Lost in Her Depths, page 7
“You wish for me to accompany you on this hike?”
“Sure, why not?” Ella turned away and picked up several items from on top of the dresser.
“You continue to confuse and confound me.”
“Good.” Ella smirked over her shoulder at him, then turned away a second later. He watched as she approached the door before she turned back toward him. “I’ll be downstairs long enough to have some breakfast. If you want to hike up Diamond Head with me, come join me downstairs. Otherwise, I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Jajal,” he said, shaking his head as the door closed behind Ella. Artur rose to his feet, gathered his clothes, and got dressed. There was no point in sitting around this room. Fresh air would do me some good. This hike is the perfect opportunity to get to know Ella.
The sun was shining brightly and its warmth heated his skin as they made the crisscrossing hike up the side of an enormous mountain. Sweat ran down both of their faces from the exertion, but seeing the beauty all around him helped take his mind off of his other thoughts. The trail lookouts showcased the tranquil blue ocean below. He breathed in the sea breeze, enjoying the salty smell. He missed living by the sea. The Guardian palace had no water anywhere near it.
“I do not know if or when I’m going to get over my aversion to your strange motor vehicles. You’ve said this mountain volcano is dormant,” he said, stepping back onto the windy trail.
“Yes, it’s been dormant for I don’t know how many years. I think I read somewhere once that it’s been dormant for over a hundred thousand years, but don’t quote me on that,” she said, reaching for the staircase railing.
“Meaning it could one day become active again?”
“Yeah, it’s always possible,” Ella said, stepping off the staircase to a small view point.
“Even with that possibility, people continue to climb it?” Artur veered off the path, sticking close to Ella’s side. Why would anyone risk that? Why are we risking our lives?
“Yep, they do because the view from the top is supposed to be spectacular,” she said, taking a deep breath before reaching for the next staircase railing.
He took her smaller hand into his own, halting her movement. “Let’s rest a bit before heading up the next set of daunting stairs.”
Ella paused, bit her lip, then nodded. “Okay, I could use a break.”
They walked over to a small bench that sat beside the small view point. Sitting down, Artur brushed his sweat soaked hair out of his eyes. “Tell me more about your family, Ella.”
She brushed her dark locks out of her face and took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, I know you have a family, but nothing else beyond that.”
“Okay, I’m the middle child in a family of five siblings. My two older brothers and two younger sisters are all twins.”
“You have no twin?”
“No,” Ella said, shaking her head. “My siblings can also wield magic. Donovan has the power over fire, and Jacob has the power over earth.”
“What about your younger sisters? What magical abilities do they possess?”
“None so far.” Ella shrugged, then looked out over the crystal blue water of the ocean. “Anastasia and Freya are two years younger than me and their magic should have manifested on their eighteenth birthday, but...”
“It didn’t,” Artur surmised.
“No, it didn’t. The only natural element left is air, but I wouldn’t think my sisters would share that gift. Especially since Donovan and Jacob have different gifts.”
“What about your parents? I heard you and Cat talking about their accident...”
“They didn’t die in a car accident. I suspect someone killed them, but I can't prove it.”
“You will,” Artur said, reaching for her hand and gently squeezing it.
“Thank you, Artur. Come on, we’ve sat here long enough,” Ella said, standing up. When we get to the top, watch your head as you step out of the hatch at the end of the tunnel. I bumped my head against it the last time I did this hike,” Ella said, smiling down at him.
Why is she smiling? Why am I feeling as I did for Yema when I’m around her? “Thank you for the warning.” Artur rose to his feet, stepped up behind her, and reached for the next set of staircase railings.
Upon leaving the hatch, someone gave them a certificate adorned with a rainbow to celebrate their accomplishment. Ella’s assessment of the views they’d see from the summit was an understatement. It was more breathtaking than the first time he flew through the sky as a young boy. Ella pulled at a small device she’d called a cell phone and began snapping pictures of the views. He spent more time admiring her excitement than he did taking in the surrounding beauty.
“Artur, look,” Ella said, grabbing his hand and pulling him up to the metal railing. “It is a humpback whale,” she said, pointing down at the water as a speck broke the surface of the water.
It’s beautiful, just like you. Artur froze, frowning at each new thought that ran through his mind. He was walking a very thin line at the moment. All it would take was one wrong move or judgment call to bring Maleniel’s wrath down on his head. He needed to tread carefully if he wished to not break the Guardian’s most sacred of laws.
She snapped several pictures of the speck before she turned to face him. The smile she gave him knocked all the air out of his lungs while her fingers brushed against his arm. He fought the urge to lean in and kiss her. I don’t remember my feelings for Yema manifesting so soon after meeting her. Perhaps Earth is affecting me more than I realized?
Returning her smile, he watched her ask another mortal if they’d take their picture. When she slid her arm around his waist, he bit back a groan. He smiled at the cell phone while raging a mental war on his body’s reactions toward Ella. She snapped a few more pictures before they made the trek back down the side of the mountain.
“That was a wonderful experience, Ella. Thank you for inviting me on this hike.” His eyes drifted down, watching the sway of her hips. She is a goddess among mortals.
