Submerging Inferno

by Brandon Witt

  My head jerked toward Finn before I realized he was kidding. “Whatever.”

  He let out a soft chuckle. “No, we won’t have to do anything, they will just know we are there. And would you stop looking around? You’re creeping me out.”

  “Your mom would kill me if I let the vampire get you because I wasn’t paying attention.”

  He shrugged it off. “I’m not as afraid of vampires as I was, at least as long as you’re with me. I don’t see how he could do much to us right now. There’s no one he could capture for a hostage, and you can set the fucker on fire, so what’s there to be worried about?”

  “He could take you for a hostage. What could I do then?”

  Finn ignored me and kept walking toward the cliff. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

  After spending the day watching the de Moriscos place temporary protective spells on their businesses, it was decided that Finn and I would begin the search for my mother. Wendell thought the best place to begin would be the nymphs, and although I wasn’t sure how they would be helpful, I couldn’t help but be excited about seeing them again. I was already starting to get used to seeing Finn and his family casting spells all day long. They were like normal everyday people who were really talented or something, but there was no denying that the nymphs were far from human, something I still couldn’t believe actually existed even though I had seen them with my own eyes.

  When I had expressed confusion over why Finn’s family hadn’t placed spells to protect themselves from the vampire before, I was informed that such invoking of the elements to provide constant supervision and protection drained the life force of everyone and everything within a close proximity. If they weren’t careful, such spells could easily kill or severely weaken anything living (other humans, plants, or animals) around them. It wouldn’t hurt the ones it was cast to protect, but they didn’t feel right taking the chance of harming others who weren’t giving their consent to give of themselves. However, they figured that Finn and I wouldn’t be gone for very long, and as they were going to work shortened days and then gather once more at the house, they felt the strain on others would be a minimal risk until we returned.

  Before Finn brought us back to the cliff, we stopped in La Jolla to see my grandmother. She was thrilled to see me again so soon, but was in tears by the time we left when we told her that the reason we wanted to borrow a photo of Jessica was to hunt down other demons that might know her. Despite her fear over my safety, she asked me to tell Jessica that she loves her, when and if we found her. Before we left, she once again brought up the possibility of me living with her again. I wasn’t used to having other people’s emotions and happiness depending on me. Now I had both Grandma and Finn wanting me, needing me, to be with them, and there wasn’t an option that didn’t hurt someone. It seemed like it should be enough to have to worry about vampires and long-lost demon mothers without having to think about crushing the people I loved. Apparently not.

  “Okay, take my hand.”

  I looked down at Finn’s outstretched hand and slipped my hand into his. As every time before, the touch of his skin on mine made it a little easier to breathe, easier to believe that things might actually work out.

  We stood there, a few feet from the ancient willow, the sea stretching out before us, a glittering endless jewel in the moonlight. The smell of salt on the breeze called to me, momentarily making me want to run to the edge and dive off, plunging into the water below. Just as every other time I had lately longed for the ocean, the memory of the kelp burning and dying drove away the impulse.

  “Are you okay? Do you not feel like doing this?”

  “Huh?” I looked over at Finn’s concerned face.

  “You look like you’re going to be sick.”

  “Oh.” I shook my head. “I was just thinking of the other day in the ocean.” He squeezed my hand. “No, I want to be here. I want to do this.”

  I felt the change in the air the moment it started. The sizzle of electricity, the surge of power. Maybe it was because I had seen it once before, maybe it was because I was so thrilled to see it again, but the entrance of the nymphs appeared to take mere seconds this time, each one seeming to arrive just as the previous one had taken form. Before the blaze of the first had extinguished, the smell of freshly turned earth reached my senses as the wind whipped my shirt about my chest, and the ground grew sodden and dry once again, and Amalphia stood before us.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Finn’s head lower reverently to his chest, and I followed his lead, though it made me nervous to take my eyes off the four women.

