Time stopped.
Reality bent to our will.
Flesh found flesh. Tentative at first, not believing such a miracle to be possible. Urgency and insistence growing, our fingers laced together and held firm. Pulling against my hand, Vanessa drew herself to me, my name forming on her heart-shaped lips.
Her arm followed mine out, the moonlight glimmering off her sandstone skin. Heart hammering, I watched her thick lashes brush the tops of her cheeks as she closed her eyes and crossed the barrier into the unknown.
Fins were replaced by a shimmering gown of onyx and plum. An intoxicating smile warmed her features.
I feared blinking, that such an ordinary act may chase this heavenly mirage away. Bringing her hand to my mouth, I dotted a kiss to her palm and breathed in her scent—the crisp, clean breeze after a summer storm.
“Once again I’m astounded by your power. I never should have doubted you would find me,” I murmured against her velvet skin.
“Yet you did?” The sweet cadence of her voice soothed my troubled soul.
Weaving my fingers into her hair, I tipped her lips to mine. I hesitated, savoring the warmth of her breath on my face. “I am a silly, stupid man. And I will never make that mistake again.”
White hot need blossomed in my core. Unable to hold back a minute longer, I crushed my mouth to hers.
Sulfur.
Death.
Wailing agony.
My eyes snapped open.
Pulling back, I searched her face with the locked-on intensity of a shark smelling blood. “I haven’t been this happy since we laid in the red Caboma fields behind the castle together.”
A rosy blush crept up her neck and kissed her cheeks pink. “You held me close and we daydreamed about the day we would rule the kingdom together. A moment, precious as a bubble, viciously popped by time and circumstance.”
“I could say the same for your charm and influence.” Ice seeped into my tone. Hand snaking up, I closed my grip around her throat to plant her there.
Fingernails scraping at my arm, she clawed for freedom. “Alastor, what are you doing?” The words escaped her in a panicked wheeze.
“Funny thing about Caboma, it’s a fresh water plant,” I rumbled through my teeth. “It couldn’t be sustained anywhere near the salty depths of Atlantica. All merfolk know that. Which poses the question; who are you?”
Mischievous glee crinkled the corners of her eyes, a mocking smile curling up the corners of her mouth. “Can’t blame us for trying, gorgeous. We were swimming off for our happily ever after for a moment there.”
Releasing her, I took a wide step back. Goose flesh shivering down my arms. “You referred to yourself in plural form.”
“Shame that you put all of this together before things got really fun.” As she spoke, Vanessa’s voice became a chorus of varying octaves and timbres. In an image that threatened to haunt me forever, my love’s face smoothed to a flat, inhuman canvas. Skin rippled. Flaps of flesh curled open. Two eyes morphed to six. The air shimmered, three distinct shapes squirmed from the confines of Vanessa’s form. Rolling and stretching, they grew, adapting their own characteristics as they right themselves.
“Siren! Speak no more!” Recognizing the three-headed beast from the courtyard—because such a thing would be hard to forget—I overturned the table in my frantic scramble for distance.
“Siren?” Two hitched one brow, her full lips pursed into a pout. “Because a creature of our distinction couldn’t possibly have a name? How would you like it if we called you Undistinguishable Merman Destined to Die on His Quest? Stings a bit, doesn’t it?”
“Easy, sister. Such a sweet, tasty morsel couldn’t possibly have meant any harm. He needs to be nurtured … educated.” Something in the way Three enunciated the word educated made it sound naughty, and dripping with hedonistic intent. “Our name is Cerberus, dear one. We would love to hear how it rolls from your tongue. Particularly in between breathless pants.”
Annoyed by her sister’s antics, One shriveled her with a sideways glare. “On behalf of those that share all lower extremities with you … no we wouldn’t, and stop it.”
“What do you want?” Hand hovering at my hip, my fingers twitched for the dagger.
“Simply to deliver a message from our master,” all three purred in unison, which somehow made it all the more off-putting.
“Hades,” I hissed.
Stalking a slow circle around me, their wandering stares traveled over every inch of my body. “You may thank him when you hear what we have to say.”
