Lost Seraphine (The Seraphine Trilogy #2) (9 page)

He turns his body towards me, a glimmer of life sparking back into his eyes. “So do they like show their asses before the fins form or after they go away? Because I’m having a hard time imagining a dude like Poseidon chasing after his butt-naked kid.”

“That would’ve been Raze, and there are parts of my home that aren’t in the water. Those are the places where Raze took me all the time. The lands in-between the worlds. That’s where we found this necklace,” I lower my head and place one hand on the aquamarine stone Raze found for me one day while he was being rebellious, “in a place that’s a lot like this one, only it’s under the sea.”

Right away, the wind caressing my skin slaps me with a chill that raises goose bumps. It hurts so damn much. Why can’t I get over this ache? This foreign thing called emotion seems to be shredding my mind into scattered little pieces.

As though he can sense the change in me, Caleb moves close to me and pulls me into his arms, warming my body right away. “Don’t run off this time, all right?”

I pull back and stare into his eyes. “I’ll never leave you. If I do, then it’ll never be for long. I promise.”

The wall forming around us tumbles down as he braces the back of my head with both palms, his hands trembling. Lowering his mouth to mine, I lift up and kiss him first, my stomach clenching, my heart pumping.

The Seraphine’s future queen may be lost, but what I share with Caleb will last forever. Our relationship might be a forbidden one, but the feelings, the emotions, the sparks surging through my body whenever he touches me, all of that rings true to me.

I move back, steadying the dizziness flowing through me, and place my hands on his shoulders, massaging them. I love him so much it hurts. Damn Cupid and his sneaky little arrows. “Look at me, Caleb.”

“You gave up your place on the throne for me. I wish…” He lowers his head as his voice catches in the wind. Glancing back up at me with sad, passionate eyes, Caleb says, “I wish you would’ve told me. I would never have let you do all this. Not for me.” His voice cracks and I see the sincerity in his eyes. I want him to understand how I could never rule over a place where he wasn’t welcome.

“It was my choice, and it’s not like I had a lot of time to decide. Your life means more to me than anything. Father and the Leaders will find a way to stop the prophecy without me.”

“My life means even more than the future of your people? Come on, Gia. I can’t ask you to abandon your people for me.” He pulls away and turns toward that damn rock again. I’ve never been so jealous of the Mother Ocean.

I reach up and grasp his face. “I haven’t left anyone behind. I’m working with the Leaders at the safe house. Don’t forget, I’m training others to defend themselves. I’m doing my part.” Still, a tiny something hitches in my chest after I say this.

Caleb picks up on it right away. I sense the change in his body, the way his whole frame tenses up just before he does the screwy thing with his face.

“How is it that the daughter of Poseidon isn’t allowed to use a veil created by the gods, but a dark dude can stroll through like it’s a great day to visit his mom? It doesn’t make any sense at all.” He’s right. I don’t understand it.

Father wouldn’t explain before he sent me away. For some reason, I recall the sound of the bluebird’s squawk in my dream, a combination of high-pitched cries and hisses like a snake. This bothers me. Some kind of message rides in that dream and I can’t figure it out. Cori says the Angel
of Chaos wants Caleb. I shudder to think of why. The answer lies with the bluebird. I will find the answer to this riddle... somehow.

“I’m not sure about Father’s actions, but I do know what matters most. The most important thing for all of us will be to keep you safe. Look at me, Caleb.”
And stop staring at that damn rock
, I want to say. His worried face turns in my direction. I start massaging his shoulders again, feeling the tension ease out of his muscles as I do so. “Do you even know how much I care for you?”

“Maybe a little. I tend to be a hands on kinda dude. Showing’s always better than telling,” he answers, beaming his dimpled grin I love so very much. We have come incredibly far and crossed oceans to be together, yet it still feels like we’re unbelievably far apart. I let myself go slack in Caleb’s arms so he has to put his all the way around my body to keep me from falling.

We stay this way for a long time, listening to the ocean slap the shores, forgetting that some cruel plan created by the Angel of Chaos brews in both our futures.

