by Jaymin Eve
Three blues disappeared from sight – diving below the surface. They made no ripples as they traversed through the waters. I was amazed and slightly jealous.
The beast turned its attention to Brace. From all sides the tentacles moved forward to surround him.
Something inside me snapped.
Panic and anger flooded my system, and suddenly I felt it. My energy pulsed at me, responding to my emotion. I shoved my way past those blocking my path. I’d had no Walker fight training – there hadn’t been time before we left – so I did the only thing I knew – drew from the endless pit that existed inside me.
I was only a few feet from Brace. With his giant height, the water was waist-deep, though for me it sat just below my shoulder. My energy hummed – comforting and familiar – and a warmth spread through me, I wondered what looked like right then. Dirty, tired, in the same stink-ass clothes for a week – all of that paled as the energy flowed through me.
“She’s magnificent ... glows ... the marks are glowing.” A Spurn close to me spoke out loud. Other words surrounded me, but I barely registered them.
As if he sensed my presence, Brace swung around with fires of hell burning in his narrowed eyes.
“Pretty sure I told you to stay on the beach, Abigail.”
I was always Abigail when he was really pissed off.
He was just snaking out an arm to grab at me when he had to dive under the water to avoid an attack. Two tree-like limbs thrashed about, attempting to encase him from either side, while a large spike stabbed out from the center of the creature.
To my left I noticed the Spurns gliding past with Lucas in tow. Out of the corner of my eye, I registered that they had dragged him up onto the beach, where Lucy immediately jumped on top of him to stop him returning to the ocean.
Figuring he was okay, I turned back to the creature.
The energy I’d gathered was starting to ache. It wanted to be free; I could feel it pushing against my restraints. But I needed the perfect moment, and I couldn’t really step any closer because the ocean floor dropped away dramatically.
A shadow in the water startled me as Brace emerged, streaming water from him. Luckily, I’d already dived away, so when his long arms swiped through the free air, he just missed me. He intended to drag me to shore, and I needed to use this energy first.
My dive took me into the salty depths, but luckily I found my footing again and rose spluttering from the water. Two feet from me, Brace groaned as he ran his hands through the dark wet strands of his hair. I noted the frustration on his face, but before I could say anything Lucy shouted from the beach.
I spun around.
Samuel and Lucas were holding her back as she tried to get into the water. Her eyes were frantic. It took me a moment to decipher her words over the noise.
“Abby, turn around! That thing is heading straight for you.”
Too slow, I swung my head in time to see the large slimy green limb as it smashed into my side. Its power was incredible. The force knocked out my breath and a few ribs, I think. I was flung far out into deeper water, managing to keep my energy ball from dispersing as I sank, breathlessly, into the depths. My two swimming lessons on First World had given me enough skills to scissor-kick my legs, slowing my descent but not reversing it.
The water looked depthless; I could see the darkness beneath me, where the weak light of the sun did not reach. It was eerie in the quiet expanse as I continued to fight the current.
Then strong arms encased me. I struggled before noticing the emerald hair that surrounded me. Looking to my left, I saw it was Raror.
As soon I stopped fighting he dragged me toward the surface, minute trails of bubbles dispersing from the tiny slits down his neck. The water surrounding us grew steadily lighter until finally I was free.
I gasped in a couple of breaths, my aching lungs thanking me with puffs of relief.
Raror’s freezing cold hands released me before grabbing my right leg and dragging me through the water. When I looked around, I could see why.
We were in the shadow of the creature.
Brace was close beside us and he had hold of one of the tentacles, while he hacked at it with a medium-sized knife. With a roar of pain, the creature snagged him with one of its many limbs, lifting him into the air above its core.
Raror powered us through the water like a mini-speed boat. I needed to help Brace before I was too far away. Ignoring the stabbing pain from my ribs, I reformed my heavy sphere of glowing energy.
I pictured it as a large torpedo.
I waited a moment ... and another... just for that perfect opportunity.
The creature reared its head, and I was staring into a huge expanded jaw that had opened to devour Brace. Its eyes flashed with at least twelve large dark globes. I knew this was my best chance; the creature had allowed a moment when its core was unshielded and vulnerable. Closing my own eyes and drawing on my control, I set the energy free, depleting myself as much as possible.
A hoarse scream left my mouth at the burn of release.
“Red, what’s happening over there?” Brace bellowed from his position above the creature.
Despite the fact he was about to become monster food, he seemed to be more interested in what was going on with me. At this point I could barely keep my head up. As water splashed in my face, it took every effort not to fall forward and drown. A large burst of light forced my eyes closed. I didn’t even move to see if I had missed or hit my target.
I was semi-conscious enough to feel the rough sand as I was dragged from the water.
“What happened out there, Raror? What’s wrong with Abby?” Talina’s cool hands, though warmer than her brother’s, help to position me on the beach.
“So I’m guessing you’re going to be a little low on energy for a while again, Abbs,” Lucy said as she moved to cradle my head on her lap.
I could sense her worry as she stroked my hair, which felt like it weighed a thousand tons. My lashes flickered, but my lids wouldn’t obey my command to open.