  It was the translucent one, her eyes riotous, whose sweeping voice addressed us first. “Child of the elements, what is of such importance that it requires you to seek our attentions?” Her eyes flickered to me, narrowing, before turning back to Finn. “And what reason do you have to bring the child of the fallen into our presence yet again?”

  “Peace, Ventas. He is still a child of ours.” The torrent of red-orange curls moved on their own, dancing against the wind, as the nymph formed from fire placed her hand on the shoulder of her agitated sister.

  Ventas shrugged away, her eyes flashing to me again, causing a chill to pass over my normally sweltering skin. “Not a child of all of us, Cenera. He could lead to folly.”

  “And he could lead to freedom, as you know.” The dark-skinned woman’s voice was gravelly and sultry. “A child of one is a child of all.”

  Amalphia, her voice yet again bringing an ache for the sea deep within me, addressed the earthen beauty. “Well spoken, Jordskote. Especially true since he is a child of two.”

  I knew they were discussing me, but I couldn’t make sense of most of the conversation. I could tell Ventas wasn’t as comfortable with my demon blood as the others, but beyond that, I was clueless to their meaning.

  Ventas spoke again, turning her attention to Finn, and what little patience she had was gone. “Again, I ask, what brings you, and why is he here? He is no witch.”

  I was impressed with the mix of humility and strength Finn exuded as he met her gaze. “We require your guidance, honored nymphs. The safety of my family is in jeopardy.”

  “Your family is in peril due to the fallen one you bring before us.” The wind rushed around us, making it hard to stand. “Cast him out, and your family shall be spared.”

  I saw Amalphia begin to speak, but Finn’s voice rose, determined and strong. “He is family.”

  Finn’s even glare was focused on Ventas, and he didn’t see the sorrowful look Amalphia gave us as she stepped forward into Ventas’s path. “What is it you require, Finn de Morisco?”

  Finn bowed his head at his spoken name. “We need direction, my Lady. A vampire is tormenting my family, and we think that knowing his heritage”—he motioned to me—“could provide us with the answers we need to defend ourselves.”

  Jordskote stepped forward, her nearly black skin glistening a wine red in the flickering of Cenera. “We cannot tell you the path Brett Wright should take. The way of nature is to grow with the help of the elements, not surge forth from nothing.”

  I looked into her black eyes, shocked and humbled that she knew my name.

  There was no animosity as she addressed me. “Yes, I know your name, though the path you may choose is not yet clear, despite the destination being set.”

  “We are not the fates, children.” Amalphia looked at us lovingly. “We cannot give you the answers you seek, only help guide your direction.”

  “We will be thankful for whatever you deem appropriate to give us.” Finn stood, his head bowed. Despite being used to such otherworldly experiences, his demeanor of confidence and clarity both surprised me and endeared him to me even more.

  Cenera flashed into flames and was standing before me, crossing the space in a heart’s beat. She held her hands out toward me.

  I looked at her hands and then at her face, uncertain of her intention. Cautiously, I stretched out my hands and placed them in
hers. At her touch, both of our bodies were swallowed in flame. I heard Finn gasp and call my name, but it was as if he were miles away, in a universe separate from mine.

  Her glowing yellow eyes searched mine lovingly. “You are a child of mine, dear one. As you know, there is another who has more of a right to call you child than I. The time for her to speak is not yet upon us. Ask what you will.”

  My voice seemed lost momentarily as I was consumed in the dome of fire encompassing us. Tearing my eyes away, I turned back to her. “Do you know my father? What he is?”

  She gave me a sympathetic smile, her teeth brilliant and shining in the reflected light. “Alas, I cannot tell you what you do not know. That discovery shall come in its natural time.”

  I couldn’t help but feel frustration at her answer, the flames around us growing taller and hotter.

  She looked around and grinned in what seemed a proud way. “You will have to learn to control your power, my child. Fire is a mighty force and can move obstacles and create room for growth, but it can also consume.”

