Ren’s relaxed demeanor distracted me. How had he managed to switch gears so easily? My nerves were still rattling. It was all I could do to act even slightly normal and I struggled to make sense of the conversation between Uncle Harold and Ren.
A delicate china cup and saucer appeared before me on the table. Uncle Harold’s wrinkled fingers slid it into my resting hands.
“You found the river, I take it?” He asked blinking curiously.
“I wanted to give Eliza the river tour. I’m sorry… I should have asked you if it would be alright for us to go down there.” Ren answered bashfully. His fingers nervously stroked the cup in his hands.
“It’s been many years since I’ve traveled below ground.” Uncle Harold murmured distantly.
At that, I blanched. Ren had led me to believe Uncle Harold travelled the river path routinely.
Ren peered guiltily at me from the corner of his eye. “Uncle Harold… Something happened down there. If… if I had any idea that something lived down there, I wouldn’t have gone.” He said remorsefully.
Uncle Harold’s eyes grew wide. “No bother, my boy, if there is anything I understand it is the quest for adventure. Do share what you found.” He pressed.
“Maybe a little background information would be helpful.” I interjected.
Ren’s eyes darted to mine, a thankful expression colored his face. I scowled in response, still irritated that he’d misled me.
“The story, yes, there is always a beginning. Please begin.” Uncle Harold’s knowing smile puzzled me. I wondered how much he already knew and why he wasn’t angry with us.
“Several months ago,” I began. Reaching to my neck, I pulled out the talisman from beneath my pajama top.
“I had a problem with a Shadow. Nan cast a spell on me to protect me from the Shadow and until now, the spell’s worked.” I explained as calmly as possible.
“But the things we found on the river were definitely not Shadows.” Ren added, his eyes bouncing excitedly between Uncle Harold and me.
I nodded in agreement. “But they are definitely the creatures who’ve been after me. I’ve seen them before and they called my name.”
“What did the beasts in the river look like?” Uncle Harold asked, his brows drawing together.
“They look like women.” I began, “They’re actually quite beautiful. They all have long red hair and are tall and graceful.” I said, glancing toward Ren who nodded in agreement.
“And one of them at least had wings. She flew at us after she rose out of the water.” I added quickly.
Uncle Harold squinted at the ceiling searching the archives of his mind.
“You say they knew your name. What did they say exactly?” He asked without taking his eyes off the ceiling.
I hesitated and allowed my mind to wander back to the frightening event. “They said… ‘Join us.’” I repeated with dread hearing the high shrieks in my head.
“High voices I take it? Could break glass?” He asked.
“Oh yes.” I answered and glanced over at Ren.
He nodded in agreement.
Uncle Harold’s gaze dropped abruptly from the ceiling and fell upon mine.
“Nereids. I’m certain of it. That is what’s been hunting you.” He declared decisively.
“The question is why? Why is a flock of nereids asking you to join them, Eliza Gowan?” He asked with a hint of suspicion.
I shrank back in my chair and averted my eyes from his sharp gaze.
“Nereids. I seem to remember reading about them. Are they of the faerie kind?” Ren asked eagerly.
Uncle Harold’s gaze broke from my face and he reclined in his seat, taking a sip of tea before responding.
“Yes. Nereids are a tribe of water faerie, an ancient species with a highly evolved and complicated society. Their magic, I daresay, is frightfully evolved, as well. Even the most skilled witch would be taking a risk in challenging a nereid, particularly since they rarely act alone. You see, they are a communal kind. Their shared thinking strengthens each one’s individual power. They live in small kingdoms scattered about the world and are always ruled by a queen.” He explained.
“Being such an advanced and, honestly speaking, superior species to humans in most ways it is highly unusual for nereids to hunt a human. Though they are notorious for kidnapping all manner of others, most often elves or faeries of other tribes. They seek only those who possess a flavor of magic they wish to acquire.” He said gravely.
