by Debbie Behan
‘Stop at the noise and concentrate on one sound only, push all the rest away and head for the one closest to you. What is it saying?’
‘He’s just thinking that he’s the happiest person alive, sitting in a car with the prettiest girl he ever saw. Her red hair drives him insane, and her creamy smooth skin is to die for. She has power over him tonight that he is finding hard to resist. He needs her to move away from him now before he steals a kiss that will get him such a slap.’ She chuckled, opened the door and ran from him. It was Woody’s mind she read, and he was having a bit of fun with her. He caught her just as she reached the path to run around the back. He laughed, swung her around and put her down, then both walked arm in arm around to the backyard. They had become close, and it lifted Caitlin’s spirits to know she had earned the admiration of one she respected and had placed on a pedestal from the minute they met.
Woody whistled loudly, getting everyone’s attention. ‘Listen up teams. Somehow our session has over-developed one of Caitlin’s powers. This is an essence, and while up so high is sure to make any men her slave, most likely make the devil himself bow at her feet. So a warning to all males here tonight, until it settles, I’ve given the love goddess here permission to slap any of us that may happen to fall under her spell.’
Axon’s grin was wide as he put out his arms to her. ‘Come over here, beautiful, I’ll protect you.’ He was aware and could handle this now.
‘Axon, I’m serious, man, you will need to control yourself and keep the others away from her. I still have her wrapped in protection.’
‘I’m used to it. Don’t stress.’
‘Okay, but if you get slapped don’t say I didn’t warn you – ready?’ he said to Axon, and he nodded.
Woody let her go and the arms she went into with joy, were Axon’s, and she shuddered as she was so glad to be back with her man.
The reaction from her caused his whole frame to quiver. ‘My god, what was that?’
Woody laughed. ‘I told you, she’s on fire, but it should wear off in a few hours. It’s already toned down heaps. I had to throw myself into the lake and get away from her when it first cut in.’ He shook his hand, shaking off her magic. ‘Good luck mate, I’m glad it’s you holding her now. That was some session.’ He glanced over at the bar. ‘I’m going over there, as far away as I can and intend to pour a really stiff drink.’
Kayden and Rory were still standing with Axon.
‘Couldn’t be that bad; she’s always had that power over men when it suits her.’ Rory put an arm around her and then backed off quickly. ‘Eek, he’s right. It’s escalated, and it feels weird to want to race off someone you view as your sister. I’m with Woody! I’ll catch you guys later, much later.’ He practically ran and threw himself into the pool by the bar.
‘I seem to force the men around me into the water. Are you okay, Axon honey?’ she asked and when he didn’t answer she looked up at him. His eyes were glazed and gazing at her lovingly.
‘You’ll have to excuse us, Kayden.’ Axon spoke dreamily. ‘I do believe Cait needs to be separated from the men for a while.’
Kayden also looked confused with his thought. ‘I’m not that close, but she’s irresistible. You better get her upstairs before we all fall at her feet.’ He shook off the sensation. ‘I’d better go and rescue Cassie before her perception picks up on the power and she turns all love goddess on me as well.’ He stomped off grumpily. ‘That’s all I need! The boys to hang off her more than they already do.’
Axon picked Caitlin up and quickly took her upstairs to their appointed room. He placed her on the bed, sat in the corner on a chair and put his hands up in a gesture to stop her moving towards him. ‘Just give me a minute honey, I need to calm down.’
She eyed him. ‘Surely not you too! You should be immune to my charms by now.’
‘Sweetie please, just stay where you are! I’ll come over to you when I can.’ He gripped the sides of the chair with his hands, his knuckles almost white.
The session with Woody had exhausted her, so she drifted off to sleep the minute her head hit the pillow.
It was early morning when she woke and found Axon still in the chair asleep. She tossed aside the cover, crept over and curled up in his lap.
‘Are you all right now?’
He kissed her passionately. ‘I love you like crazy, beautiful, then add the extra boost of the goddess thing you have going on, and be blowed if I’ll be letting you go anytime soon.’
