The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted (17 page)

“We’re not going anywhere.” Iris says firmly. She
switches topics; suddenly to let us both know they are done discussing it.
“We’re going to let off some fireworks. Wanna join us, Alec?”

Her question pointed at Alec annoys me, but I
choose to ignore it, and instead I stand up to straighten out my drenched
outfit.

I don’t even notice as Iris and Ava walk off but
Alec does. “I’ll be right back. Those two need to go.”

“I’m fine, really.” I say as I grab Alec’s wrist. I
don’t want to be the cause for a scene.

He sighs and looks at me now. “I’m sorry about
them. Really.” He’s shaking his head now and I can tell he’s still shaken from
what they just did.

I smile at him. “Walk with me to the water?” I try
to distract him and it seems to be working. I don’t want Iris and Ava to ruin
our night.

He takes my hand and we step towards the water, the
bonfire to our right now, we sink our feet into the shore. Fireworks still
explode in the distance but this time there are thunderous pops and screams
that accompany them. Simultaneously Alec and I look towards the noise.

Iris and Ava are running around the bonfire,
giggling. “Are they holding fireworks?” There’s shock in my voice.

Alec says nothing. It’s all in his expression as
he’s off charging towards the bonfire. The girls are screaming and laughing
hysterically. One of them trips and falls, but they get back up again and
continue to run.

When Alec catches up with them things settle down
and I turn towards the water. I sigh, knowing that this is nowhere near the end
of my troubles with these girls. I close my eyes, playing back the great
moments of the night so far. Alec likes me. He kissed me. I’m giddy still
feeling the tingle of my lips. In spite of recent events I’m just proud of Alec
for standing up to them.

Distant sounds of yelling capture my attention and
I turn to face the beach. The yelling is coming from Alec, Ava, and Iris. The
angry voices grow louder. I tune in to hear what Alec is saying.

“You girls need to go home. You have been nothing
but trouble since you got here.” Alec is clearly upset but I can see him trying
to keep calm. It’s Iris that’s being loud.

Iris turns her while dagger-like eyes on him. “What
are you talking about? No we have not.”

Alec shakes his head. “Yes. You have. You’ve been
running around this party trying to be the center of attention. Interrupting my
conversations. Treating Kat as if she’s dirt and she’s done nothing to you. You
two need to go home, sober up, and take a good look at yourselves. You look
like fools.”

Iris’s expression is as hot as Hawaiian lava about
to explode. “You have got to be joking me, Alec. I’m trying to protect you.
You’re running around here with Rose’s granddaughter. You know how creepy that
old lady is – creating laws for our town, holding secret meetings with
the rest of her cult followers – and now you’re falling for her spawn?”
The disgust in Iris’s voice was clear.

“Stop talking about her like she’s Satan. Iris,
she’s a nice girl and you would probably like her if you’d stop being so
jealous.”

“Jealous?” Her voice rises to a shriek. “I am NOT
jealous of that Summer girl. She’s a witch! Just like her grandmother.”

I cringe. Something in the sky pulls my focus
before I can react. I notice dark luminous clouds covering the entire beach.
They’re picking up speed. Could I be causing this?

“You know, she’s practically an orphan. Her mom
died, her dad abandoned her, and only Rose would take her? Who is this girl
anyway? You don’t even know her.”

My body begins to shake as if there’s a tiny
earthquake beneath me.

“Stop it. You’re obsession with the Summers needs
to be over,” Alec fires back.

“She’s a witch!” Iris hisses this time but I’m able
to make it out undoubtedly.

And there it is. That word.
Witch.
Fire
builds up inside me.

I barely see Alec pull away from her as my fury
within me grows at every hateful word Iris speaks of my grandmother and me. I
can feel the temperature in my body rising higher and higher, like a bubbling
detonation. This is new. Not euphoric like when I use my powers. This is
different. Strange.

