Vin stopped at the sound of Michael's voice. However, he still faced the parking lot when, without warning, a huge flash of lightning struck the car Vicki was approaching. The vehicle exploded in a gigantic ball of flame, and Vicki was thrown fifteen feet down the beach by the force of the blast. Vin thought he also heard a gunshot a few seconds after the blast, but could not be certain.
He stared at the wreckage and then at Vicki's unmoving body in the sand. A strong feeling of satisfaction suddenly flowed through him, but it did not come from him. It came from Caeli. Somehow, unbeknownst to Vin, she had still been drawing on their link. She was angry and let that anger overflow now. Vin realized that Caeli was, somehow, responsible for the lightning strike.
Vin continued to stare at the flames as Vicki's car burned, not knowing how to react. He could hardly believe what he witnessed. Caeli's anger was specifically directed at Vicki, but was she defending Max or him? Vin found that idea oddly exciting, though he quickly pushed such inappropriate notions to the back of his mind. Perhaps he was completely misreading it. Maybe Caeli was angry with him for letting the situation with Vicki get this far out of hand. Either way, there was a lot of anger in that bolt. The feeling of connection with Caeli once more faded away. Vin simply didn't understand.
For a moment, Max stared wide-eyed at Michael, but then recovered his wits. Max ran forward, kicked Michael in the leg, and then returned to stand beside Vin, staring defiantly at Michael.
"Shame on you! You should be nice to pretty Caeli. She is always nice to me. Why did you hurt her and make her cry?" Max stood with his tiny fists on his hips, daring Michael to challenge his accusation.
Vin turned his gaze away from Max to find the source of a new sound. The soft laughter was coming from Michael. It was a completely unexpected and unnerving sight from the usually stoic figure, especially under these circumstances. However, it was then that Vin noticed the resemblance. This is what had bothered him about Max all along. The boy bore very little resemblance to his parents, yet Max looked a lot like Michael. They even shared a few fiery personality traits. Was that possible? Could Max be related to Michael? Surely, Vin was mistaken.
"No, you are not mistaken. His heritage was my gift to Apela. His birth was Rika's gift to his mother. She and I agreed to help Apela and his wife conceive a child. We met them in the cave that night and, with their permission, joined with them for the experience. Thus were they able to have Max," Michael answered Vin's unspoken thought.
"That explains a lot. He is an exceptional boy," Vin replied with less surprise than he would have thought.
"Yes, he is that. Although, I could not predict how talented he would be, nor how jealous Rika would become as she watched him grow in the care of another. That is the reason I am here."
"I don't understand. You came to help Max?" Vin was confused.
"No, I came to help Caeli. Rika was trying to take control of her so that she could return to a normal life and have a child of her own. She had hoped to raise Max, but Apela's wife could not make the arrangement permanent and did not wish to continue the shared experience. It pushed Rika to do terrible things which I cannot undo. However, Rika tried to use Caeli without her consent. That is unacceptable, and I have only been partially successful in trying to dissuade her. I was able to keep Rika at a distance when Caeli first used her gift on the plane," Michael explained.
"It was you that Caeli saw, not Urim," Vin now understood.
"Yes. Unfortunately, as Caeli grew stronger with her gift and undertook the battle of free will with Rika, there was naught that I could do for her. I cannot directly intervene in such matters. The outcome was Caeli's to decide. I had to watch and wait, like you, hoping to find some way to lessen the harm Rika was causing along the way. I am sorry for the hurt she caused you and your wife, but she will not be able to cause any further harm," Michael stated with great sadness in his voice.
"Where is Rika now? I thought she might still be fighting with Caeli." Vin asked.
"She has returned to the One. Rika was in control of the young lady, Lorrie, at the time of her death. She was not in the water that has sustained her all these years, and so her soul has returned home. The Sea Queen might truly be a legend from now on."
"I'm sorry, Michael. This must be difficult for you," Vin sympathized.