“Why would they want me? How did they even find me?” I asked.
Uncle Harold leaned across the table and squinted at me again, his eyes studying mine as if searching for the answer.
“That, my dear, is the golden question now isn’t it? Nereids do not pluck those they hunt out of thin air. As a matter of fact, it is known that they only hunt particular families of humans for there are only a few of the magical minority still in existence who possess strains of magic the nereids have not mastered.” He said solemnly.
His words washed over me, my ears filled with the pulse of my heart.
“They hunt whole families?” I asked, the words barely escaping my lips as my breath stuck in my chest.
Uncle Harold’s gaze hardened. “Nereids have tracked particular bloodlines for centuries. They have hunted the unfortunate few left like a bloody scourge.” He spat with distain.
I sucked in a breath and asked a painful question. “What do they do with the people they catch?”
“Ah, and that’s where they are particularly cunning. They rarely outright steal a person. You see, unlike earthbound humans, nereids can move freely between their watery realm and ours. When they walk amongst us, they appear human, and that is the crux of their brilliance. Most often, they lure a person into their realm with promises of gifts or grandeur. They force them to sign contracts in exchange for magical powers. The problem with that little arrangement is that once a human enters the realm of the nereid their memories begin to disintegrate. Like paper in a well. For a short time, the human may recall their purpose in the nereid’s watery realm but before long they’ve forgotten all about who they are, where they came from, and how to return. They spend the rest of their days in murky befuddlement, kept as pets, as the nereids slowly suck their power away from them, making it their own.”
Uncle Harold’s words were at once a blow to my chest so powerful my breath left me with physical force but they also ignited a spark of hope.
“What can we do to stop them from hunting Eliza?” Ren asked defiantly.
Uncle Harold hunkered toward us again and spoke conspiratorially.
“That will be tricky. As I mentioned, nereids are quite powerful and even our best magic may be no match for their strength but do not fear, my dear. We will find a solution.” He said protectively patting the top of my hand resting on the table.
“In the meantime, best to stay clear of open water. It is their world out there, not ours.” He warned and then yawned. “Pardon me.” He said and glanced at the clock.
“I know that I promised you two a celebratory dinner but please excuse an old man. It’s getting quite late for me and I really must retire now. Shall we reschedule dinner for tomorrow evening?” He asked hopefully.
“Of course, Uncle Harold.” Ren said.
“Yes, yes, well, goodnight.” Uncle Harold muttered as he stood and shuffled out of the room.
After a few moments of pensive silence Ren and I looked gravely at each other.
“I’m sorry, Eliza.” He added sullenly.
“Had I known Uncle Harold never went down there anymore, I probably wouldn’t have agreed to go. But as it turns out if we’d never gone down to that river, we wouldn’t have found out that nereids are behind the Shadow that’s been stalking me. Knowing what they are has got to bring me closer to finding a way of stopping them.” I said hopefully.
He glanced up furtively and asked, “So then you’re not too disappointed in me for nearly getting you kidnapped?”
I shrugged and concealed a grin. “Not too disappointed,” Then quickly added, “Well, I’m exhausted. I think I’ll head up to bed now too.”
“Goodnight, Eliza.” He said sheepishly.
“Goodnight, Ren.” I said and left the room.
* * *
I carefully closed the door and leaned my back against it surveying my bedroom. The clock on the nightstand read eight o’clock. If I was fast, I could probably catch the last flight of the night to the U.S.
Dashing around the room, I yanked clothes off hangers in the armoire and items strewn on the floor tossing them hastily into my suitcase. A frantic sense of urgency propelled my actions. In the flurry of activity, I didn’t hear the door open.
“Eliza? What are you doing?” Ren asked alarmed.
He stood in the doorway, his face frozen with surprise.
