Dark Tide (A Mated by Magic Novel) (9 page)

Her family’s suite on the eighth floor of the hotel held every amenity of the penthouse. Boasting four bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a living room, it was more like a second home.

Maya luxuriated under multiple showerheads, rummaged through her closet, and settled on skinny jeans with a light blue tank top. Towel drying her hair, she sat down next to her father and poured a thick cup of coffee.

Josh, still wet from their unexpected swim, glanced up and continued his explanation. “So you see sir, I had no choice but to bring her here.”

“It’s really not his fault.” Maya reached under the oak table, patted her dad’s hand, and hoped to put his fears to rest.

Grim-faced, her father glanced over at the two Russian witches. They still lay quiet on the living room floor, tied, gagged, and sedated. “I’ll bring them with me to the Council meeting.”

His eyes lowered to his watch and he stood. “I should’ve left already, but with the location so close this year–”

“It’s close?” Josh attempted to hide his interest behind a white ceramic mug. He swallowed, studied the contents, and swirled the liquid within.

Of course, her dad bristled at the probing breach of security. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the location changes every year.”

This was not going well. She tried to redirect the conversation to more neutral territory as she struggled with the tangles in her hair. Using her fingers as a comb, droplets flew everywhere.

“Don’t you think that’s a weird coincidence?”

“I don’t believe in coincidences. Gregor’s planning something.” Josh frowned thoughtfully as he wiped his wet face with a napkin.

She shrugged an apology.

Her father placed his hands in his pockets and sighed. “You may be right, but without any real evidence there isn’t anything we can do. I’ll inform the Council about what we know. Maybe they’ll be able to get more information from those two.”

One of the thugs stirred, tightening the knots in her stomach. “I don’t want you going, dad.” She stood and gave him a big bear-hug. “I’ve got this really bad feeling. If you go, I’m coming with you.”

A palm cupped her chin, forcing her gaze up to his gentle eyes. “You’ve always been too stubborn for your own good.”

At that, Josh snorted and stood with them.

Her dad raised his eyebrows. “I take it you’ve become acquainted with her stubborn streak?”

“I’m right here. I can
hear
you.” Maya’s arms crossed of their own accord and a pout formed on her lips.

Josh shot a smoldering gaze in her direction. “Your daughter is a very capable woman, but there are times when caution should prevail. This is one of them.”

“Caution is just another word for cowardice.” With a snarky grin, she made the puddle beneath Josh swirl about the room and settle into the sink with a splash.

Her father sighed. “We’ve talked about this. Do
not
tempt fate.”

“But
you
are.”

“I can’t run from my responsibilities, Peanut.” He smiled and shook his head. “Plus, no matter how powerful this Gregor fellow is, there’s not much he can do against The Whisperer of the Seas. The ship was built to survive the apocalypse.”

She rolled her eyes.

“My brothers will be there.” Josh patted her hands, turned to her father and said, “I should come, too.”

“They’ll never let you onboard, son. The meeting is exclusively clan leaders, their spouses, and Council members.”

Josh scowled, clenched his fist, and began to pace. Clearly, he felt as uneasy as she did. But when dad got stubborn like this, no one could change his mind. They’d just have to decide what to do later, without his permission.

Thinking Josh might spontaneously combust, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the hallway. “Why not shower and then we’ll talk some more? Besides, we need to question Abigail about her connection with Gregor.”

The muscle in Josh’s jaw twitched. He nodded and started toward the door, pausing at the sound of helicopter blades outside the window.

“That would be your brothers,” dad said, grabbing a black leather bag from the couch and slinging it over his shoulder.

Josh’s eyebrows went up. “They fly?”

“All my kids do. I taught them myself.” He nodded proudly, opened the door, and waited.

Combat ready, her brothers rushed into the suite. It took all four men to drag the heavy thugs into the elevator. When they finished, and with the helicopter idling on the roof, her father pulled her into his chest.

“Be safe.”

“I always am.” She smiled up at him, causing him to grunt back.

A quick nod to Josh followed. “I trust you’ll take care of her.”

Her new lover nodded solemnly.

“
I’ll
be just fine,” she said, kissing his cheek. “You be careful too.”

Maya couldn’t dismiss the anxiety that squeezed her chest as the whirling blades turned into small specks.

On the far side of the roof, Josh spoke to her brothers One of them should have gone with their father just to be safe. But the man wouldn’t have it. And he wondered where she got her stubborn streak from.

