by Mia Fox
Through hazy eyes, I saw the unmistakable outline of a dorsal fin. With nearly all the fight in me waning and no strength left, the eel threw me one final time, hitting my head against the rock. It was so easy to close my eyes. The sound of black birds rang in my ears. Laughing and mocking my plight.
I screamed in spite of myself.
It’s your imagination! Don’t give in. Let me help you.
This time I knew the voice in my head wasn’t deceiving me. It was James!
The time to let go of our misgivings had come and I knew that if I were to survive, I would have to forgive. The darkness of the cave was suddenly juxtaposed with flashes of brightness, like strobe lights that sent my mind into a confusion of thoughts. Was it my destiny to be with James or Charlotte’s wish that sent him back to me? The thought of what I was trying to forget, plagued my mind and I heard the laughter again. Beyond any doubt, it was Raven. She was watching.
He was fantastic, Suki. Raven mocked me.
Again, I felt something brush against my legs and only moments later, the eel surfaced and now, as its full length stretched across the surface level of the water, I could see that it was nearly six feet long. The sight struck absolute panic in me, and I released a scream that reverberated inside the small cavity where I was now paralyzed with fear. The eel dove deeper under the water and as it did, I jumped and tried to guess which way it would travel, pushing myself against the sharp rocks. The effort was useless as it immediately wrapped around me, gripping me tighter and tighter. And with my balance disrupted, it again pulled me underwater. In spite of the fact that I could feel part of it around me, the tail bobbed out of the water, giving me even more reason to panic -- the very idea of being in the water with something that big made me light-headed, my nerves getting the best of me.
* * *
Just one cave up ahead, Charlotte was making her way through the interlocking water tunnels with steady progress. Shadow led the way in her Encantado form and Charlotte felt a sense of calm swimming with her. She felt as if she were meant to take care of her, even though now, there was no doubt that Shadow looked after her. If Charlotte ever lagged, Shadow would circle back and nudge Charlotte’s back onward. Sometimes the tunnels would twist into a narrow darkness and Charlotte found herself hesitating. That was when Shadow would dive under the water, come up underneath Charlotte and literally carry her forward on her back.
When they finally reached the last cave and the beach was in sight, Shadow changed back into human form and walked onto the sandy shore. The difference in her appearance even as a human was dramatic as her blonde hair now hung in soft ringlets around her shoulders, its silky smoothness begging one to run their fingers through it. Her face was wide-eyed and innocent without any malice. There was no trace of the snakes that previously plagued her hair or the black voids that were her eyes. This was a little girl whose beautiful features resembled Charlotte’s.
She turned and looked over her shoulder and then smiled broadly at the sight of Charlotte following her. Shadow opened her arms, and Charlotte happily walked to her, wrapping her own arms around the little girl. She picked her up and twirled her until both released a sound that wasn’t heard often in the Romani Realms -- laughter.
* * *
Just when I thought I would totally lose my self-control, I heard something swim through the passageway, approaching closer. For a moment it looked like the Encantado with its smooth body and panic struck me at the sight of two of them, until I saw that it was James and Phineas, wearing wet suits and looking better than I could ever imagine.
I threw myself in James’ arms, and he held me tightly. “I’m so sorry,” I said.
“Don’t say that. You had a reason. I’m sorry.”
“It’s in the past. If Raven hadn’t planted the image in my mind...”
“Errr, guys?” Phineas had been silent, but suddenly the body of the giant eel splashed out of the water momentarily, giving him an eyeful of what I had experienced. “We’re not alone.”
Its body bent above the water once more and I screamed as I felt something grab my legs from under the surface once again.
“Suki, just stay calm. You’re safe now.”
“Easy for you to say,” Phineas added. The giant eel now wrapping itself around him, squeezing his torso. Its suction like mouth pulled at his skin, and he sucked in his breath in pain.
“Listen, it’s a figment. It’s been planted by Raven because she knows Suki would fear it.” James splashed the water, trying to draw attention to himself, but in spite of his actions, no harm came to him. Phineas looked across the darkened cave to where I indeed seemed paralyzed by fear and in contrast, James was the picture of calm.
When the eel squeezed Phineas even tighter, he grimaced in spite of James’ advice.
“Phineas, man up. It may be a figment, but if you believe it, it will burst your lung.”
Phineas took a deep breath, closed his eyes and exhaled until he felt calmer. When he opened his eyes, he shrugged and smiled. The tight feeling around his chest was gone and there was no indication that anything had ever accosted his body. Nothing held him. There was nothing to fear. At least where James and Phineas were concerned.
But I screamed and was suddenly pulled under the water.
James grabbed a knife from his sheaf. “The only way we’re going to get her out of here is by killing it.”
“Are you kidding me?” Phineas shouted, above the sound of the rushing water. “How do you kill something that doesn’t exist? You’re likely to slice her in half!”
