The Seer's Lover (The Seven Archangels Series) (17 page)

“Demons?” she whispered.

He nodded. “People would never leave their homes if they really knew what was happening all around them and
who
was responsible.”

“¿
Están listos
?” their guide called from the next stand.

She gave him a thumb up and jumped. Cali was fearless, and it scared Lucas to death. With the first jump behind him, he launched himself into flight over the canopy and met Cali again on the next platform. “Doesn’t all this bother you?”

“I feel like, in some way, I’ve always known. Now, I want to do something about it.”

“Like what?” He didn’t want to know.

“Fight them. One at a time. I hate that evil explodes through our world because of them. I could commit myself to fight them without question.”

Lucas sighed. “No. Don’t even think you can fight them. They can throw an illusion at you that’ll make you think you’re insane. The only way to fight an illusion is to calm yourself from the deepest point inside of you. I can’t always do it, and I’ve been practicing my whole life.”

“Regular people never see their illusions? When your aunt’s cousin was murdered, I thought I saw a pair of red eyes in the bushes.”

“The demon can control when and if you see the illusions,” Lucas said.

“But you, as a seer, don’t get that option, do you? You see everything?”

“Yeah.”

Calise turned him to face her. “Please, Lucas. I hate it when people tell me ‘You can’t.’ I wish I
was
a seer, I’d be twice as safe. And don’t tell me I
can’t
handle it. Rather, show me how
to
handle it.”

Lucas was stumped. He didn’t doubt her. This woman didn’t need him or anyone else. She accepted truths he’d been hiding behind his whole life. His father fell completely apart when his mom died. That’s what he thought their love was based on: needing each other. Lucas didn’t want to bring anyone into his world again only to watch them fall apart from what they saw. Or worse, take the chance that the one person who finally understood him would be killed because of him. She didn’t need him at all. “I don’t want this for you. Go home and forget about me. You don’t need me to screw up your life.”

“That’s just it, Lucas. I don’t need you, but I sure as hell want you.” She kissed him on the cheek and jumped.

He watched her brush the tree tops with her sneakers. Cali was different—stronger than Lucas or his parents. Her unwavering belief in her convictions made him think that even if she was a seer and Lucas couldn’t be with her, she’d be fine. He didn’t know how he would make it through one day without her in his life.

But she’d planted a seed in his mind
. She would be safer on her own as a seer and I could make that happen.

He jumped.

****

After zip lining, Calise took her time at the bungalow primping. She savored her blissful outdoor shower letting the water pour over her, relishing every cool drop. It didn’t matter that minutes after exiting the shower, the heat of the jungle would prickle her skin with its own scent and she was helpless to stop it. Her hair and body smelled like a mixture of her strawberry shampoo and lavender body lotion. But men didn’t notice those things anyway.

I only hope Lucas thinks I’m good enough to eat
.

She brushed her hair until it shone. She took her time putting on makeup. Usually she never cared too much about how she looked, but tonight, she was nervous that her smoky eye shadow was too heavy on one side or the other or that lipstick would be on her teeth when she talked to him. Light foundation. Dust of powder. Dab of blush. At least she tried her best to remember all the tricks she’d learned in college.

The jungle sang its evening song through the open window. The incessant drone of crickets, faraway howl of monkeys passing by, birds that hooted, cheeped, and twittered to each other. She unpacked the one dress she brought with her to Costa Rica in case she met Raul. She did meet Raul, his name just turned out to be Lucas.

The silky, teal dress was off the department store rack, but she liked to think she rocked it. She ripped the tags off. Although she’d worn it many times, they’d all been in the comfort of her living room. Tonight was definitely the night. Spaghetti straps with a v-neck front and lower than low cowl neck back. It fit her like a glove until it hit her waist where it gave her room to swing. The above-the-knee length showed off her now tan legs. She put on flip-flops to walk to the restaurant and put her sling-back black sandals in her purse.

I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,
she promised herself,
and possibly as happy.

A sadness hit her. She wanted tonight to be special, she wanted it to end here with pancakes in her bed tomorrow morning, but yet, she wanted more…

Is Lucas the one?