Still gazing at the blue sky, she wrapped her arms around her chest as Josh approached. “We should go.”

He nodded, following her silently to the parking garage.

They took one of her dad’s Jeeps and drove to the small tidy suburb where Abigail lived with her mother and younger sister while attending University. The same University that Alex Williams taught at.

“Hello Maya.” Dressed in a floral dress, Abigail’s mother met them at the door of their small bungalow. She frowned, dried her fingers on a towel, and glanced over her shoulder at Josh. “Can I help you?”

“I was hoping to speak with Abby.”

“Of course. Come in. She’s just finishing her packing.”

“Packing?” Maya frowned and stared at the large suitcase sitting in the middle of the living room floor.

The woman’s face lit up. “I’m so proud of her. I know she doesn’t like me to brag, but I can’t help it. She was chosen to participate in a study abroad program. I’m going to miss her like crazy, but it’s a once in a life opportunity.”

Maya glanced at Josh, her thoughts mirrored on his worried face.

“Where’s she going?”

“She doesn’t know yet. That’s the exciting part.” The woman walked them down the hall and knocked on a bedroom door, then opened it. “Abby you have visitors.”

Abby squealed, jumped off the bed when she saw Maya, then ran to hug her. “Did my mom tell you?”

“She did.” Maya glanced at Abby’s mom. “Do you mind if we talk to Abby alone for a moment?”

The woman’s brows drew down, but she nodded and left them alone.

In the small bedroom covered with posters of rugby stars, Abby’s eyes danced over Josh. Maya couldn’t help but smile. It was hard not to appreciate Josh’s dark, brooding good looks.

“Abby, this is my friend Josh.”

“Hi.” Abby smiled up at him, brown eyes sparking.

“Josh and Dr. Williams are…acquaintances.” A shiver ran down Maya’s back at the memory of the two of them together. “She was telling him about the research that she’s been conducting.”

Abby’s eyes scrunched up for a moment. “Well, isn’t that just like a Prof? To tell the students to say mum and then spill the beans?”

Maya laughed, trying to sound genuine. “I know. The study sounds interesting.”

“Totally awesome, right? So, what did you think of the first storm? Can you believe we could create something so huge? I mean, I know it’s probably nothing for you, but with my limited powers, it’s so cool to be part of something so big.”

From the corner of her eye, Maya saw Josh’s mouth drop open. Yeah, she felt the same way. They’d pretty much just gotten a full confession that Alex Williams was responsible for the weather disturbances.

Maya took a deep breath, keeping a smile plastered on her face. “Alex was so proud of you all.”

The girl beamed. “I know. Pretty soon we’ll be able to make it rain at will. Can you imagine? We’ll begin to change the world. Starvation will be a thing of the past. We can change global warming. And all with half-breeds. No pure witches allowed. Dr. Williams said it would make the storms too powerful. And I met this most amazing guy. From California. He’s over the top to die for. And he has this friend from the UK who might hook up with Kelly. Remember her? It’s so exciting. But I need to get packed. We’re all taking off soon.”

“Aren’t you worried someone might get hurt?” Josh asked, eyes narrowed on the girl.

Maya coughed and gave him a lethal glare, then turned back to Abby who was frowning up at him.

“Josh is just a little worried that the storms might get out of hand.”

“The last one was a fluke.” Abby shook her head, turning back to a smaller suitcase. “This time we’re flying to the middle of the Atlantic. Landing on an aircraft carrier.” She froze, then looked over her shoulder, concern flashing in her brown eyes. “Shoot. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that.”

“It’s okay. We won’t tell Dr. Williams you said anything. But best you don’t mention our conversation.”

“Okay.” A small frown crinkled the girl’s brow.

“Be safe.” Maya gave her a hug, then indicated with a nod that Josh should follow her out of the house.

Maya took a deep breath as they got back in the jeep. “She’s clueless.”

“You did good not to stop her. If anything appeared off, we’d never catch them.” He put the key in the ignition, started the car, then backed out of the driveway.

“I know. But you saw those men on the yacht. They aren’t a bunch of college kids. I don’t get it. What’s Alex Williams up to?”

Josh turned at the light, and the tires squealed as he headed out of the suburbs, back toward her father’s hotel.

“Think, Maya. She’s gathering a crew in the middle of the Pacific.”

Suddenly everything clicked into place. “My dad is out there.”

He glanced over. “And my brothers and their wives.”

“They’re just a group of college kids. Half-breeds. She can’t seriously think they could take on the Council and clan leaders.”