I feel the boy who’s holding me in his arms is slipping away from me, my greatest fear. I don’t even think he realizes it. I pull back so I’m staring into his weary, gray eyes.

I think I could deal with this human thing if I didn’t have to glance inside his eyes and find myself lost in the pain, the confusion, the conflict; everything I fear that I see storming inside them.

Say something to take his pain away.

I don’t know where to start, so I continue with what I miss the most, my home. Or rather, an explanation of how things work for the Seraphine when it comes to matters of the heart.

“In my land, we put a lot of emphasis on our first love. It’s not something we take lightly. Once we bond emotionally, it’s a done deal to the physical and everything else afterwards. We don’t do divorces or separation plans. I don’t even think our people know what those things are.”

He makes a lazy laugh, a half smile to match the smoldering look killing me softly inside as each second passes. “Then your people could probably teach mine a few things. Nobody here stays together. Love is like a foreign language to us.” A faraway look crosses his face. I can tell he didn’t say what he just did to hurt me. I suspect he’s thinking about his parents—his mom and his real dad, the Wanderer.

Kiss him. Not yet. Oh, go ahead. Don’t be such a bore.

“Not true, Caleb. I think the two of us have the love thing covered pretty well.”

I get a narrow-eyed side glance and another smile. “How do you know this, Miss Jones?”

“Easier to show you.” I move to my tiptoes and place my lips against Caleb’s before he has the chance to respond.

He reacts right away, parting his lips and pulling me tighter in his arms. As the kiss deepens, the waves begin to hit the shores even harder.

Are they reacting to our kiss?
No way.

It isn’t my imagination, though.

Caleb glances sideways at them, too, just before he returns his attention back to setting my soul on fire. Even the Mother Ocean, my greatest ally, knows the bond we share feels right. She’s the one who’s jealous of me. What other reason can explain the magical thing happening beside us right now?

I don’t even realize we’ve fallen to the ground until I feel the soft hint in the grains of sand touching the exposed skin on my back. We roll, alternating positions; me on top of Caleb and Caleb’s body pressing down on me. We laugh, kiss and roll some more. In the end, he winds up on top of me, staring into my eyes as the laughter fades.

An intoxicating scent entraps me; a touch of salt water, a hint of Jasmine in my perfume, the fading scent of Caleb’s cologne. I clear my mind of all things negative as Caleb moves his lips back to mine, briefly brushing against the skin just before he travels down my neck, exploring and gently nibbling me as he does so. His left hand supports my head. The other one moves down my body, grazing over my short sun dress and finding its way up under the fabric. I think every nerve in my skin has sprung to aching life.

“I want us to be closer,” I hear myself whispering in his ear.

Then the spell breaks.

Caleb moves the hand on my thigh away and his lips stop at the spot on my collarbone he’s been kissing. He lifts his head up, glances in to my eyes and sighs deeply. “We should stop. Now.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask. Flushed cheeks and a blinking response is all I get as an answer from him. He pushes himself up, moves away from me, props his forearms on his knees and begins staring out at the ocean. I move the hem of my dress back down to my knees and adjust my thin straps, moving them back into place. “Talk to me, Caleb.”

A long moment passes before he says, “I don’t—I kinda think—I’m thinking we need to talk about...”

I smile and cross my fingers in the hopes that I’m right about what I think he’s trying to say. I start with a safe response. “I’ve never done anything like that before, either. I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

Wincing and being careful to keep staring out at the water and not me, he allows his clenched fists to relax the tiniest bit. I think I’m on the right track. Caleb is just as sexually inexperienced as I am. He does turn to me this time. “It doesn’t bother you that I...”

“That you’ve never had sex before? Um, no. Why should it bother me? That’s the way things always roll in my world. So it’s not strange at all,” I assure him. Geez, talking about being a virgin is so much harder on boys than it is for girls.

“I don’t have any, you know, protection or anything.”

I scoot close to him. I’m thinking at any moment he’s going to hop up and run into the ocean if I don’t do something to ease the tension I feel radiating from his body.

