"In all my life, I have never seen a storm behave like this," Maku commented before he walked off to check on the festival setting below.
Vin was left alone with his thoughts, and those naturally turned to Caeli. If this storm hit tonight, not only wouldn't he have the chance to bring her out to dinner, but he might be forced to spend the night here at the lighthouse. She and Salma would be alone at the hotel. That thought did not set well, so Vin decided to attempt a change in the developing situation.
He subtly reached out with his gift to connect with the storm. The winds were incredibly violent at its core. They made the strong winds he encountered on the trip down seem like pleasant breezes when compared to these rampaging gales. Vin wanted to help, not only for Caeli, but also for his friends who lived here. If he could spare them even a small portion of the damage this storm was certain to cause, he would take the chance. Vin put forth a good effort, but the results were minimal on the overall scale. The rain continued to fall and the waves crashed against the shore. The wind and water fed on each other.
Vin leaned against the cool wall of the lighthouse to catch his breath. Using his gift against such a monster storm took a major toll on his ability.
"You ok, Lad?" Ben walked up and put a supportive hand on Vin's shoulder.
"Yes, thanks. I was trying to do something to diminish the effect of the storm winds, but I was not very successful," Vin replied.
"Well, it was worth a try. I think we will be safe enough here, though I am worried about Salma and Caeli at the hotel. Do you think they will be all right?"
"I think so, as long as they stay away from the windows and the water doesn't reach the second story…"
Vin broke off his response as he heard Caeli's silent inquiry asking if he had returned. He explained where he was and what they were doing. Vin was pleasantly surprised when Caeli told him that she changed her mind about going out to dinner. Unfortunately, that was no longer looking promising.
After Michael's voice interrupted their conversation, any notion Vin had about maintaining their original plans for the evening went out the window. Michael's words implied that Caeli was responsible for this storm, though she clearly doubted the possibility. By the time Michael reached the end of his explanation, Vin could tell that Caeli realized the truth. Michael's words were clear and insistent. His voice carried an air of authority that left no room for debate. Vin listened carefully and waited until Michael finished his conversation with Caeli and departed before speaking to her again.
"Caeli?"
"I know. You don't want me to do anything rash. It doesn't matter. I cannot possibly tame this storm. It's too much for me."
"I understand your frustration. I just tried to manipulate the wind, but didn't have much luck."
"Michael said that if I don't do something, everyone will die; everyone. He leaves me with no less of a burden than Rika did. Vin, I can't let this happen. I have to do something," Caeli responded dejectedly.
She made up her mind that she would try. Either she would try and possibly die or she would die helplessly along with everyone else. After a week of events beyond her control, Caeli decided it was time to regain that control, especially if this turned out to be her final decision. Unfortunately, she simply had no idea how to begin or what it would take to make a difference.
"Michael suggested that there was a solution, but I don't see it. I'm not that familiar with the way your gift works, so I cannot advise you. Maybe Ben can help." Vin reached out and placed his hand on Ben's arm to allow him to join their conversation. Vin quickly caught him up on the details and asked for his opinion.
"Everyone? Was he certain? That's a terrible burden to place on one person." Ben considered the puzzle before him. Caeli noticed when Ben left the connection, and Vin informed her that he was rubbing his chin in time to his footsteps as he paced a short distance. And then he was back.
"It seems to me that neither of you can do this alone, but what if you combined your efforts?"
It was such a simple solution that both Vin and Caeli were surprised they hadn't considered it. They had been abundantly successful when they combined their gifts on the ship. Caeli also successfully combined her gift with Salma's to heal Vin. Such a joining was certainly possible and would greatly increase the chance of success. Just then, Urim's words from earlier in the week replayed in Caeli’s mind.
"You have help at hand, if you remember to ask for it. The journey is never meant to be walked alone."
"Together then; will you help me, Vin?"
"I wouldn't have you attempt it without me."
After having Ben agree to keep everyone else on the ground level, Vin bolted up the stairs leading to the top of the lighthouse where there would be less interference. He opened the small door and stepped out into the howling wind. It was all he could do to keep from being blown over the railing, but he finally found a place where he could begin to work. He closed his eyes and reached into the raging winds. Vin tried to ride a current, attempting to change its course. It was hopeless. He next tried to work his way toward the center of the storm, but his strength was being quickly depleted against such a powerful opponent.
"Michael, please, if you can still hear me, I will do this; but I would like to ask a favor of you. Will you stay with Salma? I don't want her to be alone, no matter the outcome," Caeli implored.
"Yes, I will do that for you, Sister."
Caeli stepped out onto the small, covered porch and moved slowly to sit down on the bench, opening herself to the water. She reached out to the storm with her gift. She touched on the shifting anger in the rain and the rolling fear in the waves. She even briefly brushed Vin's presence in the wind.
Caeli concentrated, willing the rain to end, but it refused. She pulled energy from the waves, but could not pass that energy to Vin as she had done on the ship; not while he was engrossed in the use of his own gift in such a way. Instead, she had to release that energy back into the water.