“Doubtful,” I countered. “I want as little to do with Hades and his wretched minions as possible.”
Three cocked her head, azure eyes narrowing to slits. “Didn’t you swear allegiance to him? Shall we welcome you to the wretched family?”
“Sister, don’t taunt him,” Two chastised, amusement playing across her features. “Not when his master has such big plans for him.” Chuckling at how I bristled, she pressed on. “First, a warning. When the High Priestess awoke the oracle essence, another was unleashed as well.”
“The trickster,” I breathed, recalling the High Priestess’ warning to King Liam.
“Such a good boy, paying attention,” One mockingly cooed.
“Indeed, the trickster. Its spirit has yet to find a host. Perhaps you’ve sensed it?” Coiling around me, Two’s mouth brushed my ear. “A shiver up your spine? Disembodied giggle echoing down a hall? That’s him.”
I pulled away, my nose crinkling in disgust. “What does that have to do with me? I’m previously possessed and up to occupancy, thanks to your proprietor.”
“Without guidance, the trickster will pick its own vessel. And, with that naughty little spirit, you can trust it to be drawn to the truly wicked.” Finishing yet another prowled circle, Cerberus planted their feet directly in front of me and spoke through all three heads. “That’s where you come in. A darkness has come to Kingdom Caselotti. One hungry for power and vengeance. If it becomes host to the mischievous Menehune essence, it will wield the accompanying powers in malevolent ways you cannot begin to comprehend.”
I hooked my thumbs in the waist of my slacks and feigned indifference. “How is any of that my problem?”
Stepping in, body-skimming close, the three heads swayed mere inches from my face. “Because, we believe you’ve encountered this particular dark entity before, Alastor. And it would take great pleasure in ensuring you never make it back to the ocean.”
I cast my stare out the window, gazing out at the freedom eluding me more and more with each passing day. “What would you have me do?” I reluctantly spat.
Patting my chest with their shared hand, Three purred, “There’s a good lad. You merely need to direct the essence into a proper host. One sweet, and good, and an endearing degree of … mad.”
Head snapping around, I shifted my stare from one haunting face to the next in search of answers. “Sterling? No! I couldn’t! He’s barely holding himself together as is!”
One’s eyebrows lifted to her hairline, lips twisting into an ironic smirk. “The fact that you instantly knew who we were talking about should say something about your choice in friends.”
“Silence!” Two barked at her sister, lip curling into a snarl. The chastisement lasted only a beat, after which she blinked my way with a soft, welcoming smile fixed into place. “The Menehune will not harm him, only bolster what he already has. It could prove to be of great benefit to him. If, someone cares enough to keep a vigil watch and guide him.”
“Why would I do that to him?”
“Preventative measures.” Cerberus lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug, Two speaking for them all. “Elsewise, your path back to your princess could be destroyed. All you have to do is string this totem around your odd little friend’s neck. It will draw the essence right to him. A simple act, to help clear your path home.”
Dangling from their middle finger, the totem swung between us. No more than an inch tall
, the hand-carved wood ornament looked like some sort of primate. “And this won’t hurt him?”
My hand raised as if moving of its own accord, allowing the three-headed creature to settle the artifact into my outstretched palm. “Not if you’re there to help him,” they coaxed in perfect harmony.
Pulse pounding in my temples, I watched my hand curl around the necklace in stunned disbelief. I couldn’t actually be considering this, could I?
“Oh, and, Alastor?” Jolted from my reverie, I glanced up to find the Cerberus back in the mirror, the Underworld now smoldering around them. “We’ll be waiting the moment you return with the mirror. Don’t fall victim to the mistaken notion you could slink off with it undetected.”
Turning their back to me, they trudged on—ash coating the ground beneath their feet ignited to smoldering embers with each step. The black cloak fastened around their shoulders snapped and lashed behind them like a living whip, warning the living and deceased of the power bestowed on them by the master of death.
