Unexpectedly, the words seemed to strike a chord with Max, and his eyes lit up.
"Lost? The only place she could get lost is in the cave. I won't get lost." Max took off running toward the mouth of the cave. Apela started out after him, but Vin begged him to stay.
"Please, let me go. I will make sure that he is ok. Nothing will happen to him. I give you my word." After a moment of consideration, Apela nodded approval and Vin rushed off to catch up with Max.
"Salma, why don't you run up to the hotel and get your bag ready in case we find Caeli in there. If she is, I suspect she is going to need your help. We will bring her to you. Apela, would you mind to go with Salma and see if you can help? Don't worry. We'll both look after Max," Ben requested and offered his assurance for the boy as well.
He needed to help Vin search the cave and did not want Salma to be alone in the meantime. Apela would keep an eye on her without making Salma feel like she had a babysitter. It would also help distract both of them from their worry for their loved ones. With that, Ben followed Vin and Max into the cave.
"Don't be afraid, Sister. I will ease your pain. Your skills will be needed soon, and you must be well enough to use them."
Salma remembered the words whispered to her at the hotel and dreaded what they were going to find.
Caeli woke again to find the water pooled almost to her shoulders as she lay there with her head on the rock. Either she had been asleep for a long time or it was raining very hard. Perhaps it was both.
"Caeli, please! Can you hear me? Please, please answer me, Honey."
"Vin," she answered verbally in a voice no stronger than a whisper.
She tried to stand, but the pain in her stomach was intense. Her legs ached and her jaw throbbed as if she had lost a prize fight. Caeli did not have the strength to use her healing skills on herself. With all that had gone wrong since she started using her gift, she was afraid even to try. However, Caeli was aware that she had to move or her situation would get even worse. Despite the pain, Caeli slowly pulled herself up the wall until she was standing, only one small cry of pain escaped her lips. She dared not look down to see how badly she was hurt. Instead, she tore off the tattered, lower portion of her blouse and pressed it against the raw, exposed area on her stomach, hoping this would help ease the pain while she moved about.
When the water in the second room of the cavern nearly reached the boy's waist, Vin hoisted Max up into his arms. They could move more quickly through the rest of the cave that way. Max pointed the way as he led Vin deeper into the cavern, with Ben only a few steps behind. They rounded the most recent turn and entered a huge room with a floor like a swimming pool. That pool was about a third full. Along the two longer sides, deep concave tubes were overflowing like a section of white water rapids, quickly filling the depression in the center.
"Pretty Caeli!" Max repeatedly called her name.
"Caeli, are you in here?" Vin also called to her.
In addition to the water rushing through the cave and the pain pounding in her head, Caeli heard Vin's voice again and answered in kind.
"Vin, I'm here."
She tried to walk forward, but only got two steps before the force of the churning water knocked her from her feet, sending her sprawling.
"Caeli!" Vin called out loud at the same time as Max.
"Pretty Caeli!"
Vin quickly tossed Max the short distance through the air to Ben and plunged down into the pool-like area of frigid water to aid his wife. It took him a minute to reach her in the frothy water, but Vin was finally able to get a good hold on Caeli's arm and pull her up with great relief.
When she finally stood shakily before him, Caeli held onto Vin's shoulders for support, looking at him quizzically for a moment.
"Caeli, thank God! Are you all right? What happened?" Vin questioned as he hugged her close.
She tensed up and let out a small cry as his embrace exacerbated her pain. Vin quickly eased his hold and tried to hold her at arm's length to determine how bad she was hurt.
Max took that opportunity to wiggle out of Ben's arms, slide down to the bottom of the depression, and swim over to her. He threw his arms around her leg, causing her more pain. She looked down and noticed the boy for the first time. Caeli fell immediately to her knees, heedless of the water that nearly submerged them both. She suddenly remembered the other thing that was nagging at her. With tears in her eyes, and ignoring the pain, Caeli hugged Max tightly.
"I'm so sorry that I didn't come back for you, Max. I knew that I should, but I couldn't do it. Is he ok, Vin?" The tears overflowed her brown eyes as she looked up at Vin.
