Rika pulled forth memories from Caeli's childhood; bad memories. Caeli had not thought about that trip since the day they returned home. For two weeks, she, her mother, and her grandmother vacationed in a rental house on the main island. Caeli remembered the strange man with sharp fingernails and oily skin coming into her room. Every evening, a half hour after her mother went to bed, the man arrived and hauled a younger Caeli kicking and screaming from her bed. Somehow, neither her mother nor her grandmother ever heard her cries for help.
After the first two nights, Caeli tried to run and hide from the odd man, but he always caught her and always found her hiding places. Each night, he took Caeli to visit Rika on a small island. In fact, now that she looked closer, Caeli realized that he brought her to this very island. That shelter had been built for Caeli when she was a young girl. Now Caeli understood why the man in black had seemed familiar when she first saw him. He was the same man who had abducted her all those years ago.
No matter how hard she tried, Caeli could never remember to tell her mother about the incident the next day. Instead, Caeli was so exhausted that her mother had to come in and dig her out from beneath the covers to wake her up. Her mother was initially worried, but eventually brushed off Caeli's lack of rest as a bad case of homesickness. It was the first time she had ever taken Caeli on a trip away from home. Caeli slept fitfully every night since she returned from that vacation. To this day, she still tossed and turned in her sleep. Now she understood why.
"I knew then that you would be the one to set me free. I knew you would return when you were grown and had learned to understand the rare combination of your gift and our shared heritage. When you finally arrived, I was overjoyed to discover that you were also pregnant, and by a man as rare as you. Who could have known that the two bloodlines would reunite after millennia of separation? I knew you were special, but I had no idea you would be a part of such profound events. You chose your mate very well. Of course, that is also why he has been such a thorn in my side. But, once you and I are joined, all that will change. He will no longer be a problem."
Caeli listened, but did not let her guard down. She caught on to Rika's attempt to distract her. To a small extent, it was working. Caeli wanted to recall these long buried details from her youth. However, she was not about to let the past dictate her future. Rika's voice still held that edge of condescension and arrogance that grated on Caeli's nerves.
"Did you really believe that your tactics this week would convince me to submit to your whim? You tried to force your will on me. You threatened Vin. You killed my son. How could you expect any of that to make me welcome your friendship?"
"You are quick to forget. I first offered you help and kindness. I hoped you would be smart enough to see the mutual benefits of this arrangement. But you are as stubborn today as you were when you were a child. Ultimately, it does not matter. You will do this, either by your will or my own. I have earned this reward. It is mine to claim. You are mine to claim."
"You are gravely mistaken. You cannot take over my life simply because you are bored by the choices you made. You have no right to my life, and I am no longer the feeble invalid you hoped to deceive. Admittedly, I was down, deeply buried within myself as you intended; but I have found my way to the surface. I will fight you as long as I draw breath. For the death of my son alone, you and I will never be reconciled. For Max's mother and every other person you have hurt with your selfish desires, I intend to put a stop to your malicious deeds. I intend to bring an end to the Sea Queen's reign of terror."
Now Rika laughed openly. Caeli's threat seemed to do nothing more than amuse her. Caeli wondered if she would be able to back up such bravado with her actions. She hoped so.
"Still trying to take on more than you can see. It simply isn't possible for you to defeat me. You don't have the means to affect me unless you join me; and then you cannot hurt me without also hurting yourself. Vin told you correctly. You cannot win."
"I do not accept that. There has to be a way, and I will find it."
"It is foolish of you to cling to such a flawed notion. That is why I took you when I did. If you had continued to listen, Vin might have turned you aside from your foolish quest, and I would have to wait even longer. I am tired of waiting. Accept your fate, and I will spare this island some of the destruction it is about to receive. My final storm was created to wipe out everything on this island. After all this time, I will finally be free of this fluid prison. I might still be persuaded to spare your friends and family if you are willing to yield now. The choice is yours, Caeli. Will you accept my last gracious offer and save your family?"
"It is for my family that I refuse," Caeli steadfastly replied.
CHAPTER 50
Vin dove into the tide several times, but he could not find her. He finally returned to the shore and watched carefully for several minutes, but Caeli did not resurface. He was forced to wait for some sign of what was happening to her. Vin began to pace along the shore, the wind stirring restlessly with him. The clouds overhead continued to darken. He could tell by the intensifying rain, which soaked him to his core, that Caeli was upset; though he did not know, at first, if it was anger or fear.
This storm moved differently than the rain showers earlier in the week. It traveled with a specific purpose. Vin allowed his senses to mingle momentarily with the storm winds and clearly sensed both Rika and Caeli within. He distinguished hints of Caeli's barely restrained anger flickering along its edges. He held flashes of that same anger within himself.
Vin considered reaching out to Caeli through their link, but decided against it. It was too risky. He could not determine what another distraction might cost her. It was tearing him up to stand there helpless while she faced Rika alone. Under normal circumstances, Vin would have been confident that Caeli could handle herself. She was smart and competent to deal with most normal situations. Unfortunately, this situation was anything but normal, and Caeli was not physically or emotionally up to par. Vin did not believe that Caeli was ready for this confrontation yet, and he was terrified that he could lose her.
