by Janelle Peel
Squaring her shoulders, Bex motioned to Skye. “Well, get on with it.”
Shifting to the edge of the mattress, I brought the drink to my lips. If it would help me relax for whatever was coming, I’d take all the help I could get. The first swallow left me sputtering. “Fuck!”
Bex smirked and lifted a brow encouragingly.
Slowly, a pleasant warmth slid down my throat and settled deep inside my gut. Hmm. I could do without the horrific smell, but it was similar to kelp gin.
Nodding to Skye, I lifted my cup for a refill. “So how is this supposed to work?”
Sora stood and snagged Bex’s elbow. “We’ll leave you to it.”
Bex opened her mouth to refuse, but snapped it closed at Sora’s disapproving expression.
As the door handle clicked, Skye made his way to the nightstand. Gripping the bottle, he filled my glass to the brim. “I’m not sure what will happen, Riva. Bex and Kai are the only Elementals who have swapped magic.”
My brow furrowed. “It might not work at all? That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?”
Heaving a sigh, he settled himself beside me. “Yes. We’ll do everything we can.”
His knee bumped into mine. Focusing on the dark denim encasing his thigh, I murmured, “What do we do?”
Hesitantly, he cupped my chin until I met his gaze. What had begun as disconcerting now brought a small measure of comfort. Thick, black lashes highlighted the sky color of one iris. This close I could see his other wasn’t solid white but was rimmed in the palest shade of blue. The effect was mesmerizing. A Mer could get lost inside his stare.
His breath whispered across my face. “Are you ready?”
My reply sounded vulnerable to my own ears. “Yes.”
Within a blink, his wings sprouted from his back. Brighter than an iceberg, their golden tips glowed from within. The added weight displaced my body, and I fell against his chest. This close I could smell him. My heart raced—masculine with a salty undertone. I greedily inhaled the scent of my magic inside of him.
The memory came unbidden from the depths of my mind.
Lifting me higher, Father chuckled. “What do you see?”
Clutching the jagged rock beneath my small fingers, I marveled at the waves crashing against us. The salty spray tickled my face and drew a giggle from my lips. “So much blue!”
Deep laughter rang out. “Of course. This is your home. Everything before the world curves and much, much more.”
Desperate for more, I turned toward the shoreline. “There too?”
His grip tightened on my hips. “No, Riva. You must never go ashore. Humans are dangerous.”
“Why?”
Lowering me back into the water, he sighed. “They are not aware of us. Our secret must be kept at all costs.”
My five-year-old brain struggled to understand. “But there are good Mer and bad. Why can’t it be the same with humans?”
The length of his brilliant green hair fanned out as he dipped us beneath the surface. “You are too wise for your age, little Seahorse. Please, for my sake. Promise me.”
I looked into his sapphire depths, and his worry was clear. Palming his jaw, I nodded. “I promise, Father.”
His answering smile filled my chest with pride.
“That’s my girl.”
Soft touches against my cheeks brought me back to myself.
Tears glistened on the pad of Skye’s thumb. “Hey, it’s okay. Riva? What’s wrong?”
The tenderness in his voice undid me. Sniffling, I mumbled, “My father, the Mer who raised me, has been missing for years. Something in your scent reminded me of him.”
Skye turned away. “I lost my family at a young age as well.”
His admission lessened the ache threatening to consume me. Clasping his hand in solitude, I squeezed once. “I appreciate your telling me.”
“Thank you, Riva.”
Instantly, his wings glowed gold. The downy appendages flared wide and dwarfed the bed before wrapping around my frame. Gently, he urged me against him. As I cocooned inside his embrace, a searing heat tore through my center as his power melded with mine. The resulting gust of air sent my hair spiraling around us.
Unable to control it, I struggled to breathe through the intense drafts buffeting my face.
Skye tucked my nose against his neck to lessen the current. “Will it to stop, Riva!”
A rattle picked up as the mattress rocked violently beneath us.
Panicked, I shouted, “I don’t know how!”
His deep bass vibrated against my breasts. I felt more than heard his response.