“Alec, stay away from her.” Her plea is desperate.
It’s enough to set me over the edge.

My fists close tight and before I know what’s
happening my eyes shoot a laser-like white streak in Iris’s direction.

My mouth grows wide in horror as I watch the scene
unfold in slow motion. Iris reels back from my blast as she’s propelled towards
the bonfire.

Alec
lunges for Iris, a terrified look on his face. He grabs her before she gets any
closer to the fire that rages near them, threatening them with its thunderous
grumble. The wind roars above me. The teens that surround the bonfire react at
once. Everyone is panicked and hot from the deafening flames. Bodies scatter in
all directions – anywhere but near the fire.

Knowing
that I have to do something, I move towards the fire but my feet have recessed
deep into the sand and I’m caught. The sand is my prison and I fall to the
ground. I groan as I clench my jaw in a struggle with my own body. I’m sinking
lower into the quicksand as a great force propels me forward. My face falls
flat into the wet shore.
Ouch.

I look
up. The wind has taken control of the fire now and it’s grown at least one
story high. There are terrifying screams, gasps, and bodies running in all
directions.
Why can’t I move?

I grab
my necklace and close my eyes. “Release me!” I scream this over the sound of
the flames, not understanding my own words. I’m still stuck but I feel a
presence with me. “Release me now!” I scream again, more defiant. That’s when I
feel the sand soften beneath me. I use all of my heightened strength to wrestle
and claw my way out. I have to help Alec and Iris.

The
orange billowing flames are growing with every second. Most of the crowd has
scattered far away but Iris has fallen, caught by debris of the fire. Her hair
lights up in all orange tones. I scream. “Close your eyes!” My voice carries as
I will it to and without hesitation she slams her eyes shut. Alec stays with
her, using the sand to put out the flames that has taken her hair, but the fire
behind them grows wild and looks as if it’s about to attack. “Run!”

Alec
pulls Iris to her feet but she’s too limp or scared to stand. He drags her away
from the fire but it’s as if they are magnets to the flames.

I see
Ava now, standing off to the side, still – a horrified expression on her
face. She just stands there while Alec attempts to rescue Iris from the deadly
flames.

An
adrenaline rush surges through me and I pull myself from the sand. But before I
make it far a shield of smoke halts me in my tracks. The black smoke surrounds
me now, and I’m trapped inside its walls as it creeps in closer.

The
smoke nears my face I begin to gasp. Then choke. I fall back, desperately
searching my mind for the answer. I need to stop the fire. I think hard to
remember what I’ve learned over the past couple of weeks. And then I remember
the elements.

That’s
it.
I think to myself.
Water.
I look up. I remember everything that Rose
taught me that night by the pool. How could I forget such an experience? I use
all my energy, everything that I possess to pull the rain from the sky. It
comes down in a drizzle at first, but it’s working. I smile at my conquest. But
when I look to the fire disappointment sets in – the fire still rages on.
I need more water.

I look
over my shoulders at the restless Bay waters and decide I have no other choice.
I don’t know if this is even something I’m capable of. The last time I did
something so grand I had two other Enchanters with me but I have to try.

I turn
fully towards the water, so my body is facing it head-on. My inner strength
guides me. My arms slowly begin to push themselves away from my body and then
they lift steadily and focus with all of my strength. I use the wind and the
friction they create as my arms continue to rise.

I can
feel the magic working. I can sense the water at my command. I continue to
recreate the water in front of me and produce the largest wave the Bay has seen
in years.

Even
with the non-stop teachings of Rose and Charlotte over the past few weeks, I’ve
never done anything this crazy. I don’t even know how I’m doing it – or
if it’s the right thing to do. It’s too late to turn back now.

The
wave in front of me grows to the size of Summer Estates until it’s thundering
over the shore, ready to cascade on top of the equally threatening fire.

Water beats fire.
And with a quick release of my
hands, I allow it to do its will. It fires back toward me like a slingshot
– faster than I expected. I’m only able to take a short breath before it
covers me completely.