James dove under the water and searched for me. He came back to the surface, looking notably less calm. “She’s gotten herself wrapped in kelp. I need help.”
Without hesitation, Phineas and James both dove under again, pulling their bodies farther under the surface to where the water was colder and darker. As Phineas cut back the kelp, my eyes grew wide with fear and the more I feared, the more plentiful were my visions, making my imagination come to fruition. The kelp morphed into the slinky body of the eel, and the flowering leaves turned into a head whose teeth bit down upon Phineas’ arm as he worked frantically to attack it with his knife.
I watched in horror, fighting against the eel, which they insisted was kelp, but it couldn’t be. I was becoming more and more entangled in its hold and for some reason, James was doing his best to restrain my efforts as I tried to swim away from it. It was madness, especially since when I saw it continually bite Phineas, his blood forming dark pools all around us.
I lapsed into unconsciousness.
When I came to, James was carrying me in his arms through the water and toward a small bit of embankment inside the cave.
Phineas popped his head up seconds later and swam easily to join us. “You get the girl and I get bit by a fucking eel?”
“How can you get bit when it’s all in Suki’s imagination?” James retorted.
“I guess I have more empathy than you do.”
“You saw it too?” I asked.
Phineas nodded. “I never liked snakes as a kid and I can’t imagine anything worse than underwater snakes.”
“I know, right?”
James smoothed my hair away from my face. He looked in my eyes, wearing the evidence of how pleased he was that we were together again. “You do have a vivid imagination.”
I looked at him with all seriousness, knowing what he was referring to. “This place. It’s Raven’s playground. She loves getting inside people’s heads.”
“She’s always been good at that. Suki, she did fool me once. But that was before I met you. It would never happen again.”
I threw my arms around his neck, snuggling my head into his throat and breathing contentedly. He transferred me onto his lap and lowered his forehead onto mine. “There’s something I want you to know...”
“Listen!” Phineas had no qualms about interrupting our reunion. “Black birds.”
Indeed, the caw of thousands of birds sounded so loudly
that they could be heard from inside the cavern. “Charlotte!”
“Where is she?” Phineas asked, his voice breaking with nerves.
“I’m sorry. She went ahead of me. I never meant to leave her alone, but she was with...”
Phineas was already peeling himself out of his wet suit. “Who? Suki? Who is she with?”
“What are you doing?” James asked.
“I’ll meet you outside. I have to fight Raven on her own terms and that means shifting into bird form.”
“But Charlotte...she’s...”
“I know,” Phineas answered. He never wanted Charlotte to see him in the form of a black bird, to view him in the form that demon gypsies took, but he had no choice as time was running out. He felt it. “Tell me, Suki. What brought you to these caverns.”
“Shadow. But Phin, there’s something you should know...”
“Nothing matters more than getting that creton away from her.”
“But Phin!”
Before I could insist, he raised his head skyward, and transformed into a black bird, shinier and more majestic than those I had seen before -- somehow prouder. And although Raven’s bird form always manifested itself with an air of danger, Phineas seemed equally ready for battle, but to avenge his love rather than harm her.
“Godspeed, Phineas,” I whispered under my breath and held on even tighter to James.
* * *
Chapter Nineteen
Without warning James doubled over, his ears ringing in pain with a high-pitched sound caused by Raven’s mind control.
“James! What’s wrong?”
I realized only too late that Raven was the cause of whatever ailed him. Thousands of black birds swarmed the skies and dive bombed me. Their wings beat against me until I faltered and fell to the ground. From the corner of my eye I could see James still reeling from the sound waves that Raven accosted him with. But I was helpless to do anything as the beaks from the birds pecked me, cutting my face with their beaks and talons.
I cried out in pain, which made James react in spite of what was happening to himself. He focused his strength and mind and worked beyond his own discomfort. Focusing his mind on me, he sent a message: “We can fight her -- together.” The effort to speak telepathically placed James at an even greater risk as his senses were focused on me. Blood dripped from his nose and ears.
I screamed aloud. “James!”
“Don’t. Don’t let her in. Don’t let her see that she’s affecting us.”
I covered my face from the attack of the birds, rolling into a ball. They didn’t relent, still biting the back of my arms, clawing at my head and neck, but at least my face was protected and in more ways than one. With my face hidden, Raven couldn’t see the anguish on it over what was happening to James.
“A diversion!”
James held his hands over his ears, but responded to me, ignoring the pain. “I know where you’re going with it. On the count of three --- one, two, three!”
Although I was hurt and James was suffering, between the two of us, we manifested our thoughts to conjure the image of peace I always carried with me throughout the ages -- butterflies. I reached for James’ hand and as his fingers entwined with mine, a cloud of butterflies descended on the scene. Butterflies of every size and color fluttered around us, their wings gently tickling our faces and filling us with happiness.
Send them on their way. James instructed.