Chapter Twelve
I loathed myself for considering it. Yet there I was, tiptoeing down the hall with lantern in hand. I rationalized that I would see him through whatever came of this, that I would remain firmly by his side until we could both find a way out from under the burden of these afflictions. Even so, the whispering voice of my conscious knew otherwise. If I did this, it was for no other reason than fear of losing any chance of returning to Vanessa. How did Sterling play into that return to the depths? I didn’t know, and that’s the part that made me a selfish ass.
Even as I raised my fist to rap on his door, I wrestled with the decision. I would be cursing a tortured soul that deserved kindness and mercy. What kind of monster would that make me? “Sterling? You awake?”
“Hmm? Alastor?” his murmured response came muffled through the door. “Come on in.”
Swallowing hard, I opened the door, all the while praying the right answer would magically reveal itself. What I found, instead, was a vacant room. “Uh, Sterling? There’s no trees in here, therefore I’m out of places to look. Where are you?”
“Where am I? That’s a very good question. Ow!” A thump shook his bed, followed by another. “Oh. Oh, no. I–I think I’m buried alive! Alastor! Help me!” He kicked and flailed until squirming out from under the bed frame. The instant he saw light, his shrieks died on his lips. “Nope! Just got stuck under the bed again. What can I help you with?”
“I, uh, just wondered if you and the king had discovered a route for our journey tomorrow?” I lied, fiddling with the totem dangling from my wrist.
Springing to his feet, Sterling shook off the dust bunnies covering him. “In a matter of speaking. He showed me the map. It’s not a land I’ve ever traveled to before. Even so, I believe, if we can gather a crew to mediate on that exact location, I may be able to ride their waves and get us there.” As he spoke, his jade stare fixated on the totem, watching it bob and swivel. “What is that? I want it.”
Taken aback by his interest, I peered down at the little wooden monkey charm dangling from the heel of my hand. “This is …” For the life of me, I couldn’t come up with one good lie. With a clearer head I may have taken that as the answer I so desperately sought.
“A gift?” Sterling perked. “For me?”
“Do you want it?” I asked, raising the bauble for him to get a better look.
Eyes narrowing, he tilted his head in inspection. “I … feel like it already belongs to me.”
It couldn’t be that easy, could it? Just let him claim what he wants, thereby removing all guilt? No. I couldn’t do that to a being so in need of someone to look out for him.
“I brought this for you, actually,” I admitted, pulling my hand back. “But I’m not sure this is a gift you’re going to want.”
“I can tell you with utmost certainty that I do,” Sterling countered, reaching around me to swipe at it.
Ducking out of reach, I attempted to inject rational thought into his frenzy. “Sterling, I need you to listen to me. This totem has an enchantment on it. If you put this on it will call a spirit to you that will amplify all your— what do you call them? —jumping abilities ten-fold.”
Crest-fallen, Sterling’s crumpling features tugged from the treasure to search my face. “And … you want that of me? More of these oddities?”
“Not if you don’t want them,” I admitted, finally finding the strength to speak from my heart. “If you feel it calls to you, and you welcome the added power it will supply, I will tie it around your neck and be here for you no matter what follows. But, if you have any hesitation at all, we will throw it into the fire together and let that essence select its own host. Come what may.”
“The added power, it’s real?” Sterling appeared more startled child than man, his eyes bulging with trepidation.
“It is.” Pulling the string, I untied the Menehune charm from my wrist. “It has a counterpoint, the oracle, which I was infected with. The two sides are said to keep each other in balance ... or something along those lines. The details I’ve gotten have been a bit sketchy. I can say that since that fun little nuance came into my life, I’m regularly subjected to nightmarish visions that will haunt me the remainder of my days.”
“Or, as I call that, any given day,” Sterling stated with a heavy slathering of grief.
Feeling guilty for having brought it up at all, I stepped back and hid the totem behind my leg. “You know what, you need not worry of such things. With everything you’re already forced to endure—”
“Heightened abilities might help me find my way back to my Alice!” Sterling erupted. The idea sparked a fresh light behind his eyes, illuminating his face with giddy enthusiasm. “Yes! Oh, yes! This is brilliant! Quick, now! Let’s have it!”