"I am wondering the same about you; but, yes, Max is fine. He hid until Apela found him. Come on. Let's talk about this at the hotel. The water in here is still rising, and you don't look very well. Ben, will you take Max so I can help Caeli? Give me your hand, Honey," Vin answered.
Caeli seemed to shake her head and looked down at the water, letting go of Max. She sat in silence for a moment, her long, wet hair falling forward to cover whatever emotion might have shown on her face. When she finally looked up at Vin, her dark, blue eyes reflected resentment. Vin heard a voice in his mind that did not belong to Caeli.
"You think the boy hid from me? Ha! He cannot hide from his mother. Max is mine, and she certainly cannot resist much longer. Her endurance wears thinner by the day. She grows weaker already. Of course, she won't have to worry about that once she accepts my help, willingly or not."
Caeli rose up and stared at Vin with the look of someone who was meeting him for the very first time. Her blue eyes looked him over, appraising the quality of a prize stallion up for sale. Vin knew this was not Caeli, but rather had to be the woman she had mentioned previously, Rika.
Vin could see immortality in those blue orbs. The eyes were similar to ones he had seen on an occasion six months earlier. Somehow, this person or spirit managed to gain control of Caeli. Vin intended to remedy that.
"Who are you? What have you done with Caeli?" Vin demanded.
"Eyvindr, you are the main reason she refuses me. She is very attached to you, and that makes it much more difficult for me. Yet, you also gave her that which I greatly desire. Do not worry. Your wife is safe with me. Her pain and suffering cease when she is with me. She will never suffer pain or injury with me. Isn't that what you want for her?"
"Yes, but not like this. I will not give her up, and Caeli would not want this." Vin refused to speak with Rika mentally. That was a privilege she did not deserve and that he refused to share with Rika.
"Are you sure about that? Then how am I here now? Nonetheless, Caeli is here, before you still, for now. Perhaps, if I cannot convince her to accept my friendship, then maybe you can do something to help me."
Before Vin could voice the obvious objection, Caeli reached out and placed her hand firmly against his chest, directly over his heart. Vin felt a tingling sensation race from her hand and course through his body. He could not move away. The feeling was pleasant and incredibly strong, but it also made him angry. He did not know how to reach Caeli's mind, but he could reach her body. He could reach out and take hold of her right now. He could carry her away from this place, out of the water. Would that work? Would it help Caeli fight Rika or would it hinder her? Vin refrained. He needed more information before he could act.
Caeli removed her hand and stepped out of Vin's reach with a self-satisfied grin on her face.
"There. I'm sure that will entice your assistance," Rika said.
"What do you want with Caeli?" Vin asked.
"I want what she can be. Your wife has what I desire, and only she has the proper heritage to grant it to me. She will give me what I want. You, Eyvindr, can be a part of this or you can become a pleasant, fading, memory. Either is acceptable."
"Do you think to deter me with half answers and riddles? I don't have any idea what you are talking about, and I am not going to stand here trying to figure it out. Let Caeli go or your mem
ory of me will be anything but pleasant." The wind stirred around Vin as his anger grew with her mysteries and threats.
"Such passion you have; and well packaged, too. There is something special about you, isn't there, Eyvindr? I can feel it in the air. I can see why she wants to stay with you; but her time is up. You will help me because you simply won't be able to resist her. Pulling your strings will be the most fun I have had in decades."
Max stared wide-eyed at Caeli and backed away from her reach until he bumped into Ben's leg. Ben put his arm on the boy's shoulder for reassurance. Ben could see that something was terribly wrong with Caeli and watched for a cue from Vin about how he was going to handle it.
"What's wrong, Max?" Ben said quietly to the child.
"That is not pretty Caeli," Max answered, fear causing his voice to tremble.
Vin caught Max's movement out of the corner of his eye. It only confirmed what he already knew. He continued to taunt the lady, still hoping for any clue that might tell him how to help Caeli.
"I will not help you with whatever it is you are trying to do. Caeli and I will be leaving here together. You will release her or else," Vin asserted.
