She had always seemed to understand while, at the same time, continued attempts of persuasion with charm. He held his eyes tight to remain closed as the recent event played out. She smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. She spoke of how she could feel energy from his dark waves. He could see her delicate features, her delicate structure, with cascading dark wavy hair of her own. She spoke of how she could change his destiny. One small act would give him the ability to live this life out and with her.
She whispered, “I have fallen for you and want to create a life together.” He squirmed and felt slight discomfort, yet no emotion. He knew that it was not of her own fault or doing. He only knew that he did not love her. He was devoted to his destiny. He loved everyone and no one.
She ran her fingers through his hair. “I can help you. You, with me, can remain as you are.” She handed him a small clear tube with a touch of green sparkling liquid inside. It splashed about in the bottom of the glass as she lifted it to his lips. “Drink this, and it will be done.”
He took her hold of her wrist and grabbed the vial with his other hand. He tilted the vial and poured the contents out. “Gone with you. No more of your interference.”
She reached over and forcefully tugged on his ear lobe with her right hand. In his vision, he could see the tips of his own ears. They were slightly pointed. She jabbed something in the lobe and pressed deep. He grimaced. She whispered, “No strength to fight. No place to go. You with me is your only home. No one to love, other than me. You chose to tire your body. Rot you will for eternity.”
His eyes shot open. He shook off the image with a shake of his head. He cupped the crown of his head with his palms. She cast a spell. It is not a transitional breakdown of my body at all. He ran his hand across his chin. She found no rest in knowing I cannot, or want to, love in the way that she commanded. Yet, did she fear I would find another purpose?”
He closed his eyes once more. As he concentrated on the jade, he asked, “Tell me more of what I need to know.” He heard a firm and calm voice speak in his head. She was green with envy. The salt of the sea will wash thee clean. Say these words, the woman of envy release from me, the greed of your curse go out to the sea. Then light a fire to remove her from thee.
He placed the gem back in his bag. He stood and moved to the water’s edge. He pushed his shirtsleeves up and dunked his hands and forearms into the ocean water. He repeated the phrase, and as he did, a green liquid bubbled up from his pores. It turned to a rushing flow as it slid down his arms and out over his hands. As it met with the water, it streamed out toward the sea among the waves. He raised his brows as he murmured, “Did I just wash my hands of both the curse and her?”
Chapter 2
Jenn Skyler and her friend Halona Jacobs, with coffee mugs in hand, walked the shoreline at a brisk pace. Scamp, Halona’s black and white Papillion, pranced sure-footed beside them. Jenn enjoyed this peace before daybreak before returning to their shop, Beachcombers. They anticipated a long day, though were anxious to set out their newly acquired collection for the crowds that had arrived for the holiday.
Jenn felt her muscles relax. Her breathing was easy. She loved seeing the open sky, feeling the breeze as she took in the fresh air. She felt strong in her element of air. She knew Halona had to feel the same as she was near her beloved water.
A cool breeze flowed on this March morning, and Jenn found she was constantly pushing her hair behind her ears, as the strands kept blowing in her face. She knew she should have pulled it back into a ponytail or high on her head in a bun. She was glad she’d decided to wear her black, long-sleeve pullover with the thumb holes to keep it taut.
She glanced over at Halona. “How is it that your hair only looks more alive in the elements and mine just gets weighed down, tangled, or filled with static?”
“Are you kidding? Mine’s a mess. Yours, on the other hand, is sleek and shiny. You’re a goddess.”
They laughed and then poured out the remaining coffee from their cups as they picked up their pace to a slight jog. Jenn felt as if they were running on her own private beach. It was just the three of them. Or so she’d thought. She noticed a figure in the near distance, which appeared to be male in a crouched position. She couldn’t imagine what he was doing. He carried no fishing gear. He wore a flowy white shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He reminded her of someone from the Renaissance. What really struck her was the way his thick hair, so very dark, lay on his collar. The contrast of dark and light reminded her of yin and yang. Perfect contrast, perfect balance. His wavy hair blew in the breeze, as if echoing the movement of the waves.