Soul mate seemed to her such overused fluff. People got married because they were attracted to each other,
at one point
, were compatible beyond three dates, or because they would make the right kind of father or mother, or came from the right kind of family. Her parents loved each other, but really, how much would they give up for each other?

If my soul mate was introduced to me, would I be happy being married to him? Three steps back: first have Lucas see me in the teal dress, second have him kiss me when I’m not unconscious, and third, worry about whether he’s my soul mate.

****

After one final hair and makeup check, Calise closed the door to her bungalow for her last night in Costa Rica and stepped out into the evening air. Disquiet overtook her. The weather had radically changed in the last hour or so. No animals chirped, howled, or skittered in the underbrush. No wind blew through the trees. She looked up at the sky which had turned menacing gray with overcast.

Ron rushed around relocating anything not bolted down.

“What’s going on?”

The look in his eyes caused her to panic. “Hurakan, the one-legged approaches.”

Was she supposed to understand this cryptic nonsense? “What are you talking about? Is a storm coming in?” She edged closer to see if his pupils were dilated. Who knew what he’d been smoking since Anna went missing.

Ron relaxed his posture and focused on her. “Yes. You can call it a storm. The wind has changed, and he’s heading this way. I’ll stop by with provisions.”

Then he rushed off.

Okay…

Her heart thumped in her chest. Ron had lost his marbles. She hurried to the restaurant to ask Lucas what was really going on.

Carmen’s cozy restaurant was packed with patrons enjoying the live music and oblivious to the weather. Candles flickered madly on each table and the smattering of year round Christmas lights provided their one of a kind setting. The Elvis laden juke box was given respite tonight by a three-man salsa band.

By the time she secured herself a table and a mojito, the wind full out gusted around her. Carmen’s staff appeared unfazed by the storm which calmed Calise’s nerves only slightly. The crowded dance floor held dozens of locals who moved in a synchronous rhythm.

She overheard patrons at the next table who gripped their napkins in a battle against the wind, talking about a hurricane blowing though and how it might last for a while.

Freaking hurricane?

Calise didn’t have the hurricane classification system in her knowledge vault, but anything even called a
hurricane
couldn’t be good. She flagged her waitress to ask what she knew about the impending storm. She brushed it off with, “Don’t worry about it, sweetie. Just some wind and rain. We get it all the time.”

Not helpful.

“I hear Lucas is cooking up something
special
for you, missy. On behalf of the entire staff, we are jealous.” She winked and sashayed away.

Lucas was back by the oven and caught her eye from time to time. With sweaty palms and a heart trying to thump out of her chest, Calise felt the beginnings of vicious fear hitting her, just like she felt right before the wave knocked her off the surfboard.

He came over to her. Standing tall and smiling over her with dreamy scents rising off the plates he held in his hands.

All will be well.

He gently set down the plates. “I brought you a little of everything. This is a pizza with poached pears, chicken, and roasted potatoes. That’s guacamole with salsa fresca folded into it and some fresh tortilla chips. I didn’t know what else you might want, so I also brought a little of the tuna catch of the day. I grilled it with peanut sauce and those are candied figs. When you’re done, I’ll bring you the mango cheesecake.”

Wow.

He leaned over and his lips brushed her ear as he said, “You look beautiful.”

A warm rush worked its way up her cheeks. “Thanks. For everything.”

“Anytime,” he said. “I’d planned on eating with you, but Carlos called in sick and it’s crazy busy…”

“No worries. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’ll be over as soon as it slows down.” He winked and returned to the kitchen.

She picked up her napkin and wiped the corners of her mouth. She was drooling, and not over the food. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself then took her time to savor each scrumptious bite. She sipped another mojito and chatted with Carmen who was wholly unconcerned by the weather, until the restaurant finally slowed down at ten o’clock. The wind howled, and lightning flashed through the clouds over the ocean. Something nasty was definitely blowing in, but she vowed not to let it put a damper on her night.

