Proven (Daughters of the Sea #1) (5 page)

So you could imagine my intense loathing of the situation I found myself in after those witches dropped me off in a random cave, on an island with no roads, signs, or cars. There would be no calling a taxi or asking for directions. I was alone. I was hungry. I was lost.

After traipsing through endless caves that merely led to endless tunnels, just to spend the night in a hostile forest full of weird sounds and tiny creatures with too many legs, I was left depleted and extremely pissed off. The second day of misery began with a chorus of birds screeching above my head in an octave I didn't know existed. Abandoning any further hope of sleep, I climbed to my feet and cursed under my breath as a rogue root grabbed my ankle and sent me tumbling forward.

I floundered right on top of the book that weighed as much as a small horse and the impenetrable silver box as they patiently waited for me on the ground. I leaned against one of the hundreds of trees surrounding me, rubbed my newly opened wound, and eyed the two objects that had become the bane of my existence. I didn't want to carry them even one more inch, especially since I seemed to be walking in circles. I held up my hand and squinted at my palm. If Stasia was going to get herself into a bind, this would be the most opportune time. Without her being in trouble, I had no way of finding which way could possibly lead me to her, the tree houses, or a warm shower. My all-seeing eye trace was almost invisible as it lay irritatingly dormant. I took a deep breath and glanced upward as the leaves above my head rustled in the wind.

By the time I realized the wind wasn't actually blowing, the storm of leaves was already making its way down towards my head. They engulfed my body; sticking precariously in my hair and finding themselves lodged down the front of my shirt.

"Seriously?" I scowled and shook the remaining leaves from my clothes before shooting the tree a warning look. "You are not helping."

It would suffice to say that my history with the trees of Atlantis was not a pleasant one. I was pretty sure at some point they had a tree pow-wow or something and decided I was their play toy, thereby making my life a living hell. With the Book and Key once again in my arms, I looked to the sky. The sun hung low to my left, which I deduced meant that direction had to be west. Girl Scout I was not, but I did have some basic common sense. I could figure this out.

"We arrived on the west side of the island," I spoke to no one in particular. "So that would mean I need to head east. Which is that way."  I pointed in the opposite direction of the sun. The only thing I had going for me was that Atlantis was an island. I couldn't get too far in any one direction without hitting water or civilization. What could possibly go wrong?

I heard another rustling of leaves and sharply glared at the trees in my vicinity, which happened to be a lot of them. "Don't even think about it." The stirring halted at my threat and I set out walking. What I didn't intend on doing was spending another night out there. I had to find Stasia by sundown. Which, by the look of the sun, wasn't too far away. I ran a finger over my new arm emblem and groaned. The rest of my body seemed to be regaining its energy, but I could still feel the aftereffects of Selene's message for Stasia.

After another hour or more of tripping over roots and stepping in mud, I noticed a clearing in the distance. That had to be a good sign, right? I couldn't have been more wrong. Upon closer inspection, what could technically be called a clearing was really just nature's version of a death trap. The colossal fissure slicing through the island's dense ground plunged hundreds of feet to meet its destroyer below - a thin line of water more powerful than the earth it chewed away at. The twenty feet of open air that hung between my feet and the other side promised a harrowing fall, topped off with the bone-crunching agony of mangled body parts. That would be one instance where immortality would not have been a saving grace. A quick death at the bottom of the ravine would be a much more desirable fate. 

As I shifted the precious load in my tired arms, a dull creaking sound quickly escalated into an agonizing moan; stealing my attention away from the gorge of doom. I spun around to look for the source, but was utterly unprepared for the horrifying sight before me. The thick tree trunk rushing towards me as gravity took it hostage had every intention of killing me. As my legs took action and jumped out of the way, the silver box slid from my grip and tumbled back onto the ground...directly beneath the plunging tree.

My ankle twisted awkwardly and I pitched to the side with dread, helpless to watch the majestic tree slowly descending to its death. With a horrendous thud, it struck the ground; inciting a thunderous shockwave through the surrounding trees as if they had gasped in horror at their fallen comrade. My attention remained on the box that was now lost beneath the tree's weight. I scrambled to my feet and pressed my palms against the bark as if I was strong enough to roll it over. As expected, it didn't budge. A boiling cloud of rage thickened within my mind and I spun around in indignation; accusing the trees with a pointing finger.

"Is this a joke to you?! Are you trying to kill me? Do you know how important that box was? And now it's gone! Gone!"

As the last word washed over my lips, I felt my essence become razor thin as it shot out from my hand and delivered a strike of electricity into the side of one of the trees. The bark cracked and sizzled as the energy diffused itself downward and into the ground.

"Now look what you've done!" I hurled at them; knowing full well they didn't deserve the severe lashing I'd just inflicted, but not able to swallow my pride enough to admit it.

Deciding to attempt once more to roll the downed tree off of the Key, I braced my feet and prepared to throw my weight against the bark. Just as I leapt forward with as much force as I could muster, the trunk rolled over of its own volition; leaving me face down in the dirt. I lay there, helpless and defeated, as I wiped a finger across my now-bloody lip.

"I have every intention of turning each and every one of you into reams of paper! And then I'm going to rip you to pieces and burn them all until you are all turned to ash! You've messed with the wrong warrior this time, you bastar-"

My fruitless barrage of threats was cut short as my eyes followed the fallen trunk across the length of the crevasse and onto its fan of branches, which had landed on the opposite side to create a bridge.  Not sure what to think about this sudden turn of events, I inspected the destroyed box, or what I thought would be the destroyed box. However, somehow its silver finish and compact sides were all intact. There wasn't so much as a scratch on it.