Jenn glanced at Halona, ready to point him out, when she noticed that Halona appeared to have slowed down, that something did not seem quite right. She reached out to her. “What’s wrong?”
Halona stopped and ran her hand across her face. “I’m not sure. The strangest melancholy just suddenly rushed over me.”
Jenn motioned to the sand. “Let’s sit down a second.”
As they sat to rest, the day had begun to truly show itself. The sky now revealed parallels of blues, and the peach had become orange as vibrant yellow kissed the horizon. The day was here.
Jenn looked over at the male figure, who now appeared to be jostling, conversing even, with the water. As she watched him, she saw what looked like translucent ivy or streamers of liquid green pour out from his hands. She gasped and reached over, tapping Halona on the shoulder. They both jumped up. As the water met his hands, and as it was taken back out to sea, it foamed, becoming nearly transparent, retaining only a hint of green. He wiped his hand on his pants and reached into his pocket, pulling out a book of matches. He lit a match, which he then extinguished in the water before putting the matches back in his pocket.
As they moved hurriedly toward him, Jenn saw that Halona was losing her footing; she even appeared weak. It was as if the weight of her petite body had become insurmountable to her. Jenn halted and put her hand on Halona’s shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
Halona stopped and bent over. “I don’t know. I just had this sudden loss of energy.”
“You may be dehydrated. Too much coffee, not enough water. You need more than most. Wait here. I’ll check it out.”
Halona straightened up. “No, I’m okay. I have to see what he’s doing.”
As they continued forward, Jenn called out, “Hey. Sir, what are you doing?”
The man glanced up. He looked to be in his late twenties, early thirties. He didn’t seem surprised as they approached, only exhausted.
He raised his hand. “Dia dhaoibh.” He lifted from his crouched position. “Sorry. I mean hello.”
As he stood in front of them, Jenn couldn’t help but notice how the light of this new day created a transparency through his shirt, which outlined his toned, trim body. His shirt, untucked, flowed in the breeze and reminded Jenn of complete freedom, creating the image of an uninhibited free spirit.
Halona pointed toward the ocean. “What did you put in there?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“That sea is my home, and you better not have tampered with it. Not here, not anywhere.”
He raised his brows. “Are you a water nymph?”
Jenn felt her own temperature rise. She narrowed her eyes. “Let’s just say we oversee these waters, and it went green when your hands were immersed. You must have put something in there.”
He raked his hand through his hair. “Never. I have the deepest reverence for nature.”
“Well, something happened. I’m going in.” Halona motioned to Scamp. “Stay.” She kicked off her shoes and removed her jacket.
He shook his head. “You are not truly going in? It has got to be freezing in there.”
Jenn spoke with confidence. “Trust me, she knows what she’s doing. She’s been in worse.” She stood, palm up, ready to call her energy to put the man on his butt if he made a move. She watched as Halona entered the sea.
Although, as Jenn looked down where the man had knelt, as well as all along the shoreline and off in the distance, she saw that all the green was now gone. There was no sign of it anywhere.
Jenn noticed the man’s oversized canvas knapsack, which had clearly seen better days. It was ripped and worn. She pointed to the bag. “Any chance I can see what’s in there?”
He reached down for his bag. “Please take a look. I am not here to cause trouble.”
“And yet the water turned green.”
His eyes widened as his bag went flying up and over to Jenn, who caught it in midair.
He smiled broadly. “You are sky. An air witch.”
Jenn gave an exaggerated wink.
He lowered his head, still smiling. “I see I am in the right town.”
She glanced at the green field jacket lying on the sand. “Your jacket? Can I see it?”
He picked up his coat, and this time she reached out and took it.
“I do not mean to cause concern,” he said.