“You’re welcome, Artur. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I can’t wait to jump in the shower and wash all this sweat off.”
“I agree.” He reached out and brushed his fingers down her arm. “I need a shower as well.”
“So, did you enjoy riding in style?”
“Style...I don’t understand,“ Artur said, turning the door handle and stepping into the room.
“Yeah,” Ella said, laughing. “We rode in a limousine. For a lot of celebrities, that’s the only way they’ll travel.”
“You are a strange race.” He smiled, seeing Cat sitting in the room at the small table. “Cat, how was your tour?”
“It was amazing. I could see both the beauty of the ranch, but also visit real movie locations as well. How was your hike up, Desmond Head?”
“It was strenuous, but beautiful. Wouldn’t you agree, El...”
“That’s wonderful,” Cat said, cutting him off.
Artur glanced between the friends, frowning as he did so. “Cat...”
“No, don’t worry about it, Artur,” Ella said, stepping into the bathhouse and closing the door.
Enough is enough! “Cat, this has to stop.”
“What are you talking about?” Cat put down her pen and rose to her feet.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Did Ella keep a secret from you? Yes, she did. Did she do that intending to hurt you? No, she didn’t.”
“Then please tell me why she did it, Artur?” Cat turned toward him, took a couple of steps toward the two queen beds, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“She did it to protect you from this mysterious witch hunter society.”
“So, she says,” Cat snapped.
Come on, Cat, you have to be smarter than that. “You think she’s lying to you now?”
“Oh, I know she’s being honest about the witch hunters. It’s the trust factor I’m questioning right now.”
“You think she didn’t tell you about any of this because she didn’t trust you?”
“Or she didn’t trust I could keep the secret.”
“Cat, I’ve been alive for two hundred and thirty solar years.” He paused, Seeing Cat’s jaw drop and her eyes raise. “My age isn’t the point. The point is, I know what happens when you lose trust in someone.”
“Artur, I’m sorry, but you know nothing about humans.”
“You’re right. I don’t, but it seems we act the same way humans do when we lose trust in someone.”
“Who broke your trust?” Cat crossed her arms and sat down on her bed.
“Her name was Yema. She was a fellow Guardian in training, and my fiance.”
“Was it the broken trust that split you apart?”
“No, it was the Nagaro who murdered her that broke us up. But because of my anger, Yema died all alone.” I have her blood on my hands. Had I done my duty, she might still be alive. “Therefore, it’s imperative that you make up with Ella. You don’t know what tomorrow holds.”
“All right, I’ll talk to Ella before we leave for dinner and our sunset cruise,” Cat promised.
“That’s all I can ask for,“ Artur said, looking at the bathhouse door seeing it open,
“You’re up,” Ella said, stepping out into the main room.
He nodded, then turned back toward Cat. “Remember what I said.”
“I will,” Cat said, giving him a warm smile.
“You look lovely, Ella,” Artur said, brushing past her and entering the bathhouse.
“Thanks,” Ella said, following him inside. “Do you have showers on Sundara?”
He smirked down at her and raised a single eyebrow. “Yes, we have bathhouses on Sundara. Ours don’t look like yours, but I’m sure I can figure it out.” She smells like a summer rainstorm, and her hair has hints of sweet fruit. Why do I want to run my fingers through her damp locks? These thoughts are becoming more difficult to ignore.
“You’re a smart guy. I know you can, but it’ll just be faster if I show you,” Ella said, sliding a glass door open.
“You have my full attention.” Artur smiled, seeing the red blush run up Ella’s neck and inflame her cheeks. That was a positive reaction.
Ella cleared her throat and pushed her dark brown locks behind her ears. “It’s really easy. All you do is turn this knob to the left for hot water and toward the right for cold. To start the shower spray, you pull up on this small knob. Questions?”
As she turned to face him, Artur reached out his hand and brushed his fingers against her arm. “No, but thank you for showing me what to do.”
“You’re welcome,” Ella said, blushing even more before she turned around and stepped out of the bathhouse.
How did you get under my skin so fast?
The sun hung low in the sky once they reached the docks for their Sunset cruise. Happy mortals talked all around him, but he only focused on Ella. Cat excused herself the moment they boarded, yet Ella didn’t seem upset by that. What does Ella know that I do not? They walked the length of the Ship until they were standing at the front of it. The salty sea breeze brushed against their skin and filled their lungs with the smell of the ocean.
“Are you cold?”
“No, why?” Ella glanced up at him.
“You have these slight bumps that just appeared down your arms,” he said, sliding his hand down her skin.
“Oh,” she said, laughing as she lowered her head. “We call them goosebumps. I’m sure you have a cooler name for them.”
Artur shook his head and stepped up behind her. “We don’t, actually. Our skin doesn’t react in this way.” He reached around her, rubbing his hands up and down her bare arms. Her skin is so soft.
“Takaryns never get cold?” Ella leaned into the warmth of his body.
“We do. The difference is when we get cold, we wrap our wings around our bodies,” he said, laying his right hand flat against Ella’s stomach.
