by K. K. Allen
“I was only possessed for five minutes before you got me back. Thank you for that, by the way.” I’m smiling at him, trying to lighten the mood.
He finds the opening between my shirt and my skin and slips his hand in, forcing me to shut up and close my eyes. It’s safe to say I’m enjoying this too much; the slow, tender strokes; the sensation it creates from the top of my skin to the depth of my bones.
“I’m crazy about you, Kat. After last night I know what it feels like to think I’m going to lose you, and I never want to come close to that feeling ever again.” His words drive me insane. I have to clutch his shirt to feel in control of something because he’s got full control of the most important organ in my body.
I peer up at him, falling deeper in love with him in this moment. The way he’s looking at me now, as if he sees everything—the good and the bad, and he still loves me. “You’re not losing me. You said it before in a different context, but I’m going to steal your words now. We’re stronger than that.”
He grins. “If your dad were to walk in right now I’d be in a lot of trouble. I’m not sure if either of us is strong enough to face that wrath.” He doesn’t release me, though; instead, he kisses my neck. “You know what? I kind of love breaking the rules with you.”
I return his grin, knowing there are many more rules I want to break with him. In a moment, the air between us changes. When his lips press to mine again, he’s not as gentle. He devours my mouth, claiming it as his own, and I give it willingly. My heart is pounding through my ears, my chest is exploding through my veins, and my blood is rushing through my head so fast my entire body feels like it’s on fire.
“Kat,” he breathes into my mouth.
No! Why is he talking right now?
“This is incredibly hard for me to say, but we need to stop,” he groans. But he doesn’t stop kissing me.
My subconscious is jumping up and down, waving caution flags in my face. He’s right. If he can’t pull away, then I need to. So I do, and he doesn’t stop me. Instead, he helps me to a sitting position.
“What was that?” I ask.
Johnny chuckles. “I guess that was us breaking the rules. I can’t wait to do it again.”
Johnny wiggles his eyebrows, and I have to push him away before the intensity returns. We got carried away, but I am definitely not ready for more.
“Tell you what,” I say, back to teasing. “You take me on a date, and I might consider kissing you again.”
“What?” he asks incredulously, but he’s smiling through his frustration. “We go from that to you not kissing me anymore?” He tilts his head and narrows his eyes, a hint of a smirk playing on his face. “Kind of drastic, don’t you think? Besides, have you already forgotten about our New Year’s Eve date at the treehouse?”
Unable to stop a blush from spreading up my cheeks, I shake my head to cover it.
“And I should tell you, I’ve never taken anyone on my yacht before. Except for Roy, but I assure you I didn’t make out with him. And while I know that day didn’t end well, it was one of my favorite days with you.”
“You have more than one?” A warmth spreads through my chest. Johnny is a romantic.
His serious expression focuses on my eyes, then my lips, then my eyes again. I can’t tell if he’s planning to kiss me or lecture me. He does neither. “Between my parents’ death and when I met you, my life was void of happy moments. Since meeting you, happy moments are the only ones I hold on to. I may have left Apollo Beach for a while, Kat, but you never left me.”
I throw my arms around his shoulders and bury my head in his neck. “If I haven’t made myself clear, I’ll do it right now. I am saying with one hundred percent honesty that you are totally and completely forgiven for leaving. I hope you can forgive yourself. No regrets, Johnny.”
He groans. “I want to do something.”
Before I can ask what, he’s lifting me off the bed and carrying me to the balcony. After setting me down, he walks inside and closes the door behind him.
“What the—?” He just left me on the balcony.
The French doors open a few seconds later, and out comes Johnny, a serious expression on his face. He’s holding a flower from my vase, the vase I levitated the morning after my sixteenth birthday.
I slap a hand to my mouth to stifle another giggle. He lands on his knees in front of me and holds up the flower. “Katrina Summer, would you do me the great honor of accompanying me on a date?”