She cautiously yet methodically searched through the jacket. There was nothing. She handed it back to him. When she opened the bag, she saw what looked like five changes of clothes , a cell phone, a passport, a journal, a pen, and a razor in a case. “You travel light.”
He nodded. “I have little attachment to things.”
“What about this?” Jenn held up an over four-inch piece of jade. It was dense and had a smooth surface, with a section that had been worn away.
“Ah, my jadeite. It was acquired in Burma.” He pressed his lips together. “Many bridges were witnessed by the stone. It has seen much. Much more than I.”
“As in between heaven and hell?”
He nodded. “You are knowing. Then you know it is also said to bless all who touch it.”
Jenn let out a deep sigh. “That’s great.” She lifted her chin. “Did you make an elixir? Concoct a liquid from this jade?"
“You are familiar with the possibilities.”
“Let’s just say science experiments in our schools aren’t like other places. So, did you?”
“No, I have not.”
“Do you have a vial or anything else on your person?”
“No. I would never put another in harm.” He looked toward the sea. “Definitely not the fish.”
“What about under your shirt?”
He lifted his chain, revealing a pendant with a small jade carving of a five-leaf clover. “Only my clover, for good luck. Nothing else.” He then smiled as he held out his arms. “I will gladly let you check though.”
It was a flirty smile, one that caused Jenn’s heart to race and her neck to tingle. She pushed her hair away from her face. “Maybe you could just empty your pockets.” She held his bag out. “But first… here, catch.”
Scamp stood and ran to the water’s edge. Halona had stepped out of the ocean and was wringing the water from her hair. She walked toward them just as Jenn sent the bag flying back to him. Halona widened her eyes at Jenn, who only shrugged.
The man had caught the bag and looked over at Halona. “Are you a Merrow? Shifter?
Halona said, “Not quite. We don’t normally show our abilities in the open, but this is a special circumstance. We needed to move quickly.”
Jenn gave a curt nod toward the ocean. “Find anything?”
Halona dropped her arms in defeat. “Nothing.”
As the man placed his hands in his pockets, Jenn positioned herself to send him flying with a wave of her wrist if need be. He bent, placed a bandana on the sand, and began to empty the contents of his pockets. He held his hands out in offering.
“That is everything.”
Jenn glanced over the items, which consisted of a worn-out wallet, a few keys on a clover chain, a book of matches, and a single silver coin.
“May I?” he asked as he motioned to take a seat on the sand.
They nodded, and all three sat down. Jenn noticed the man smiled at Scamp, and not only had Scamp never barked at the stranger, he now wagged his tail and lay beside him.
The man brushed his hand through his hair. “Are you from here? Blansett, I mean?”
Halona nodded. “We are. You?”
“Ireland…and everywhere. As for what I was doing, I can explain.” He shrugged. “Or maybe I cannot.”
Jenn pulled her knees up to her chest. “We’re listening.”
“I hope you, being of Blansett, will believe me. In truth, if I cannot convince two, I can hardly convince a town.”
Jenn tucked her hair behind her ears. What kind of day is this? Who is this guy?
He raked his hand through his hair again, and Jenn noticed that his ears were slightly pointed. What really got her attention was how, when the hair fell back in place, it framed his eyes, which were every bit as beautiful. Deep and mysterious, like a night sky, being lit by only a single, bright, yet distant, star. They had a gentle knowingness. Now all she could do was hope he wasn’t dangerous, evil, or, worse, a hypnotist.
She glanced at Halona and wondered if she felt the same melancholy as before or, if like her, only intrigue.
Halona said, “Are you in trouble? I feel a sense of …not quite doom but a sadness about you.”
He raised his brows. “You are an empath?”
A small smile crept on Jenn’s lips as it occurred to her that Halona had merely been picking up on this man’s energy and that she, herself, had not been ill.
Chapter 3
“My name is Nevlin Rowe.”
The woman with flowing ash blonde hair reached her hand out. “Hi, I’m Halona Jacobs.”
