Water's Threshold

by Jillian Jacobs

  Unblinking, the nurse nodded.

  Maya headed for the exit, and yet, the pull between her and Terran was like an elastic band she could stretch, but not escape. She hit the pavement and headed for a copse of trees. Once past, she swirled into mist, and traveled closer and closer to water. That final kiss to ease his discomfort had taken her reserves.

  She prayed Quint remained unaware of Terran’s weakened state. A long soak was crucial in order to accomplish her task tonight. Tiny droplets of her misty form rained down on Emma Matilda Lake. Under the surface, she coalesced into her human form.

  Adrift at the bottom, she renewed her body and strength until darkness fell. Tonight, she had to look her best.

  She had a date with four men.

  Chapter 19

  At a dive on the outskirts of Morgan Junction, Crowder’s ranch hands cozied up to a heartbroken brunette. Two made their play, while the other two, which included Crowder’s vet, played pool in the backroom.

  Maya slouched in a back booth, wearing deep-indigo skinny jeans and a hooded black sweatshirt. Biding time until one of the hands made a move outside—then recess would begin. Her knee bounced under the table as anticipation thrummed in rhythm with the hard rock blaring from her ear buds.

  Misery eddied through the brown-haired girl’s mind. Tonight’s barroom visit was a sad attempt at revenge over a cheating husband. Her mind radiated pain over the betrayal and a solid wish for retaliation. Over all, she was a good woman, one who hadn’t deserved such cavalier treatment. The ranch hands’ interest fed her bruised ego. If only she understood their intent was the stuff that gave women nightmares.

  Lucky for her, Maya had followed the bastards. Mrs. Brunette Brokenheart’s night would not end in an inescapable haze of terror.

  Maya watched as the younger blond fella dropped a light colored powder into the brunette’s drink. Liquid X—used on the street to increase sociability and promote libido by lowering inhibitions. The drug mixed with the amber liquid—undetected.

  Raccoon eyed Betty-bartender, with orange hair and wrinkled lips, witnessed the drop, but refused to comment. She lit another cigarette and walked to the other end of the bar. Worry over massive gambling debts swamped her, so she no longer cared about her patrons. To Betty’s mind, the brunette deserved what she got for coming in here all high and mighty, with her fancy outfit and massive rock twinkling on her finger.

  Disgust shot through Maya as Betty-bartender considered making a deal with the ranch hands in order to pawn the ring. Maya chewed through ten pieces of Dubble Bubble as the tableau played out at the bar.

  Loud laughter and slurred words, followed by allowing various tongues down her throat, indicated the brunette was severely intoxicated. The effects of the drug and alcohol mixture had worked wonders on Mrs. Brokenheart’s libido.

  The party of three moved to the back door. The men openly groped her, laughing and smiling at each other with their foul faces. Mrs. Brokenheart stumbled. Her purse hit the floor and spilled its contents. The two fools helped keep her upright and led her out the door.

  Maya noted the red-and-white sign above the door as she exited. Only the X remained lit, a sure omen for anyone who believed in signs. At the threshold of the back door, she watched as the drunken brunette and half-spiffed ranch hands made their way over to a truck. Parking lot sex seemed to appeal at the moment.

  Voyeurism, however, wasn’t her style. Maya threw back her sweatshirt hood and unzipped enough to reveal the top of her lacy black bra. She stepped over the threshold and moved closer to the party, then hollered over the sounds of their love play. “Hey boys, what cha’ doin’?”

  The older blond, who was hopeful the night would turn into a threesome due to his secret crush on the younger fella, turned to give her a very blatant once-over. “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing. Come here, baby. Let, Uncle Walt show you a real good time.”

  Upon spotting fresh prey, the younger blond removed his tongue from the brunette’s mouth. “We’re heading back to my place. How’s ‘bout you join us? I got plenty for you, too, doll.”

  “Oh, you have no idea how much I want to give you everything you deserve.” Maya beckoned with her index finger.