“Who’s Alice?” I asked, shrinking away from his frantic grabby hands.
“She’s my Alice, of course!” He snorted, as if that was the most ludicrous question he had ever heard. Seizing my shoulder, he shoved me aside and snatched the totem from my grip. “First thing in the morning, we will gather the king’s best men to help guide our jump to Marooner’s Rock. Once we do, we will grab that mirror, and deliver it to the forever-grateful king. Then, thanks to this charm, I may finally be able to go home!”
“Don’t you think you’re getting ahead of yourself a tad?” My query was interrupted by Sterling slapping at my hand and gesturing for me to tie the trinket around his neck. Rolling my eyes, I reluctantly obliged. “You said yourself that finding the exact location could take a while.”
A soft knock rattled the door before Sterling could answer. “Sir, is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine. Now go away,” Sterling shouted. Arranging the talisman in the center of his breast bone, he threw his arms out wide and closed his eyes.
Nothing.
Not even a breeze stirred.
“Well,” clapping my hands in front of me, I rubbed my palms together, “this looks like it could be a rather lengthy process. I’ll go grab a pillow and blanket from my—” I turned around and the words died on my lips.
His bed chamber was gone, replaced by a lush green jungle. On a fallen log a mere arm’s distance away, a fat frog croaked his welcome. Head whipping in one direction then the other, I gaped in disbelief. “Sterling, what have you done?”
Hands slapping to his sides, he spun, marveling at the change in scenery. “I … think it’s Marooner’s Rock. I wager if we walk west we’ll find a cove with a giant boulder in the center, and venturing east should be a lagoon. All I did was think of it, and here we are. If I knew it would be that easy, I would have left a note before vanishing without a trace.”
“Help, please!” a soft voice yelped.
Posture straightening, Sterling’s voice dropped to an urgent whisper. “I think I’m hearing voices now. Is that part of it? Hearing things?”
“That’s not in your head, that’s a child in trouble!” I exclaimed, darting in the direction of the pl
ea.
Leaves crunching underfoot, I charged through the unfamiliar landscape. Pushing aside a massive palm frond, my toes skidded to a stop at the edge of a cliff. Rocks rained down on the chestnut-eyed child staring up at me. His fingers curled over the rocky ledge were all that prevented him from plummeting to a fatal conclusion.
Dropping to my knees, I grasped his forearm. “I’ve got you,” I assured him, “pull yourself up.”
Feet scraping against the stone wall, the frightened lad fought his way up. Collapsing onto his hands and knees, his breath came in ragged pants. As he blinked up at me, his thick lashes brushed the tops of freckled covered cheeks. Ruffled russet strands darted from his head, falling haphazardly across his forehead. Tucked into a small satchel at his hip hung a wooden pan flute.
Wetting his parched lips, he wheezed, “The walls … they vanished.”
Recognizing his voice caused an icy bucket of awareness to slosh over me. “You work in the palace? Were you the one who knocked on the door?”
“Aye, I saw a light on in one of the chambers and wanted to see if all was well,” he admitted, chin falling to his chest. “His Highness took me in after my papa died, and I want to prove myself a hard, and loyal worker.”
Hopping up on a nearby boulder, Sterling craned his neck to inspect this strange new world. “Seems there’s a lesson in there somewhere about the importance of minding one’s business,” he mused. “Not that I ever adhered to it.”
“Will you be quiet,” I hissed over my shoulder. Crouching down, I dipped to eye level with the boy. “Peter, is that your name?”
“N–no.” He shook his head, brow furrowed in confusion.
“Your flute,” my chin jerked in the direction of the instrument, “P. T. R. is carved on it.”
“Those are my initials.” Pushing off his knuckles, he sat back on his knees in the grass. “Phineas Theodore Rutherford. People call me Phin for short.”
“A name I can appreciate,” I stated, and offered him my hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Phin. My name is Alastor, and this wild-eyed fella is Sterling.”
The Unfortunate Souls Collection Page 29
