Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
Zania closed her eyes, crying silently, but didn’t struggle anymore.
Blake and Kaidan watched us as we passed, looking solemn. Kaidan handed me another bracelet.
Downstairs looked like a compact apartment. The space was cramped but somehow plush in its pristine cleanliness and miniature appliances. Kopano laid Zania on the full bed in the corner. She rolled, facing away from him.
“She needs to eat,” he said to me in a low voice. I was guessing food had been another battle they’d fought with her. I nodded at Kope and he left us. Before I could say a word, Zania spoke.
“Please, Anna. I cannot stomach food.” She reached up and I went forward, sitting next to her and taking her outstretched hand. I slipped the bracelet on her.
“Okay, Z, but you need to eat soon. When we get off this boat, I want you to try. Will you do that?”
She gave the tiniest nod. “Just do not leave me.”
Zania needed to be touching me at all times. I was grateful to have her at my side, even in her raw condition.
“Try to rest,” I whispered. “You’re safe now.”
I had no idea how long the boat ride took—an hour, maybe two. I stayed at Zania’s side while she dozed until the boat came to a stop. Blake poked his head down to give me a thumbs-up. Zania made no attempt to move.
“Do you want to come see the island?” I asked.
“No.” Her voice was hoarse. “You go. I will rest.”
It felt like an accomplishment that she was willing to let me leave her, but I worried about her lack of energy. She still had moments of trembling, or even full body shaking. I fished out a pack of crackers and a bottle of water and set them next to her.
“Promise me you’ll try to eat these,” I said.
She groaned and I squeezed her shoulder. “Promise me. You have to eat something.”
“I will try,” she grumbled into the pillow.
I stood to go, checking the cupboards on my way out to be sure there was no liquor hiding anywhere.
Kaidan was waiting for me on the deck when I came up. He leaned against the side of the boat, hair flapping in the gusting wind. I stepped into his arms, letting him shield me against the rough breeze.
The boat was tethered to the end of a long, weatherworn dock. In the middle of the dock was a boathouse, which Blake unlocked and went in.
When an engine purred to life Kai and I let go of each other to look over the ledge. Blake sped up on a Jet Ski, slicing the water as he skidded to a stop next to us. He wore only a pair of black boxer briefs.
“I forgot these were out here,” Blake said. “Go get one, man!”
“Are you in your pants there, mate?” Kaidan asked, shaking his head at Blake’s undies.
“Yup. You better cover your girlfriend’s eyes.” He winked at me, and then I was the one shaking my head as Blake stared up with a mischievous glint. “Nah, she’s cool with it—aren’t you, Anna? Did you tell Kai yet about how you got drunk and I had to spank you to keep you in line?”
I gasped, my face suddenly on fire. That story sounded really bad out of context.
“Not funny, Blake,” Kaidan said. “Don’t make me kick your arse.”
Blake laughed and spun the Jet Ski around, spitting up water. “Gotta catch me first!”
My heart was beating too fast when Kaidan turned to me, half grinning. He frowned when he saw my face. “He was only taking the mick out of you, luv.”
Huh?
“Joking,” he clarified.
“Oh.” I dropped my gaze. “But, I mean, I did drink when you were gone. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you about it yet.”
“Anna.” He lifted my chin. “I trust you. And Blake may run his gob, but I trust him as well.”
I bit my lip and nodded. After the way Kaidan reacted to the kiss with Kopano, I didn’t know if maybe it was because he was jealous by nature. Guess not. Only Kope made him feel genuinely threatened.
“Are you all right, then?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I feel weird.” I wrapped my arms around myself and looked out at the island for the first time. Beside the dock was an untouched beach, wild and uninhabited. I wanted to explore and appreciate this experience, but a sense of dread had settled into me after the call from Dad.
“Is it—” He stopped himself, nodding at the cabin where Zania lay.