“That’s all right. I can wait. You’re worth it.” I lay my head down on his shoulder. Right away, I can feel his smile even though I can’t see it. Caleb has this kind of inner beam, this positive energy flowing around him.

“You know what, Gia Jones?” Caleb says, moving his arm over my shoulders and pulling me closer.

“No, but I’m pretty sure you’ll tell me.”

He makes a light laugh and says, “You’re worth waiting for, too.”

I will protect him with everything I have inside me. We’ll get through this, deal with the Dark Seraphine and become that much stronger for doing so.

Gia

The Cape Fear River sits behind the safe house. There’s about a ten minute walk on the path we take to reach the water. After what I’ve experienced with Caleb yesterday evening, I ache for a chance to be away from the eager new trainees, away from Mabry’s questioning glances each time I return from seeing Caleb and away from Cori’s curiosity about human boys.

This morning I’m stealing some time to reflect on the things I need. I have that crazy feeling inside my chest again, the one I always get when I’m not around Caleb. Sure, I consider myself lucky to have him, but I can’t help feeling I’m losing parts of me that I’m not ready to give up just yet.

The forest is filled with early morning life; crickets, frogs, owls and birds. Things I left behind in Aquardia. I always find rivers here in the human lands fascinating. They’re not quite large enough to rival an ocean’s deep trenches, but it’s wide enough for a human to get lost inside, swallowed up, never to be seen again; kinda like the way I feel inside—a girl too far away from home and not good enough to be accepted by the humans.

Here in my secret spot, there are no questioning glances. No one to ask me what living underneath the sea was like. Most of all, I like to be around a place that reminds me of the ocean minus the saltwater smells, which tend to make the ache in my chest increase to dizzying levels.

Sitting on my favorite rock, I close my eyes and listen to the rushing water. In my home, we use the sounds hidden inside waves of the sea to keep us informed. The ocean always has a story to tell if you listen closely enough. Today, the river’s voices keep silent. The only sound is the normal rush of water associated with these things. I can’t help feeling that the river is teasing me, telling me I no longer belong in any world. I shake off my thoughts of pity and try to visualize the faces of my housemates back in Aquardia.

I wonder what Father and my other sisters are doing. Did Dodi find a way to stop her pet from drifting too close to the surface? Is Shelli eating all of her greens the way our nana says she should do in order to have the prettiest and most flexible fins as we grow older? Are they still worrying about Cori?

Then my thoughts wander back to him, the boy I love. Caleb. Almost as soon as I allow my mind to drift into thoughts of his soft lips on mine, the heat burning between us and the pained look on his face when I told him how lost I feel, a shuffle near the woods behind me snaps me out of my trance. I’m both startled and annoyed.

I turn around expecting to see Cori. Instead, I find another person—well, I guess that’s not quite what I’d call this particular guy—who makes my mouth fall open.

He stands before me with his shoulder length golden hair gleaming in the muted evening sun and his perfect face—the characteristic of his legendary race—staring at me. He’s dressed in a reddish brown leather suit that fits snugly, showing off his toned frame. He possesses an unearthly beauty, an essence that pulls you into his spell even when you don’t want to be. His looks contrast with the natural dark green beauty of the forest surrounding us.

“Hello, Princess. Fancy finding you sitting out here all by your lonesome.” The man steps forward and I receive the full impact of his blue-eyed gaze that’s highlighted by the dark eye makeup he wears. Even though he might be considered a vision of beauty to most girls, I know this man for what he truly is and especially for the things he intends to do.

“Bernael?” I ask. He nods once. “Wow, I feel super special. A visit from the main psycho angel himself.

He gives me a bright smile. “My children have waited patiently for the Son of the Wanderer to come of age. I will not let the Daughter of Poseidon ruin my plans for this world.”

Seven Light Keepers hold the keys to the balance that keeps our three worlds in check. Each Keeper represents a different element; fire, water, earth, air, sunlight, moonlight and starlight. Bernael intends to cut through the barrier that protects those Light Keepers. The only way he can do so is through powerful ancient magic; but how does Caleb play a role in Bernael’s crazy plan?