"Vin, it's not working," Caeli said to him after thirty minutes. The unrestricted use of her gift was taking its toll on her, too. She was already feeling the strain.
"I know," he confirmed a similar lack of success.
"The only alternative I can think of is walking into the storm, letting it engulf me like I did when I reduced the waves. It was necessary for me to be in the water to accomplish that. Perhaps doing so again will allow me to be more effective," Caeli suggested. She started to walk toward the water before Vin could answer. She had to try.
From his perch at the top of the lighthouse, Vin could see Caeli moving as she walked alone down the beach, drenched by the pouring rain.
"Of course, she's alone! Why didn't I think of that before?"
Vin turned and forced the small door open, raced down the stairs, and worked his way through the crowd milling about on the main floor. Just as Vin was about to open the entry door and run outside, a strong hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Where do you think you're going? You can't go out in this weather," Ben could tell that Vin was intent on something, and he wanted to know what.
"I have to go to Caeli. She's alone. Even though we were both using our gifts, we were still working separately. Our efforts were not having any significant effect. We have to work together. That means I need to be with her. We can't do this unless we are together. I have to reach her before she lets the water carry her away," Vin explained rapidly and then continued out the door.
CHAPTER 63
Salma knocked on the door to Caeli's room, but got no response. She listened for a few minutes. She heard the television, but no other sounds within. After quietly turning the doorknob, Salma peeked inside. All the lights were out, and Caeli was nowhere to be seen.
"Caeli? Caeli, can I talk to you for a minute, please?" Salma called out, but still got no answer.
She walked through the room, turning off the TV and checking all the places she thought Caeli might be. Caeli wasn't there. As Salma finally
approached the sliding door that led to the back porch, she caught a glimpse of movement outside as Caeli stood up from the bench and began to walk down the beach, fighting against the wind every step of the way.
"Caeli, what are you doing? Come back inside!" Salma yelled, while frantically trying to unlock the door so that she could run out after her niece.
The door would not budge. Caeli apparently could not hear her over the howling of the wind and slamming of the waves against the shore.
"You cannot help her with this," Michael said to Salma.
"Help her with what? She is going to get herself killed out there," Salma responded aloud.
She turned to stare in amazement at a figure standing a few feet away from her. Salma’s awe quickly turned to concern, and she spun around to look out the door again. She knew that if the angels were directly involved, then there was something very important at stake.
"Come away from the door, Sister. It will not open. Caeli asked that I stay with you until this was over, and it will only pain you to watch her. Please, come away from the door."
"I will not. Whatever she is doing, she can look back and see that I am right here for her. I will not abandon her to whatever impossible task you have asked of her," Salma replied sternly.
"I see a lot of your influence in her. Caeli has benefited greatly from your friendship and guidance. Your strength and determination have helped her through many tough spots. I hope you have the opportunity to pass those traits on to your own daughter."
Michael's carefully worded compliment caught Salma's attention; not only because he knew the gender of her baby, but because of its implicit hint of trouble yet to come. Salma asked Michael to tell her exactly what Caeli was doing and why. He obliged her with a diluted explanation. Afterward, Salma stood quietly watching Caeli's slow progress toward the water. Her heart ached for Caeli. After everything the poor girl had suffered and endured this week, now she carried the burden of thousands of lives on her shoulders. It was too much to ask of any one person.
"Ben, can you hear me?"
"Yes. Is everything all right? Are you somewhere safe?"
"Yes, I am safe, but everything is not all right. Do you know what's happening with Caeli?"
"Yes. Vin just left. He is on his way to catch up with her. I hope he reaches her in time," Ben replied.
"Vin, too? Ben, we could lose them both."
"There is nothing we can do about it. This is their path to walk, but at least they will walk it together. They will have each other. Those two are always better when they're together. What about you, Salma? Can you keep this connection open much longer? I do not like that you are there alone. I am tempted to borrow a car and drive back there, regardless of the weather." Ben wanted to be with Salma when the storm and the results of Vin and Caeli's work unfolded.
"I am not alone, Ben. Michael is here with me. Caeli asked him to stay."
"I have a better idea. Take my hand, Sister," Michael's voice prompted Salma.
Salma turned and did as he requested. An odd, tingling sensation surrounded her, and then a very bright, white light encircled both of them. Salma closed her eyes tightly, but still needed to shield them with her free hand to block out the light's intensity. A few moments later, the tingling subsided and the light faded away. She opened her eyes and looked around. Salma let a small gasp of surprise escape her lips when she realized what happened.
"I will leave you to your spouse's companionship, but I will not leave this place. I gave my word to stay with you," Michael smiled and faded out of sight as he walked away.
"Ben! Where are you? I'm here. I am near the top of the lighthouse in the room where we ate lunch," Salma called.
"Stay there. I'm on my way up," Ben replied.
He didn't have to ask how she got there. He was grateful for Michael's gift. Ben ran up the stairs as fast as he could and was only slightly winded when he reached her. Salma ran across the floor and into his arms. Ben held her close for several minutes, relieved to have his wife and unborn child with him for the coming storm.