“Urghhh.” I managed a slight moan.
A shadow fell over me. The weak light behind my eyelids disappeared.
“Did he make it back to shore?”
The voice sounded like Lucas’. But it was hard to tell since it was minus his usual flirty arrogance. Maybe getting attacked by a huge sea-monster had given his over-confidence a much needed deflating. He had to be asking about Brace, and just hearing his worry gave me a shot of panic and adrenalin. I had no problem forcing my eyes open then.
“Brace?” I said out loud, not caring what Lucas might think.
From my current position I could only see Lucy. She wasn’t even looking at me, but was staring over her shoulder toward the water. I began to struggle, like a turtle that was on its back and couldn’t get the right way up again. Another shadow fell across my face.
“Sorry, Red, you’re going to have to find another way to get rid of me.” The sound of his beautiful accent sent a wave of relief through me.
He moved around me to stand with a leg on either side of my hips. It was hard to tell against the sun-glare behind him, but I was pretty sure he was scowling.
Big surprise.
Able to finally move my head, I drank in the sight before me. In that moment I was consumed by a single thought, one I’d never tell him: Brace was the closest thing to perfection I’d ever seen. Soaking wet, his dark hair slicked back off the perfect planes of his face, black fitted shirt plastered to muscles. Muscles which I guessed were honed from hard work, not enhancing drugs. He was like a god rising from the sea. I forced my right arm to move, lifting my hand to check if I’d started to drool. It was hard to tell with the sea water still dripping from me.
“So, I’m pretty sure that someone has a little problem with obeying a direct command.” Brace’s eyes flashed; they almost looked black.
I narrowed my own eyes.
Oh, no, the hell he didn’t. Direct command?
Someone
was about to learn I wasn’t one of his soldiers.
Without thought, my leg flew through the air in an attempt to crack Brace right in his jewels. But as usual the smug ass anticipated my move and now had a hold of my calf muscle, keeping my leg suspended in the air. Luckily he didn’t lift it too high. I was pretty sure my ribs would pop right out of my chest if they received more abuse.
“You’re going to have to move quicker than that, Abigail.” His eyes promised me to-be-determined punishment.
Bring it on.
My entire body tightened at the thought of our battle.
I couldn’t help the images that flooded my mind. I might have only had one kiss in my life, but my imagination needed no help.
Brace let me go before bending from his lofty heights to haul me over his shoulder. I groaned as my ribs protested. But I was surprised that they didn’t feel quite as bruised as before.
“Thanks for the assistance out there, Red. But it would save my nerves and sanity if you could stop risking yourself. I had it under control.” He patted me lightly on the butt.
I kicked out at him again.
Groaning, he wrapped an arm around me, limiting my movements.
I twisted until my face was close to his. “Why do you care, Brace? What have you dreamed about us? And why did you kiss me?”
The questions spilled from me. They’d been burning a hole in my mind for days.
He looked sideways at me. “Because you are mine.” The statement was short and it just about stopped my heart.
I shook my head, dispelling some of the water in my heavy hair. Had I heard that correctly? I twisted around, attempting to see more of his expression.
“You’re mine to protect, Abigail, and I will not let anyone or anything hurt you again.”
I ignored my surge of disappointment; I should have realized this was just a duty to him.
“I’m no one’s to protect. I look after myself,” I said.
I felt, more than heard, his second deep groan.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Red.” Now I could barely hear him. He’d turned away to speak into the breeze. “You are mine.”
He ignored any further attempts at conversation. I turned my attention back to Lucy and Talina, who were following behind us.
“Did I kill it?” I asked.
Talina shook her head. “There was a lot of blood in the water. You definitely hurt it, but it took off, faster than any of us could follow.”
Her worried tone said much more than her statement.
Sighing, I closed my eyes, and pretty soon the rhythmic movement of walking, and that intoxicating scent that was all Brace, had me drifting in a half-sleep state.
Chapter 4
I was standing in my room on First World staring at four pale-pink walls. Lallielle appeared in front of me and I realized I was dreaming.
“Mom!” My voice sounded a little disjointed. This was different to my dreams on Earth.
She stepped closer to me. Her long black hair flowed down her back and her green eyes, lighter than my own, were shadowed with concern.
“Aribella, thank the gods. I’ve been trying to dream-span you for days.” She sounded almost the same, maybe less vibrant, a little more one-dimensional.
I couldn’t move toward her, but speaking was easy enough.
“We were captured as soon as we landed. We’ve just managed to convince them to let us free ... or kind of under house arrest.” I still couldn’t move. “Have you spoken with Dad?”
I needed to ask him about my powers.
Lallielle shook her head. “No, I’ve tried a few times, but wherever he is, I cannot reach him.”
No wonder she’d been upset; she hadn’t been able to reach anyone.
I sucked in a breath. “Is that normal?”
She shook her head and shrugged.
Great answer.
Since I didn’t know how much time we had, I decided to tell her about my energy.
“So my powers have sort of shorted out ... since I opened the initial portal. I’ve only been able to use them one more time.” I raised my brows, the only thing I could move. “They’re kind of temperamental.”
