When Water Burns

by Lani Wendt Young

  It was harder than I thought it would be to maintain control over the swirls of flame that swathed me, willing the rest of my body not to ignite, all while striding the length of the stage in heels and a two-foot-high headdress.. I executed the poses that Simone had spent agonizing hours trying to teach me and then returned to center stage. It was time for the designer to take his victory walk. The crowd roared again as Simone joined me onstage and then the other models filed out to line up behind us.

  Standing with me but edging away from my fire, Simone gave me a sideways glance and muttered, “I take it back. I’ve never seen mangoes as impressive as that.” Then he flashed a gleeful smile as we walked the length of the stage so he could take his bow.

  Simone’s collection was a triumph, winning the Supreme Award, and his Forest Woman creation – modeled by Teuila – taking out the Most Original Art Piece as well. The media was on hand to photograph him and his proud parents. He got to meet his fashion idol Lindah Lepou, who wanted to discuss his ‘exciting future.’

  With the show out of the way, the party began in earnest. There was an impressive lineup of Pacific music artists performing, with at least two hundred people enjoying the music and dancing under a radiant night sky. At first we all danced in an exultant group with Simone but then Daniel pulled me to him and away from the others. For a long while it seemed to be just the two of us, caught in the flow of the music, and I gave myself over to the sheer thrill of moving my body in unison with his. Daniel on the dance floor moved like he did on the rugby field – assured confidence, skill, and graceful ease that belied his strength. I could have danced with him to the fiery edge of earth and back. The music slowed and he melded me to him. Ragged breath. Sweat. Exhiliration. Adrenaline. A murmur, “You made me wild tonight.”

  Bemused, “Why?”

  “I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do more – grab you off that stage and yell at you for walking out naked like that. Or lock you in my truck where nobody else could see you and then cover you with kisses. You were stunning.”

  Thinking about the two of us locked in his truck was making it difficult for me to concentrate. He had to repeat his next question twice, “How did you get away with using your fire power in public like that?”

  “What? Oh, I told everyone some scientifically impossible story about draping kerosene-soaked cloths all over me and then setting them on fire and hoping for the best.”

  He raised a doubtful eyebrow at me, “And they bought it?”

  I waved at the crowd around us, “I think everyone did, except for Simone. But it’s a party, nobody cares about the science right now.” I remembered then to correct him, “And I wasn’t naked, I was basically wearing a very conservative two-piece swimsuit. But I was terrified though. And I’m never doing any modeling like that again.”

  He looked happy to hear it, “Good. Because I want to be the only guy you set on fire.” And then right there, in the mad crush of the dance floor, he kissed me. Everything faded as I drowned in the swirling ocean of emotions and feeling that Daniel always inspired in me. And then Simone was tugging at me.

  “That’s enough you two. Daniel can you be a dahling and go get us some drinks? I want to talk to Leila for a minute.” He batted his eyelashes at Daniel who bowed to his request.

  “Your wish is my command, O Supreme Award Fashion Maestro. I’ll be back.”

  Simone watched him edge his way through the dancing crowd and then pulled me to join him at a table closer to the restaurant where we didn’t need to battle so hard against the thumping bass. “Thank you for what you did, saving the collection like that. I know that fire had nothing to do with kerosene or whatever other lame story you’re telling people.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but he gave me the talk to the hand flick of the wrist. “It’s alright. You don’t need to tell me how you really did that. Just hear me out, I know there’s a part of you that you keep hidden and sometimes that’s for the best. But other times, we need to embrace what sets us apart. Not everyone will approve, some will be afraid of us, but when we unleash the fierceness within – then we fly. You were definitely fierce tonight.” He gave me a quick hug and wrinkled his nose. “Eww, girlfriend you are all sweaty and nasty. And you know that top is see-through when wet, don’t you? Just letting it all out tonight, are we?”

  “What?” I glanced down. Ugh. Simone was right. My white linen top, which had seemed like such a classic, elegant choice an hour ago, was now sweat-soaked and skanky ho’ personified. Immediately, I folded my arms against my chest and stood up. “I’ve got spare clothes in the Jeep. Can you please tell Daniel that I’ve gone outside to get changed?”