For
what seems like eternity, I’m thrown around the current like a rag doll. I use
my arm strength to pull me to higher water. I don’t know how far up I need to
go to reach the top but I just keep swimming. Every time I make the slightest
movement to the top, the tide pulls me down to the Bay floor. I’m losing breath
rapidly. Not even my magic can pull me out of the current that has seized me. I
made this wave. And now it’s my imminent death.

I’ve
lost all air and I’m growing weaker and weaker until my eyesight begins to
blacken. Unable to hold onto my power anymore, I release my will and float
among the water. An eerie peace overcomes my body.

I
imagine
Rose
talking to me now.
What makes us most
powerful can also kill us
. I think of how right she was for not wanting me
at this party. There is obviously so much we don’t know – things I can’t
control.

My
necklace
. And in my last hope I attempt to lift my arm to touch my
amethyst but my strength is gone – power drained. I’m lifeless and
floating away into my own darkness.

My
darkness begins to consume me.

Strong
arms tighten around my waist and pull me to the water’s surface. I’ve swallowed
so much water that it’s as if I’m still drowning. But the gentle breeze and
sound of waves crashing around me tells me that I’m being lifted into the air.

The
rest happens so fast as I’m fading in and out of consciousness.

I’m on
a cold hard surface…

Something
light and metal is swinging in front of me…

Someone
is pumping my chest…

I’m
choking…

A mouth
lands on mine…

Pressure
in my lungs causes me to heave water out of my mouth…

Water
continues to empty from my stomach and I can finally breathe again. I take a
gasp of air as if it’s my last.

There’s
a tightening on my neck and something snaps…

And then I lose myself completely to the darkness.

“Kat, wake up!” A voice screams at me over and over until
I’m pulled from my darkness. I look up and I see Alec. His glorious green eyes
shine down on me. “Kat!” He’s relieved. He looks tired, scared. Did he think I
was dead?

I try
to pull myself up. I want him to know I’m okay. But I am quickly dizzy. My head
falls into the sand.
Sand?
Wait. I thought I was on a boat.

“Just
relax Kat. You almost drowned.” Alec’s concern strengthens me. I smile up at
him, in spite of my near death experience. And then I remember Iris.

“The
fire! Alec. Where’s Iris?”

Alec
looks to his left. “The ambulance is coming. She’s okay. I was able to put most
of the fire out.”

He’s
looking me up and down and patting my arms, my waist, and then my face. He
pulls me in, but my arms are lifeless. I’m still weak.

“Are
you okay?” The concern in his voice tugs at my heart. But I’m too disturbed
from the events to reciprocate his affection.

I find
the strength to nod. “I’m okay.” I assume the croak in my voice tells him
different because he looks down at me, helplessly.

He
shakes his head, unbelieving. “That wave almost killed you. And it saved Iris’s
life.” A look of puzzlement reads clear in his expression. He wants to
understand what just happened, or why, or how. I can only imagine the thoughts
that play in his mind.

I look
in Iris’s direction and my heart breaks for her. She’s lays there, hair gone,
scalp red, and moaning. A tear floats down her cheek.

I look
to the moon and then close my eyes. I know that if I reenergize I can help
Iris. I soak in the light of the moon.

When I
feel my power restore I ignore Alec’s warning and sit up. I move quickly and
reach Iris’s side. I place one hand on my necklace, the other hand over her
heart.
My necklace.
The amethyst is still there. But my heart locket is
gone.
No.
My heart thuds deeply in my chest. My breath is caught in my
throat and I struggle to take another breath as panic sets in.
How could I
have lost my mother’s locket?
A tear falls down my cheek and I want to sob,
but I see Iris lying below me and I know I need to help her.

Alec is
right. Iris’s burns aren’t as bad as they could have been. Her scalp is badly
burned, most of her hair removed. But that’s it.