“Command it!”
Closing my eyes, I desperately sought my center.
Waves crashed on the previously calm shore as another gale howled in my ears. A waterspout lifted in the distance. The gale picked up and twisted it into a colossal hurricane. I screamed into the tempest. “STOP!”
The cacophony died down.
Skye strode down the beach with a huge grin. “Well done!”
I sat down hard. How was he here?
Perusing the coastline, he seemed unconcerned with the recent turn of events. Bending at the waist, he scooped up a white shell.
Dumbfounded, I simply watched.
Skipping it across the water, he pursed his lips. “I don’t think it worked.”
A bark of laughter tumbled from my throat. “You think? What the fuck are we supposed to do now?”
Frowning, he jerked his chin to the multiplying plumes sticking out of the sand. “Have you always had feathers here?”
Chapter 10
Gideon
He couldn’t spare a moment, not to see Chessa nor explain the situation to his King.
While the Atlantean Mer hid in their castle beneath the sea, his own people had kept up with the changes topside. For nearly fifteen years the Pacific had remained calm. No boats decorated their waters, and the pollution had come to a standstill. Shortly after the tides rose, things changed.
Ships flocked to the western seaboard in droves. Before, the humans used gasoline and oil to navigate the ocean. Now they used large patched-together strips of material to harness the wind.
Sails, his mind supplied.
Grumbling at the unbidden memory, he ground his teeth together.
It was one thing to see things, but it was totally another to have countless visions stuffed inside his skull. Faces he didn’t recognize. Places he’d never been.
He shoved the unhelpful thoughts aside, his focus sharpening on the one that would help him.
King Samoa had become concerned with the increasing traffic so close to their Kingdom. As the Commander of the Guard, it was Gideon’s duty to investigate whether or not there was a threat.
He’d been patrolling the waters with a group of his best Mer when they came upon a small dingy gliding toward a large dock.
Ordering his men to stay put, he swished beneath the weathered planks for a closer look.
Audible thumps sounded overhead as the human’s boots dropped onto the aged wood. Grasping a length of rope, the man tied his ship to a metal cleat. “Are you coming, Cher? I’m anxious to be back on land.”
Feminine laughter followed. “Just a moment, Sean. I don’t want to visit the market emptyhanded. You know we need supplies.”
The man tapped his foot impatiently. “You’ve had days to decide what to bring. This is my first visit to the new city. Just look at the skyscrapers! They have electricity! Hot showers! Hurry up, woman!”
Her response held amusement. “Tabula Rasa isn’t going anywhere. Relax. We’ll get there soon enough.”
He paused. “Did you pack your dagger? We don’t know what kind of miscreants might be lurking about.”
She snorted. “They have Protectors, Sean. The Mistress would never allow mayhem within her walls. You’ve heard the stories.”
Sean grumbled, “Right. Blood drinkers. I don’t know about you, but it freaks me out. I’d rather be safe than sorry.
”
“Hush. You were just telling me the other day how excited you were to see a Shifter up close. Besides, I don’t need protection when I have magic.”
As she joined her companion, a silver glow flickered down to Gideon’s hiding spot. Confused, he gripped a weathered pylon and pressed his face to the gap.
The light played along the tips of her fingers.
Sean took her hand in his own. “Put that away. I don’t want to draw unnecessary attention.”
She giggled as they strode down the dock without a backward glance.
Picking up his pace, Gideon arrowed toward the city of light.
If his vision were true, Riva couldn’t fall into Poseidon’s hands. Er, tentacles.
He had to find her.
Skye
Settling deeper into the leather cushions, he listened to their bickering on autopilot.
Bex and Riva wanted to find the Rune Gate immediately.
Sora refused. Lila still hadn’t returned, and they would need all the help they could get to face this new enemy.
It seemed no one knew exactly what Poseidon was.
Blaze watched the interaction from behind the bar. Drumming his fingers on the polished oak, he gave Skye a pitying look.
Slyly, Skye rubbed his face and flipped him the bird.