"It is as it should be. But, enough about Rika; your original question was about Max. He believes I am his uncle. We talk from time to time, and he knows what I am. He is perceptive, though I think he is also a bit fascinated by me."
"That obviously doesn't prevent him from standing up to you. He has got a pretty good kick for such a small foot," Vin remarked.
Michael laughed again as Vin rubbed his shin, remembering Max's earlier assault. Vin was certain Max gave him a few good bruises.
"He cares deeply for Caeli. He is trying to protect her from the fate his mother suffered."
"Speaking of which…if Rika is dead, then where is Caeli? Why hasn't she returned? What did Max mean when he said that you should have been nice to her? Is she all right? Do you know where she is, Michael?" Vin was quickly catching up.
"She is still on the island."
"But she said she was leaving. Why is she still there?"
"Raphael is with her. We cannot permit her to leave yet."
"Then that is why she would not let me meet her; why she asked me to stay here."
"That would seem likely."
"Why can't she leave?"
"Caeli is linked to this storm, and her emotions are erratic. If she were to return, the storm would follow her. It would be disastrous for this island. As for your other question, yes, I was unkind to her from a certain perspective. As I anticipated, she will not hear my apology."
"If she cannot leave, can I go to her? Please, Michael. She called me. She needs me. Let me help her," Vin was anxious to find Caeli and discover exactly what had happened.
"Go to her if you like, but do not think it will change anything. Look around. The sea rages in unnatural patterns. The storm moves unpredictably. This is not completely Rika's doing. Caeli, too, has lost control. If Raphael cannot heal her soon, then I will be forced to return and deal with her myself."
Vin was fully aware of what Michael would do. It was painful and unpleasant. Vin once suffered it when he lost control of his own gift. Once was enough. He could not let that happen to Caeli. But, what injury did she have that required Raphael's healing? Why would she refuse? Rather than discuss it, Vin preferred to see for himself. He assumed there would be plenty of time to talk once he reached her.
"Michael, I can help. She will listen to me. I know I can get through to her if you can tell me how to reach her," Vin insisted.
"Walk with me, Brother. We shall find someone who can take you to her. Come, Max. Let's also take care of this parental mix up once and for all, shall we? Apela is your Papa, and nobody is going to doubt that ever again. I have a birthday gift for you." Michael walked up and put his hand on Max's shoulder. As he did, Max's hair and skin tone began to change. They darkened until the colors were a near perfect match to Apela. Vin suspected that Max's blood would match Apela's as well. The only thing that did not change was the color of Max's eyes; they remained green.
The three walked up the beach together. As they neared Vicki's unmoving body, Maku ran up to them from the opposite direction. Michael indicated that Maku could provide Vin with the assistance he needed, and the two men turned to run down the beach in the direction of the lighthouse.
Michael bent down and lifted Vicki into his arms, a dark red stain visible around the circular hole in the fabric of her shirt. He then escorted Max over to Apela and, after a brief conversation, carried Vicki's body off into the parking lot. Neither one returned. Apela took Max inside to dry him off and fix him a mid-morning snack.
CHAPTER 57
Maku showed Vin the entrance to the cave and explained the way to reach the island.
"This tunnel is pretty much a straight sh
ot. You can't get lost or make a wrong turn."
He would emerge on the island where Maku last saw Caeli. However, Maku said the tunnel was most likely flooded by now. Vin assured him that he would be fine. The large man did not accompany Vin. Instead, Maku returned to the hotel to be with Apela and Max. He knew his long-time friend was grieving over Lorrie's death, just as Maku himself was grieving for Pete. They would draw support from each other.
"I am very sorry for your loss and for Apela’s. You both have my deepest sympathy. I will find my way from here. Go and be with your friend."
Vin thanked him and headed into the tunnel with a small flashlight mysteriously produced from one of Maku's pockets. The tunnel was barely tall enough for Vin to walk upright. He could reach out and touch the walls on either side. There was a river of water running along the floor that reached to Vin's knees as he entered. As the tunnel descended, the flooding increased. Even now, he was continually using his gift to hold the rising water at bay. It was the necessity of his concentration that prevented Vin from rushing headlong to help Caeli. As it was, Vin moved almost at a jog. After only seventy feet, the tunnel took another steep downward turn and became completely submerged.