She wiggled out of his grip, laughing. ‘Go get under a cold shower Romeo, we have things to do today and pre-wedding hanky-panky isn’t going to be one of them.’
‘Honey, can’t you bend the rules – for me?’
‘Axon, shower now!’
He got up and grumbled all the way to the bathroom. The sound of her singing to herself eased his disappointment. With the knowledge she would soon be his, he turned on the taps and whistled the same tune she sang. His mind imagined what their first time would be like. He couldn’t wait to make her feel his love, for him to feel her innocence, and to make her his forever.
* * * *
After a hearty breakfast, Kayden and Woody drove them to a quiet location for some fun while they trained. When they arrived at a beachfront, the guys went ballistic, pushing and shoving to get out of the cars and wrestled each other to make it to the water first. As they were about to hit the salty waves, the sound of Woody’s sharp bellow stopped them in their tracks. ‘We’re not there yet. Get on the ferry and stop mucking about.’
Finally, the ferryboat stopped next to a jetty.
Woody stood in front of them, preventing them from leaving. ‘For those unaware, this is Thevenard Island, and even though it looks enticing with its lovely beach and those waves, we lads are going out on that fishing boat to catch dinner first. So pick a shack, drop your gear inside and let’s head out. You can unpack when we get back,’ Woody instructed. ‘Ladies, you are welcome to join us,’ he said as he turned to them, ‘Or you can enjoy a few hours on the beach. Maybe relax, sunbake, swim, whatever you feel like.’
‘If we’re fishing, you can count Cassie in.’ Kayden had his arm around her. He knew she would love it.
‘And Cait and me,’ Bree said.
‘Not me!’ Caitlin shook her head at Bree. ‘I’m going to lie here on the beach and suck in the sun and sand for a bit.’
Kayden glanced at Axon who stood tense, his eyebrows furrowed in a frown. ‘Come with us. Cait will be okay. Look.’ He pointed up the beach, ‘We have the island to ourselves, and we’re only going around the tip to the other side where it’s deeper.’
‘Go, Axon. I know you want to. I’ll stay with Red. No way will you get me handling no smelly fish.’ Lisha moved over to Caitlin and swung an arm around her. ‘I don’t feel like sunbaking but will keep an eye on her.’ She grinned and using both hands, banged on her chest like a monkey. ‘Me start a fire, me protector.’
Axon turned and viewed the area and smiled at her silliness. ‘If you’re sure, but stay in earshot of her in case she needs you.’
Caitlin was about to go crook that Axon had made such a fuss, that she now had to be babysat, when he was pulled down the beach by Cassie. ‘Bye!’ she called back. Have fun, Cait.’
Caitlin smiled and waved back. Alone, she was chuffed. Lisha had taken off and dressed in a bikini, so Caitlin laid out a towel and settled down on the sand. Ignoring Lisha’s terrible singing voice as she belted out a tune while traipsing up the beach to gather firewood, she squeezed sunscreen from a tube and spread the creamy lotion over her legs, arms and face while she watched as the others squeezed into the small fishing boat. Lisha and the vessel disappeared from sight at the same time, leaving her at last in peace to enjoy some alone time. The sun was bright but not hot, just right for her tender-aged skin. She heard Lisha call out, ‘the wood’s damp here, so I’ll have to
go inland.’
Caitlin waved in acknowledgement and lay back, bunching a towel up to form a pillow, her mind elsewhere. She had Jett on her mind. He’d said he would ring today and she kept her NAVear piece on in the hope it would work in this remote area.
As if he heard her thoughts, a call came through. She touched the pod in her ear and rolled onto her stomach to have a chat. He sounded his usual chirpy self until he heard the water lapping the beachfront.
‘We’ve come to Earth, and I’m on a beach sunbaking.’
‘Alone?’ He sounded strange.
‘The guys are fishing, and Lisha is collecting wood, so I guess you could say I am. Why?’ The connection severed and Caitlin rolled over, annoyed the satellites had lost the signal, and she couldn’t finish her conversation. There was so much more she wanted to tell him. A shadow over the sand had her turn and expect it to be Lisha back to annoy her. Her hand went up to shade her eyes to see.