  Interested, the young blond tried propping Mrs. Brokenheart against the side of his truck. She bent over, vomited, and then fell face first into the gravel. Drugs and alcohol did not mix, and her stomach was apparently revolting against the addition to her beverage.

  “It’s unfortunate your friend has passed out. I think she and I would’ve liked each other.” Maya turned as the back door banged open behind her, and the final party members stepped out. “Hey, boys. Glad you could join us.”

  Anticipation pasted a wide grin across her face, as she stood her ground in-between the two groups of men. The two pool players, a chubby brown-haired guy with a chicken wing sauce stain on his shirt and the bald veterinarian, joined the motley parking lot crew.

  They had all planned to take advantage of this one woman. Standing around watching each other rape an unconscious lady was not something they would ever take part in again.

  Maya raised her hands to her sides in welcome. “I am ready, boys. How about you start with me?”

  The cocky young blond walked up and grabbed her hair. He yanked back her locks and kissed her hard.

  She poured water into his mouth, gagging him.

  He fell to the ground, coughing and spitting up water.

  The young blond’s smitten friend, Uncle Walt, approached. Golf ball-sized hail rained down on the men in a torrential downpour. Uncle Walt screamed and cowered next to his friend, who had recovered from his drenching. They attempted escape, but Maya stopped them with a wave that slammed them both into the back of their truck.

  Chicken-wing stain pulled a knife from his pocket.

  With a water blast, Maya knocked the weapon from his hand then she spun into a hurricane and brought all four men together at the parking lot’s center. Evil steamed off their skin as her water washed over them.

  She captured their minds. “You meant to cause harm, and you’ve done this foul deed before. You also beat a man and left him for dead. Why should I let you live when destroying you would be a gift to mankind? What have you ever done but ruin everyone and everything you touch? While I would love for you to die by my hand, I’m not allowed. I will, however, leave this bitter pill within you. You shall have my cleansing water to wash away your filth. If you do not change your path, then you will die. I am your last chance at redemption. Pay for your crimes. Admit your guilt and change your ways.”

  She mixed her crystal clear elixir with their murky gray hearts. Humans this far gone typically wilted and died, rather than change. Their shady souls were incapable of accepting awareness of the torment they inflicted.

  One man had caused more damage to Terran than the others—Uncle Walt. His confusion over his sexuality and self-hatred warped his mind. Unable to satisfy his appetites with his young friend, he unleashed his frustrations by exerting pain and bullying others. Terran’s body beaten and bloody at his feet had provided a sexual high.

  Maya stood before Uncle Walt and took both his hands in hers. She squeezed until she’d crushed the bones in each of his fingers. He crumbled to his knees, screaming, and begging for release. A long time would pass before he hurt another with those hands.

  She released him then grabbed the vet by his protruding ears. Water poured out of his nostrils and mouth, as he gasped for breath. The coughs and pleading screams were a cacophony of distraction.

  “Quiet,” Maya ordered, and with a swipe of her hand, compelled them to silence. Focused on the vet, she again placed her hands on each side of his head and peered into his eyes. Clues to Quint’s plans were buried within this man’s mind, so she delved deep—animals at Quint’s ranch, tainted feed, a vaccine vial, a syringe.

  Deeper still, she searched for the vaccine’s origin. “Show me the source.” Invoices. Letterhead. An address—Phinney Ave. N., Seattle,
Washington.

  “Thanks.” She released the vet’s head with a shove and surveyed the disgusting excuse for humans at her feet. “Understand this, the pain you attempt to inflict on others will now be your own times two. You will choke and feel the sensation of drowning every time you harm another.” She circled the pile of cowering men. “I am a rain cloud that will thunder down should you stray from the right path. Only misery and death will follow if you stay in the shadows. Emerge. Free yourself from this foul existence.”

  Maya walked over to Mrs. Heartbreak, who would be worshiping the porcelain goddess tomorrow, and lifted her off the ground.

  A raspy cough had Maya turning back to the four men kneeling in a circle. “Lights out, boys.”

  They slumped to the ground.

  Date over.

