in the long run. With Ethan, confusion was the only thing she could ever count on.
~ Chapter 31 ~
Angie
They left Brian in the safety of Meliah’s healing sleep. Julia led them back to the watery doorway, her fingers curled around the shell.
“Can you talk to one of the nymphs to see if they can help Ethan to shore?” Julia asked, her brows peaked. “Push the current so he can swim faster? He isn’t affected by magic, so the shell’s power doesn’t work on him.”
Angie scanned the cove-like room, wondering if any of the nymphs could be trusted, but Ethan headed to a row of stone shelves. Among nets and spears he found flippers and a scuba mask.
“When I first came down to Atlantis with Brian, I borrowed some of his snorkeling gear.”
“He won’t need those anymore,” Kaitlyn said.
Ethan’s gaze lowered, and Angie quickly added, “He likes surfing, right? With nymph powers he’ll be amazing. And now that he has access to a Timeway, he’ll be able to surf in Australia, Hawaii, anywhere he wants.”
Julia tilted her head, and Kaitlyn said, “Timeways can send you anywhere?”
“Not us. Not without a nymph’s help. There are a few recorded Timeways in forests, mountain caves, behind waterfalls, but different kinds of nymphs that guard them—”
“Okay, I get it,” Kaitlyn said.
Angie bit back her suggestion that they review the ancient texts. “We should go home and get some rest. Now that we know Brian is safe, the best thing to do is be at full power and return to our mission tomorrow.”
She looked to Julia, who lifted her hand, breaching the barrier between them and the sea. The moment the shell touched the water, it gave off its golden glow.
Ethan dove in first, and the girls followed right after, easily keeping up with him with the power of the shell. As they swam through the depths toward shore, Angie could see through the watery world through the seashell’s protective light, as though she were looking through glass. Sunlight streaked the ocean and caught on a school of glinting, silver fish. She would have gasped if she had been breathing. It had been night when they entered Atlantis. How much time had passed?
She watched Julia point excitedly at something and smiled at the sight of a pod of dolphins. They swam alongside them, causing streams of cool water to rush against her clothes.
One of the dolphins torpedoed ahead, swirling as high-pitched ke-ke-ke sounds echoed through the water.
They’re playing with us, Angie realized.
This is incredible, Kaitlyn said, her voice laced with awe. Angie felt the dark-haired girl’s pleasure wash through her mind. Another dolphin swam beneath them. Kaitlyn reached her free hand toward it. It leaned toward her before racing ahead, spraying a torrent of bubbles toward them. Kaitlyn’s feelings burst like droplets of bright color across Angie’s mind. Angie recognized the sensation as joy, and realized it was the first time she had ever felt Kaitlyn share the emotion.
The dolphins sped away as quickly as they appeared. It wasn’t long before she and the others reached the shore.
“That was insane,” Julia said. “We swam with dolphins!”
“I never thought I would like the ocean,” Kaitlyn said, pushing wet hair off of her brow.
Angie turned slowly, ice rushing through her veins as the sun beat on her face. “We… we entered the Timeway at night.”
“Look how much time has passed,” Julia whispered, leaving a wide trail of sand in her wake as she dragged her drenched gown with each step up the shoreline.
Angie began tapping against her own sea-soaked gown. A rise of panic threatened to overwhelm her. They had entered Atlantis without freezing time.
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Time passes differently in Timeways. You should have left time frozen.”
Julia’s eyes widened. “What if time moved past one day? What if it’s a whole year from now?”
“We have to ask someone,” Angie whispered as her pulse spiked. “David—”
“Relax,” Kaitlyn said, flicking her finger toward the lifeguard tower. “The tide chart right there shows it’s only been a day. No big deal.”
“No big deal,” Julia yelled. “My mom probably called the police by now!”
Angie’s pulse continued to rise, her heart hammering against her ribcage. Not for Julia, but for David. In two days’ time, the creatures could have killed him. “Journey us, Julia. Do it now.”
“Not so fast,” Kaitlyn said. “I’m exhausted and starved, and we need a plan.”
Angie pressed her lips together, her chest growing tight at the thought of taking much longer to return to their mission. She was about to tell the others that tired or not, they needed to return to the Caribbean immediately, but the dark smudges beneath Julia’s eyes and her slumped shoulders gave Angie pause. It would be a while yet before any of them had enough magic to use their greater spells. Even Kaitlyn’s normally vivid eyes appeared dull, and her skin held a grayish undertone that made Angie think she might get sick if she didn’t get some rest soon.
“You’re right, Kaitlyn,” she finally said. “We’ll have to regroup tomorrow morning. Early.” She took in the shambled appearance of the girls’ clothes, and could only imagine how she looked. “Our gowns should dry out by then, but if not, draw the water out with the Summon spell.”
Julia bit her lip. “Yeah. That one.”
“Kaitlyn held out her hand, her fingers waving slowly as a seashell rose from the sand
. “Yes. This one.”
Angie schooled her features to keep from revealing how Kaitlyn’s ease with mastering new powers alarmed her. “Good job.”
Ethan took a step backward, his eyes on Julia. “I’m going home to get my passport, phone, and credit card, in case I end up in some foreign country when this is all over. Summon me when you’ve returned to the mission. And,” he hesitated. At least, Angie thought he hesitated, but she realized he had simply opened his connection to Julia. She nodded at whatever message he conveyed to her before turning and jogging back to the parking lot.
“Oh God. Please don’t tell me you’re blushing,” Kaitlyn said as Julia smiled after him.
“I’m not,” she said, but her cheeks only grew redder.
“You’re never going to get over that boy,” she muttered.
Julia spun around with a frustrated noise. “Are we going or not?”
Kaitlyn’s deep laughter was met with an icy glare from Julia.
Angie offered her hands. “Take us back to my house. That’s where we were when we left, so your stuff should all be there, along with Kaitlyn’s car. She can drive you home.”
The world shimmered from view as Julia took them from the coast to her home. It turned out Julia’s mother had called Angie’s parents when she didn’t show up. Angie’s mother suspected that the girls were on a mission. She had called Julia’s mother, telling her that Julia spent the night.
“I don’t feel comfortable with lying,” her mother told Julia. “You need to find a way to explain the magic to your mother. She loves you, and has a right to know what’s going on.”
The words had twisted around Angie’s heart, driving home the truth about her deception to David. Every lie she had ever told him was a wedge between them. She thought of the countless times he had nearly caught her using the magic, and she had covered it up with half-truths and falsehoods while distracting him with sweet smiles. This had to stop. Once she saw him and knew he was okay, she had to tell him the truth.
As Kaitlyn drove off with Julia, Angie released a pent up breath. She wanted to shower the ocean off of her and eat something before she talked to David about the magic, but for now, she needed to find out if he was safe.