Sweet Peril

I could tell the others were listening, so I did the same. I pushed my hearing out to the ocean, running it back and forth over the waters. It was unusual to stretch my senses so far and not be overrun with manmade sounds and voices. These were peaceful noises: birds calling, winds rushing, swells of water lapping. And then the deep whir of a boat engine followed by talking and laughter.

My heart shot into overdrive, and the five of us became like statues at once. Kaidan’s eyes locked on mine. The Dukes were really here.

I closed my eyes, listening as they drew nearer. Soon they were close enough that I didn’t have to use my extended hearing anymore. The post jolted under my hands as the boat hit the dock with a thump. Waves from the boat washed over us, making us close our eyes and hold our breaths. We hung on to avoid being swept away. When the water settled, I slowly reached up to wipe my eyes.

Voices rang out in excitement—I listened carefully and distinguished four female and five male voices. I recognized Mammon and Flynn with their Australian accents right away. Then Pharzuph’s rich English accent, another Englishman who must have been Astaroth, and a light Japanese accent that I assumed belonged to Melchom. I pushed myself lower in the water, tilting my head back to submerge all but my face. I thought about going all the way under, but was afraid of making noise when I had to come back up for air.

I held my breath as the dock shook with footsteps. They were going to the house. As they passed by us, I fully expected Pharzuph to stop in his tracks and make a remark about the stench in the air as he always did when I was around. But to my relief he went by without noticing. It worked! When all nine of them were up the path through the trees I raised my head, tilting it back and forth to drain water from my ears.

I started to concentrate, pushing my hearing through the trees up to the house. Kaidan must have been able to tell what I was doing because he shook his head at me. He brought one hand out of the water and spelled out, Do not listen.

Ick. That was probably a good idea.

It was difficult to discern the passing of time as we floated there, unable to touch bottom, waiting. Judging by the sunlight filtering in, it was late afternoon. At some point my body had adjusted to the cold water, although my fingers were feeling numb now. My feet were heavy in their wet shoes. I wondered how long we could stay here like this. The water temperature had to be in the low seventies or high sixties, and it would drop as the sun went down.

The body was capable of amazing feats as long as the mind was on board. As far as strong minds went, I was in good company with this group of Neph. I glanced at Zania. She was zoned out, staring at the water with pursed lips. I couldn’t tell, but I didn’t think she was listening. Kope either. His eyes were closed in meditation. Now and then Kaidan and Blake would share looks of raised brows, which made me glad I wasn’t privy to what was going on up at the house.

I raised one hand from the water and spelled out, Is Flynn okay?

Kai and Blake both nodded and I relaxed.

I’m not sure when the shivering began. My head was so clouded with lost thoughts that I hadn’t noticed the gradual darkening outside. Island insects began screeching their songs to one another. My jaw shook, and I clamped it shut to keep my teeth from chattering. One look at Zania’s bluish lips told me I wasn’t the only one freezing.

Minutes? Hours? It had to have been hours that we floated there. I’d never been so cold. Would the Dukes stay the night at the island? The thought of being in the frigid water overnight caused my panic to stir again. I was so numb I didn’t feel cold anymore. The only clues that I was freezing were my stiff limbs and the fact that I couldn’t stop shivering. Even the three boys took to shuddering off and on. Zania had wrapped her arms and legs around the slimy pole, pressing her cheek against it with her eyes closed. Her jaw shook. Kaidan wore a worried expression as he watched me. I wanted to reassure him with a smile, but my body wasn’t cooperating with any commands I gave it: Stop shivering. Smile. It frightened me to be out of control of my faculties.

More hours? Pitch darkness. I struggled to use my night vision, taking advantage of light from the half-moon. I wasn’t afraid anymore. My mind had gone blank. A sickening urge to laugh rose up within me.

Something scaly rubbed against the back of my thigh and I sucked in a breath with a squeak, letting go of the pole and flailing for a moment. Pain shot through my stiff limbs. With barely a splash Kaidan was there, wrapping one arm around my waist and placing the other cold hand over my mouth. Another giggle surfaced and he clamped down harder, pulling me closer. He felt warm, and his presence awoke my senses, clearing my mind enough to realize I’d almost blown our cover. Fear emerged and I was glad for it. My mind needed to stay alert. I grabbed the pole once again and Kaidan kept close behind me.

Later, when my eyes were heavy, Kaidan abruptly tightened his grip and I knew someone was coming.

I heard two sets of footsteps and the voice of Duke Astaroth and a woman. They passed the boathouse and stood at the end of the dock by their boat. What were they doing? I hated not being able to see.

On the other side of the post one of the planks was warped and had a large chink at the edge. I slowly shifted my body around the post, pointing to the hole so Kai would know what I was doing. He gave me a tight be-careful look and held my waist. I kept one hand on a huge nail that protruded from the wood, and the other hand on Kai’s shoulder—just enough to boost myself a couple inches.

I adjusted my supernatural sight like binoculars. Through the angled crack I saw them silhouetted in the pale moonlight—Astaroth, looking like a blond romance cover model, and a dark-haired woman.