‘Jett!’ She sat up and leant on her elbows.
‘Hi, Glow.’
‘How did you find me? I never told you where I was!’ She was surprised, yet happy to see him.
‘I have ways and means of finding you, little red riding girl.’
‘A friend in wolf’s clothing. Do you have big teeth too?’
‘No, but I have big ears that hear you and a nose that knows your scent, my dear.’
‘Then next time I go anywhere I will insist you wear ear and nose plugs.’ She giggled.
With a grin from ear to ear, he positioned himself beside her on the sand. ‘I was worried you were lying on the beach alone and then when the connection broke, I imagined bodybuilders sniffing around you, or even something more sinister and thought, Damn that, she’s my girl – and came for a look.’
She laughed and pushed him, making him laugh more. ‘Really.’ She shook her head.
‘True. It really tripped me out that they might have been sleazing up to you while Axon was fishing. He needs to take more care,’ he huffed. ‘Leaving you here alone. I should take you the hell from him.’
Caitlin slapped his arm. ‘You’re so full of it! Now, what is the real reason you’re here?’
‘Truth!’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay truth, I ring you, and here I am surrounded by ice on my planet, and you’re sunbathing here on a beach. It was a spur of the moment thing. You were having too much fun so I figured I’d come and spoil it for you.’
‘You’re a mad friend.’ She grinned. ‘Okay, it looks like I’m not getting any truth from you today, so either join me or get back to your godly duties while I go hit the waves and maybe do some snorkelling.’
He glanced up along the beach and screwed up his face. ‘Well, no chicks worth perving on, so I’m out of here.’ He stood up and brushed the sand from his pants, ready to leave.
‘Hey, what’s the rush, roadrunner? Rest your chook legs here for a second and stay for a bit. I didn’t mean for you to leave right this minute.’
He laughed. ‘Give you chook legs. I’m definitely leaving now.’
She fell back on the sand, laughing at his indignant expression.
‘If I didn’t like you so much, I’d so hate you right now!’ he growled with a grin and checked his pocket time-reader. ‘Anyway, as much as I’d love to stay and drown you…’ He made her laugh harder. ‘I really have to head back as those brothers of mine can’t be trusted.’ He pulled her up, giving her a hug. ‘Wish I could stay too. A dose of you is what was needed, and I’m happy to now head back. I’m glad I got to see where you are and that you are in no immediate danger.’ His serious tone unnerved her.
‘What do you mean? Is there a problem?’
‘No! Just me being over-cautious where you’re concerned.’ He faded from her sight, and his disappearance left a question as to why he worried about her now she was well again. Both he and Axon needed a reality check. She could look after herself.
* * * *
After Jett’s visit, Caitlin’s mind hung on every word he said. Was there a meaning to them? She went for a swim and after that, curled up under a tree to sleep. Axon woke her, dripping wet as he flicked water over her. ‘What have you been up to, sleepyhead?’ He plonked down beside her and kissed her forehead.
‘Jett dropped in for a visit.’ She thought nothing of telling him all about Jett, now they had become friends too. ‘Don’t ask me how he found me. I was just talking to him on the phone telling him you had brought me to a little beach on Earth and within a few minutes the conversation cut short from bad communication on this island, and he was here.’
Axon frowned. ‘Kayden’s not going to be happy he tracked you to one of his private spots.’
‘Really–I never considered that a problem as my mind was too full of what he said and the way he said them, but you’re right. I’m a security risk if he can track me so easily, but you also know what a good friend he is to me. He would never disclose my location to his family, you know that, don’t you? He just mucked around with me having a bit of fun, made mention he only came to check out where I was and pleased I wasn’t in any immediate danger.’
‘That seems a strange comment.’
‘Yes, that’s what I concentrated on most but came to the conclusion he might have meant because I was here on Earth and not up there fighting.’
‘Or have they got something planned for Earth, and he was checking you were far enough away from the danger?’ With the strangeness of Jett’s words, Axon felt very unsure about his reason now for a visit.