“You and your dark daughter won’t have Caleb. My people will stop you.” I hope my words sound more confident than I feel. His laugh cuts through me. It’s a harsh, but beautiful chime, a noise that lingers long after he stops making it. His looks would deceive the average human into thinking he’s all kind and good, yet I see straight through him.

“You’re not particularly in bargaining mode these days, little girl. The nasty rumors say Daddy has stripped away your powers.” We circle one another, sizing up the threat the other one offers, two vipers ready to fight for the common cause… my boyfriend’s soul.

“I am the daughter of a god. Mistress of the White Throne. Need me to spell that out for you? I can close my eyes and incinerate your ass.”

“Tough words from a little girl who is such a very, very long way from home. You forget, the Dark Seraphine is connected to you. A part of you. Her actions can control you.” His voice vibrates through me like a verbal poison.

“Never. I don’t know how you got my blood, but—”

“Easy enough. The sea king has many enemies among his precious children. One only
doesn’t
have to look far to receive help from the hand of deceit.”

This news shakes me up. I keep my face calm as I swallow hard. I can’t let the Angel of Chaos know he has struck my weak spot.

Who could the traitor be?

The Seraphine are a peaceful group. We always stick together. No, Bernael is doing what he does best, screwing with my head. His strange laugh, an irritating hum in my ear, tells me he already knows his words have affected me.

“I can offer you my assistance. Help you and your human find the Wanderer and to find a way to save your people,” he whispers against my ear. This catches my attention. I turn and face him. “Are you interested?”

“What’s in it for you?” I ask because he’s one of the fallen and nothing they do comes without a price.

“A simple payment. Something you won’t even miss.”

“Get to the point before I walk away.”

“I want to know your name, Princess.” His icy blue eyes are now glowing as his chest rises and falls.

“So, we’re back to that part of the game again. Great. I thought we covered all that when we banished your sea witch.” I turn and start walking away. Bernael appears in front of me before I can even take two steps back toward the safe house.

“I could easily force you to come with me. Torture you until you’re begging to tell me your name.”

“Forget it. My people don’t make bargains with black wings,” I answer through the heartbeats filling my mouth. Suddenly I find myself wishing I would’ve listened to Mabry and kept my butt in the house.

The smile plastered across Bernael’s too perfect face unnerves me. His smirk bothers me mostly because he has a point, but mainly because the entire forest has gone silent. Even the water in the river has stopped moving. Everything around us sits frozen in a frame of unearthly quiet.

“It is ridiculously easy for us children of the celestial balance to alter the elements of this place. This world is weak just like the humans who live here.”

My back hits a tree. I didn’t even realize my feet had been moving.

“Looks like you’ll have to force me to go with you then because I’ll drown myself before I tell you my name.”

“That can be arranged.” He runs the back of his index and middle fingers down my left arm, stinging me with a sensation that feels like a cross between a branding iron and a bee sting or maybe even both of those things.

I’m playing with a dangerous fire, I know. The kind that’ll not only burn your skin off, but takes its sweet time in doing so, making sure you feel each lick of its flame down to your very soul.

“I am a gentleman, though. I prefer to go easy. Especially with an object of such beauty.”

Okay. Gross.
“Get away from me.”

“No.” I get the creepy smile again and more sizzles. I think my arm is frying. I’m missing my ability to freely form starlight more than ever. I concentrate on forming a rod, reaching deep inside my mind to try and do whatever thing I did the day it worked when Cori and I were practicing in the woods. Nothing.

“Rolling around in the playpen again, Bernael?” Mabry’s voice says from behind my tormentor. I release a long sigh. I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath.

Bernael moves away from me and turns toward Mabry, his movements more graceful than any female’s I’ve ever seen. I move from behind him and run toward my house leader and Cori standing beside him.

“Are you all right, Gia?” Cori asks, her dark eyes filled with concern. I’m not, but I don’t want leather pants to know how badly he’s upset me. She must have come out here to interfere with my solitude and then run back to get Mabry when she saw Bernael here.