“But you don’t have your wings right now,” Ella said, turning her face toward him again.
“Then perhaps you can help keep me warm when I get cold?” He gave her a slight grin and brushed his fingers against her cheek.
“My, aren’t we presumptuous,” she said, leaning up on her toes.
“Am I wrong to make such a claim?” Artur shifted his body slowly and lowered his head.
“No,” Ella said, inching her lips closer toward his.
“Look! It’s a humpback whale!”
Another passenger ran into his back, shattering their tender moment. Ella blasted and turned her head away. He watched her before he lifted his gaze to the large jumping animal off to the right of the ship. I almost kissed her. I have to put a stop to these desires. Ella isn’t a Takaryn, so there’s no future for us. I must find a way home before I break her heart.
Chapter Eight: Ella
“Ella, I’m sorry for how I’ve been treating you.”
“It’s okay, Cat. I should have...”
“No, it’s not. You had a good reason for not telling me your secret. I was acting like a spoiled brat, saying you didn’t trust me enough to tell me. The truth is, I didn’t believe you before when you said you were trying to protect me.”
“You didn’t?” Ella felt her heartbreak at the admission.
“I’m sorry. You were being honest with me about the Witch Hunter Society. I hate it took hearing this news from another source was what it took for me to believe you. I should have believed you from the start. That’s on me, and I know that.”
“Cat, you’re human, just like I am. It’s in our nature to question everything, and magic is no different. I get it. So that’s what changed your mind.”
“Yes, I called another close friend of mine, and she confirmed the existence of the Witch Hunter Society. It sounds like you and your family aren’t their only targets...”
Ella stared up at the ceiling, sighing quietly. Cat and Artur crashed within an hour of getting back to the hotel. She, on the other hand, was wide awake. The information Cat relayed about the witch hunter society with an insurmountable feeling of dread. What if Cat was right that the society had been watching her and her family for years? She believed with every ounce of her being, they’d go after anyone if it meant they got what they wanted.
Could they have gone after Daniel, just like Cat suspected? If that’s true, what would they do to Cat or Artur if they got their hands on them? The thought of either of them getting hurt or killed scares me to death. What if I can’t protect them? Everything that would happen to them would be all my fault.
“None of that is going to happen. I won’t allow it to,” Ella whispered, clenching her hands into tight fists.
She was more determined than ever to get her magic fully under her control instead of it doing whatever it wants from time to time. If I only had more time in Hawaii to practice, but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. Tomorrow in... nope correction. Today is jam packed with the dolphin cruise and the luck tonight. Then Cat and I fly back to Boston tomorrow night. I suppose I’ll need to continue practicing after I get back home.
She turned her head, glancing over at Artur. He’s going to be stuck here. There’s no way Cat is going to figure out how to find him a portal in the next two days. What am I going to do if she can’t? He has no documents that would allow him to even get on a plane. I can’t think about this right now.
“Ella, go to sleep,” Cat whispered, rolling over and facing her.
“How did you know I was awake? I haven’t said anything,” Ella whispered.
“You may have said nothing out loud in the last five minutes, but you’re thinking very loud thoughts,” Cat whispered.
“I’m sorry I’ve been disturbing your sleep.”
“It’s okay. I know you have a lot on your mind, but just try to get some sleep.”
“I’ll try,” Ella said, rolling over and closing her eyes.
“Ella... they’re coming."
“Mom...”
“Be careful... they’re coming...”
“Mom!” Ella jerked awake, sitting up and running a trembling hand through her hair. She pulled her knees to her chest and laid her chin on her knees.
“Hey, are you all right?” Cat moved from the table and sat down on the bed.
“What time is it?”
“It’s nine o’clock. Did you have another nightmare?”
Ella lifted her head, shrugging her shoulders. “I’m not sure. If I had a nightmare, it was a very short one.”
“What was it about?”
“I heard my mom’s voice, but I couldn’t see her. The fog was too thick. She was giving me a warning.”
“What did she say?” Ella looked from Cat to Artur and back again. “All she said was they’re coming.”
“Who are they?“ Artur leaned forward in his chair.
“That’s just it. I don’t know. My best guess is the Witch Hunter Society, but I really don’t know,” Ella said, biting her lip.
“I say don’t worry about it,” Cat said, rubbing her arm? “This isn’t some warning from beyond the grave. You were already worrying about the WHS, so it makes sense for you to have a nightmare about them.”
“What if there’s more to this nightmare than my worry manifesting itself?”
“Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Cat said. “You can’t live your life in fear.”
“I agree with Cat,” Artur said, moving over to his bed.
“Thank you both for the support. I really appreciate it. How about we change our current scenery for some beautiful blue waves?”
“I thought you didn’t buy the dolphin cruise tickets?” Cat said, looking at Artur, then back at her.
“I didn’t buy them,” Ella confirmed.
“Then how are we going to go out into the ocean?”
“All I have to do is rent a boat and drive us out to a pleasant spot and possibly get some interactions from the local marine life,” Ella said, smiling.