After his shift, Lucas refilled her drink and sat down at the table. Rhythmic, powerful salsa music competed with nature’s wind and roaring surf duet.

“Do you salsa?”

I’ll freaking learn right here and now if need be
. “Kind of,” Calise tilted her head to act cocky, but figured he saw through her.

“Let’s dance. I think Carmen is having them play this song for us.” He flashed an exasperated look at Carmen who was chatting with two waitresses by the chalkboard which listed the daily specials. The metal chair creaked when he pushed it back and came around the table to help Calise up. Carmen and the waitresses stared at them until he shot them a look that made them scatter.

In a quiet corner of the dance floor, he held out his arms looking at Calise like she was the Christmas present he’d always wanted but thought he’d never get. She melted under the spell of Costa Rica and Lucas, the music and the mojitos. Once she took his hands he pulled her close, placing one hand around her waist and one on her shoulder. His movements were fluid, practiced, and sensual while Calise feared hers were clumsy, wrong, and a turn-off.

Slowly, they started to move together. When she finally got close enough to his neck to smell him, she inhaled hay, salt, tequila, and rain, and realized she wanted his scent at her disposal for the rest of her life.

Perfection.

He turned her around and swung her out. The next time he pulled her in, one of his legs went between hers to get them closer and she felt his desire. His eyes ventured downwards and his thumb followed the line to her chest. Warm fingers lingered on her skin. His hand slid up and wrapped tenderly around her neck. Moving closer to her, he rested his head on her shoulder. A low rustic, almost purr escaped his lips. He nestled against her hair and neck.

They danced for what seemed like minutes, not long enough, but what was probably really about an hour, then took a mojito break and sat down to rest.

“Cali, what are you doing to me tonight?”

“Me to you? More like you to me.”

“I can’t be with you. I’m afraid I would hurt you somehow.” He looked down at his drink.

Well, at least he’s alluding to s-e-x. Step in the right direction.

“But we can be close, right? Dancing doesn’t seem to hurt me.” She was confused. Did he mean he’d hurt her physically?

They’d been so deep in conversation that Calise was surprised when she looked around and realized only Carmen was still at the bar, sweeping up.

“I guess it’s pretty late, huh?” She still needed to pack, but wondered what she could say or do to get him to come back to her bungalow. Then Carmen came through for her. The band packed up. On her way out, Carmen punched in one last song on the jukebox. Elvis… “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You.” Carmen waved good-night and switched off the last light. All that remained was the candle burning at their table. The sporadic flashes of lightning from out at sea would be their guide home. Carmen slipped out.

Lucas never stopped staring at her, and she devoured his attention. She wouldn’t let him leave her tonight. He blew out the candle and stood up. “I’ll make sure you get home safely.”

She nodded and took his hand. Outside the restaurant, Gotzone stood waiting, nickering softly.

Who is this horse? Fury? Waiting around for his master all day?

Calise didn’t care.

He stopped and brought his lips down to meet hers. At first, he only brushed his over hers. Then their lips met and the union sent waves of pleasure from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “Gotzone bow,” he asked. The horse descended, and she climbed on first. Gotzone knew his way to the Howler Monkey Resort.

She was in heaven with this man here on earth. Was any of this magic possible? She thought she could still hear Elvis echoing on the wind when they reached her bungalow. He flung the door open then picked her up so her legs wrapped around his waist. Not wanting to say, do, or even think anything that would make him pause, Calise closed her eyes and hugged him tight while he carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently and crawled on top of her. Two fingers pulled a stray hair off her face and traced her jaw line.

“You are so absolutely beautiful,” he murmured, shaking his head at this revelation. “Te quiero, mi canción.”
I want you, my song.

“I want you, Lucas. You won’t hurt me, I promise. I’ll be fine. I can handle your size or whatever it is you think will hurt me.”

He stopped and squinted. Then a small smirk came across his face. He rolled onto the pillow next to her. “You think, that I think, I’m…my
size
will hurt you? I wish that’s what it was. No, the last person I was with became a seer and went crazy after we were together. It was my fault. I can transfer the sight if we…” He turned away.