“Mabry, always interrupting, always a pain,” Bernael says, laughing sarcastically and shaking his head. Cori’s eyes have found him for the first time and like most females, she’s caught up in the spell of his beauty.

“No way, that’s
the
Angel of Chaos?” she asks, her voice incredulous and her eyes wide.

“That’s him all right,” I answer, rubbing my arm that still stings in the spot where Bernael’s fingers burned it.

“You are standing on the land of an Alchemist of the Royal Order. It also appears you’ve hurt one of my house’s occupants.”

“So what if I have?” Bernael answers, his smile wicked.

“You will remove your paralyzing spell from my forest and then you will get off my land,” Mabry instructs.

Bernael crosses his arms and beams a smile at all of us. He’s painfully beautiful, but it’s the kind that’s tainted. Even though you ache to touch his beauty, there’s this little voice stopping you from doing so. At least those are my thoughts on the matter. I’m worried about Cori, though. She’s completely wrapped up in this image of a gorgeous man standing before us.

“Girls, I’ll meet you back at the house,” Mabry says without looking directly at us. We turn around and start back as he has said to do.

“Princess, it’s not too late to reconsider my offer,” Bernael calls out to me. I don’t know why, but I turn around. “It is I who will be straight up with you. Unlike this man who hides the truth about your father’s intentions, even now as he considers himself to be protecting you. No matter. We’ll find use for your lover instead.”

“Time’s up, Angel of Chaos,” Mabry forms a silver sphere in his right hand. The ball lifts and begins spinning in the air about two feet above the palm it has lifted away from.

“I will not be told what to do by a reject from a dead race of magicians,” Bernael growls and raises his arms.

“Girls! Get back to the house. Now!” Mabry orders.

“Come on, Princess. I don’t think we want to see this.” Cori pulls me by my collar. I take a few steps backward, my eyes glued to the rays drifting out from inside the silver sphere. Something hitches inside my chest. Why does seeing the ball in action affect me this way? I shake off Cori’s hands and plant my feet on the ground, my feet spread apart.

“I need to see this,” I say in a distant voice.

The two men, powerful enemies that are well-versed in the magic of both their respective worlds, toss several rays at each other. The ground rumbles where the rays thud into the soil, shaking the stilled forest around us, wrenching it back to life one hit at a time. Silver light slams against golden beams while a metallic scent fills the air.

A vacuum surrounds me, pulling me into an abyss I don’t understand. I know what’s happening, though. The magic calls to the sleeping part of my body Father has suppressed, the place that allows me to change and give life, the way I did for Caleb all those years ago.

“Gia! Move your feet!” Cori shouts at me.

Blinking rapidly, I pull my thoughts back to the present situation. I’m about to get roasted. A few beams strike the ground near my feet. I go airborne, striking the ground with a force that makes my teeth chatter just as a ray of gold strikes the spot where I was just standing.

Laughter starts next. A deep, rumbling noise that sounds as inhumanly terrible as the thing making it. The beams have stopped. The forest, although still eerily silent, permits the wind to shuffle through the great oaks surrounding us, the opposite of how still the ancient structures were moments ago.

Both Cori and I turn our heads toward Mabry and Bernael.

“This could go on all day, my old friend. You know this,” Bernael says to him. “You fight to defend this imitation of a world, wise one, yet you harbor the thing to bring about your undoing under your very own roof.” He turns his perfect gaze toward me, the wind whips his golden hair around his face as his laughter cuts through me like knives. “We shall see each other again, Giancarella Terezie Zapelatova.” My breath catches and I feel dizzy as the syllables of my full name roll off Bernael’s tongue, the richness of his accent giving them a life of their own.

If I wasn’t sitting on the ground, then I’d probably faint. Bernael knew my name the entire time. How? Why hasn’t he used this knowledge against me?

Lifting his fist into the air, the Angel of Chaos glances upward. Wings that are the color of night and wide as a small bedroom sprout out of his back. Yes, I know he’s evil—tainted, a Black Wing, whatever you choose to name him—yet the sight of this creature steals my breath away.