It was Vin's overprotective nature, justifiably founded, that caused him to worry excessively about Caeli. He always tried to predict when something she was doing posed a potential risk. Whether it was a late night client meeting, a volunteer event at an unfamiliar location, or even delivering materials to job venues, Vin made a point of knowing if it might place Caeli in a vulnerable scenario. In those instances, Vin ensured that he was on hand to intervene should anything happen. Not only did it put his mind at ease, it also allowed him to spend more time with her; something he enjoyed immensely. Ever since his brush with death, Vin never felt as if there were enough hours in the day to spend with Caeli, so he savored each additional minute.
Caeli was always glad when Vin accompanied her. She enjoyed having him along for the companionship, but particularly when she went to unfamiliar locations where she was likely to get lost. She also appreciated his help with the deliveries. She took great pleasure in the relaxing drives and romantic outings that often developed when Vin picked her up from a late meeting. This was his way of ensuring that Caeli would never again have to face anything dangerous without him. She had already endured many bad trials in her life, and Vin was doing everything that he could to prevent Caeli from ever having to go through such ordeals again. Thankfully, they rarely ran into any trouble.
Now, however, when Vin was certain that Caeli needed his help, he could not reach her. Vin was infuriated by the forced separation. His efforts to help Caeli were being thwarted at every turn. It seemed that the more he tried to help, the more Caeli was made to suffer. Rika was determined that Caeli would face her alone. Aside from her desire to take over Caeli's body, Vin still knew virtually nothing about the mysterious lady who was the source of so much of Caeli's trouble.
Who was she? How had she become so fixated on Caeli? If Rika truly wanted a family, as she suggested to Vin during their brief encounter, th
en why did she continue to hurt Caeli and why cause her to miscarry? What did Rika want with Max? What was it about the boy that drew both Caeli's and Rika's interest?
Vin stopped briefly to watch the storm clouds as they gathered densely over an island not too far from shore. He assumed this must be the destination Rika mentioned to Caeli. The waves surrounding the island were much too strong and erratic to attempt to reach it by swimming or even by boat. Even if Vin could somehow use his gift to lift himself over the turbulent water, he did not believe that he would be able to reach the island. His instincts told him that the island was unattainable. Unable to think of a way to aid Caeli, Vin resumed his pacing. He would not give up. He would not abandon her.
"Caeli's interest in Max is pure kindness. She wants to protect him from the man Rika sent to retrieve him; the same man against whom Caeli needed protection."
Vin stopped his pacing again as a figure materialized before him in the rain. Time seemed to stand still around them; even the rain no longer touched the two men. The tall man with sandy blonde hair and bright, green eyes stood directly in front of Vin, and he recognized the newcomer immediately.
"I would have protected her if I could, Michael. I should not have left her alone."
"It would not have made any difference. He would have taken her from you regardless. The outcome would have been the same."
"That's what Caeli said. I didn't even know she was in trouble. Michael, why are you here? Can you help her?"
"I cannot; not yet. I came here to apologize."
"Apologize for what?" Vin doubted he would like the answer any more than he liked the situation.
"For what has already been done to her. For what is about to happen to her. And for her struggle with Rika."
"You know Rika?"
"Yes, very well."
"Is she one of you, an angel?" Vin found the idea of that difficult to swallow, yet was unable to come up with another way to describe Rika.
"No, Eyvindr. Rika is not an angel. She was once a human soul. She was beautiful, smart, and passionate about many things. Rika developed a strong connection with water when she was very young. It elevated her as a leader among her people. She was content in that role until a chance encounter introduced her to someone more than human. She won his heart, and Rika discovered an unearthly happiness."
"I've heard stories about such relationships. Of course, you never know what to believe; but none of the tales of such couplings ever ended well," Vin replied.
"Nor will this one. Such relationships are inherently complicated and seldom indulged. In this case, an accident at sea threatened the lives of Rika and her unborn child. The angel who loved her was not willing to lose her, but was unable to prevent her drowning. He offered her a chance at a different life. Using Rika's connection to water, her soul could live within the sea until such time as she was ready to cross the barrier. Unfortunately, it came at a high cost. Her unborn child would die. For no matter what Rika chose, her body would perish. If she accepted the offer, Rika's spirit, the part of her the angel most loved, would live on, but she would never have the family she desired."
Vin easily extrapolated the motivation behind Rika's interest in Caeli from Michael's words.
"Rika obviously accepted the offer but appears to be having second thoughts. It seems she now wants my family. She is trying to use Caeli because she's already pregnant and because she has a connection to water. I can understand that much. But Caeli can't be the first woman to meet those requirements. In fact, I know Max's mother was pregnant and could manipulate water," Vin's impatience got the better of him as he tried to cut to the heart of Michael's story.
