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I move to the edge of the water. Other than the piece of land I’m standing on, there’s nothing else in sight, God, I hate this. Memories of being dragged behind Kragen’s ship flash through my mind.Relax, Elsie. You can do this.
“Give me ten minutes. I’ll be healed enough to do it.” Thorne moves to my side.
“Alex and Autumn may not have ten minutes.” I turn toward the immortal child, who’s leaning against the door of the lighthouse with tears streaming down her cheeks. The pain on her face gives me the strength I need. “Take care of her.” I nod toward Everly. “She’s terrified.”
Thorne turns his head toward the girl, and I take advantage of his distraction, diving into the water below. The moment I make contact with the murky water, flashbacks of my time with Kragen threaten to overtake me. I’ve worked for two centuries to blockthose memories from surfacing, and I’ll be damned if I allow them in now.
“Alex?”I call, changing the direction of my thoughts.
I swim deeper into the water, staying next to the solid rock that’s provided the base for the lighthouse for a century.
Both Alex and Everly said under, which makes no sense. The rock will go to the sea floor. Unless…
I push away from the rock, focusing my eyes on every crack, every crevice, searching for an opening. Maybe there’s a cave or something.“Alex?”I call again, still receiving no answer.
Swimming super speed, I work my way around the rock. I’m almost around when I spot what looks like a narrow crack close to the sea floor. Approaching it, I realize there’s barely enough room to squeeze through. Dammit, this has to be it. This is the only possibility.
Turning sideways, I slip an arm and leg through, shimmying my way through. Once inside, the darkness of the cave is nearly overwhelming. Through the murky water, the walls of the cave are barely visible.
I send my energy through the space, searching for any energy and receiving nothing in return. Dammit, where are they? I continue swimming until hitting what feels like the back wall of the cave. Running my hands along the stone, I search for anything that doesn’t belong. Kicking through the water, my foot rubsagainst something not made of stone. Something soft yet solid.
Swimming closer, I find Autumn. Her tiny body is chained in silver, and her eyes are closed. Large welts cover her face, left by the chain that holds her in place. I don’t hesitate. The chain burns my hand but doesn’t debilitate me as I rip it away, rushing the immortal child toward the cave entrance.
Squeezing both of us through the narrow opening, I kick toward the surface, jumping from the water to the rock in one move. “Oh, my God. You found them,” Amelia exclaims, taking the small child from my arms.
“She was chained,” I say, moving back to the edge of the rock.
“Alex?” Thorne asks, moving to my side.
“I’m going back.” I jump without another word and return to the small hole underneath the lighthouse. I move quickly to the spot where I found Autumn, finding nothing. The cave is empty. What the hell?“Alex!”I call through our connection.
I search every inch three times, hoping somehow I missed his tiny body. Why would she separate them? Fear overtakes me, thinking of the young boy I’ve grown attached to. Could he be dead?
Seconds later, I’m back on the surface. Amelia has Autumn cradled in her arms, rocking her. Everly is next to the two of them, with Luna’s arms wrapped around her.
“She’s not waking up,” Everly cries.
“She’s a vampire. Give her body a moment to acclimate,” Amelia reassures her.
“Alex?” Topher asks.
“He’s not down there.” My voice is no louder than a whisper. “I searched the entire cave. Autumn was alone.”
“That’s not possible. Mother took them together.” Everly stands, moving toward the edge of the water.
“The woman took him,” Autumn’s weak voice says.
“Autumn!” Everly wraps her arms around her sister.
“What woman, Autumn?” I ask, moving to her side.
“The goddess,” Autumn answers before closing her eyes again.
TWENTY-TWO
this can’t end well
The six ofus stare at each other, not sure if we heard Autumn correctly.