"This changes nothing. You just got lucky," I accused stubbornly, although my tone lacked its earlier harshness. Then, in a quieter voice, "But...thank you." Feeling the forest watching me, I lifted my chin and placed a foot onto the tree bridge. It was broad enough that I could easily walk across, as long as I didn't completely lose my balance. But that was a big 'if'.

Keeping my eyes trained on the rough bark just ahead of my feet and willing them not to glance down at the hungry chasm below, I noticed the tree's trunk was glistening. My bare feet became sticky with each step I took, and I realized the tree was coating itself with sap; creating a gripping surface for me. With crushing guilt weighing me down and my own stubbornness leaving me speechless, I inched my way across the trunk, not allowing my eyes to sway from the exact spot I planned to place each footfall.

After several excruciating minutes of visualizing my freefall into the river below, I finally reached the other side. The tree's canopy stretched out flat and lifeless before me, tugging at my heart strings. Did it really sacrifice itself for me? On solid ground once more, I knelt within the canopy and placed my hands on one of the more substantial branches.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I repeated, this time with genuine appreciation. Its leaves rustled ever so lightly and I sensed a weak, yet refreshing, essence wash over my hands in a humble response. I peered into the forest to ensure no one but the trees were watching, leaned down, and gently pressed my lips against the branch. I felt my cheeks flush as I stood hastily and continued on my way. It was possible I'd been transported into an alternate reality. It was the only explanation. A tree had just sacrificed itself for me, and I just kissed it. Soon I'd be braiding my armpit hair, ditching deodorant, and driving a Prius.

One painstaking hour, two thorny bush attacks, and six blisters later, I had to take a bathroom break, which sounded more simple than it really was. Knowing the trees were not only alive, but watching my every move, I couldn't just hike up my skirt and relieve myself on their roots. I rolled my eyes at myself. The trees would just have to get over it. Unless I was going to hold it until I made it to an actual bathroom, I had no choice. I was just glad no one was around to witness any of this.

I found an area of exposed dirt containing no discernable roots, grass, or even clover before tucking away my remaining inhibitions and squatting. As an affectionate breeze blew across my bare cheeks, I imagined the trees laughing at me. Their lush branches swished and rustled one by one before it occurred to me that they were probably communicating with one another. Maybe I should have peed on their roots after all. I finished my business and cut my eyes skyward in case they were making fun of me.

Out of nowhere, my stomach clenched and cramped with a ferocity I'd never experienced before. Excruciating tremors of pain rippled through my mid-section like an earthquake, and I was quickly brought to my knees in agony. I cried out as my muscles charlie-horsed again and again. Deepening the misery was a single, sorrowful voice wafting into my ears. Hot tears sprang to my eyes, spilling onto my cheeks and careening silently to the grass beneath me. The voice spoke no words; it simply wailed with an essence-shattering despair that took my breath away.

I screamed once more before the pain finally relented and my stomach was released from its torment. Though the pain receded, the emptiness and hopelessness remained. Several ragged, deep breaths later, the fog of sorrow gradually lifted but I continued to sob uncontrollably. I vaguely registered the symphony of leaves chattering above me in response, and then immediately noticed their roots shifting beneath the ground where I lay curled into a ball. A solitary root extracted itself from the earth and commenced to wrapping itself around me with a gentleness I didn't realize was possible. The invigorating smell of fresh soil blanketed my senses and I leaned into its cooling embrace.

A few short moments was all it took for the calming energy of the root to restore my emotions and give me the motivation I needed to keep going.

"So did you guys hear that, too?" I asked the towering giants nearby. My only answer was a deafening silence and the racing of my own thoughts. I peered down at my palm with alarm, but saw no change in my all-seeing eye trace; meaning Stasia still wasn't in imminent danger. That was most important to me, and everything else was secondary. The sky above boasted beautiful pinks and oranges as it prepared for its departure beyond the horizon. I needed to hurry. I swallowed my pride like a thick spoonful of caramel and scanned the awning of branches reluctantly.

"Help?" I shrugged uselessly. That was one word in particular I was not fond of using, and it felt completely foreign and prickly on my tongue.  My jaw turned slack at the instant response that stared me in the face. In the blink of an eye, the forest took action. An ovation of leaves preempted a swath of trees that actually twisted back and away, revealing a perfectly visible path intended for my journey.

"Whoa," was all I could muster, although I wished I would have thought to ask for help earlier. Far off in the distance, the sinking sun glinted off of a golden structure that could only be Maera's castle. It glowed like a beacon in the night, promising the comforts of home. I let out a sigh of relief and began to walk.

S
TASIA

"They're back! Ms. Stasia, they're back!"

The excited trill of Maera's youngest daughter woke me from a woefully unsuccessful night's sleep. I felt the exhaustion pulling me down, but I couldn't relax enough to allow my mind the reprieve it longed for. Her tiny feet thumped down the hallway before skidding to a stop at my door. She paused before knocking with three quick raps. Not waiting for me to answer, the door slid open silently and a red-haired angel smiled in at me; flecks of honey dancing within her kelly green eyes.

"They're back, Stasia!"

"I'll be out in just a moment," I beamed back at her; unable to resist her excitement. Her face lit up even more and then promptly disappeared as she clamored back down the hall. It had become quite evident that my bedroom was handpicked by Maera herself. It was truly fit for a Queen...or a very exhausted Goddess. Two mammoth columns divided the sitting area, complete with a hand carved fireplace flanked by an armchair and ornate chaise lounge, and the luxurious sleeping quarters on the other side of the room. Luxuriously silken fabrics of lavender and gold covered the walls in between gilded panels and cornice molding that showcased a picturesque alcove of scalloped windows overlooking the lagoon. The early morning light of the sun stretched through stained glass French doors that opened out onto a private veranda overgrown with elegant trails of ivy.