He took her hand. “Nice to meet you, Halona.”
He raised his brows at the woman whose eyes looked like blue amethyst and had hair of liquid gold. She held out her hand reluctantly. “I’m Jenn Skyler.”
“Hello, Jenn.” He gave a playful grin. “Though I see you more as Sky. That is how I will always know you. Scottish? “
She nodded. “I don’t care for nicknames. Jenn will do. And, yes, Scottish.”
He leaned in slightly. “There was likely a time then when as little as twelve miles separated us. And now, here we are, within a mere twelve inches of one another.”
Jenn parted her lips. She reached over and petted Scamp. “How long are you here for?
Nevlin shrugged. “Only through the weekend. My plan is to return to Ireland for the Spring Equinox.”
She pressed her lips together. “Where are you staying?”
“Nowhere yet. I came right here. I was anxious to see the Eastern shore.”
She let out a deep breath. “I’m afraid the town’s booked with all the festivities we have planned.”
He nodded. “Perhaps in a nearby town then.”
Halona looked at Jenn. “There may be one place.” Jenn shot her a look, which to him read, “you have got to be kidding.” Halona smiled. “Nevlin, what brings you to our town? Of all times to leave your homeland with Saint Patrick’s Day approaching.”
“I have heard so many wonderful things of your town I felt compelled to come here. I have been on a final, and personal, quest to discover new things, have experiences, see things that I have not.”
Halona asked, “Like what?”
He smiled. “Shifters, unicorns, whatever I can.”
Jenn pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, who doesn’t love unicorns?” She leaned in. “You’re a traveler then. Still doesn’t explain how, or why, you turned our water green.”
He could see she was becoming impatient. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Unfortunately, I came with a curse.” He held a hand up. “Not one that affects another, only me.”
She raised her brows. “A curse?”
He ran his finger past his lips. “Yes, a fairy blast.”
Jenn said, “That causes disinterest, fatigue.” She glanced at Halona. “And melancholy.”
He felt a comfortable warmth. He was pleased that she was familiar with the curse and he would not have to explain. He gave a nod. �
�That is the one.”
She shook her head. “Why? And by whom?”
He pressed his lips together. “By a woman who wished to keep me in my homeland. Who wanted me to give up wanting to know all that there is and to see all there is before…” He lowered his head.
Halona spoke softly. “Before what?”
He raised his brows. “Before I go with the plan. I am expected to soon settle and take root. And, I now understand, Ciara, the woman I spoke of, cursed me as she wants me to have no choice unless it is made for her. To put doubt in my plan.” He straightened. “Of which I have none.”
A sudden breeze blew in from the sea, causing Jenn’s hair to swirl around her lovely face. Nevlin watched the golden strands, hypnotized, until Jenn tucked the strands behind her ear again, all business. He smiled secretly at her seriousness.
“So, a jilted lover?” she asked. “And as for the plan? Was turning our water green part of the plan?”
He lowered his gaze. “No jilted lover. And the green water, no, I did not expect that. It would never have occurred to me. Though, now, I know it to be a part of her fairy blast.” He shook his head. “The effects came upon me suddenly. I had a voice inside tell me how to remove its effects. And so, I followed the guidance and believe the curse left me and was absorbed by the elements of the ocean.” He took a shallow breath. “Though I do not know that it was completely successful, as I am still quite drained.”
Halona said, “Yes, I know. I still feel it from you.”
“I was sure that my body was preparing to return to the Earth.” He shrugged. “Maybe it will take time. Though I do not have much.” He chuckled. “That is incredibly ironic since I have had nothing if not time.”
Jenn lifted a brow. “Return to the Earth? You thought you were dying?”
He watched as the women exchanged glances. Halona stood, motioning for them to join her. “Nevlin, we have something that may further help any leftover effects. We would like to perform a healing ritual.”
Mystic Luck (Mystic Tides Book 2) Page 12