My arms fold across my chest as I make him suffer. “Where is this date going to be exactly? Your house? My treehouse? Your boat?”
Johnny smirks. “I’d tell you, but I’d rather torture you and keep it a secret.”
I think about that. “Nothing says true romance like torture. You’ve got a deal. But when will this date be? You can’t just assume I’ll be available whenever you decide to pick me up.”
With a dramatic sigh, he drops the flower and stands. “You’re impossible, woman. I might have to reconsider my offer.”
I giggle. “That didn’t take much.” I swing my arms around him and raise my face to his, searching his eyes with mine. I lower my voice. “You can take me wherever you want, whenever you want. I’ll be there.”
He kisses me again and for the first time in my seventeen years of life, my future is clear, because my future is holding me.
We must both feel guilty for our romantic encounter because we rush out of my room and down the grand staircase. Charlotte is shuffling around the kitchen, looking as if she’s trying to keep busy.
She looks between us, surprised. “Johnny, I didn’t realize you were still here. Have you two been upstairs this whole time?”
I nod. “Yup. Lazy bum here slept practically all day.”
Charlotte sighs. “Okay, well no one seems to be hungry, but we should eat. I’m going to figure something out for dinner. Would you like to stay, Johnny?”
“I’d love to stay. Actually, let me cook. I’m sure you haven’t gotten much rest, and Kat wants to visit with her mom. I can have something ready in thirty minutes or an hour, however much time you need.”
Did I just fall in love with him all over again? Yes, I did. I think Charlotte fell in love with him too. Her mouth falls open, but she doesn’t argue. She looks exhausted.
“Thank you,” I mouth to him.
He winks at me, and I give him a quick peck after Charlotte walks away. Then I sneak downstairs to see my parents. They’re in the same spots I left them, but fully awake now, talking animatedly. Wow. This is a change from this morning.
My mom sees me and her eyes light up. I notice she’s got Rose’s photo albums strewn around her. “Your dad’s been filling me in on lost time.”
“Do you remember anything?” I ask, although I already know the answer.
“I’m sorry, Kat. I don’t,” she says.
“Well, Johnny is cooking dinner for us. I can hang out here until it’s ready.” I look toward my father, hoping he’ll understand my need to be with her alone.
His eyes seem to register what I’m saying and he nods, but Grace speaks first as she moves from the bed to her feet. “I think I’m finally ready to leave this room. Do you mind if I shower first?”
Paul nods and begins to speak, but I interrupt him. “I’ll get your shower ready. I have some things you can wear, too.”
After grabbing a pair of sweats from my room, my dad leaves us alone so I can start her shower. She’s standing in the doorway, watching me through the mirror. I catch her looking at herself and then back at me, and then she meets my stare. Color stains her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. You look so much like me.” She shakes her head, her hair falling in long waves over her shoulders. It’s grown so much since I last saw her. “I’m so sorry, Kat. I want to remember you, more than anyone else. I may not remember what happened, but I know I would never make a conscious decision to leave my daughter behind. It sounds like we were very close.”
Instead of c
rying again, I control the tears and nod. “We were. It was just you and me against the world. At least that’s what you’d always say. But you shouldn’t feel guilty. I know this isn’t your fault, Mom.”
She forces a smile. “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. I can see that you are extremely perceptive and strong. If I could remember having a daughter, I’d wish she were just like you.” She looks around the room at nothing in particular. “Rose provided a good life for you when I couldn’t. Even if my memory never returns, I’ll be forever grateful to her for that.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bright red hair and fiery green eyes confront me on my balcony later that night. Johnny left for the boathouse right after dinner, and I’m heading to bed, still exhausted from the previous day’s events. I’m confused and happy to see Arabella. We’ve been distant lately, especially since Alec and I broke it off. But I think our distance has more to do with how wrapped up she’s been with Kaleb. I’ve never seen her so happy. Seeing her here now, anger flaming from her eyes, worries me.