  Chapter 20

  After a cleansing dip in the lake, Maya returned to her apartment and quickly dressed. Too early for hospital visiting hours, but that was a human rule—incapable of keeping her from Terran.

  She hopped on her bike and rode through the morning fog. A rack near the employee entrance provided the perfect place to park her two wheels. A few employees glanced over as she walked toward the front of the building. She removed her impression from their minds.

  Anxious to see Terran, she rushed through the doors. She hadn’t wanted to leave him. His poor face was so bruised and bloodied. Though she’d alleviated the majority of his pain, he would still experience some discomfort. The sooner she arrived at his side, the sooner she could ease any lingering aches.

  Where were Nodin and Flint anyway? She could use their help. Just like a man to disappear after the heavy lifting and barbequing were done and expect a woman to clean up the mess.

  Once inside, Maya zeroed in on the volunteer desk as her destination. She spotted the Welcome Center next to the gift shop. No one sat there this early, so she made herself at home. Too much pain and distress from hospital patients echoed in her mind, making honing in on Terran’s location difficult, so she’d have to find him using technology—not her preferred method.

  Maya shook the mouse. “Wake up, computer.” Not overly familiar with these machines, she pecked out each letter, searching for Terran’s room number. Writing letters was more her style, but she had practiced with computers over the years after closing time at various libraries.

  She punched in his name. Room #333

  After taking the stairwell to the third floor, she peeked around the door and stepped into the hallway. The wall had numbers and arrows directing her to his room.

  Wait.

  Stop.

  Danger.

  A briny-tang drifted across her tongue.

  Pillar.

  Maya crept around the corner as Pillar stepped out of Terran’s room.

  Oh, hell no.

  Maya rushed her, pressed her against the wall, and buried her forearm against Pillar’s neck. “Leave him alone. He. Is. Mine.” Maya could feel Pillar’s salty push, burning her nostrils and drying her arm where it levered against the blonde’s neck. Not this time. Maya jerked away.

  “I was just visiting our patient.” Pillar smirked. “I wouldn’t get too attached if I were you. Men are known for their ability to change allegiances.”

  “Says you. Really? Of all people.” Maya got right in Pillar’s face. “Who owns you?”

  Pillar narrowed her eyes and shook her head, refusing to engage in the argument.

  “I assume your cryptic statement has something to do with Nodin. I’ll never believe it. You’ve misjudged him.”

  Salt stung Maya’s eyes. Blinking, she stepped back and tripped over a wheelchair left sitting against the wall. In retaliation, Maya released a rocket of water against Pillar’s chest, which knocked her flat and sent her floating down the hallway toward the elevators.

  “You’re on the wrong side, Pillar. Whatever happened to bring you to this state, let it go.”

  Pillar released a sharp bark of laughter. “Everything’s so easy for you, isn’t it? I have walked this earth far longer than you. I’ve seen water-girls, like you, come and go. Why don’t you ask Mother what happened to the last one?”

  “I’m aware of the history of my kind and past choices. There is an end for everything, even a peri-mortal. I know this. The question is, do you?”

  “Mother doesn’t care about you.” Pillar gave a quick, disgusted snort. “All she cares about is using you to get the job done. And for what? I’ve watched as humans have devoured this land and done unspeakable things to each other. I see no reason not to join them on their selfish path toward self-destruction. I live for myself. No one else. I suggest you do the same, because you cannot win against Quint. He wants Terran and nothing you three ‘Elementals’ do, will stop him. Prepare yourself, Maya. Harden your heart.”

  Maya fisted a hand over her heart. “Your heart isn’t hard, Pillar. You couldn’t possess this much hate if you weren’t capable of deep love at some point in your existence. Find that girl again. Let her out of the cage. Nodin has suffered enough. And so, I believe, have you.”

  Pillar rubbed a hand against her chest where her heart no longer beat with softer emotions. A wave of grief and indecision coursed through Maya’s mind before Pillar blocked her.