  Simone waved me away. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him until you get back.”

  I bolted to the parking lot, unwilling for any more people to see my ‘nasty, sweaty’ self. I had parked far away from the main entrance, under a sheltering of trees. The night air was cool on my skin. It was good to be out of the party crowd. Alone.

  Except, I wasn’t alone. As I rifled through my bag, I felt – rather than heard – a presence behind me. I swung round with a muffled yelp, searching the darkness. “Who is it? Who’s there?”

  The shadows moved, a lean lithe shape detached itself and strolled across the grass. Keahi. Silken smooth in stone-grey suit pants and a white shirt unbuttoned at the throat. “It’s me.”

  “What are you doing creeping up behind me like that?”

  “I wasn’t creeping. I saw you leave the party so I followed you out here. You said we would talk after the show, right? It’s after the show. Here I am. Let’s talk.”

  Painfully aware of my see-through top, I hugged my arms across my chest. “Now’s not a good time. I only came out here to get something from the Jeep. I have to get back in. Daniel’s waiting for me.”

  He smiled. That lazy, knowing, and incredibly irritating smile. “Ah yes, I noticed that you and Pretty Boy have kissed and made up. How sweet.”

  “Yes, we’re together. Not that it’s any of your business.” I raised my chin defiantly. “Now, excuse me, but I have to go.”

  Before I could move, Keahi took another few steps closer, “I was watching you two together and I saw something very interesting.”

  “What?” Hostile.

  “When Daniel touched you, kissed you, none of your tattoos lit up. Not like when I touch you.” As if to emphasize his point, he leaned forward and ran his fingers along my arm. The taulima burned in immediate response. His voice was triumphant, “See? He can’t make you do that.”

  I jerked away from him. “Yes he does. Daniel ignites things in me that you could never understand but I control them so we can be together.”

  Keahi was undeterred. “Sounds boring. Who wants to be with someone when you can’t let loose and be yourself with them?”

  He was crowding me now, but I refused to panic. “Quit it with the mind games, alright? What do you want?”

  “I don’t want to take up Sarona’s offer. You entice me, Leila. I can’t stop thinking about your fire … and my fire. And what they would be like together.”

  With one eyebrow arched and coal black eyes glinting, I knew he intended to invest the word ‘fire’ with all kinds of added meaning and even as I fought not to, my pulse leapt to respond. My breath caught in my chest and noting that, a slow smile worked its way across his face. “Yeah, you’ve been thinking about the same thing haven’t you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Curt, cool, and calm.

  He smiled again and slowly started unbuttoning his shirt. Inner turmoil made me blunt.

  “What are you doing?”

  He shrugged as he continued, stripping off his shirt and then moving to unbuckle the belt at his waist. His corded chest screamed at me in the moonlight, the jagged scars only seeming to accentuate the restrained power of lean muscle and sinew. He shook his head, feigned innocence mocking me. “What? You don’t think I’m going to incinerate a perfectly good su
it, do you?”

  Before I could react, he had unzipped his pants. Dropped them and stepped out of them in one swift movement. I spun my gaze away. Stared fixedly at green trees, black sky, and brown earth. But all I could ‘see’ was him. Burnt into my mind. The lines of his abdomen, as if painted on with liquid silver. The curve of his hip as it dipped inwards. “Dammit Keahi, what the hell is wrong with you? Put your clothes back on. What are you playing at?”

  From somewhere to my right came his lazy drawl that always seemed to be mockery laden. “I’m not playing. Not yet anyway. I told you – I’ve been thinking about fire. Yours and mine.”

  “What about it?” I kept my eyes locked on the forest night.

  He sighed. “Aww, would you please look at me? Didn’t yo mama teach you that it’s rude to ignore somebody when they’re talking to ya? Come on, look at me.” His voice had adopted a fake southern twangy drawl. Maybe that worked for him on other girls – along with the magic abs – but I wasn’t falling for it.