Caeli did not know how long she had been sitting alone in the rain, one eye on the angel standing ten feet away from her, when she heard movement in the tunnel to her right. She rose to her feet as fast as she could and moved away from the entrance. It might be Michael returning. If so, she did not want to be within his reach. To her surprise and great relief, it was not Michael who emerged from the cave.
"Vin! Oh, Vin, I'm so glad it's you."
The look on her face as she rushed into his embrace frightened Vin. Caeli was terrified, and he could also feel her anger. Vin noticed the blood on her stomach as well, but did not get a good look at her injury before she practically threw herself up against him, clinging to him desperately. He wrapped her securely in his arms knowing something terrible had, indeed, happened.
"It's ok, Honey. I'm here. I've got you. You're safe now." Vin held her tightly and tried to comfort her, but she was beyond any comfort he could provide. The meaning of her half-phrased statements was initially lost on him.
"It was terrible. I tried to run, but I couldn't move. They took him, Vin. I couldn't save him," Caeli cried.
"It's all right, Caeli. Try to calm down. I don't understand what you're saying, but I'm here now. You're safe. It's over," Vin insisted.
"Brother Eyvindr, I must heal her so that she can stop this. I am sorry, but I must act soon."
"No! Never again! Please, Vin. Take me away from here. Don't let him near me. I won't let him touch me again," Caeli's words were crystal clear, though nearly hysterical, as she pleaded with him.
Vin knew from Michael's warning that this was not going to be easy. From Caeli's reaction to Raphael's words, it was clear that this is what she was trying to avoid. Apparently, she had been keeping Raphael at bay for the time being, but doing so kept her trapped on this island. Vin turned her around so that he interposed himself between Raphael and Caeli. Of course, he knew it would not do much good if Raph wanted to force the issue. Thankfully, he didn't.
"Raph, please wait. Michael said that I could talk to her. Let me try to calm her down. She has been through so much. I'm afraid that you are only making it worse. Let me try to help her before you heal her," Vin implored.
"No, Vin! I won't allow it. He will not touch me again, neither him nor Michael. You don't know what they did. You can't imagine! I won't let them near me. Vin, please don't let them near me!"
The small comfort Caeli drew from Vin was rapidly fading as she feared he might not listen to her.
Vin did not yet understand the situation, but it was obvious that he needed to act quickly.
"Brother, it is as I warned you. She does not see the truth. We did not have time to explain, and she refuses to hear us now. If you would help her, then you must bring her back," Raphael reminded Vin of their previous conversation.
"What is going on? What happened?" Vin asked of both of them.
He turned to look at Caeli, who moved a few steps away from him now, putting more distance between herself and the threat she perceived from Raphael. Vin could now see the open cut across her stomach, which she held with her blood soaked arm. He yanked off his shirt and moved over to place it protectively over the open wound, holding it in place himself. He wrapped his arm around Caeli and helped her sit down again.
"Caeli, whatever has happened, you have got to get control of your emotions. You need to take control of your gift. Please, tell me what happened so I can help you. You can show me, if you prefer," Vin whispered to her, leaning in close to keep their conversation private.
"I don't know how to show you," Caeli replied through her tears.
"Sure you do, Honey. Do exactly like you did before. All you have to do is remember what happened and picture it in your mind. I suspect that is going to be hard enough; but, if you show me, then I might be able to help you before Michael returns to intervene. Do you think you can recall it for me?"
He hated even to ask it of her. Nonetheless, Vin needed to know what brought about her desperation and why she was afraid of Raphael. Words were not going to suffice, and he needed a quick answer. Michael was not going to wait very long.