I spun around to face him. I had hoped to slip out undetected but now I realized a confrontation couldn’t be avoided. I knew he wouldn’t let me go without an argument and I didn’t have time to spare. What I intended to do sharply contrasted with his protective feelings for me, as it should, since in all truth, I risked losing myself in the venture. I sucked in a breath sharply before responding.
“I’m going to Moco, Ren. I have to find my mother.” I said.
“What are you talking about?” He asked looking baffled.
I stopped packing and stared at him, willing him to understand.
“Don’t you get it? The nereids hunt entire bloodlines. They’re the ones who took my mother and now they want me. I have to find her… or at least try.” I said firmly and resumed my packing.
“Eliza, facing the nereids without a plan is suicidal. I can’t believe you’d do this after what happened tonight. Besides, you heard what Uncle Harold said. They’re more powerful than us.” He said starting across the room.
I thrust my hand in front of me, warning him to stop. “Maybe they are but they want me for a reason, right? So I’ve got something they don’t have. Ren, I’m going.” I said with conviction.
He looked defeated and scared.
“Look, I’m sorry for putting you in this position.” My voice trailed as I considered how he must feel.
“Eliza, please… I can go with you.” He argued.
“Ren, I can’t let you do that. This is serious. It’s not your fight and it wouldn’t be right for you to follow me into danger.” I stammered.
Pharos or no pharos, I had to go and there was no reason for him to risk himself for me. Especially when the chances of winning were not in our favor.
Ren stood still and stared at me with a look of confusion.
Tears had begun to well in the corners of my eyes.
“Look, I know you’re my pharos. I know you feel a sense of duty to protect me and help me with all my problems but this time, you have to let it go. No, I shouldn’t be facing the nereids and neither should you. I’m sure the Heka Council would bar me from doing what I’m about to do if they knew but I have to go. I have to try to help my mother… if she can be helped. And if she can’t, that’s for me to figure out. They could have killed you tonight. I can’t let you follow me into this fight. And you know… you shouldn’t.” I said, slow rivulets of tears snaked down my cheeks.
Without waiting for him to respond, I quickly brushed the tears off my face and hefted my suitcase off the bed. I walked across the room to the door resisting the urge to look back, to search his face for a reaction.
Dragging my leaden feet, I left the room silently and shuffled down the dark hall with the hope that I could avoid waking Uncle Harold. My plan was rudimentary at best. I needed to find a cab and make my way to the airport. Then I would convince the airline, by any means necessary, to exchange my return ticket for a route to Savannah, the closest airport to Moco. From there, I would find Cora. If she knew enough to cast the shrouding spell on me so many years ago, she might have other information that would help me rescue my mother.
The blow from behind knocked the wind from my chest and nearly stopped my heart. I couldn’t tell exactly how Ren had managed to swoop me from my path and pin me against the wall, rendering me immobile. I found myself gasping for air, breathing heavily into his face, centimeters from my own.
His own breathing was ragged.
Stunned, I focused on regaining control of my senses and quickly became aware of the intense heat and pressure of Ren’s body against mine. His strategically placed feet allowed his legs to mirror mine. His knees pinned my thighs firmly to the wall.
My stomach fluttered as I felt his abdomen press urgently against mine. With his chest pulled back, his head angled sharply down and his face rested gently against my cheek sending his breath down the length of my neck. Adrenaline coursed hot through my veins setting my nerve endings on fire. I should have been angry but all I could do was melt into him. My mind dulled by the ecstasy of touch, I lost all sense of place and purpose.
His hot breath filled my ear and his lips lingered softly against my skin. The palms of his hands held my arms flat against the wall but began to slide from my wrists in release. His hands moved carefully down my arms and came to rest on either side of my waist.
Though my arms were no longer bound they remained frozen in position, pinned against the wall. I closed my eyes turning all of my attention toward the sensation of Ren’s body against mine. The cicada hum connecting our beings swelled and blossomed into a shell encasing us inside. The rhythm of our breathing merged into a single rapid beat. I allowed myself to float blissfully in the intimacy of connection. Yet the nagging guilt I harbored and the painful urgency of my mission rose from the depths of my heart, reminding me that I could not stay.
