Perilous Waters (44 page)

Something wasn’t right. She normally waited with an expectant smile for him, her eyes lighting up as he lifted her in a hug.

A gust of wind rustled the hem of her thin pajama shirt and lifted the ends of her pale hair. She remained still.

At last her lashes lifted, wet with tears.

“David.”

His name was a choked, broken word. Whatever was wrong paralyzed her with fear. The desire to soothe her overwhelmed him. His arms came around her, pulling her thin frame close, but she shook her head wildly.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, letting her push back as she struggled to face the ocean.

“Why are you here? You said you were going to your uncle’s house.” She grasped both of his hands, her fingers biting into his flesh. “You—you have to leave.”

“My uncle thought it would be fun to have a bonfire party.”

Her head shook from side to side again, her chest rising and falling as the mark on her arm seared with light. She moaned, turning to face the ocean as though by some unseen force.

David put himself in front of her even as she tugged him away. Whatever had her so frightened, he wouldn’t let it harm her. His eyes narrowed on the ocean, searching, even though he didn’t know what for. “Tell me what’s out there.”

A head emerged from the water. And then another. A skitter of fear sped up his spine.

Her round, wide eyes locked on his. “Monsters,” she whispered.

His head whipped to where his parents and family sat around a bonfire. As far as he could tell, none of them noticed that he had gone toward the shore. From what Angie had told him of the creatures, he needed to get his family out of here. Fast.

“They’re coming,” she screamed. “Run!”

The terror in her voice made his blood run cold. He ran with her, hand in hand, kicking up sand as they raced to his family. Angie used her free hand to search something on her phone. He looked behind them as they sped faster, a burst of adrenaline surging through his veins at the sight of giant, slithering shapes approaching.

“Julia, get to Mother’s Beach,” Angie yelled into her phone. “Call Kaitlyn. And bring Ethan.”

David felt the air change behind him, becoming damp and chill. He knew they were close. They were after Angie and he couldn’t let them hurt her. He would never let anything happen to her.

He watched a monster reach for him, its clawed, webbed hand missing his shoulder by inches. With a grunt he pumped his legs faster, but a moment later he was dragged back, searing pain cutting his arm.

“What—” but her words ended in a cry as he was wrenched from her grasp.

“Go,” he yelled to her as the massive sea creature slammed him to the ground.

“No,” she cried, her face a mask of animal-like determination. “
No!
”

David punched the monster in the face, breaking free from its grasp, only to be seized again.

A blast of light flared from Angie, hitting the demon and sending it flying back. Faintly he heard collective gasps and panicked voices from behind them.

“Go to my family,” he said, gasping. “Tell them whatever you need to, but get them off this beach.”

“Not without you,” she said, blasting another monster. “You have to get away, David. You don’t understand.”

The monsters lay unconscious around him. He stood. “I won’t leave you!”

“You have to,” she said forcefully. “This is what I’m trained to do. And if you don’t go, they will kill you—”

Creatures slithered up the powdery sand. A swell of water formed behind them like a deadly promise of more to come.

“Go, David.
Please.
”

Her eyes shone in the moonlight, but he shook his head. He couldn’t live with himself if he left her here.

The tide churned and grew, rising higher than he could have believed possible. His stomach dropped at the sight.

A creature charged. He punched it, knocking it to the ground, even as another leapt at him.

Angie blasted it, but it was clear her magic wasn’t coming as quickly, or as powerfully, as it had before. The next one she shot only remained stunned for a moment. Its eyes flew open and it lunged at him.

“David,” she screamed.

Her horrified eyes preceded a claw slashing his chest as several monsters decided to take him toward the water in unison.

“What’s going on?” he heard Julia yell. Ethan ran at her side, and David’s relief surged.

Ethan sent a blast of magic toward one of the creatures attacking David. His white, crackling lightning drove the creatures back. David strained and kicked, his arms held back by the creatures who seemed determined to drag him into the sea.

“No,” he yelled, freeing one arm, but icy water rushed up to swallow his legs. A wave crashed over them, and with it, more clawing hands. His neck and back screamed with pain. Hot blood gushed from his chest.

His fighting became weaker as the sound of the tide grew more muffled. So many creatures… but Angie. Angie would be safe. Her magic would keep her safe.

“There he is,” a voice cried. “Illuminate!”

David forced himself to latch onto that voice. It was Angie. The small, strong girl who came to him seeking friendship and sanctuary, her eyes deep with mystery and her heart eager to love. He held onto the thought of her, an anchor in this raging tide that even now tossed his body along like a piece of driftwood.

Nothing made sense. Car alarms blared in the distance. Lightning and magic blasted across his spotty vision. Voices rose and fell, with words fading in and out of his hearing as he grasped for consciousness.

Silence came over him as he descended into the ocean’s cold depths. Not even the waves’ eternal motion could be heard. He fought for his last grip on conscious thought, when from behind, below, seemingly all around, a golden glow began to shine with increasing brightness. It seemed the sea bubbled with liquid light as a beautiful song rose from the thrashing waves, and with it, David’s pain and fear fell away.

Gentle hands slid beneath his arms. With the next roll of the tide, he was delivered to shore. Ethereal singing filled his mind, and he wondered if it were angels from heaven singing as he died.