Sora’s voice lowered to a growl. “You feel like adding anything, Skye? Or do you think telling my Mate to fuck himself is more important?”
Cheeks heating, Skye sighed. “Apologies, but we’ve been at this for over an hour. We haven’t been able to find a single mention of Poseidon in the library, and the Goddess still hasn’t answered your request. The longer we wait, the more danger Riva’s people are put in.”
Sora scoffed, “The Goddess answers less and less these days, Skye. You know that. What would you have us do? Bex is the only one able to dive with Riva. They might have enough power between them to raise the Gate, but Bex will still be vulnerable. We don’t even know how deep it’s buried in the Atlantic. Add in the Mer seeking Riva, and there are simply too many unknowns. We need more information.”
Palming a fist-sized pearl, Riva rolled it across the pool table. “Am I allowed to have an opinion?”
All eyes looked to her.
Skye had to admit she was rather entrancing. Clad in a barely there black tank and hip-hugging jeans, she was the epitome of perfection. Long ago he’d closed off his heart, but her presence caused the ice encasing it to crack.
“What if the two are intertwined? I know nothing of Poseidon aside from the fairytales Bex has told me, but if we can’t stop him, my people will need to escape. The Gate could be the answer.”
Sora nodded. “That may very well be, but if he is going to slaughter your people, what’s to stop him from doing the same to mine?”
Riva paled.
Tossing her white ponytail over one shoulder, Bex moved in front of Riva protectively. “She didn’t mean anything by it, Sora. Think about it though. If we’re all sitting around with our thumbs up our asses why not raise the Gate? It’s not like we can go find Poseidon. We’ve no idea where to look.”
The sound of footsteps thundering down the hall halted the conversation.
Mason stepped into the room with a serious expression. “Master, we have a problem.”
Instantly on alert, Blaze flashed to the lead Protector’s side. “Report.”
“Another Mer has arrived in the harbor. He’s asking to speak with Riva.”
Touching down on the dock, Skye perused the exhausted Mer bobbing in the waves.
Navy-colored hair fell from his crown and feathered against a strong jaw. His cheeks looked as if they were sculpted from clay by an artisan. The tendons of his thickly corded shoulders bunched and released as he treaded water.
Skipping his aqua gaze over Skye, the Mer dismissed him and the large Tiger glaring daggers in his direction. “Is Riva on her way?”
Gina let a low growl. Her black stripes rippled with the motion. Though she’d only been with the Clutch for a few short years, she was incredibly protective of her new family. Bex was kin, and by extension so was Riva.
Unconcerned, the Mer continued, “It’s very important. The situation has gone from bad to worse.”
Crossing his arms, Skye rumbled, “And you are?”
The Mer shook his head as if to clear it. “Apologies. I am Gideon, Commander of the Pacific Royal Guard and…” his voice cracked, “Seer of my people.”
Skye had heard of Seers from Sora, but none had survived the Sundering. “Why should we believe you?”
Gideon stilled. “Because Riva’s life is at stake.”
Gina yowled. Her claws raked deep grooves in the weathered planks as she prowled toward him.
Blaze arrived in a flash. “Stand down, Gina.”
Her thick tail lashed the air. Pale blue, her eyes lit with an eerie glow. Chuffing once, she abandoned her quarry and padded down the dock.
Gideon stared intently at Blaze for a moment. “Are you the King here?”
Blaze barked a quick laugh. “It would appear so, though I am called Master Blaze. My Mate is the true leader.”
Gideon frowned. “Your female rules?”
Twin snicks sounded as Blaze’s fangs snapped into place. “Watch yourself, Mer. I’ve walked the Earth for millennia. Insult my Mate again, and you will regret it.”
Skye struggled to contain his grin. Blaze was rather easy going unless someone threatened his Mate. Not that anyone really could. Sora was Chosen by the Goddess. She contained more magic in her pinky than anyone he’d ever seen.
Gideon paled. “I meant no offense, Master Blaze. My King and Queen rule together. I’m simply trying to understand the situation.”
Blaze rocked back on his heels in contemplation. “Are you able to walk on land?”