“I have a suspicion she doesn’t.” His knuckles whitened over the steering wheel.

They needed to alert them. But how? The location of their yearly gathering was probably one of the most guarded secrets on the planet.

Back at the hotel, Maya and her family gathered in the living area while Josh spoke to his father in Jersey. All eyes were glued to the screen as CNN reported on the ‘Storm of the Century,’ which was brewing in the middle of the South Pacific.

Josh’s suspicions were confirmed as the meteorologist spoke about the rare event, displaying moment by moment satellite images.

The storm appeared to be increasing exponentially.

“Okay. Bye. Thanks dad. Me too.” Josh ended his call and looked into Maya’s worried face as she clung to her mom’s arm. “I’ve got an emergency contact number for my brothers.” He picked up the phone, dialed, and nothing. “Shit.”

“I tried my dad, same thing.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “You don’t think...”

Josh held her gaze. “I don’t know what to think right now. But we need to go. Did your dad file a flight plan?”

“Heli’s don’t need to file a plan, mate.” Brian, Maya’s oldest brother, ran for his computer bag and opened a laptop. “But he took our bird and we can track it. The old man insisted in case we ever got into trouble.”

“We need to follow as soon as possible.” Josh scrubbed his hand over the scruff on his jaw.

He regretted wasting an extra day searching for more evidence to bring against Gregor and Williams. Even now, he wondered if it was too late to warn the Council and his brothers about the Russian’s plans.

“I’m going with Josh.” Maya addressed them all, raising her hand when her oldest brother started to protest. “Celia and Mari, I need you all to stay here with mom and take care of the business. I’ll contact you if I find anything.”

“We’re coming with you.” The youngest sister stood, wringing her hands. “This is bad.”

“No. I mean it, Mari. You need to listen to me. It’s dangerous. We don’t even know if they’re going to let us board the ship.” Maya gave her a look that wasn’t to be argued with.

A deep frown crossed the girl’s expression, but she sat back down, wrapping her arms around her chest and turning her attention back to the television.

“Brian. Chance. I’ll need your help.” Maya motioned for her brothers to follow.

Despite being older than her, the men obeyed her every instruction, leaving Josh in awe. Even among his brothers there was still a play for power. Josh hated to admit it, but being the oldest, his ego had taken a beating when his younger brother proved more powerful than him.

It took them less than thirty minutes to track down where her father’s craft had landed.

“How far can we get by helicopter?” Josh asked.

“With how powerful the storm is…” Maya pointed at the computer screen. “Probably about there.”

“That’s not even close.” He shook his head.

“Yeah, I know.” She bit her lower lip, eyes darting over the map. “We’re going to need to get as far as we can, then drop an inflatable. I can calm the storm enough to take it from there.”

Josh’s stomach turned. An inflatable in the middle of the Atlantic during a paranormal superstorm sounded like a really bad idea.

Brian nodded, like the idea wasn’t a suicide mission. “I’ll call and get a heli ready. I’ll pilot.”

Chance crossed his arms, his face grim. “You’re going to need someone to help get your gear down to you. I’m coming as well.”

When Josh stared incredulously, Brian winked and said, “Special Air Service Regiment at your service.”

In two hours, they were airborne.

Maya tried the satellite phone again, and shook her head no.

The ocean waves disappeared underneath as they gained altitude.

In his headset, Josh heard, “It’s going to be a rough ride.”

Maya looked up at him, eyes worried, jaw clenched.  “We’re going to stop these bastards.”

He nodded and his hand went instinctively to her face and soothed the tic in her jaw. But hell, he was just as worried as she was.

Closing his eyes, he thought of his brothers the last time he’d seen them and moaned at all the lost time. He’d been such an idiot to waste a moment. Life was so precious and could change in an instant. Not having slept much for days, he fell into a troubled sleep with Maya’s head on his shoulder.

“This is as far as we go.” Brian’s voice crackled in his headset, waking him.

The helicopter was shuddering madly when Josh opened his eyes. Maya’s were already wide. They pulled on their scuba skins and the harness that would let them down.

His heart beat wildly. He’d done his share of bungee cord jumping as a youth and enjoyed rock climbing–
but this
?

He let Chance slip a harness about him, and then like that, he hung over the raging ocean, holding on for his dear life.

“No worries, mate.” Chance slapped him hard on the back. “My sister will take care of you.”