“Partly,” I admitted. Seeing her so sick, mentally and physically, was upsetting. I didn’t want her to feel abandoned when I returned to Georgia. I wished she could come live with Patti and me, but that would be far too dangerous for all of us. “It’s probably just knowing the Dukes are in California, even though I know we’re far from them.”
“Leave off the worries and enjoy the island.”
I sighed, going up on my toes to kiss his lips. I loved how a lingering peck could cause him to close his eyes and get that dreamy look of desire on his face.
“You boys go play,” I told him. “I need to take a walk and clear my head. Go on.” I poked his muscled abs, and he grabbed my hand, kissing my fingertip.
“I’ll be listening for you, so call out if you need anything.”
We kissed again and he ran off. I checked Zania one last time. My hopes lifted when I saw she’d eaten a cracker and drunk a little water. She was in a deep sleep now. I tiptoed out, feeling better about exploring the mountainous terrain.
The island held a prehistoric beauty virtually untouched by man. The “beach” was a thin strip of murky sand and rocks, crowded by a jumble of plant life. Different types of seabirds were everywhere, ruling the fragile ecosystem. At the end of the dock was a trail leading into the trees, which I assumed led to the house I could see built above on the cliffside.
I didn’t want to take the chance of getting lost in the forest, so I decided to walk along the water instead.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been walking, but it came as no surprise to me when I happened upon Kopano, sitting on a rock. His jeans were rolled up and small waves splashed his bare feet. My heart beat a little faster when our eyes met and he patted the rock next to him. I climbed up and sat cross-legged, not certain what to say. I didn’t want to upset Kaidan by having a moment with Kope, but he was my friend. I considered talking to Kope in sign, but I didn’t want any secrets between Kaidan and me. He said he trusted me, and I had nothing to hide.
“How are you?” I asked Kope.
“I am well. As are you, I see. I am . . . glad for your happiness. For too long you were sad.”
We sat quietly looking out at the ocean, rough from constant blasts of sea wind.
“Kaidan said you were awesome in Syria.”
Kope looked down at his feet.
“Those men spoke the language of money, and they were glad to be rid of her. But I was angry when I saw the prison’s conditions. She was beaten and unclothed. She—”
He stopped abruptly and shook his head, breathing out through his nose to calm himself. I tried to imagine how frightening Kope must have looked at that moment in Syria as he attempted to contain his wrath over Zania’s treatment. Those men couldn’t have known why Kope seemed so fierce, but they would have known not to cross him.
“Thank you,” I told him. “For everything.”
He looked at me and I hoped he could see how much I valued him—that I couldn’t have made those trips without him. And that I wanted so much for him to be happy.
He nodded. “You are welcome, Anna. For everything.”
“Do you think Z’s going to be okay?” I whispered.
He paused, looking back out at the water. “I believe if she fights for her life half as hard as she fought Kaidan and me, she will thrive.” He grinned to himself.
Then he tilted his head, listening. “She is stirring,” he whispered.
“I’ll go to her.” I hopped down from the rock and squeezed his arm before beginning the journey back to the boat. I peeked over my shoulder to wave at Kope, but he was already staring at the sea again.
“How’re you feeling?” I asked.
“Hungry.”
My face lit up with excitement and I clapped my hands. “Let’s raid the kitchen!”
She followed me down to the tiny galley. There wasn’t much of a selection, so I made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, piling a plate high for all of us.
Zania ate quickly, then downed a bottle of soda. I could see on her face the moment she felt ill.
“Lie down,” I told her, leading her to the bed. She curled up and moaned. After days with an upset, empty stomach, the food and drink had been too much, too fast. I hoped she could keep it down.
The three others returned, so I brought the plate of sandwiches and drinks up to them. Kaidan and Blake were both shirtless with wet hair, wearing shorts. I stole glances at Kaidan’s bare skin while the others were busy talking. That’s my boyfriend right there, I silently announced. He caught me once and waggled an eyebrow. I looked away with a smile.