  “This conversation’s over. I’m leaving. I’ve seen more than enough of your damaged scarred body.” Desperation was making me cruel and I regretted the words as soon as they sliced through the air, remembering the raw pain in his eyes when he had first shown me the remnants from his childhood trauma.

  His voice was harsh. “No, we’ve only just started.” And before I could think, before I could act, Keahi had pulled me to him with a ferocity that left me breathless, and captured my mouth. His lips were scorching coals against mine. I fought him. With my mind and my heart, I resisted. But my core – that hot place that sang to molten rivers of lava – screamed to be one with the fire that Keahi’s body hinted of as he pressed his hard length against me, forcing me against the side of the Jeep. Fanua afi rejoiced to feel the presence of another that answered her fiery song and I was losing the battle for control. Keahi’s tattoos began to burn with a heat that ate through the thin fabric of my clothing so that skin met skin in agonizing, tantalizing patches. If I had been any other girl, I would have cried out in pain. But I was telesā fanua afi and my skin welcomed the burn even as my mind screamed No. Don’t do this.

  I felt his heat and it sent a shudder of swirling lava current through my entire body. I welcomed it because Keahi was right. I did want to know what it would feel like to be enflamed and be with another person. To give in to my fire and be able to touch. Feel. Kiss. Truly be myself without worrying that I would injure someone. The thought of being able to lose control was intoxicating. And then it happened. Fanua afi took over me. Keahi kissed me and I kissed him back. His mouth, his tongue, his heat was all I thought of.

  In his kiss I could taste the red burn of chili encrusted in the rich sweetness of melted chocolate. I breathed in his scent and it spoke to me of vanilla. Because fire is warmth and comfort. I closed my eyes and I could see the red passion of the ginger flower. Because fire is beautiful. The ink of my malu began to burn, searing patterns of red joy into my legs, my thighs. The ink made by my mother’s hands.

  You are telesā fanua afi. You are Pele. The creator and destroyer of lands. Embrace who you are. Revel in the birthright that is yours. Fire is warmth. Fire is beautiful. Fire is power. Fire is you.

  “No!” I tore my mouth away from his and pushed my hands against his chest. “That isn’t me. We can’t do this.”

  This time he listened. Loosened his grip on me. “What’s the matter, Leila? Fire too hot for you?” His eyes gleamed with some unreadable emotion andthere was the hint of a smile at the edge of his lips. “Come on. Flame up. You know you want to. Let it all out and let’s have some fun. I’ll go first, shall I?” He stepped away, sparked, and burst into flame. He was getting better at this. I could tell.

  He stood there smiling at me, his arms folded across his chest, legs apart. I could not stop myself from being awed by the sight of another person like me. On fire, like me. He was beautiful. His flames lit up the night, calling to me to respond. The edges of my fingertips prickled with that itch, that tingle to flame and I fought to suppress my desire. Forced myself to speak with coldness. “You’re using me again. As a trigger. A catalyst. Only this time, instead of a chokehold, you’re trying sex. I don’t like being used. For fire. Or for sex.”

  He laughed, low and musical, “Why are you fighting us? We are the same, you and I. And fire should be with fire.”

  “We’re nothing alike. And we most definitely should not be together.”

  “Whatever. You say no Leila, but your body? It says yes. I’ve kissed a lot of girls and I know when your lips are lying.”

  I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand wishing I could erase the taste of him, the memory of him. Of us. Of me and what I had felt like when he was kissing me. I looked down at the remains of my dress, the fabric splattered with charred holes. “You idiot. Look what you did to my clothes.”

  He shrugged. He was blowing flame bubbles into the air and didn’t even look at me. “You should have taken your clothes off before rubbing yourself all over me then.”

  “I did not rub myself all over you. You were kissing me, not the other way around.” I stopped abruptly as he spun around and threw a ball of fire in my direction. A missile that would have hit me if I hadn’t leapt out of the way at the last second. “What are you doing!?” I looked wildly over my shoulder to where the fireball had landed and was enveloping a small gathering of teuila plants. “Are you nuts? You could have hurt me.”