He nodded. “Yes, but it will take time we do not have for the landsickness to pass. Where is Riva?”
Flapping sounded as Bex touched down on the aged planks with the clattering of her wide paws.
Riva slid from her back with a queasy expression and groaned. “Fuck. I’ll never get used to that.”
Gideon’s gaze devoured every inch of Riva’s lithe frame as she wobbled across the dock. “Princess?”
Squaring her shoulders, Riva latched on to Skye’s forearm. “Well met, Gideon.”
The touch of her hand brought a small smile to Skye’s lips. He wasn’t sure how she felt about the melding of their powers, but her obvious comfort around him was reassuring.
Gideon’s eyes tightened at the corners. As the moment stretched on for a beat too long, he nodded curtly. “Poseidon is awake.”
Shaking out her ruff, Bex shifted in a bright flash of light. “What do you mean he’s awake?”
Riva
As Gideon finished his tale, dread settled inside my gut. Any hope I had of raising the Gate was null and void. If I dipped one toe into the ocean, Poseidon would surely find out.
Not only that, but we still had to figure out what it meant for Skye to share the heart.
Blaze’s irritated growl pulled me from my thoughts.
“Have you seen anything else?”
Somberly, Gideon shook his head. “No.”
I still couldn’t wrap my head around his being a Seer. Granted I’d never met the female who held the role in our Kingdom, but for a male to be given the gift of sight? It was unheard of.
Sora appeared at my elbow in the blink of an eye. Yet another thing I had yet to understand. Vampires moved ridiculously fast.
Lifting a brow at my grip on Skye’s arm, she began interrogating Gideon.
Blushing, I dropped my hand. My heart pinched with the loss of contact. Gritting my teeth, I shoved the foreign emotion aside. I didn’t have time to contemplate its meaning. Pitching my voice over Gideon’s, I interrupted. “So what do we do now? I can’t leave my people to face Poseidon on their own. Luna is no match for him.” Hmm. When had I begun thinking of them as we?
Be
x bumped my shoulder. “No one is saying that, Riva. We just can’t go off half-cocked.”
Sora leaned against Blaze’s side. “We need a plan. I suggest we rest and reconvene in the morning.”
I glanced at Bex. She and Kai had traveled through the night to bring me here. The bags decorating the delicate skin beneath her eyes confirmed Sora’s decision.
Gideon nodded his approval. “I must warn my King and Queen. As it is I’ve tarried for too long.”
Blaze hooked an arm around Sora’s waist. “Will they agree to a meeting?”
“I do not know. Nothing like this has ever happened before. The Mer do not give their trust freely, though I admit my King has been interested in your city of light for quite some time.”
A low growl sounded at the back of Blaze’s throat.
Sora patted his chest soothingly. “How so?”
Gideon’s cheeks heated. “My King is curious. We hold no ill intent, but the ocean remained vacant for so long we included this coastline in our patrols.”
Blaze rumbled, “Your people have spied on us?”
Gideon tipped his jaw, and his brow furrowed. “Would you not have done the same?”
Sora moved from Blaze’s embrace. “Enough. Gideon is correct. Besides, it’s easier this way. If your rulers wish to meet we’ll be here at first light.”
Bex
Riva’s acceptance was disconcerting.
I didn’t trust it one bit. If I were in her shoes I would find a way to sneak out.
Striding down the hall, I knocked on Skye’s door.
His response was slightly muffled by the thick mahogany. “Come in.”
Heaving a sigh, I turned the handle and stepped inside.
He leaned against the window frame, and his gaze met mine in the reflection. “I assumed it was you.”
I snorted. “Really? And why is that?”
He shrugged. “Because you want me to keep tabs on Riva. You don’t trust her.”
Settling on the wingback, I took in his tense shoulders. Typically, he wore a pair of pajama pants to bed. It seemed his routine had changed. The dark gray tee highlighted the sinewy muscles on either side of his spine. Faded blue jeans hugged his hips and paired well with the black boots adorning his feet. “From the looks of it we are on the same page. Can you… feel her?”