In a swift reversal of expression, Deme’s frown turned to a broad smile, and she hugged Athenia. “Of course not. That was the matriarch talking. I did something similar myself last year.”
ΨΨΨ
When they got home, Athenia retreated to her alcove. Not a room, they had created a space for her by cordoning off a corner with a sheet for privacy. It held a few boxes of clothes and shoes, a single bed, and a table with a battery-powered lamp. No electricity out here. Well, I didn’t have it in my den, either. Someday, I’ll buy all the things I want and won’t answer to anyone. Today was a great day, though. I saved a child.
She stripped off the sundress she’d thrown on after she’d toweled off in Happy Dan’s restroom. Unhooking the still sodden bra, she dropped it to the floor. Yuck.
After she put on a dry bra, she found a pair of lace underwear and pulled them over her hips. She slipped on white shorts and an orange V-neck tee with sparkly crystals arranged in the shape of the sun. I refuse to wear the uniform. She left her feet bare. After she brushed her hair, she gave herself a once over in the mirror. Not fashionable, but Thorne probably won’t even notice what I’m wearing. The mages are so pragmatic, and they don’t value beautiful things like we Nerei do.
When she came out of her alcove, Thorne had slipped his feet into flip-flops. “I’m meeting with Ash. I hate to leave you by yourself, but he needs to speak to me privately. Will you be okay?”
“I spent all my time alone after Delphie died and before I met you. I’m used to it.”
He paused. “There isn’t much to do here. Would you like to go back into town? I can drop you off at the docks before I go to Ash’s place.”
“And make him wait on account of me, again? No. You go. I’ll be fine. Anyway, I’m tired.”
He pursed his lips. “If you’re sure…”
“I want to rejuvenate and rest.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” He strolled outside, climbed into his kayak, and glided away.
Actually, I don’t need to immerse in the water. I told Thorne that so he wouldn’t feel bad about leaving me. After our big lunch, I’m not hungry either.
She got out her grimoire, unwrapped it, and sat in one of the two chairs at their small table.
Thorne made everything himself, but he didn’t care much about furniture. Table. Chairs. Bed. Thorne wanted nothing else.
She spread the oversized volume on the cypress table.
It’s good Thorne doesn’t kill trees for furniture. The one he made the table from came down in a storm, and he didn’t want to waste the valuable log. This type of wood resists bugs, important in a tropical climate like Florida.
She paged idly through her book, not searching for anything in particular. Here’s a recipe for a sleep potion. There’s an incantation for improving digestion. One for easing the pain of childbirth, which is worth gold to Nerei. She and Delphie had assisted hundreds of pregnant Nerei females through the difficult ordeal. Not so easy for us as for humans. Many died unless they managed to reach the Atlantean’s retreat and drink the healing cenote water. This potion was invaluable to Nerei who lived too far away from the secret island or belonged to an enemy clan not allowed to go there.
When the door creaked, she jumped. “Did you forget something?”
She waited. When she didn’t hear anything more, she went back to the spell book. Just the wind.
She ran her finger down the handsewn, gold-embossed pages and over the jewel encrusted sealskin cover. This book is gorgeous to look at and a pleasure to touch, even without the knowledge it contains. She and Delphie had made it, adding to it over the decades they’d practiced together as sea witches, Nerei who utilize witchcraft over and above the siren song to help their people. Humans, too. A lot of these remedies are for them. Nerei don’t need sleep or digestive aids, but we took care of anyone who asked us for help.
The pain of losing her twin ripped through her again. Every time I think I’ve moved on from my grief, it hits me anew. Tears formed, and she let them trail down her cheeks. I don’t need to be strong right now. There’s no one here.
A warm palm stroked her shoulder. “Why so sad?”
“Thorne?” Not his voice. She whirled around.
A strange man stood behind her. He was tall and well built, with dark, curly hair combed into a perfect quiff on top and short on the sides. He wore a stylish bespoke suit with a red and white striped silk tie and shoes shined to a brilliant polish. His unusual eyes were black with little specks of red, almost like flames. Mesmerizing. I could drown in those eyes. With an effort, she shook off the hypnotic effect. “Who are you, and how did you get in here?”