“David,” Angie said, her voice a faraway echo. She shook him by the shoulders, and he heard choked sobbing. “David, please wake up. Wake up. Wake up!”

With more effort than he thought possible, he forced his eyes open enough to see her. Blood pumped from his torn flesh. He tried to sit up and saw it spilling in bright red streams around them both.

“I don’t,” he said, each word an aching rasp. “I don’t think I will be okay.”

“Of course you will,” she said, tears muffling her words. “The monsters are gone now.”

His scalp tingled as her fingers stroked back his hair. He cherished the feel of her soft, loving caress. But his body wouldn’t stop shaking. His mind begged for darkness. Silence. “I’m… I’m cold,” he said, surprised that the words were barely a whisper.

“Restore,” she said on trembling lips. “R-r-restore.”

Whatever spell she cast, it wasn’t enough. He could feel his spirit slipping from his body. His eyes slid shut. “I love you, angel,” he managed.

Wave upon wave of memories washed over him. The confusing years of his early youth; the orphanage; the day he met his adopted parents; bedtime stories and Christmas mornings; his first day of school and many more to follow; the first time he saw Angie on the playground; afternoons in his treehouse; his first basketball game; their first kiss.

“
David.
”

The wail was Angie’s.

The lapping water swallowed his wounds, which no longer pained him. He saw with his eyes closed. He saw a warm, welcoming light.

He heard someone say, “It’s too late,” and he heard someone else say, “No,” and “Restore,” over and over again.

A conflicted feeling rose in his soul. Ahead of him, the light beckoned, and he longed for the peace it offered. But something held him back. A small hand that clung to him. A begging voice, urging him to fight.

“He will die, Angie,” another voice said. “But that doesn’t mean he will no longer live.”

David could make no sense of the man’s words.

“Bind him to you,” the voice continued.

Wind picked up, carrying each ghostly syllable across David’s mind as though the idea itself were too haunted to be carried through mortal senses alone.

“Turn him into a Wanderer.”

Thank you for reading Timespell: Perilous Waters! If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review. Even just a sentence or two would make all the difference, and be very much appreciated:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing
a sequel, I once thought, would be easier than writing the first story in a series. My characters already exist, my world is already built, so theoretically, most of the work is already done, right? As I sit on the cusp of my sequel’s publication, I know I couldn’t have been more wrong, and I can’t be the first author to laugh at herself for being so naïve.

Thank goodness I am fortunate enough to have a small army of friends and loved ones who couldn’t have been more supportive. Some of these wonderful souls have been with me since the start of my writing journey, and others have joined my crazy adventure along the way. From online friends who bring a smile to my face whenever we cross paths on the interwebs, to family who cheer me on and tell everyone who will listen about my books, I’m lucky to have each and every one of you. Thank you!

Amalia Dillin, I cherish you so much. Your friendship, reassurance, and love have helped me through some of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face in life. Without your unfailing support, I don’t know where I would be. Your advice has helped me see clearly and, as always, my stories are stronger because of you. I’m forever grateful to you, my friend!

Tina Sandoval, I don’t know how I was lucky enough to earn your loyalty and love, but your friendship means more to me than you could ever know. Brave woman that you are, you read my stories before they’re fit for human consumption and help me see that they’re worth fighting for. Thank you for always cheering me on and never letting me lose sight of my dreams.

Sam Sandoval, a new addition to Team Timespell. Your excitement motivates me, and I find myself wanting to write because I know you can hardly wait to read. Thank you so much for loving my characters and my stories almost as much as I do!

Trisha Leigh, superhero of the writing world, your encouragement is inspiring beyond words. Talented and vibrant, the fact that you think I can accomplish my goals helps me remember to believe in myself.

Jason Beymer, thank you for coming to another book’s rescue. Your eagle eyes and creative guidance are invaluable, and I hope to have your support for many projects to come.

Ariana Paz, from the moment I knew you would be a part of my life, I have loved you with all of my heart. As you grew, I dreamed of the day you might pick up a book I had written, and I wondered what you would think. Now, you have become my biggest fan, and to my surprise, one of the newest additions to Team Timespell. Thank you for your typo-catching eagle eyes, your thoughtful comments, and most of all, for being the most wonderful daughter a mom could ever be blessed with.

Kevin Poythress, I could never have imagined the impact you would have not only in my life, but in who I am as a person. Your enthusiasm and total support for my decisions and my career are a constant source of confidence and artistic nourishment. An incredible creative talent in your own right, you went beyond simply reading my work, going through my story scene by scene, plot point by plot point, turning ideas over in your mind to help me see how to strengthen the world I created. This story is dramatically better because of you, and so is my life.

To Kirstie Ader, Karen Amanda Hooper, Emmaline Hoffmeister, Carlos Paz, Eileen Pierce, and everyone else who read my book throughout its various stages, helped me promote, or encouraged me in whatever ways they were able, thank you for providing positivity and light in what can be a daunting industry.

Finally, to my mother and my biggest fan, Olga Cedeño. Thank you for being a model of joy and grace throughout my entire life.

An
accomplished procrastinator, Diana Paz has always dreamed of freezing time. Born in Costa Rica and raised on Miami Beach, she moved to California in her teens and has never lived farther than a hundred miles from one ocean or another. She completed her BA in Liberal Studies at California State University, San Marcos, and lives in sunny Southern California.

Visit her at
www.dianapaz.com
.