As they stood there, the noise from downstairs increased. Loud music played against the background of a rowdy crowd. Ben could discern Maku's voice above the din. He seemed to be leading the commotion.
"What is going on down there?" Salma asked Ben.
"It sounds like Maku is going to have his festival finale regardless of the weather or perhaps because of it. Either way, it will help take our minds off Vin and Caeli. Let's go down and join them," Ben suggested. He ushered Salma to the staircase, and they slowly worked their way to the bottom.
Maku stood atop the small, makeshift stage that had been erected inside. He held a microphone and pointed to photos projected onto a large, white screen. As Salma stepped onto the last stair, her own face flashed up on the screen. She watched six more photos of herself flip across the screen. She didn't remember anyone taking her picture at the time, but, to be honest, she was preoccupied with other matters in each shot.
"Ben, what is this?"
"It's the Sea Goddess contest. There are four contenders for the Sea Queen title. You and Caeli are two of those four," Ben explained with a smile.
"I didn't enter any contest, and I'm pretty sure Caeli didn't either. How did we get on that list?" Salma wondered.
"Maku was in charge of choosing the contestants. He entered you. That's part of the reason he has been carrying that video camera around all week. He has been collecting images to use for this finale. He will reveal the winner soon. Personally, I voted for you," Ben expanded upon the explanation.
About that time, Maku noticed them standing at the back of the crowd.
"And, would you look at this, folks? Here is one of your finalists now, Dr. Salma Erickson. She's not just another pretty face. She is one of the top, medical professionals in her field. I have personally seen her work small miracles with her patients. Let’s have a round of applause for Dr. Salma Erickson."
The room was momentarily filled with clapping as all eyes turned to catch a glimpse of Salma. When the applause died down, Maku continued. The next face on the screen was Caeli's. It was a close-up from their walk on the beach. Maku was pretty good with a zoom lens. It was a pretty picture, but the next one was a true representation of her niece. It was taken when Vin and Caeli were arm-in-arm at the hotel. Both were smiling. Caeli was radiant beside Vin. Salma thought she had never seen a photo in which Caeli’s love for Vin was so vivid.
After a few more pictures, the screen changed to an overview containing one photo of each of the four women. Maku read off the first contestant eliminated, and the screen changed to show the remaining three. She and Caeli were still visible. The second person to be eliminated was announced, and the screen changed yet again. She and Caeli were the only two left.
"Ben, I wish she and Vin could be here to see this. I can see Vin now, grinning from ear to ear and laughing as Caeli's face turned red. Do you think they are all right out there?" Salma asked.
"I don't know, but we can find out. Come with me," Ben replied. He led her up the stairs once again. They did not stop at the little room, but continued up to the final landing. They were inside the light room at the very top. From here, they could look toward the hotel. They saw Caeli standing near the mouth of the cave as if she were daring the sea to come and claim her. The wind blew her hair back, but she did not yield her position. From this vantage, she looked very much like Max might describe the Sea Queen in his fairy tale.
Immediately to her right and not more than a half step away from Caeli, Vin held her hand and looked out at the sea with the same fierce defiance in his stance. Although he was using his gift as well, it was obvious that he was there to protect his wife. Whatever happened, they would face it together.
"And the winner of this year's Sea Queen title is…Mrs. Caeli Harding!" Maku's voice echoed the sentiment that both Ben and Salma were feeling.
The way the water rolled around her legs like a beloved pet and sparkled as
it streamed down her arms; Caeli was nothing, at this moment, if not the complete embodiment of that entity.
CHAPTER 64
Vin, with the assistance of his gift, caught up with Caeli a moment before she stepped into the water. He pulled her back and held her close. He didn't try to talk to her. His voice would be lost in the noise of the storm. Instead, he took a moment to comfort her and be comforted by her. Through their link, Caeli felt an abundance of love from Vin. He didn't care where they were or what was happening. He was happy to be at her side. She was glad Vin was there.
"Vin, why did you stop me? What are you doing out here?" Caeli finally asked.
"We need to be together. The reason we aren't succeeding is because we have been working separately. We are much more effective together. I need to be near you. I need to touch you in order to fully combine my gift with yours. I believe you are facing the same obstacle," Vin answered.
"Yes, I am. I couldn't expend the energy that I collected, and I couldn't pass it to you while you were working with your winds. I don’t want you to be out here, but I am so very glad you came. I don't want to face this alone. I love you, Vin."
"There's no place I would rather be than by your side. No matter where I am, you will never be alone, Caeli. I will always be with you. I love you, too." Vin smiled and kissed her.
Caeli's inner struggle to find some meaning in the events of the past week ceased. She finally understood what her grandmother was trying to tell her all those years ago. She could hear those words repeated in her mind.
"You have a special heritage, Dear. You will know what to do with it when the time is right."
Her grandmother's words were perfectly clear to Caeli now. Looking into Vin's sparkling eyes, Caeli knew her gift had a purpose and a place, and so did she. She belonged with Vin. Their gifts were meant to strengthen them individually, allowing them to embrace the vast potential and possibilities in the world around them. However, when harmoniously combined, their gifts could become something much more than either could achieve on their own.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 79