He grinned, revealing gleaming white teeth. Contrasted against the dark tan of his skin, they seemed to glow. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I want to talk to you.”
“To me? Why?”
He pulled out the other chair. “May I?”
All her hackles went up, but she didn’t want to be rude. “I guess.” She shut the grimoire and pulled the cloth on top to conceal the volume from him. “Are you a friend of Thorne’s?”
“Let’s say, I’m an associate.”
He knows where Thorne lives, so he must be okay. Some of her alarm receded. “Please excuse me. Would you like something to eat or drink? We live simply, but there’s fresh fruit and clear, cold water.”
“That would be lovely, my dear.” He slouched into the chair and crossed one leg over his knee.
Athenia stood and went to the small cooler where they stored their food. She brought out grapes, raspberries, and a square of feta. She set the fruit and cheese on the table and added a knife. Then she poured them each a glass of water. “Please, help yourself.”
The man popped a grape into his mouth and grinned again. “Delicious. Thank you.”
She sat in her chair. “What’s your name?”
He took some berries. “Pardon me. I’m remiss. My name is Gelion.”
She quirked a brow. “What an unusual name. I can’t place your slight accent. May I ask where you’re from?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You wouldn’t believe me. Suffice it to say, it’s extremely far from here.”
“Well, Mr. Gelion, what can I do for you?”
He shook his head. “Not Mr. Gelion. Gelion.”
“Is it your first name?”
“What I go by.”
“Like Madonna or Cher?”
He chuckled again. “Something like that.”
She took a sip of her water. “So, what can I do for you?”
As he put a raspberry in his mouth, he made an appreciative sound. “Mmm… these are quite good.”
She folded her arms and glared at him.
A slow smile formed across his mouth. Sensuous lips parted revealing shiny incisors. His eyes sparked with ruby flares again.
Overcome by a falling sensation, she grabbed the chair. The solid wood grounded her so she could tear her gaze away from his stare. “If you don’t tell me what you want this minute, you’ll have to go. Since Thorne won’t be back for a while, I’ll tell him you stopped by.” Instantly, she regretted her words. I shouldn’t have told him I’m alone here. She folded her arms across her chest. Never mind. I can defend myself.
He dropped the rest of the berries into his mouth and stood. Then he leaned over her chair. With his arms on each side of her, he trapped her. Energy radiated from him.
Magic. It sizzled over her nerve endings. Her own answered, rising and twining around his in an intimate dance. She tried to tamp down her power, but it didn’t listen, slipping around and through his, flirting and teasing.
“This is what I want from you.” He ran a hand down the side of her face and neck to stroke her shoulder. “Your conjuring called to me. I felt it from far away and sought you out. I want to bathe in the delicious sensations you give me.”
He enthralled her again. How does he do that? As she stared into the flames of his eyes, lust surged from h
er core, filling all the cold emptiness inside her. Like a steamy geyser.
He leaned into her and kissed her lips, drawing energy from her and surrounding them both with it. Heat replaced what he took away, intensifying to the boiling point.
She moaned. When she broke away, she touched her mouth. It was swollen from his kisses.
He pulled her into a standing position and kissed her again. This time hard, demanding, causing her to melt inside, liquid with need.
When he drew her to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding tight against him.
He nuzzled and licked the side of her neck and then fondled her breast.
Fire exploded in her chest as if he’d slapped a burning brand against her. She yelped and pulled away. The agony broke whatever had ensnared her. “Stop. What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m attempting to seduce you. Don’t you like my touch? I thought you might enjoy a little pain with your pleasure, but I can tone it down.”
She pushed him away. “You’re all wrong, mister. I’m not jumping into bed with a stranger. Get away from me.”
