In the next moment, a warm breeze surrounded her and Vin's hand gently squeezed hers supportively.
"What's wrong? You're shaking like a leaf and look like you're going to be sick," he leaned close and whispered.
"I'm ready to leave now, please," Caeli replied quietly.
She and Vin excused themselves as soon as Salma returned to the table. They called for a taxi to take them back to the hotel. Everyone else would be staying for a while or heading out on other tasks. Ben wanted to dance with Salma and celebrate the rest of their afternoon in the grandeur of the hotel. Apela and Max were going to run errands. Jeremy was going to tag along with Maku to help set up for the festival conclusion later that evening, provided the rain continued to hold off. Vin and Caeli would have several hours to themselves.
They sat in the lobby, off to the far side of the ballroom door where they were completely alone, and waited for the taxi.
"Thanks, Vin. I just couldn't stay in there any longer."
"I understand. Are you still feeling sick?"
"No. I'm fine now. I just felt…"
"Scared?" Vin suggested.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Yes, and I used our link to verify it when I noticed your reaction."
"I wasn't aware that you were doing that." Caeli's comment verified his results.
"I didn't want you to know."
"Vin, how could you touch my mind without me being aware of it?"
"The same way you could look through my eyes without me knowing you were doing so. I made an effort to keep it from you because I didn't want you to think I was checking on you, in case I was reading you wrong."
"You're always checking on me, and you never read me wrong," she smiled in gratitude.
"Almost never. What scared you?"
"I felt like everyone in the crowd could see through me, could reach me."
"You felt vulnerable. After what you've been through this week, it's perfectly normal to be apprehensive. But, I also know that you would have regretted it later if you had missed Salma's award."
"You're right. I wanted to be here for her though I could have done without the spotlight," Caeli explained.
"But you're ok now?"
Having absorbed the steadiness of Vin's support, she had finally stopped trembling and no longer looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Yes. I would still like to leave. I have had enough excitement for today."
Vin stood up and reached out for her hand. Caeli let Vin pull her up to stand in front of him.
"Dance with me before we go," Vin smiled at her.
"Here? Vin, you don't dance. Neither do I," Caeli was confused by his request.
"Do you hear the song they're playing inside? It's the one song to which I will always dance. I would like to dance with you."
It was a slow song. The song had played during their first date and on several other memorable occasions. They also chose it to play as their wedding song. Vin wrapped his arms around Caeli and they danced in the lobby. She smiled at him as they moved slowly to the music. Caeli definitely wasn't scared anymore.
It was three o'clock when Ben and Salma got back to the hotel. They returned on the heels of celebrating Salma's award and enjoying a wonderful time at the reception. Apela and Max were not far behind them. They found Vin and Caeli snuggled together on a couch in the lounge, talking quietly.
"Mind if we join you for a few minutes?" Ben asked as he and Salma strolled into the lounge.
"Not at all. How was your afternoon?" Vin asked.
"The three of us had a lovely time. They finally made us leave when the band signed off," Ben replied happily.
The guys chatted casually for a while, and Salma sat staring across the room at Caeli.
"Pretty Caeli, are we really?" Max came running up to her excitedly.
"Are we what, Max?" Caeli responded.
Apela followed Max into the lounge. While Apela talked to Ben and Vin about riding up to the lighthouse to help Maku with the festival setup, Max nudged himself between Vin and Caeli on the couch.
"Are we family? Papa said that we share relatives and that makes us family. Is that true?"
"Yes."
"Are you my aunt? Uncle Michael called you sister. Can I call you Aunt Caeli?"
"I don't know exactly how we are related, but I would enjoy being your aunt. Do you realize that would also make Salma your aunt? Since she is my aunt, she will be your aunt as well."
"This is great! Now I have a new aunt and a new doctor. Thank you, pretty Aunt Caeli."
"Caeli? Honey, are you listening?"
"No. I'm sorry, Vin. I was talking to Max."
Max jumped down and ran over to talk to Salma.
"Will you be all right here with Salma for a few hours if I help at the lighthouse?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure? I'm not leaving you alone. You'll have Salma to pester you; but if you want my company, I'll stay."
"I'll be fine. Honest. Go and help them."
Caeli encouraged Vin to go. She did not want him to hang around while she continued to veg out in the lounge. With a promise from the ladies that they would not leave the hotel, everyone left, including Max.
After changing into more comfortable clothes, Salma rejoined Caeli in the lounge.
"I wish you hadn't done that," Caeli finally spoke to Salma.
"I know, Dear, but it was important to me. You did more than merely donate your blood for my research. You have helped me through the entire process. I wasn't about to stand there and take all the credit without letting folks know that you were as much a part of the success as I was," Salma explained.
"That's a nice sentiment, but it sort of defeats the purpose of being an anonymous donor, don't you think?"
"Yes, but it was long overdue, nonetheless. Besides, it is over and done with, and I feel good about it. You should, too. So, to change the subject before you make me doubt myself, why won't you go to dinner with us? Vin said you don't want to go out."