The
voice in my head produces fragmented thoughts. This entire disaster…so angry…I
had no control…the fire…it was
me
.

I
caused all of this. Maybe I should have died under that wave. I practically did
die under that wave. But someone was there. Someone saved me.

“Katrina!”
Rose’s voice startles me. “What happened?” She asks this question but then she
closes her eyes and I can see that she’s playing back the scene herself.
We
can do that?
But when she’s finished she looks up at me, a bothered look in
her eye. I know what she’s thinking. Tears threaten to release.

Her and
Charlotte collapse by my side. Charlotte throws her arms around me.

Charlotte’s
hold on me is comforting but I refuse to leave Iris’s side.

There
are going to be consequences for what I did tonight – I know that. But
I’m not ready to face them right now – not until Iris is okay.

“Go
check on the ambulance?” I ask of Alec. I need him to leave so I can heal Iris.
He doesn’t hesitate.

As soon
as he’s far enough away I lean in closely to examine Iris’s face.

Rose
and Charlotte shift themselves so they are on the other side of her body. I’m
glad they are here to help. My stomach churns at the sight of her cooked hair.
Her scalp is red from the lethal heat. Fortunately the fire didn’t reach her
face.

Iris
opens her eyes and tears flood her eyes. “It burns, Kat.”

My next
words are the quietest of whispers. “
Shh
, it’s okay.
You’re going to be okay. Close your eyes.”

Iris
closes her eyes as I place my fingers on top of her head. I let the energy take
over my body as I look to the moon for support. I feel it. There’s a tingling
sensation in my fingers as the energy in my body transfers to Iris, healing the
root of her wounds.

Rose
and Charlotte extend their hands too. Their power is now assisting mine. I look
at them both as they pour their healing into Iris.
I’ve failed them.
Rose has her eyes shut and she’s mumbling something. I tune in to make out what
she’s saying. It’s less than a whisper, but I hear her clearly. “May the
Solstice Gods bring you comfort and healing.
”
She
repeats this over and over.

Iris
finally begins to relax. Her eyes remain closed and I think she’s sleeping. Her
heartbeat is strong.

Alec is
back just as the sirens signal that they are near. I step away from Iris, Rose,
and Charlotte to speak to him.

“Is she
okay?” Hope floods his voice.

I nod.
“She’s resting. She’s going to be okay.”

His
shoulders sag. His expression is worn. He feels responsible. The thought
crushes me.

The
ambulance distracts us as we watch it pull onto the beach, siren blaring as it
approaches.

I turn
to Alec. “How did I get to the beach? I was drowning and someone pulled me
out.”

Alec
shakes his head. “I don’t know. I saw you go under. And then we went under. But
we weren’t as close to the water as you. After the wave crashed I saw someone
put you on the beach. I don’t know who he was. But he just put you there and
took off like he didn’t want to be seen.”

I
shiver but confusion is the most dominant thought playing through my mind. I
guess it doesn’t matter anymore. Iris is okay.

But now
I have to face Rose and Charlotte.

I
stand. Alec is right in front of me. “Take care of Iris okay? Please. And call
me after.”

Alec
pulls on my arm. “No, Kat. You almost drowned. You should let them look at
you.” His voice is so gentle that sends a knife through my chest. He has no
idea that I caused this disaster.
He thinks I’m a victim.

“We’ll
take care of Katrina,” Rose says to Alec. Her tone is undisputable.

I
ignore her and look at Alec. “I’m fine. Really. Just take care of Iris.”

Alec
looks at me, defeated. His eyes sweep past Rose and Charlotte but he doesn’t
argue. After the paramedics load Iris into the van, Alec is right after them
taking a seat beside her.

I watch
the doors of the ambulance as they close behind him. The tires peel away and
quickly fade into the distance. With a final glance in its direction, I say a
silent goodbye to Alec as I head to Summer Estates with Rose and Charlotte
– ready to face my fate.