‘I’ll have to report this to Kayden. I trust Jett with your life Cait, but that’s as far as my loyalty goes. Remember the stories about Cassie and her father. He protected her but still did sneaky things to the rest of the team. He even used magic potions to break them up so he could have her for himself.’
‘But I don’t believe he would ever deliberately hurt you or me.’
Axon sighed. ‘I know honey, please don’t fret. I believe in him too and in your judgement. But the others don’t know him, and Kayden has his own rules to protect his team, and I have to follow them while we are here.’
Axon left Caitlin on the beach. Aware now that her friendship with Jett would endanger others she worried for them and wished she had never taken the call. Stressed she had ruined everyone’s time here, Caitlin stood up and walked over to the water’s edge. Her sickened stomach rumbled. How could she have been so stupid? She shuddered with fright to imagine everyone was now in danger. Fear gripped her so badly she screamed out in pain.
Axon had her in his arms within seconds of her call and sat with her on the beach. He tried to calm her as rants of what a bad person she was for endangering everyone’s lives, had her cry and grip her stomach in pain.
Woody knelt beside her. ‘Something is about to happen. You’ll have to let me work on her quickly to see what it is.’
Axon picked her up and laid her under a tree in the coolness. Woody stroked her forehead gently, used his magic to take away the vile episode and covered her eyes.
‘Caitlin, use your senses. What can you hear?’ he whispered.
‘I can hear branches rustling in the wind, and waves slapping the shoreline.’
‘Deeper!’ he urged.
‘I can hear hearts beating and breathing.’
‘Deeper!’ he whispered so quietly Caitlin could hardly hear him.
That’s when the vision appeared.
‘It’s a meteor, heading for Kayden’s barn.’ Her breathing quickened as she whispered, ‘My horse! Our horses are all in the barn. I have to save them.’
Her eyes were as wide as saucers. ‘They’re all going to die if we don’t get back there now!’ The last few words came out in a shriek. ‘Woody, hurry, pull me out of this trance. I need Axon to transport Cassie and me there immediately, or it’ll be too late.’ She was unable to move until
he released the grip that bound her tightly to him.
Woody took his hand from her eyes and snapped his fingers above them. Her eyelids shot open and with a quick roll and push off the ground she was on her feet with an eager hand out to Axon. Kayden had tuned in and listened to all being said and had already retrieved Cassie to help. Both ran from their hut to them. The three men exchanged a worried glance.
‘I’ll take the girls and come back for the rest of you as soon as I can,’ Axon said to Kayden. He knew Kayden didn’t possess transporting powers but needed them all together to shift them back to the farm.
‘No, stay with the girls in case you need to get them out. I’ll get everyone ready here on the beach for your return, now go,’ Kayden yelled, worried.
An arm went around Cassie and Caitlin and in an instant, Axon had transported the girls to Kayden’s barn, getting there in the nick of time to see a meteor heading towards the building.
‘The horses,’ Caitlin yelled out over the noise of the fireball that screamed as it whizzed through the air. They could see hot lava spew from it as it got closer. The sphere of unstoppable fire had not broken up or slowed even slightly as it entered Earth’s atmosphere.
‘Caitlin, hold my hand.’ Cassie put her arm out and the two held each other firmly.
Caitlin could feel Cassie’s power run through her own as if a switch was turned on inside, giving her a sudden burst of power.
‘Hurry girls.’ Axon was anxious as he felt the heat from the gas exploding fireball close in on them. He was ready to swoop in and take the girls away if they couldn’t create the energy needed to blast it from the sky.
The instant Cassie said now, Caitlin let her hand go and both threw the electrical charge towards the fast-moving asteroid. The force of their magic hit it so hard it smashed to powder.
Caitlin’s head spun around towards the barn. ‘Axon, I’m still feeling danger. The horses; we have to get them out of the stables.’
‘I can’t see anything.’ Cassie eyed Axon. ‘But to make this quicker, go get Kayden to help. He can communicate with the animals and move them to safety faster than us. Caitlin and I can open up the stalls while you’re gone and at least start to move them out.’ She saw his hesitation. ‘Don’t fret, I can’t hear a thing and don’t feel anything coming, but Cait is freaked, so let’s do this quickly.’