"He is right. I prefer to stay inside. I don't want to go sit in another room full of people with all their chatter buzzing in my ears. I would rather stay in the peace and quiet of the hotel. I can fix myself a sandwich later. I told Vin he should go. I didn't want him to stay in on my account, but he won't do it."
"I know what you said, but you didn't answer my question. Why?" Salma persisted.
"Why do I want to stay here?"
"Yes, that is precisely what I want to know. Your husband offered to do something nice for you. This is the end of your vacation. Here you sit in a beautiful setting with the first passable weather we've seen in days, and your doting husband is trying to cheer you up. I can't imagine what reason you have for turning him down. I would like to know." The way Salma phrased it immediately made Caeli feel guilty, as intended. However, Caeli still tried to ignore the tactic she realized Salma was employing against her.
"I don't know if I can put it into words, Salma. It has been a long week, and I would simply rather not go out," Caeli attempted to cop out on her answer, hoping Salma would let the matter drop.
"Yes, it has been a long week, for everyone, including Vin. Look at it from his perspective. He spent the entire week looking out for you and suffered the same losses you did. Still, he is making an effort to do something to salvage your vacation and raise your spirits. The least you could do is have a little respect for his effort," Salma pulled out all the stops, playing her cards on Caeli's guilt and her consideration for Vin's feelings.
Salma never doubted that she could change Caeli's mind. Caeli would do anything to make Vin happy. But, whereas Vin would never use that knowledge to his advantage, Salma was happy to do it for him. Vin simply wasn't using the proper motivation in his request. Salma intended to remedy that. It was obvious to her that Caeli was in the beginning of a depressive spiral, and Salma wanted to stop it before it could take hold. The only thing that Caeli cared enough about to distract her from the events o
f this past week was Vin. Therefore, Salma did not feel the least bit guilty for using Caeli’s feelings for Vin to manipulate her.
Caeli looked over at Salma with shock etched clearly on her face. She was not expecting such a harsh criticism, but Salma was right. Vin had been through as much as she had, and he did deserve that courtesy. In fact, aside from feeling guilty for letting Vin down, Caeli hadn't given much thought to how this affected Vin at all. She was filled with guilt and sadness now that it had been so bluntly pointed out. Caeli was barely able to contain her tears when she finally answered with regret.
"You're right, Salma. I have been incredibly selfish. Vin deserves better, but he is determined to stick with me. The least I can do is have dinner with him."
Caeli walked out of the lounge without another word or even a glance back at Salma. Salma heard the door to her room close and Caeli did not return. Salma was afraid she might have pushed Caeli a bit too hard in order to get the outcome she desired and was still second guessing herself when Ben phoned a while later.
"Yes, she agreed to come, but I think I may have done more harm than good in my persuasion. I might have overestimated how far I could push her emotionally." Salma related what she said to Caeli.
"Ouch. That was a bit rough, Love," Ben agreed.
"I know, and I regretted my choice of words after I said them. But, trying to take it back would have been equally as bad. I will apologize before dinner, if she ever comes out of her room."
Caeli closed the door behind her and walked over to look out the sliding door. She could see the dark clouds a short distance away, still hovering over the small island where her nightmare had come to life. As she thought about those events, the storm clouds stirred and it began to rain. Caeli shut her eyes and reached out with her gift to connect to the rain. The storm remained enormous. She had never seen a storm this large before this week. The island was going to get hit hard no matter what she could do to affect the weather. Yet, despite the storm's size, Caeli found it comforting. She could easily lose herself in its vast churnings.
Somewhere in the midst of her thoughts, Caeli pulled herself away from the sliding door and changed her clothes. She wanted to wear an outfit that Vin would appreciate. It was an easy choice. She donned the new outfit that she bought for this trip. It would make Vin happy to see it on her, and it would do her good to feel somewhat normal again. Caeli looked in the mirror and adjusted the skirt correctly. She considered pulling her hair back to keep it from getting tangled in the wind or clinging to her skin if she went out in the rain. But, Caeli changed her mind and left it down. Vin liked her hair down. Salma's lecture notwithstanding, she really wanted Vin to be pleased.
Once she was dressed, Caeli returned to the sliding door. The storm called out to her once more, and she let herself be drawn to it as time slipped away unnoticed. While she stood there wrapped in her gift and her private thoughts, the television in the room suddenly powered on. There was no one else in the room, and she was nowhere near the remote. Startled, Caeli turned to look at the set.
"Scientists have no idea what is causing this strange behavior. Typhoon-force winds and rain have devastated the rest of the island, and now it seems the storm off shore is returning to join its sister in what meteorologists are saying could be a monster storm capable of wiping out everything on the island." The frantic sound of the reporter's voice boomed from the television set.
"Vin, is that you?" Caeli thought perhaps he might have returned while she was lost in her thoughts. She didn't know how long she had been standing there, but it was long enough that she was tired enough to sit down.
"Caeli, I'm still with Maku at the lighthouse."
"Oh, ok then."