  “Quint will come for Terran after his transformation. If the change isn’t soon, he’ll force Mother to expedite matters.” Pillar twisted water from her shirt and punched the elevator button. “Don’t hold out hope Mother will switch Terran, if she knows Quint’s plan. In her mind, if Terran were to die, she could easily select another Earthman.”

  Mother would never view another creature’s life as expendable. Worry about Mother’s intentions and Quint’s plans would wait. Terran was her focus now. “What did you do to him?”

  “I did nothing but verify he’s alive. I was about to board my plane when I was called back to check on Quint’s baby boy. He was not pleased when he learned those ranch hands had left Terran to die. There will come a day when you’ll wish you’d let that happen.” Pillar’s words were punctuated by the elevator’s ding. She stepped into the elevator and propped a hand against the door. Her coarse voice whispered through Maya’s mind. “Love is a golden pear shining at the top of the tree. The sunlight glints against it, the beauty of the shining skin so ripe and alluring. It remains elusive. You cannot reach it. You jump, you climb, but you never quite grasp it. The next day, you return to find the pear on the ground, bruised and tarnished. You reach for the ripe fruit and take a bite, but inside is a rotted core. Never say I didn’t warn you, fellow daughter of Isis.”

  Maya closed her eyes against the vivid picture painted in her mind and rejected the entire notion. Love may be elusive, but with Terran, she had reached the top. When she finally sank her teeth into love’s golden surface, she’d taste an exquisite explosion of flavors. Pillar was mistaken. In her grief, she’d lost her way. Maya allowed herself a moment’s sympathy, but that was all she could offer.

  One good thing had come from their little tête-à-tête. Pillar clarified why Quint wanted Terran. So, how would Maya keep that from happening?

  Maya reabsorbed the water covering the floor and stepped into Terran’s room. His eyelids twitched as he slept, perhaps in a disturbed dream. Such a handsome man, his square jaw housed the bristle of his morning beard. The whiskers outlined perfectly formed lips, which were alive, whole and pink once more.

  She closed her eyes to lock this vision in her mind. His steady breathing was the only sound breaking the calm quiet of his room. The smell of antiseptics and the twang of sickness permeated the corridors and helped seal the moment in her memory.

  Her healing blue energy mixed with the pure red blood in his veins. His scent was a fragrant blend of them both. He smelled of earth on a humid day after a heavy downpour, the ground sizzling as it absorbed the quick drenching. A muggy heat surrounded his body as it strove to heal.

  Already, his Elemental gifts were evident. His human body should not have healed this qui
ckly, even with the majority of his injuries being treated by her special medicine. This proof of his extraordinary recovery offered a sliver of hope.

  She pulled a chair close to the bed and plopped down against the seat’s worn padding. Worry remained that Pillar’s prediction would come to fruition. Would fate be so cruel to offer a chance at love only to have their relationship destroyed before they had time together?

  Maya tried calming her thoughts, rotating her neck around and around. A human technique, but the motion relaxed her. Worry for a future she could not envision raced through her mind. Would Terran agree to an Elemental life? Should she warn him of his fate? Give him time to prepare? Hadn’t Mother conveyed that was her duty?

  No, this life could not be prepared for or explained. All it encompassed was too much to comprehend. This life must be lived and learned from everyday. Questions still plagued her about being an Elemental, which meant she wouldn’t have all the answers to the many questions Terran would inevitably ask.

  Unlike Pillar, she hadn’t given up hope on the human race. She made herself search for good when her mind was weary from constant battle. The world was full of darkness, but there were always stray moments of light—a child’s laughter over a balloon tied to their wrist. A father who built castles in the sand with his little girl. An elderly couple with wrinkled, arthritic hands clasped together, sealing their continued devotion as they walked through the park.

  She opened her eyes and wiped tears on her sleeve. Pictures like that would never be showcased in her life’s photo album. Longing for a simpler human life gave her short moments of despair.

  An awareness of being watched prickled. A pair of deep brown eyes regarded her intently.

  “You are so beautiful.” Terran’s voice was gruff when he spoke. “Whatever you were thinking just then made your face so serene. I don’t know any other way to explain it. What were you thinking? Why did it make you sad?”