“Arabella.” I shut my bedroom door behind me. “What’s wrong?”
“What were you thinking?” She’s furious at me. “Kaleb almost died because of you. You willingly gave yourself to Erebus? Are you nuts?”
Why can’t I remember Kaleb during yesterday’s battle?
She must see my confusion because she fills me in. “Erebus pushed him off the scaffolding. Circe just barely saved his life.” I gasp as she tells me the story of Circe levitating Kaleb’s body, a power not even I have been able to master. Circe did say she was capable of unique magic.
My arms wrap tightly around my friend. I’m so thankful Kaleb is okay. I couldn’t bear a brokenhearted Arabella. “I didn’t have a choice, Arabella. He was threatening to come after everyone and he had my mom.” I pause. “Have you talked to Isaac?”
Arabella nods. “He’s in town with my sisters. They’re going to visit Rose in the morning. I’ve been with them all day, but I came back here to find you. I was worried when I didn’t hear from you. You should really look at your phone every now and then.”
I cringe. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know where it is. It might have fallen at the energy plant.”
Arabella sighs and takes a seat at the edge of my bed. The moonlight casts a glow over her fair and flawless skin, giving her hair a purplish tone. “He hurts good people, Kat. We could have lost you last night too.” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you pushed him out.” Then she looks up with wide eyes and continues, her voice softer now. “Oh—your mom. How is she? My dad is desperate to see her.”
I frown. “She can’t remember anything about her life. She just remembers moments before and after Erebus controlled her.” The conversation I had with my father comes to me, and I wonder if Circe really does have a memory recipe.
“Apparently there could be a cure, but we need to get to Circe to get it,” I say.
“Can she come here?” Arabella asks.
I shake my head. “She’s protected by the Solstice plant. If she leaves, she’s dead.” I shiver.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Let me guess. You’re planning to sneak over there and talk to Circe yourself. Don’t try to be a hero, Kat. One of these days it’s not going to work out very well for you and everyone else.”
Why is everyone lecturing me? It’s not like our community has any other choice. The longer we allow Erebus to haunt us, the greater the risk.
“I don’t think it’s stupid. It’s risky, but not stupid. Just hear me out, okay?”
Arabella glares at me, but she sits silently as I inform her of my plan.
When I finish, she’s still glaring at me. Her chest puffs out, and she stands so she’s just inches from me. “You want to sneak out of here and go back to the Solstice plant where you were possessed by Erebus, back to where Kaleb was almost killed, and find Circe, the witch potion inventor who is the reason for all of this, in the hopes to find a potion that will restore your mother’s memory? All the while, Erebus could be lurking about, just waiting to snatch you up again.”
Her shortened version of my lengthy plan sounds about right. I flush with embarrassment. “That’s the plan.”
She stands up and heads for my door.
“Where are you going?” I panic and stand. What is she doing?
“I’m going to tell everyone in this house what you’re up to, and then I’m going to tell Johnny, because it’s a horrible idea and if anyone will stop you it’s him.”
“Arabella!” I run to her. “You can’t.”
Her eyes are ablaze. “You know what, Kat? You’re so smart, but sometimes you let your head get in the way and you become ridiculously careless. I’m not losing anyone I love to Erebus. I won’t.”
Her eyes become watery again, and I feel like crap. Kaleb’s near-death experience must have really affected her. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and squeeze her tight, wanting nothing more than to relieve her of the grief she’s feeling now. “I’m sorry. Maybe I’m not thinking things through clearly. I just need to get to Circe. I’m afraid Erebus will get to my mom, and if he does, I could lose her forever.”
Arabella squeezes me back and then pulls away. “If you insist on doing this, then I’m going to help you.”
Now I’m confused. “You just got done telling me how stupid my idea was. Now you want to help me?”
“It’s stupid for you to go to the plant alone, but not me. Erebus will never expect me. And I can go through the protected waterway right into the plant boundaries.”