"The weather is starting to get bad, so we are moving his festival setup inside. It looks like the storm is moving toward the shore again. We don't want to get caught outside when it hits. Is everything all right?" Vin answered her immediately. Though he left her in Salma’s care, Vin had been checking on her periodically through their connection. He was immediately aware of her uneasiness.
"Yes, it's fine. It was nothing. I guess Salma's lecture has me on edge."
"Do I even want to know what it was about this time?" The tone of Vin's response carried a bit of humor. When it came to lectures, Salma was an expert.
"In a nutshell, she asked me to reconsider going out tonight. I will go to dinner with you, Vin, if you still want to eat out. It is the least I can do." Talking to Vin made Caeli feel better. She momentarily forgot about the TV.
"Are you sure? Salma didn't bully you into agreeing, did she?"
"No, she merely pointed out the obvious. I want to do this for you, Vin. After all, it's my job to keep you happy," she responded.
"You have a much larger responsibility than that, Sister," a new voice inserted itself into her mind.
"Who said that? Caeli, is someone there with you?" Vin’s tone changed to reflect his sudden concern.
"Worry not, Eyvindr."
"Michael? What are you talking about?" Vin asked. He recognized the voice of his friend where Caeli might not know the voice or welcome his specific company.
"Sister, you need to deal with this situation."
Michael did not offer a direct response to Vin's question, but allowed him to continue to listen to the conversation. The volume on the television began to get louder. Caeli turned again to discover Michael now standing directly before her. Caeli's heart skipped a few beats as she took several steps backward. She put as much distance as possible between herself and Michael before running up against the sliding glass door. Although Caeli understood the necessity of Michael's earlier action, she remained frightened of him.
"What situation?" Caeli asked, nervously, still using the link so that Vin could hear as well.
"Look at the television screen. Look outside. Do you see what is happening around you?"
Caeli shifted her eyes from Michael to the TV screen. She listened to another weather report announced by the meteorologist on the local news. What she heard surprised her. Apparently, the storm had been taking a much heavier toll on other parts of the island all week. There were areas of severe flooding and extensive damage caused by heavy rain and strong winds. Many families had sought shelter in emergency facilities to ride out the duration of the storm and had been there for several days already.
For some reason, her small corner of the island was being spared the worst of the storm's ferocity. Caeli thought she understood the reason for their luck. However, now that Rika was gone, Caeli also expected that the storm would return to normal. The portion that had been kept at bay, out over the small island, should be moving inland. In fact, Caeli could actually feel it moving toward their part of the island. It seemed like a normal adjustment to her. The storm did not feel out of place.
"It's raining. The storm is returning to normal. I don't see anything unusual about that. Why are you here? Why should I be worried about this?" Caeli would have preferred not to talk to him at all, but she knew better than to hold a grudge against one such as him. Despite the pain it caused, Michael’s action had saved her life.
"Because this is not Rika's storm, nor has it returned to a natural state. This is your handiwork."
"No, that can't be. I'm not controlling this rain or these tides," Caeli denied her involvement with the current weather.
"No, you aren't, but you should be. Sister, why do you think the storm did not reach this part of the island?"
"Because Rika was controlling it; holding it at bay to threaten me."
"No, Rika found it difficult to maneuver through your barrier. Unfortunately, while your shield protected this part of the island, it increased the damage inflicted in other areas," Michael explained.
"I did not raise a shield here. Are you suggesting that the storm damage is my fault?" Caeli couldn't believe he would accuse her of this.
"I am merely stating a fact. You did raise a shield when Rika first threatened you. You reacted instin
ctively and raised it around yourself, your family, and your friends. It may have been an unwitting act, but it came from you. That was the first real construction you learned to perform with your gift, and you reverted to it when you needed a solution. Your fear and anger fed this shield all week. It is part of the reason why your health has been continually taxed."
"So you are saying this is my fault. Since the storm could not go through my barrier, it went around and caused more destruction elsewhere. Why, then, is it moving toward this area now?" Caeli tried to understand. She believed that Michael was telling her the truth, but was not fully convinced of her own actions.
"It moves now because you dropped your shield and called the storm to you."
"I did not consciously do that. If I am doing something wrong, please, tell me how to correct it."
Caeli did not know how to sort through details of an action she did not intend to perform. If her current emotions were fueling the storm, then how could she set it right? There was no way that she could completely stop this storm. It was too large and too powerful for her to handle. Besides, there was much more to this storm than rain and tides. The winds, more than anything, were causing the majority of the damage and provided additional vigor to the tides rolling toward shore. Caeli was powerless to do anything about the wind.
"You have to address this storm. You must find a way. There is nothing more I can tell you except that, if you do nothing, everyone on this island will be lost."
CHAPTER 62
Maku and Vin stood inside the lighthouse watching the storm from a window about fifteen feet off the ground. The rain continued to fall. Waves crashed against the shore and strong winds fed off the increasing density of the rain clouds. Something fed this storm, causing it to grow and move inland.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 78