"Foolish man! You dare threaten me? I have grown tired of this conversation. You two will leave, while I am still inclined to set you free. Your wife and the boy will remain with me."
Vin was confused, but he was out of time. He would have to sort it out later. His first concern was getting Caeli out of there. He needed to take some sort of action before it was too late.
Max squeezed Ben's leg and frantically tried to climb up as if Ben were a tree. Ben picked him up out of the dangerous waters. Vin moved forward to take hold of Caeli, but without warning, she made a lunge for Max. At the last moment, it seemed as if she changed her mind and was jerked beneath the suddenly turbulent water instead. It appeared to Vin that she was tugged beneath the surface by an unseen pair of hands. Vin rushed to catch hold of her, but was not quick enough. Caeli resurfaced a moment later, further away from Vin, and looked around to locate Max.
Caeli spoke to Max, almost frantically.
"Max, go with Ben. He will keep you safe. No matter what, don't come near me. I know you understand, Max. Please go. Ben, get him out of here!" Caeli's voice pleaded.
The water in the cave rose faster now. It was almost to Caeli's shoulders as she stood.
"Caeli, I knew you would fight her." Vin recognized the return of the brown-eyed woman he knew so well.
In the next instant, Caeli made another quick movement toward Max, now secure in Ben's arms. Ben was faster and side-stepped her attempt. While she was distracted, Vin came up beside Caeli and caught her around the waist. She would not be so easily held in her native water, though, and was soon free of his grasp. Caeli again plunged below the water's surface, with less resistance this time, and disappeared from sight, leaving Vin with nothing more than a large smear of blood on his arm.
Vin searched frantically for several minutes, but could not locate her. She simply vanished in the high, frothy waters. Given the pool-like dimensions of the room, Vin did not think that Caeli could have swam by both he and Ben unnoticed, or that she could have stayed completely submerged for this long. He was frightened for her. What if Caeli was caught on something below the water and could not free herself? What if this other presence had taken complete control once again? Vin dove under the water several times, trying to see anything, but the water was too choppy and visibility in the dim cave water was almost nonexistent. Vin called Caeli's name repeatedly, but received no response.
He had been searching for almost five minutes when a firm hand grasped his shoulder. Vin looked to his left where Ben stood at his side, Max still in his arms. Ben nodded to indicate something in the opposite direction. For the first time, Ben was able to see the shining, white light. A vaguely man-like form rose from the water and approached Vin. When it spoke, Ben could also hear the words. He was enthralled by the sight before him. Vin, on the other hand, paid close attention to every word, knowing they would be few and important.
"Eyvindr, she fights for lives in addition to her own, as she must. But, this has left her vulnerable to the force which now threatens to overwhelm her. If you want her back, then you must fight for her."
"Urim, you know I will fight, but who is this enemy? How can I fight her without harming Caeli? I don't even know where she has taken Caeli."
"Caeli remains. She struggles even as we speak. She has been through much today. Although she has been spared the recollection of certain moments, the moments ahead will be worse. Caeli has little strength remaining. Lend her yours. Fight for her, Eyvindr, as only you can. It is her only chance to win her freedom." With that, Urim's presence faded as rapidly as it had arrived.
Vin considered the angel's words carefully and a new look of determination chiseled its way into his features. The wind in the cave began to stir, stronger and stronger with each heartbeat. That was the cue Ben needed. Vin had devised a plan and was already setting it in motion.
"Ben, get Max out of her as fast as you can. Wait at the hotel. Don't come back for us, no matter what. Hurry! I don't have time to explain."
"You don't need to," Ben answered. He had a pretty good idea what was about to happen, and Ben did not want to be anywhere near it. He rushed toward the exit as the wind began to howl within the confinement of the pool-shaped room.