  “What could you have to offer if you can only tell me what I already know?” The tone of my voice gave me pause. I needed to remember to whom I was speaking. I had no trouble believing she could take away my concern of living for eternity.

  Her smile didn’t falter; she only gazed at me patiently. “I can offer you guidance. Ask me the question that brought you here, Brett.”

  My mind went blank. What question had brought me here? I needed to know what my father was. That was all I needed. All that mattered.

  “Nature moves in gradual steps and motions, not in giant leaps. Even the greatest, most uncontrollable fire starts out as a spark.”

  Inconceivably, her words made sense to me, and I remembered our plan. How we were going to find my father. “I need to find my mother. She would be a child of yours as well, I think. Her name is Jessica.”

  Cenera nodded, her smile faltering momentarily. “Yes, your mother is a child of mine, but more a child of the fallen than are you. Her presence, however, is not what you require.”

  “Then what do I require?” This all seemed so pointless. It seemed like the nymphs had the answers to all our questions, but were refusing to give them to us.

  “One of the fallen will guide you. One of the fallen shall take you by the hand. One of the fallen will offer you the answers you seek.”

  My heart leapt at what seemed like a direct answer, at least direct as far as the nymphs were concerned. “How do I find… this demon?”

  “Be sure before you choose. He will take you to the path that leads to enlightenment, but before you embark on your journey, you will pay a price.”

  “What price? What will I have to give?”

  “It is not what you have to give, but what you choose to give.”

  “What is it?”

  As if not hearing me, she continued. “I give you my blessing. You will assist in the unveiling of the truth, but the path you choose to fulfillment is up to you, not set in the stars or the elements.” Her eyebrows rose questioningly. “Remember that.”

  I nodded my agreement, though I had no idea what she meant.

  She leaned forward and pressed her burning lips to my forehead. As she pulled back, she released my hands, and the fire around us sank into the earth.

  Finn started to rush forward, but Jordskote held out her hand to stop him.

  Cenera turned to the other three nymphs. “Come, sisters.”

  They circled me, one on each side. “Kneel,” Amalphia whispered.

  I knelt. As I did, each one placed a hand on my head, Ventas waiting until Cenera gave her a warning glare.

  They began to chant in the language I had heard at Rodrigo’s funeral, their voices blending in a soothing yet terrible song. I wasn’t sure what they were doing, but I expected to feel something. Some knowledge. Some type of power flow through me. I felt nothing.

  As their singing ended, Cenera motioned for me to rise. Her voice was quieter than before, calmer. Sad. “The path to the fallen is within you.” At her words, a miniscule heat sparked in the center of my chest. “When you choose to seek him, you shall find him.” She looked as if she had finished speaking, but then her eyes met mine once more. “I bid you warning one final time. The choices you believe have no other option, in truth have many different paths that will take you to your chosen destination. Do not act out of rashness or fear.”

  She didn’t wait for a response, and in a rush of wind and fire, scent of rain and earth, they were gone. Finn and I stood alone on the cliff, the night suddenly moonless and cold.

  WE PULLED into Wendell and Paulette’s driveway. Finn unbuckled his seat belt and reached for the door handle.

  My voice surprising me, I reached out to his arm. “Wait. Please. Can we talk in here for a moment?”

  The ride back had been silent, both of us lost in our thoughts, shaken by our encounter with the nymphs. The entire time, my spirit felt heavier and heavier. I didn’t want to do what I was about to do, but I didn’t see any other way. It was what was best.

  He turned around in his seat, giving me the classic Finn de Morisco raised eyebrow. “Sure, what’s up?”

  I stared at him. My voice not wanting to speak. Refusing to speak. I can only imagine what my face must have looked like.

  “What is it, Brett? What’s wrong?” Finn’s voice had taken on a panicky edge that wasn’t there before, as if his core recognized what was happening before he did.

  I held his golden-brown eyes with mine for a moment, trying to memorize their beauty, their kindness. After an extended glance out the window, trying to find strength, I fixed his eyes again with mine. “I have to leave, babe.”