“There’s a protected waterway?”
Arabella nods. “Of course there is. It’s where the manatees gather.”
“I can come with you. I just need to find some sea sprinkle”
It’s been over a year since I’ve transformed into a mermaid and the thought is suddenly an exciting one. Arabella crosses her arms over her chest, looking as if she’s about to argue with me.
I mirror her with my own arms. “Sorry, Arabella. You said it yourself. We can get past him through the waterway, right into the plant boundaries. It’s a brilliant idea. If you insist on coming, then that’s fine. But I’m not letting you go without me.”
“Why are you so stubborn?” she growls at me, the fiery red hair atop her head glowing along with her bright green eyes. The freckles on her nose dance with every flare.
“I’m an Enchanter. I fix things. And right now, my mom’s memory needs fixing.”
“This way,” Arabella says, pointing with her index finger.
We’ve escaped Summer Estate unnoticed, and we’re now swimming through the bay toward the Solstice plant. Arabella leads me the long way around the nature trail walkway that juts out into the bay, separating us from the inlet of water where the energy plant sits. The water is protected due to the energy the plant generates. It’s also the area where the manatees migrate during the winter.
As soon as we cross the boundary, I notice the first few manatees resting peacefully near the top of the water. The crowd of the giant creatures thickens the further in we travel until it becomes an obstacle course to veer around them. Arabella points down, and I follow her to the bottom of the bay floor to navigate quickly, a blanket of manatees hovering above us.
We reach the platform easily and pull ourselves into sitting positions while our tails transform back to human legs. Arabella tosses me a wet cover-up, slips on her own, and then we hop the gate.
“So you didn’t know what this place was either?” I ask Arabella as we trudge the short distance to the main doors.
She shakes her head. “My father knew. I honestly never thought about it until you mentioned Rose was acting strange at the mention of it. Even then, I was distracted by other things, I guess.”
Her face tightens, and I think she might turn her fiery eyes on me again. I wouldn’t blame her. If it were me and something had happened to Johnny, I can’t see myself being as brave as she is. Then again, maybe the distraction of our m
ission is good for her.
With a quick glance around the darkness, we escape into the main building and head straight for the lab where I first met Circe. Sure enough, she’s standing there, back to us, examining a colorful diagram on the whiteboard. She turns at the sound of our intrusion, and her eyes grow. “What are you doing here?” she hisses. “You need to go home, now!”
I shake my head and approach her. “No. Not until I talk to you.”
“Kat, you have no idea how dangerous it is for you to be here. You may have won yesterday’s battle, but Erebus is only more determined now …”
Circe continues to lecture me, but I’m not listening. I’m focusing on the drawing behind her, filled with cylinders, squiggly lines, and math formulas that don’t make any sense to me, but there’s something about the drawing that forces me closer. Within one of the cylinders is a thick black dot with a line coming from it, pointing to text that indicates the black dot is Erebus.
My eyes roam around the drawing, seeing if I can decipher it further, but Circe stands in front of me. “Kat, you need to leave.”
I shake my head. “Not until I talk to you. Please hear me out, Circe.” I decide not to ask her about the drawing. Not until I get what I came here for, at least.
She lets out an exasperated sigh and walks around to the other side of the counter, forcing me to face her and turn my back to the board. She leans in, placing her elbows on the counter and resting her chin on her hands. She waits.
“I need you to help me get her memory back.”
Circe narrows her eyes at me, telling me my request is not to be considered. The weight of my chest becomes a boulder now as I wait.
“I will not help an Equinox.”
That’s it? That’s her reason? It’s not that she can’t produce the magic needed to heal memory; it’s that she doesn’t want to.
“My mother is not an Equinox. Not in the Erebus sense of the word. She may be blood, but she was stripped of her powers before she even turned sixteen. Circe, please,” I beg. “I’ve lost two years with her already, but we could lose everything if you don’t help us.”