"Caeli is the first of her bloodline to meet those requirements and to visit Rika at the proper time. Rika's soul cannot permanently reside in a body not of her lineage. Through the years, she has temporarily borrowed many unrelated, young women in order to taste life vicariously. These arrangements are restricted to a specific timeline, and the union is always brief. Yet, each time Rika indulges in this, her desire for a physical life becomes stronger. Rika wants Caeli to make the change permanent."
"Then Rika and Caeli are related?"
"Yes, though quite distantly."
"What will happen to Caeli if Rika succeeds? Will her soul cross over or will she take Rika's place? Is that the darkness Raphael warned me about? And how is Max involved in all this?"
"Caeli must not permit this. She needs to find a solution within herself. As for Max, well, he is…special; precocious and yet still impressionable. He is a fascinating combination of innocence and perception. Rika believes that Max is her son," Michael explained.
Vin thought he caught the hint of a smile as Michael described Max.
"Why would she think that?"
"In a manner of speaking, he is. I know you have more questions, Eyvindr, but I cannot answer them all. I wanted you to know that I am sorry for contributing to Caeli's predicament."
"You? You are the one who saved Rika?" Vin at last understood why Michael had come.
"Yes. I know you are familiar with the strength of such feelings. You, of all people, should understand why I needed to do what I did. I do not regret my decision. Yet, had I known what this existence would do to Rika, I might have reconsidered. When I realized what was about to happen between Rika and Caeli, I tried to prevent it. Unfortunately, after their first joining, there was nothing more for me to do; not until Caeli's first decision was final."
"What decision?"
"You already know."
"Yes, and she made it. Her mind is free of Rika."
"Caeli has another choice yet before her. Like us, she will not regret her decision when she makes it. Her love for you is that strong."
"Me? Then it must be about her dream. Are you saying that she will choose to help me instead of Salma?"
"No. I said she will not regret her decision because she loves you. Caeli's fate now rests solely on where and when she makes that choice. Time is critical to the outcome."
"Your explanation is greatly appreciated, Michael. It provides me with some much needed insight into Caeli's situation. However, your apology should be given to Caeli, not me. She is the one facing the consequences of your action," Vin did understand the emotion Michael related, having undergone a similar trial himself.
"Yes, she does deserve my apology. I hope to offer it to her, but that may not be feasible if the outcome I foresee comes to pass."
With those ominous, parting words, Michael was gone before Vin could ask for additional details. The background information he provided was helpful, but Vin knew Michael would not have taken the time to share the story unless there was something contained within that Vin needed to know. Vin tried to break apart the details of the tale to discover that hidden piece of knowledge. Regardless of whether he found it or not, all of this was useless unless Vin could reach Caeli. Time suddenly seemed to snap back to its normal flow, the rain renewed its assault, and Vin resumed his pacing, searching for a solution.
Interrupted in his pacing yet again, Vin looked up as he heard people drawing near. Ben rushed toward him with Max in tow.
"Vin! Vin, I think they may be holding Salma in the cave. It's the only place that makes sense. Max can get us through it without getting lost. I don't like the idea of putting the boy at risk, but I can't think of another way to find her. And if that's where they are keeping her, I won't be able to reach her alone. Will you help me, Vin?"
It did make sense. Lorrie would have needed help to accomplish Pete's murder, Ben's incapacitation, and Salma's abduction so easily and so quickly. It was probably Scott, and he would not be alone. It would have taken several people to cover their tracks across the beach so thoroughly. Scott would likely keep a few expendable pawns between himself and any interference. Rescuing Salma was not a one man job; though Ben would tackle it single-handed if necessary. What Ben needed was the type of help that only Vin could offer. He wanted help that did not involve bullets flying throu
gh the air and potentially hitting the wrong person. Vin, on the other hand, did want to settle a personal debt with the redhead on behalf of his entire family. From the plane crash, to Ben's shooting, the hotel fire, the incident in Idaho, and now this, Scott had a lot for which he needed to be held accountable.
Vin turned and looked desperately out at the water, hoping to catch sight of Caeli, knowing he would not see her. He was still disappointed. Vin knew that she continued to fight because the isolated portion of the storm over the little island still raged unchecked. There was nothing he could do for Caeli just then, but he could help Salma. Caeli would want him to help. Ben was asking for his help. Vin could not continue to stand around uselessly while his family was in danger. As much as it pained him to walk away, Vin knew that he would be doing the most good by helping Ben find Salma.
"Send Max to his father. I can lead you through the cave. We will find Salma if she is in there."
CHAPTER 51
Lorrie convinced the white-haired guardsman with a scar over his eye that she needed to retrieve medical supplies from her lab. This was her brother's hotel and her reason for being there was legitimate, so it was not difficult to gain entry. After Lorrie took care of the unexpected visit from Pete, she moved on to the doctor's room. Her timing was perfect. When Dr. Erickson opened the door to step outside, Lorrie quickly placed a damp rag over her nose and mouth, rendering her unconscious within moments. She used a gas sprayed under the bathroom door to incapacitate the doctor's husband without any hassle. Finally, Lorrie delivered an unconscious Salma into Scott's waiting hands in the predawn shadows in the lounge. It was almost too easy.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 67