  He balked, giving his head a minuscule shake. “Leave?” His voice was tiny, beginning to quaver. “Where do you need to go?”

  “Away, just away.”

  “You mean for a while. To figure out whatever it was the nymph told you?” His eyes pleaded with me, tears already beginning to spill.

  I shook my head. “No, sweetie. I mean I need to leave.”

  “Leave me?” His voice broke.

  I nodded. “Yes.” I hated myself for the pain in his eyes. The pain I was putting there.

  “We’ve done this already. We can get through this. We can.”

  I shook my head, my heart withering as I remembered my words, my promise that I’d stay. I’d meant it.

  He looked down at our hands, which had somehow found each other, tears falling on them. His head shot back up. “You’ve stopped loving me?”

  How could my heart keep breaking like this? Surely it would stop at some point. “God, no! I love you. I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. I love you more than anyone in my life!”

  His brows knotted in confusion. “Then why are you leaving me? I don’t understand!”

  I searched around the truck, as if there would be an answer waiting that I could give him. “I can’t do it. Like I tried to tell you in the graveyard, it’s just not in me.”

  “What? What’s not in you?” There was an edge of anger that had crept into the desperation.

  “I know I’m going to leave sometime. I have to figure out who I am. What I come from. I might as well leave now, before it will hurt worse.”

  “You don’t have to leave me to figure out who you are, where you come from. I’ll help you.”

  I started to speak, but he rushed forward desperately. “Or, you can find out on your own, if you don’t want me with you. I will wait!”

  I shook my head again, my tears starting to fall. “No, Finn. I just have to leave. For me. It’s not because I don’t love you. I do. Please believe me, I do. But, I just have to go. I can’t be the man you need. I can’t be the man you build your forever with. Hell, I don’t even know what kind of man I am, if I really am a man.”

  “I do! I know what kind of man you are! And I love you. You love me. I know you do. That’s enough!”

  “No, babe.” I s
hook my head, my eyes briefly leaving his. “No, Finn. It’s not. It’s not enough.”

  His shoulders slumped as he looked at me, his eyes empty and dull, Finn gone from them.

  We stared at each other. Stared endlessly. With a final squeeze of his hands, I leaned forward, pressed my lips to his, and then slid out of the truck. “I’m sorry. I love you. I’m so sorry.” I was at the end of the driveway before I looked back. His silhouette showed through the back window, hunched down, curling into a ball in the front seat, shaking with uncontrollable sobs that reached my ears.

  With a groan of agonizing pain, I threw myself forward and ran. My legs pounded the ground. Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered if I was crushing the pavement under me. I ran and I ran. I ran until I crumpled into a heap on the side of the road, my body convulsing with sobs of my own.

  Chapter 34

  SOMETHING wet and cold kept pressing against my cheek. I swatted it away, but after a moment it would be back, leaving a cool wet mark where it had been. My eyes flew open when I felt whiskers brush my lips. A pair of huge, moist chocolate eyes were mere centimeters away from mine. I jerked my head back, only to hit it on whatever I was lying on.

  Before I could move further, the overwhelming odor of dead fish rushed over me as the chocolate eyes moved upward, giving way to a wide, fanged mouth that let out a mournful growl.

  I scampered backward on my elbows and wiped the slimy spittle from my face. Looking back at what had accosted me, I saw a harbor seal gazing at me, its head cocking from side to side like a dog.

  I groaned. “Oh, hi there. You nearly scared the shit outta me.” It took a few more lumbering steps, pulling itself toward me, its face invading my space again, its nose poking my chin.

  In confusion, I looked around. I was on a beach, less than ten feet from the surf. The sun was high in the sky and beat down on us. Taking another look around, I saw that I was alone with the seal, nothing else on the beach outside of a couple of tiny crabs scurrying about.

  Another rough poke from the seal against my neck and everything rushed back. The nymphs on the cliff. Finn in the truck.