I moved first tentatively and then with more confidence. My arms broke free of the wall. My hands found the ripple of Ren’s ribs beneath his t-shirt, then slid slowly to rest on his waist. At my touch his breath deepened and fingertips pressed into my skin.
His cheek brushed against my jaw as he turned his face directly toward mine. The flames I’d seen in the river tunnel danced fiercely within his pupils as he peered intensely into my eyes. There was no doubt about his intention.
“We’d get in so much trouble…” I murmured swallowing hard against the lump in my throat.
“Forget the Council’s rules, Eliza. I want to be more than just your pharos… or your friend.” He said tensely, his fingers pressing into my skin.
Every nerve in my body leapt at his words. But I forced my eyes shut, blocking out the emotion radiating from his, willing myself not to give in… for his sake.
“Ren, I have to go.” I whispered my lips moving so close to his.
His breath caressed my mouth and chin.
“And I’m going with you.” He stated with dogged conviction.
“No… you’re not.” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat as if my heart had reached up, trying to hold it back.
Ren’s body tensed like a guitar string. He cursed softly under his breath. I didn’t move but softened under his touch, letting myself enjoy the nearness of him and wondered if I’d ever be this close to him again. The thought of never holding him or feeling his hands on me was shattering when just moments before, I hadn’t even considered it a possibility.
At once, I profoundly felt what I might lose.
When I opened my eyes the blinding emotion was gone from Ren’s gaze, replaced by resignation. His hands fell weakly to his sides and he stepped back, severing our physical union. When he released me, I felt more alone than ever, like my very skin had been stripped from me.
He turned and snatched up my suitcase.
I stared questioningly at him.
“Then I’m seeing you to the airport, if nothing else.” He said sadly.
We slipped down the stairs to the front door and exited the house stealthily to conceal our departure from Uncle Harold. Yet, just before the door met the latch, I thought I heard a whispered farewell slide through the crack.
“Bonne
chance. Eliza.”
23
I found my seat on the plane and wriggled out of my coat. As I lifted it up to stuff it into the overhead compartment, an envelope slipped from the interior pocket and fell heavily to the floor. I sank down into my seat and withdrew a letter.
Dear Eliza,
While I cannot say with any sense of certainty whether your pursuit is one that will lead to success, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor. As I mentioned, you have chosen to challenge a foe with a sophisticated brand of magic. To my knowledge there is no magic of our kind that will assuredly safeguard you against the whims of nereids. However, in my many years of collecting magical antiquities, I have occasionally come across items that hold powers since lost to us. Enclosed is one such item. A long time ago I was told it signified a covenant between our kind and the faerie kind, possibly of nereid origin. I do hope it can be of use to you.
Guard it well.
Until we meet again,
Harold Pliny
I shook the envelope, freeing the small object hidden in its corner. My heart skipped a beat. The smooth curves of the carved gem glistened on my palm like a stigmata, a blood red water lily.
* * *
The journey from Uncle Harold’s house to Cora’s doorstep was easier than I anticipated. After a brief battle with the airline ticket agent, I managed to change my route from Boston to Jacksonville and hopped aboard the first leg of the trip before midnight. When I finally arrived in Moco after an early morning bus ride from the Jacksonville airport, I found Cora’s address in a phone book and took a cab to her house. By sunrise, I was standing on her front porch listening to birds waking and nervously staring at her door.
It was the first time I’d paused and just breathed in days. The air filling me up carried the scents of my past, earth that was intensely alive because it never froze, plants that never slept, and something frying in a house somewhere near where the kitchen window stood open. There was a softness to the light and air. The breeze picked up and rattled the bottle tree in Cora’s garden. The blue hazy glass bottles shook and clunked on their posts, a sound I’d nearly forgotten.
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