I nodded and the butterflies surrounded the black birds, throwing them off course and interfering with their flight patterns.
James’ hearing improved nearly immediately, the high-pitched ringing dissipating with every new butterfly that emerged on the scene. When he could focus all of his powers properly again, he turned his attention to me.
Come here, but don’t speak. He warned silently.
I glanced over at the butterflies ensuring that they would remain in place, and continuing to cause confusion in the birds. I tiptoed over to James and faced him.
Close your eyes and imagine my healing touch.
Whoa.
Not that sort of touch. He smiled.
He ran his hands along my face and as he did, the cuts miraculously started to close. And, as each one closed, he placed his lips gently to where the angry red lines once were, ensuring that not a scar would remain in their place. With each healing moment, he traveled his hands to the next area of my body that had been hurt -- my shoulders, arms, back. Repeating the process of his magical touch, paired with loving kisses until I was without any pain or trace of an attack.
I smiled at James when he had finished. Too bad that had to end.
Consider that a prelude. He answered wickedly. For when I get you home...
Looks like someone else is ready to get out of here.
Not caring for the assault, the birds started to scatter, first one and then the next until soon, all followed suit. The butterflies seemed to shimmer in response, their delicate wings glowing with beautiful shades of azure blue and lavender. Only one black bird remained and it suddenly shifted into the form of Raven, who stared at us with open hostility, her hands whisking away the butterflies with annoyance.
“Those insects are the bane of my existence.”
I stood next to James, wrapping my arm around his back. “I know the feeling.”
The move wasn’t lost on Raven, who smiled her uneven grin, her eyes settling on the sight of the two of us standing as one. “Ahh, lookie. You’re such a united front. That’s always so endearing to me that even occasional lovers can pretend to experience...hmm, what is the word I’m searching for...oh, I know! Trust!” she said with a snap of her fingers.
“I do trust him. It’s you who has proven to be manipulative. I know what you did.” Despite my attempt to be strong, my voice still wavered with the effort of confronting Raven about my man.
James rubbed his hand over my back, trying to reassure me, to calm the brewing anger he sensed bubbling beneath the surface.
“You know what I did?” Raven repeated evenly. “But do you know just how much I enjoyed it? Fucking James was fucking amazing!”
“Suki, don’t!” James tried to hold me back, knowing instinctively that I would have no qualms in starting a fight with Raven considering the verbal punch that was just thrown. But he was too late. I lunged at Raven, grabbing her hair and letting centuries of anger that I had contained within myself finally loose. Forget Southern gentility!
Holding Raven’s hair by her ponytail, I pulled it backwards staring into eyes that didn’t have the decency to show any remorse. “You are despicable.”
“That I am,” Raven sneered. “And you know what, in spite of what men say about wanting a girl they can bring home to mama,” she said mocking my accent, “they sure as hell have a good time playing around with the bad girl.” And to punctuate her thought Raven spat at me! My reaction was immediate as I released my hold on her.
“You disgust me,” I said wiping my cheek. “I can’t believe I was ever friends with you. You hide the real you from everyone.”
“Mmm? James seemed to like it. Didn’t you, sugar?” Again, she mocked me, and trailed her finger, displaying her black painted nails, down James’ chest. He grabbed her hand firmly and whipped her arm behind her back, bending it at a precarious angle. “Oh James, you know I love the rough stuff.”
“Stop it, Raven. This has gone on long enough. Let me make this clear under no uncertain terms. I love Suki. What happened with you occurred before I knew that she was my destiny. And when I learned about her -- about what she would mean to me...I waited for her.”
I stared at James, my mouth dropping open. “You...”
He smiled and took me in his arms, totally ignoring Raven who stood fuming beside us. “I love you.”
I beamed up at him and then turned and laid a sugary sweet smile in Raven’s direction.
“Oh please. Don’t look like the cat who ate the canary. Big whoop.” And with that, Raven reverted back to bird form
once again and flew off with an angry caw.
* * *
James reached for me, running his thumb over the back of my hand. I squeezed his hand in response, and although neither of us said anything, our eyes told a million tales. He brought me in closer, holding me against his strong chest. As he stroked my long, brown hair, gently letting his fingers weave into the waves, I released a sob.
Pulling himself back, but keeping a hold on my shoulders, he searched my face. “What is it?”
I shook my head, afraid to open my mouth for fear that one runaway tear would turn into a flood.
He held me close, petting my hair and letting me cry into his chest. “Suki, I’m so sorry.” He closed his eyes and I suspected that he was trying to read my mind. I couldn’t stand that humiliation too. I kept seeing images of himself and Raven that played over and over and continued to haunt me. For a moment, it seemed as if my anguish had subsided, but then another image came, which only set me off again. It was a vision of James smiling at the sight of Raven coming toward him.
“No!” James suddenly held me more forcefully against him. “Suki, I can’t deny my past, but what you’re seeing now isn’t all the truth.”