Everyone quieted and nodded respectfully at Zania when she came up. She dropped her gaze, but stood tall, moving to my side and taking my hand. Glimpses of her regal nature were returning. When the guys finished eating, all three of them got off the boat together. They came out of the boathouse with three kayaks and went straight into the water. For some reason I was surprised to see that Kope had his shirt off, too. He was the broadest of the three. I was glad to see him hanging out with them. He wasn’t as vocal as the other two, but he laughed when Blake splashed him with a paddle. When they were farther out, Zania raised her hands and signed to me, He is different from other men. Kopano.
Yes, I answered in sign. He is.
I tried not to grin as she turned back to watch them. So Kope had finally proven himself to her. Something I imagined no man had done before.
She shivered, but it seemed slight in comparison to the tremors she’d been having before. When she saw me looking at her, she said, “I cannot recall the last time I went so long without a drink.”
“How do you feel?” I asked.
“Strange, but better. I still crave, but for the first time I feel I might be able to stop. I wish to stop and never go back, but . . .”
“But it’s hard,” I whispered. She nodded and ran her fingers through her limp hair.
“I think I would like to bathe,” Zania said, further raising my hopes for her well-being.
She came out later looking revived with rosy cheeks and a glowing hue to her bronzed skin.
“You look good,” I told her. She smiled.
Together we climbed off the boat and walked along the dock, stopping halfway and lying on the wooden planks, soaking in the sun and breeze.
“I owe your beau an apology,” she said after some time.
“What?” I rolled to my side and rested my head in my palm. “My beau?”
“The son of Pharzuph,” she said. Her eyes were closed. “I knew he belonged to you when he showed me your picture on his telephone. He kept looking at it. And then I blackened his eye as we traveled through Damascus when he would not stop for alcohol.”
“You did?” A giggle came out.
She opened her eyes. “I must apologize.”
“Don’t worry, Z. He doesn’t hold it against you.”
“I like when you call me Z.”
“That’s how my mother and I always refer to you. I can’t wait for you to meet her someday.”
I smiled at her, but her own smile twitched and fell. Her eyes squinted, trained on the horizon. I shielded my eyes with a hand and looked out, too. A gray, hazy speck flapped its way toward us like an ugly bruise against the sky. We both gasped as the demon whisperer came into view.
No.
There was nowhere to hide. It would have seen us both by now. Zania began trembling next to me. My breathing went as shallow as hers.
“Guys,” I said, trying not to move my mouth as it came closer. “A spirit is here. A whisperer.”
The feel of the hilt nestled against my ankle gave me a bit of false confidence. Using Zania to shield me, I discreetly pulled the hilt out, tucking it in the back of my shorts where it wouldn’t be seen.
I stood with my back to the spirit and signed to Z, I will handle it, then turned and walked to the end of the dock by the boat, having no idea what I would say or do. As the whisperer flew closer the tension filtered from my body. I let out a huge sigh.
“It’s Azael.”
I only had a second to be relieved before I saw the ferocious look of Azael’s features and my fear revived. He flew at me so fast that I flinched when he halted an inch from my face, his whisper screaming in my mind.
“Hide yourselves! Now! They are twelve miles out and nearing quickly. By my estimate you have forty minutes. Go!” And with those words of warning ringing in my ears, he sped away.
My heart spluttered and for a horrid second I couldn’t make a sound. Then I sucked in a giant breath and shrieked.
“They’re coming to the island!”
Where would we go? Could we hide? By the time the boys made it back, it might be too dangerous to go out to sea. What if the Dukes heard our boat and decided to see who was so close to the island?
Zania’s footsteps shook the dock as she ran to my side. I could hear the fast splashing of paddles in the water. The kayaks were in sight now. I shot my hearing out to them, but they were silent aside from the smacking of water. Probably afraid to talk. I knew the Dukes weren’t close enough to hear us, but it was still terrifying to speak.