The water around Caeli swirled and tugged at her. No matter how much she tried, she could not regain the surface. She was able to use her gift to shelter herself so that she didn't drown, but that was about all she could do physically. Caeli soon won free of Rika's mental intrusion, having heard the words Rika spoke to Vin. Rika implied that Caeli allowed this to happen. If that were true, then she should be able to deny it. When Rika tried to grab Max, Caeli made a concerted effort to enforce that denial and succeeded for a few, brief moments. It was enough to stop Rika and let Caeli know that it was possible.
Rika's presence returned and kept threatening to take control. As if waking from a dream, Caeli gained the dawning realization that this insidious intrusion is what she had been fighting ever since her first encounter with Rika. She continued that battle now. Whenever Caeli was tired or sick, her vulnerability allowed Rika to gain a greater foothold. Her exhaustion after the large waves and then the poisoning were the weaknesses first exploited by Rika to gain a hold on Caeli's mind. Each time afterward that Caeli was weakened, Rika fortified her position. And now, beaten and submerged in the water of Rika's cave, her presence was nearly insurmountable. Yet Caeli managed to hold her at bay. She would not give up. Vin was here. He would help her if only she could reach him.
Caeli caught a glimpse of light approaching. She hoped it was Urim. Maybe he could help her as he had done before. Rika's presence, however, moved away and placed itself between Caeli and Urim. Urim was not able to get near Caeli, though he did not leave. From what Caeli could tell, Urim moved closer to Vin.
At the thought of Vin, Rika refocused her attention on Caeli and again tried to wrestle control from her. Caeli continued to resist.
"They cannot help you now. I will keep you here until you surrender. Why do you continue to fight me?"
"I don't believe your lies. You cannot keep me here."
Ultimately, however, Caeli knew she would lose this struggle unless she found a way out of the cave. Her opponent had vast resources. Caeli had none. Her adversary was well experienced, where Caeli barely understood how to use her gift. Though she truly believed there was a solution to every problem, Caeli could not see this one. All she could do was fight and pray that an idea came to her before her strength was spent.
When Caeli began to feel her thoughts grow hazy and her strength waver, she also noticed how the water around her began to move awkwardly. It was not the normal flow of the currents, but rather a forced movement. To both sides, the water was being pushed away from where Vin stood, slowly revealing the cave floor. Rika turned her focus to fight against Vin
, but he was strong with his gift and confident in its use. Vin was angry and determined. He would not be denied. He used the wind to push the water aside and hold it back as if blocked by an unseen dam. Within minutes, the cave floor was dry for ten feet all around him.
"Come back to me, Caeli."
She heard Vin's voice clearly in her mind. Caeli understood that Vin was giving her an opportunity to break free of the surrounding water. She wanted to do exactly that; rush into the open and throw herself into his arms.
Caeli was about to roll herself onto the dry stone when she caught a brief glimpse of the face of the man in black and experienced a wrenching sensation inside her gut. If not for the lack of salivating carnivores, she would swear that her insides were being shredded by a pack of wolves. She wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach, but could not take the time to address it right then. Her chance to escape would not last long. If she did not go now, she might not get away. Caeli mustered her strength, ignored the pain, and threw herself forward. She rolled a few feet onto the floor, stopping face down near Vin's feet. She could not find enough remaining strength to get up. Caeli was relieved to note that Rika's presence could not follow her out onto the virtually dry stone. Rika could only talk to her now. She could not take control. Caeli had succeeded, for the moment, in breaking away from Rika. She was thankful for that and for Vin's help, but the exhaustion and strong pain throughout her body barely allowed her to find satisfaction in the outcome.
Vin, maintaining his focus on the air that held back the water, bent down and helped her up, supporting her as she hobbled along in obvious distress. He was immensely relieved that his gift helped set Caeli free. Vin was incredibly proud of her strength and determination; and a strong desire to kiss her swelled within him. Yet, it also felt wrong. It jogged the memory of his encounter when the wave washed over him on the ship. Vin ignored the odd distraction knowing the threat remained. He ushered an injured Caeli out of the cave, practically carrying her as she clung to him for support. A dry path cleared for them as they moved toward the opening. Vin let the water resettle to its original flow once they reached the safety of the beach. As soon as Caeli left the confines of the cave, her remaining strength gave out.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 46