She gasped. “I don’t like that, Aribella. You’re stuck on Spurn?”
Her face was turning into one big wrinkle of concern. She was probably flashing back to the time she couldn’t find me on Earth.
“This must have something to do with your halfling nature. Not even Josian could guess what we were going to produce.”
I laughed. “Don’t you worry about that. You produced all kinds of awesome.” I’d teased half a smile out of her. “And, yes, we are stuck here for the foreseeable future, although I’ve already found the halfling. Tell Frannie that planet one was as easy as she promised me. Although the natives are a little blood-thirsty and there’s a crazy-ass creature in the water.”
“Aribella,” she admonished me. “I’ll let her know, and if she has any additional advice I’ll pass it on next time I manage to contact you.”
“Why couldn’t you contact me until now?” Were everyone’s powers crapping out today?
Her image froze then.
I waited an extra second, before trying to move forward again. I swore angrily as I was once again contained. The scene began to fade, and with a pop, I was back inside my own head. But at the same time I wasn’t there alone. My mind flooded with a repeated phrase and even though I had only heard it just one other time, I had no problem recalling every word.
Children of Gods, born unknown and alone,
the seven are needed to eliminate. Take heed,
for baby will not live till four and one year
unless removed from the world here.
The youngest and strongest to collect.
Lost and alone, a god-man is the key.
Gather the Halflings, stone and fear.
The end of days is written in mineral.
It was a warning – or prophesy, if you could call it that – from Francesca. I wanted to open my eyes and stop the chanting of words but I couldn’t.
How had I jumped from Lallielle to this? I guess, if I was honest, until this point I hadn’t really spent much time thinking about these words. I didn’t put much faith in prophesies. Although most of what was there made sense, it was about the seven half-Walkers and how we were the key to preventing the end of the world. But gather the stone and fear? Written in mineral? It was too vague, and that was part of my pet hate of soothsayers. Just give me facts, not this crap that can be interpreted in twenty different ways.
I wrenched my mind free from the chant and forced my eyes open. I didn’t have time to get lost in those words. I needed to do my job, and that was to collect Talina and move on to the other worlds.
Sitting upright, the last echoing vestige of the words faded from my mind as I stared at my surroundings.
I was camped out on the ground, but it was soft. I realized I lay on some type of mesh throw rug. The room looked like a living area, and if my slightly queasy stomach was any indication, the ground was shifting under me. I stumbled to my feet, my right hand pressed firmly against my chest. My throat tightened, unexpressed tears and emotions brimming, threatening to burst free.
I was out of the dream but there was something wrong with me. Had the words affected me somehow or was this manipulation from an outside force? After a few deep breaths, I calmed and distracted myself by walking around the small room, stumbling occasionally from unexpected lurches.
The floor was timber. It was smooth, with an oily feel under my bare feet. There weren’t many pieces of furniture. The main piece leaned against the back wall and I realized it was a strange-looking couch. It was bright blue in color, but the material was unusual, and appeared brittle enough to collapse if someone were to sit on it. Moving closer, I reached out to gently drag my hand along the arm, pulling back as my finger-tips caught on the rough material.
“It’s made of coralline.” A voice sounded from behind me.
I spun around to face Talina, who was standing in the open doorway.
“I wanted to check on you and see if you had woken yet.” She smiled as she stepped inside. “The coralline grows in our waters. It’s part of a living ecosystem. Once we remove it from the sea, parts of it petrify, but the rest continues to grow and change. It’s the basis for most of our furniture.”
That’s what it reminded me of: coral – the way it grew in peaks and ridges, with many little turrets. Of course, I’d only ever seen pictures. The pollution on Earth had destroyed most of the fragile coral structures throughout the world, or so we were told. Never having set foot out of New York, I kind of just had to take their word for it. And from my experience their ‘word’ wasn’t worth much.
“Where are we?” I managed to croak out, my voice husky from the salt water.
“You’re on Gladriel’s pontoon.” She blinked rapidly.
As with the other Spurns, she had a clear lens which occasionally flicked up and down over her eyes.
“This is part of my area. We were no longer welcome on the isle; everyone had to make their way back to their territory. We’ve been traveling for about ten leagues.”
My heart stuttered.
We weren’t close to land. We were smack bang in the middle of the freaking ocean.
I pushed back my damp curls and without much thought reached for the comfort of my energy. In that moment I understood my previous emotional outburst. My energy felt empty, and I felt empty too. I was grateful Talina didn’t notice my distress as she started talking again.
“Sorry about the wetness in here. The pontoons are designed to distribute a constant stream of humidity. It’s enough that most Spurns suffer no discomfort, but you will probably feel damp.”
Now that she’d mentioned it, I was slightly itchy and kind of wishing I hadn’t swum in my clothes and let the saltiness dry on me.
“Where are my friends?” I croaked again, unable to clear my swollen throat.
“It’s almost meal time; they’re upstairs on the decking, waiting for us. I’ll show you the way.” She waved me forward as she moved toward the doorway.