He held up his hands. “I won’t force you into anything you don’t want. However, I can make it worth your while. If you join with me, I can give you much more than you’ll ever obtain from the mage’s teachings. All the wealth you desire.” He gestured around the room. “Enough to build yourself a palace and move out of this hovel.”
Deep inside, interest surged. With enough power I could protect myself. She dismissed the thought. I can’t trust this guy. He makes promises, but who knows what he really wants? “I don’t want your gifts, and I don’t believe you. Go away before I show you what I can do.” She prepared to throw air at him, but her legs trembled, and her mouth went dry.
He chuckled. “That’s a lie. You do want what I have to offer, but you can’t admit it yet. You’re most amusing, little witch.” He sniffed. “And delicious. This is going to be so much fun.”
She tried to protest, but he was gone. Vanished. He didn’t dissolve or dematerialize in a puff of smoke, he simply disappeared before her eyes. One second there. The next, not.
She sank into the chair, shaking all over. Who is he? Why did I respond to him like he cast some enchantment on me? Her face flamed. I came close to… No, my control is better than that.
The quivering stopped and the heat disappeared, leaving her heart encased in ice again. However, the cold, hard shell no longer protected her as it had for so many years. Now, it chilled and left her lonelier than ever before. Gelion’s a threat. He asked nicely this time, but he may not be so charming next time.
When Thorne returns, I’ll talk to him about this, but I have to take care of myself, and I suspect my physical strength and siren song might not be enough to fend off Gelion. He must be some kind of sorcerer. What I need is more mage power.
When the sun set, Athenia went for a swim. She caught a grouper and picked some seaweed for dinner. She ate on the beach, watching for Thorne. The fish was firm and mild in her mouth, the greens crisp and savory. However, she longed for Thorne.
When he didn’t return, she went to her hammock. As she drifted off, the door creaked.
“Thorne?” She got up and peeked out.
He stood in the main room, stretching and yawning. “Who else? I’m beat. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Wait, I need to tell you--” But he was already in his room. She gave an exasperated huff then fell back in her hammock. I’ll tell him tomorrow. For now, I’m relieved he’s home. With Thorne here, I’m safe. Gradually, she relaxed and drifted off to sleep.
ΨΨΨ
By the time they had finished breakfast the next day, Athenia had realized that telling Thorne about the visitor would be a problem. He’s going to freak out about the guy getting through his wards, and he may even think I let him in on purpose. Somehow or other, I’m liable to end up getting blamed, and it could disrupt my lessons.
Thorne took Athenia outside to the beach to train. He wore his usual outfit. She had dressed in her shorts and the orange T-shirt from the night before.
At nine in the morning, the temperature was still cool, but the cloudless sky indicated it would be a hot day.
Though she yearned toward the shining water, she turned away. After we finish, I’ll go for a nice long swim.
Thorne sat cross-legged on the ground. “Let’s practice earth today.”
After she lowered herself beside him, she folded her arms. “I want to learn fire.”
With a sigh, Thorne rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve been over this. We studied air first because it resists the least and is more malleable. Also, it’s part of everything, so we must start with it. Now we can move to earth, next water, eventually fire, which is too dangerous at your current level of ability. If it got out of control, you could create an inferno, destroy thousands of acres, and cost countless animal, and possibly, human lives. Try to understand, you aren’t ready for that kind of power yet.”
“Please, I need something useful.”
Thorne patted her knee. “Mastering the elements takes a lot of patience. Though you possess potential, you can’t rush the process. No one can.”
“Can I at least make glass?” I could fashion spears and hurl them at an enemy.
He shook his head. “Manipulating air and heat at the same time is beyond your current capabilities. However, I can teach you to mound the sand into hills or swirl it around to dig holes. Later, I’ll show you how to combine it with water to make clay to mold into pottery. That’s a practical skill. For example, you could make your own dishes.”
Seriously? Fantastic, I’ll throw dirt in my enemies’ eyes. She tried once more. “Couldn’t we switch to water now? After all, that’s my natural environment, and I should be better with it than any of the others.” And I can drown my enemies.