Vin placed a hand over Caeli's eyes and watched as images flashed through her mind. He even felt some of her pain. He watched the replay of her encounter with Lorrie, and then Maku's arrival and departure. Then she stopped near the cave entrance, which must have been when she helped him and Ben. Throughout it all, Caeli was in considerable pain. All of these images flashed through her mind in a matter of heartbeats. The next scene, however, played in slow motion. Vin watched and felt the horror as Caeli was cut open and their tiny baby was taken away. Vin's anger flared, but he remembered to keep his gift in check.
"They killed our son," Caeli whispered when he removed his hand from her tear-filled eyes. Her voice was soft, but filled with such pain and anger that lightning struck the water nearby. Vin looked over in time to see Michael stepping away from the water where the lightning hit with a momentary flash of fire in his eyes. However, it was quickly replaced by a deep sadness as he watched Vin and Caeli and moved to stand beside Raphael.
"I couldn't move. All I could do was watch this horrible thing being done to me. The pain of Michael's cut was nearly unbearable. Yet, it was nothing in comparison to what I felt when he took our baby. Vin, I heard him cry. I heard our son cry, and there was nothing I could do. Nothing! I failed to protect him." Caeli's words conveyed the gut-wrenching agony that she endured.
Vin's own desire to strike back at those who did this to her was barely held in check.
"But they messed up and allowed me to move. I got away before they could make me forget. I will never forget, Vin. Now it's a standoff between us. I am trapped here. They will not let me leave if I don't submit my memory to them. I have nothing left for them to take. I'm no threat to them. Why can't they let me go? Please make them let me go, Vin."
"I'm sorry, Caeli. I should have been here to help you. I'm so very sorry, Honey. I don't know why any of this is happening, but I am going to find out. I'm going to resolve this. Stay here and be still. Keep your wound covered." He stood and walked over to Raphael and Michael.
Her words were true. Raphael himself verified it. Vin had watched it from Caeli’s viewpoint and was appalled. Even if there was a good reason for what they did, there was no excuse for the manner in which they accomplished it. How could they justify such cruelty? And now Michael believed that causing her more pain because she was upset was an appropriate response. Vin could not accept that. Furthermore, he knew it would not work on her in her current state. She was beyond a simple loss of control.
"How could you leave her injured like this? Why would you put her through such a traumatic ordeal? I'm sorry, Michael, but I won't let you touch her, not unless you give me an explanation that justifies your actions
. Right now, I cannot think of anything that could do so," Vin said as he approached the angels he believed to be his friends.
"Brother, she must stop this, right now. I will stop her, if necessary. Or, you can choose to let Raphael heal her; but it must happen now, before she is too far gone to regain control of the forces she has unleashed," Michael insisted.
"Vin, you will have your answers, but not yet. We must deal with her first. What you need to know right now is that we did it to save her life. It could not wait another minute or she would have died. Please, let me heal her wound. Calm her down, and then we'll talk," Raphael's voice reached out to him.
Vin wanted very much to believe him, but he knew that Caeli was not going to permit it. He didn't blame her. Yet, if she continued to refuse Raphael's aid, Michael was going to use a less polite method to reach her logical mind. Caeli's injury did need attention. Vin was torn. Forcing this on her would be a betrayal of her trust, but it was also be the best way to help her and get the answers he sought. Vin could not find another alternative. He did not want to do it, but he nodded acceptance to Raphael.
Vin walked back to Caeli and knelt down to talk to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and spoke quietly to her as he helped her stand.
"Caeli, I need you to listen. Raphael wants to heal your wound. You need to let him." Her body immediately went tense within his arms.
"I can't," Caeli's voice was still edged with panic.
"If you don't let Raphael heal your wound, then Michael is going to step in like he did with me when I lost control. Do you remember how I described that pain? Please, Caeli. I can't bear for you to endure that touch, and I can't let your wound go untended. You need help. No matter what else has happened, I know that Raph can help you."
"Don't you understand? They want me to forget what they did. I can't. I won't be made to forget." Caeli was adamant.
"Caeli, look around. Look at what your gift is doing without your guidance," Vin pleaded.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 73