“They’re twelve miles out,” I said to the air. “We have forty minutes. Hurry!”
Zania grabbed my hand. All three guys were paddling at max speed, but it still felt slow. After what seemed like forever, they hit the shore and sprinted up the dock with the small kayaks under their arms, returning them. We all huddled together, using our hands to talk silently, fumbling through phrases and not able to pay attention to everyone’s signing at once. Blake waved a frantic hand to get our attention. His signing was painfully slow.
Not enough gas in boat to go out to sea and still get back. Don’t know which way to go because I don’t know which port they’re coming from.
Can we hide in the trees? Kopano asked. That was a good idea. There had to be miles of forest.
What about the . . . Zania shook out her hands, frustrated, and then spelled out, b-o-a-t?
We’ll hide it on the far side of the island, Blake signed. Hope they don’t go back there.
Can we stay on the boat? I asked.
Blake shook his head. Better to hide. In case they find it.
Kaidan stuck out his hand to be heard next. Won’t work. My father will smell Anna.
Everyone looked at me and I closed my eyes. The breeze was constant, and Pharzuph’s nose was far-reaching. If he got one whiff of my very distinct scent . . .
I opened my eyes and we all stared around at one another like animals caught in a trap. Then Blake’s eyes widened.
Water, he signed, then pointed to the ocean. If she’s in water, he can’t scent her.
I envisioned being under water in scuba gear, which freaked me out a little, but I’d do it.
Kaidan thought about it, nodding, then snapped his fingers and pointed to Blake like he had an idea.
Within minutes we hatched a plan and got to work. I was going under. We were all going under.
“Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind.”
—John Milton, Comus
“The prince of darkness is a gentleman.”
—William Shakespeare, King Lear
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
SUBMERGED
There was no scuba gear. The island had no place where we could safely hide underwater, out of sight, without being dragged out to sea. We needed something to hold on to. Kaidan checked the boathouse, pointing to the open area where we could climb in the water and swim
Blake sped away in the boat with Kopano following on a Jet Ski to bring him back. The rest of us waited in silence inside the boathouse. I strapped the hilt tightly around my ankle.
I’d felt severely sick with nerves only once before in my life—a year and a half ago when I thought I’d be killed at the summit. But this time was worse. I’d been acting as an individual in NYC. Here on the island we were a group. If they caught us, we were all dead. I vowed to take down as many as I could before that happened.
The five of us sat on the edge of the walkway inside the boathouse. We’d splashed the entire dock with water to hide our footprints. Blake slipped into the water first, followed by Kope, then Zania. She let out a short hiss, but caught herself and quieted. They disappeared under the wooden planks. I turned to Kai to see if he was ready and found him staring at me with the same intense look he’d given me before the summit. No words were necessary. He never took his gaze from my face as he lifted a hand. At first I thought he was reaching for me, but then he slowly signed, I love you.
Bright, glowing joy filled my heart. My eyes welled and I mouthed, “I love you, too.”
I pulled him close and breathed him in, feeling him in every pore, letting his love drown out everything else. His strong arms went all the way around me. His actions had shown his love, but being told brought it to life. It had to be hard for him to get those words out for the first time in his life—to completely open himself and be vulnerable. We held each other as long as we could, until someone tugged our feet and we knew it was time.
With one last squeeze of hands, we slid down, holding the protruding planks to keep our descent quiet. I sucked in a breath, shocked by the water temperature. Kaidan didn’t appear surprised since he’d been in it all day, but I couldn’t believe how cold it was. We were on an island off the coast of sunny California in the middle of the summer! Wasn’t the water supposed to be warmer than this?
We glided through the water, the dock just a few feet above our heads. I moved carefully to avoid splashing. Some of the boards above us had large enough gaps between them to reach up and hold. Through the cracks and gaps in some of the warped boards we could see onto the dock, but nobody would be able to see us.