  His reply was venomous. Gone was the lazy drawl. “Don’t lie to me. I hate liars. I’ve been lied to all my life and I’m not going to take it from you too.”

  I was too bewildered to be angry. “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re lying, Leila. You want me. I know you do. You could search the whole world and never find another person who burns the same way you do. I’ve always thought I was the only one cursed like this. And then I found you.”

  He came to an abrupt halt and in that moment, I saw the boy who had set fire to the world so he could save his sister. But had killed her. The boy who used hate to survive. The boy who walked alone. I chose my words carefully. “Keahi, I don’t want to be with someone because they burn like I do. I want to be with someone who loves me for me. Yes, there’s a spark between us but it’s a literal spark. It comes from the fanua afi Gift that we share. But that’s all it is. I’m sorry.”

  A voice interrupted us. “Leila! Leila, where are you?”

  Daniel. He had come looking for me. Wildly, I looked from Keahi in flames and back down again to my singed clothing. What to do? It was too late to do anything because Daniel came into view. His gaze took in everything. Keahi in full fire mode, me with bedraggled charred clothing, and behind me the still-burning evidence of Keahi’s attack.

  Daniel’s reaction was instantaneous. “What are you doing? Get away from her!” Without hesitation, he charged at a fiery Keahi and tackled him with all the fury of a two hundred plus pound rugby player. Caught off guard, Keahi was knocked to the ground, his flames dimmed but still alight. Still enough to burn. Still enough to harm.

  “Daniel, no. Get off him.” I shouted as I ran forward to try and pull Daniel away from a stunned Keahi. “What are you doing? He’s burning at magma temperatures, you’re going to get burned, who does that? Who tackles a fire god? Oh no …” My voice faded as the air filled with the smell of burnt cloth and burnt flesh.

  Daniel slowly raised himself to a seated position, ignoring the burns on his face, chest, and arms. He shook his head at me “I’m fine. But he’s not going to be by the time I’m finished with him.” He pushed me aside and walked over to where Keahi was pulling himself to a standing position.

  Keahi saw him coming and laughed. “Oh yeah? And just what are you going to do to me?” He flexed his shoulders and lit up his hands again, summoning flame from his feet to … But before fire could reach his upper torso, Daniel had reached him. Reached him and hit him in the face. “This.” A blow so swift that I barely registered it. Fist smash
ed against flesh. Bone jarred against bone. Keahi’s head snapped back and he fell to the ground.

  Daniel stood over him. His voice was low and venomous. “Stay away from my girlfriend. Don’t ever hurt her again. Or I’ll kill you.”

  Keahi lay in the dirt, all flame knocked out of him as he shook his head dazedly, bringing a hand up to wipe the trickle of blood from his cut lip. His nakedness screamed at me in the night. He made no attempts to cover up. Or to fight back. He just lay back in the grass and laughed some more. His voice dripped with satisfaction.

  “I wasn’t hurting her you fool. I was kissing her. And she was loving it.”

  Daniel didn’t even blink. Didn’t even entertain a question, a thought, a fleeting moment of doubt. Only shrugged dismissively and turned away, throwing back over his shoulder. “You’re pathetic.” His trust, his complete confidence in me, cut me with guilt. With far greater hurt than if he had attacked me. He walked over to me and took me gently in his arms. His voice was soft. “Hey, are you ok? Did he hurt you?”

  I shook my head, my words muffled against his shoulder as he held me close. “No, I’m fine.” Over his shoulder I could see Keahi sitting up, staring at us with a sardonic expression. He caught my gaze and rolled his eyes, his face contemptuous. I pulled away and checked out Daniel’s injuries. His shirt was burnt through in several patches and blistering flesh showed through. The skin of his forearms was burnt raw. “But you’re not. Come on, let’s go inside the resort and get you some first aid.”

  He winced, “No. I’m not going back in there. Let’s just go. I want to get out of here. Mama has lots of medicine at home that will work much better anyway.”