Josh grunted. Yeah, but who was going to take care of her? Out in the middle of the ocean his fire powers were useless.

Maya was already down inside the yellow inflatable, and had calmed a yard wide circle of the ocean. The motor hummed by the time he dropped off the cord and into the cold water. He swam to the side of the boat and rolled up and over the rubber edge.

It was strange to have the wind whip wildly about his face, and yet the ocean calm as bathwater under them.

Beads of water rolled down Maya’s face as she stared at the GPS. He took the handle of the small motor, and she went to the front of the boat where she lay on her stomach with one hand over the side.

For hours, they moved at what seemed like a snail’s pace and the GPS coordinates hardly changed. On the map, the chore seemed much less daunting. After four hours, he wondered if they’d make it. After six, he knew they wouldn’t.

As Maya’s tight control on the ocean lessened, they rode giant waves like an awful roller coaster.

“How much longer?” she asked though gritted teeth.

“Almost there,” he lied. In truth, there was another hour, maybe two. He wished like hell he could share his strength.

He stretched one foot out and placed it on her thigh.

Her body relaxed a bit, and the ocean once again calmed. He was able to keep a shield of fire overhead, and the driving rain sizzled atop of it.

He had all but given up hope of ever seeing the barge. Once her power gave out, they’d capsize and drown in an instant. At least it would be fairly quick. But being a fire power, he didn’t fancy drowning. If it came down to having to choose the method of dying, he’d probably try to instantaneously combust.

With those thoughts in mind, he hardly believed his eyes when the long dark rectangle appeared on the horizon.

“Maya, we made it.”

She cried out, “Thank God.”

Within minutes, they were on deck.

* * *

Exhaustion overwhelmed Maya. She’d used up most of her energy trying to keep the storm from consuming them. Now on the deck of the old aircraft carrier, she could barely keep her legs from collapsing beneath her.

She clutched a railing as the storm raged around them with near hurricane force winds.

“Lean on me.” Josh wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her upright.

Men in white rain slickers swarmed them, apparently security. It took Josh several minutes to convince them that they needed to speak with the Council.

On shaky legs, and still in their wetsuits, they were brought below deck and into a long rectangular room. Florescent lights cast an eerie blue over the thirty men and women who sat around a long gray table.

Her father was one of them. He stood when she entered.

“Maya?” His bushy brows turned down, clearly displeased.

“What’s the meaning of this?” A large, barrel-chested man slammed his hands down on the table, looking indignant. 

“We’ve come to warn you,” Josh said, tightening his grips around Maya’s waist. “We have evidence that Gregor Uragan and a Doctor Alex Williams are responsible for the storm.”

“Impossible,” someone muttered.

“They’ve broken Council law coming here,” said someone else.

A man in his late twenties with dark brown hair and similar features to Josh stood. This had to be Jack Fialko, the leader of the Iesco clan. His pictures online didn’t begin to capture his magnetism.

“If my brother says he has evidence, I believe him. Let him speak.” Like Josh, the centers of his eyes glowed red when pissed off.

“We think–” Josh started again.

“You think or you know?” A woman stood, eyes narrowed.

“
We know,”
he said, his voice steady and full of authority. “Williams has been using low level and half-breed witches to alter the weather.”

The room broke in a series of mutters and curses.

“We also know that she is working with Gregor Uragan. We didn’t know the extent of it until we spoke with one of Williams’ grad students. I believe Gregor is aware of this location and plans on using the storm to bring down this ship.”

Maya saw the skeptical looks directed at Josh. They didn’t believe that it was possible, and if they weren’t careful, their arrogance would be their downfall.

Her body shook uncontrollably, her heartbeat slowed. Coldness enveloped her until she could feel nothing.  She knew the symptoms–she was in shock from the depletion of energy.

Still, she needed them to see the danger that they faced.

“We were out there in the middle of it,” she said, her voice hoarse. “Step outside and you’ll feel the power surge. I don’t know how they’re doing it, but I can guarantee this is only the beginning. Gregor will sink this ship and everyone on board.”

To her mortification, her knees gave out on her then. Her vision went dark, but she heard the chaos around her.

“She needs a healer.”

Large arms wrapped around her, lifting her. Josh. His scent, mixed with the saltiness of the sea. She inhaled deeply and let herself sink into his warmth.

“Bring her to my cabin. Follow me,” a female voice, with an American accent said.

Maya barely registered the activity around her as she drifted between consciousness and sleep, aware only of healing energy pouring into her. Eventually the darkness won.