He pursed his lips, considering. “Later today, if this goes well.”
She huffed. “Let’s continue.”
“First, you pull a little up and guide it through the air.” He extended his hand, fingers spread and pointing down. “Visualize the grains rising from the ground and moving toward you. When they’re almost level with your palm, move it back and forth, and they’ll follow.”
As she mimicked his gesture, Athenia concentrated and reached out. After a few seconds, vibrations signaled success, so she opened her eyes. A teaspoonful hovered a little above the ground. She made a motion with her arm, and the grains followed.
“Good. Now, twirl it in a circle.”
She managed to make it swerve around in something like an oval. Sweat trickled from her temples and dampened her shirt under the arms. “Oof, I didn’t think it would be so hard.”
“You build mage strength like muscles in the body with time and practice. Rest and we’ll try again.”
With a sigh of relief, she let the tiny amount fall. “Too much effort, it’s not worth it.”
Thorne wove his pile in a complicated pattern of swirls and twists before letting it descend.
“Show off.”
He laughed. “Soon, you’ll be able to do it, too. Remember, though, magic always costs. Most often, energy. Mages consume our own resources for fuel, but some who practice dark arts steal the life force from animals or humans. At some point, they’ll pay the price for taking what doesn’t belong to them.”
“How? From what I’ve seen, they get stronger.” Bitterness rose and soured her stomach.
He patted her hand. “We stopped Merlindrake.”
Tears came to her eyes. “Not in time to save Delphie or so many other young Nerei females.” Unable to stop her sobs, she hid her head in her hands.
Thorne’s arms enfolded her, and he rested his chin on the top of her head. “Let it out. Grieving for your sister and the others is important. Allow yourself to feel the pain.”
She sniffled. “I want to move on. I’ll never forget Delphie, but I can’t keep letting her loss rip me apart. I want to feel warm again.”
She sought his lips for comfort.
At first, he leaned into her, but then he pulled away. “I’m sorry, that’s not appropriate.”
Like he had poured a bucket of ice cubes over her head, cold streaked down her back and through her limbs.
She shot to her feet. “I apologize, master. In the future, I’ll keep my actions more professional.”
He rose and brushed off his hands. “It’s not that—”
She interrupted. “Don’t you remember the night in my cave? Don’t you ever think of how good we were together?”
He folded his arms across his chest. “The night you used sex to drain me?”
She flushed. Shame gnawed at her gut, but she didn’t back down. “You haven’t forgiven me, and you still don’t trust me. Admit it.”
He reached out but didn’t quite touch her shoulder. “I forgive you, but trust must be earned. The damage will take time and effort for you to repair.”
She dashed the moisture from her cheeks. “If lessons are done for today, I’m going for a swim.”
She stalked off to a spot where the mangroves grew thick enough to shield her from his eyes. As she stripped off her clothes and stored them in a hollow branch of an old oak, she thought about the man from the day before. Should I have told Thorne about him? What difference does it make? Thorne doesn’t care about me. No wonder he won’t teach me anything worthwhile. He doesn’t trust me anymore than the others do. I’m alone, and I always will be. I must protect myself and the only way to do that is to amass more power.
CHAPTER THREE
Athenia spent the rest of the day in the water, playing with dolphins and searching for more ghost gear. At sunset, she returned, ready to apologize to Thorne for her outburst and resume her lessons. My own fault he doesn’t trust me. I deserved to die for what I did, and I must remember to be grateful and obedient for as long as he allows me to stay with him. To make up for the way I acted, I’ll cook him dinner tonight.
After she transformed and dressed, she opened the door and stuck her head inside. “Thorne, I’m sorry. Please, forgive me.”
A note lay on the table, held down by a mug Thorne had constructed with his powers. Unadorned, like all his things, a master potter using a wheel couldn’t have produced a higher quality item. It was smooth and the same thickness all the way around. He’d also glazed it, so it felt soft on her lips. Thinking of lips and Thorne at the same time is a bad idea.
Siren Descending Page 4
