19. Rissa

19

RISSA

The yacht bobbed gently on the waves, its sea anchor deployed. I gripped the railing, my knuckles turning white as I stared down at the crystal blue water. The sea breeze whipped through my short black hair.

It was time. After two thousand years, I was finally going to be reunited with my powers. The thought filled me with a bittersweet mix of anticipation and dread.

I inhaled deeply, steeling my resolve. This was the right thing to do. The world needed the power I had hidden away so long ago to stop the formless ones. My personal desires had to come second.

Luce emerged from the cabin and joined me at the railing. "Are you ready?"

I met his gaze and clenched my jaw. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."

"We can try to find another way."

I shook my head firmly. "No, this is our only option. And I'm the person who has to retrieve the diamond." I turned back to the shimmering expanse, to the spot that called to the remnants of divinity still within me. "Let's just get this over with."

I pointed down at a spot off the starboard side of the yacht. "It's closest to this point when we dive off. There's a lot of old volcanic activity below here and that's what the coral grew out of. I hid it in a small hollow that was unlikely to be overgrown by coral because it's just below the light level where it can grow. So we're going to have to go past the coral and search along the base of where it grows."

Luce nodded, his dark eyes scanning the water with a calculating intensity. "Lead the way."

We made our way to the back of the boat where our scuba gear awaited. Jeanette appeared, her blonde ponytail swaying as she checked over our tanks with practiced efficiency. "Good to go," she declared, flashing a bright smile at Luce.

I bristled at her overly cheery attitude. Just because she was family to Luce didn't give her the right to act like I wasn't even here. I bit back a snarky observation, knowing it wouldn't help the situation.

I secured my mask and looked to Luce. "Ready to take the plunge, lord daemon?"

He chuckled, the sound slightly muffled by his own mask. "After you, kitten."

I punched his arm, even as a small part of me thrilled at hearing it. With a deep breath, I waddled to the edge of the boat, fins slapping against the deck. One last glance at the world above, at the kind of life I was leaving behind, and then I let myself fall backward into the waiting embrace of the sea.

The cool water enveloped me like a disgusting second skin as I sank beneath the waves. Bubbles trailed upwards from my regulator, the rhythmic sound of my breathing amplified in my ears. I twisted, orienting myself in the blue expanse, searching for Luce.

He appeared beside me, his powerful form cutting through the water with ease. With a kick of his fins, he propelled himself closer, reaching out to grasp my arm. I tensed, instinctively pulling back, but his grip was firm. He tugged me towards him until we were face to face, our masks nearly touching.

What the hell? We needed to get moving, not waste time with whatever this was.

But Luce didn't release me. Instead, he stared intently into my mask, his dark eyes boring into mine. I squirmed under the intensity of his gaze, feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way that had nothing to do with my skintight wetsuit or the nasty water all around us.

"What are you doing?" I tried to say, but the words came out garbled, lost in a flurry of bubbles.

Luce just shook his head, his expression unreadable behind the mask. He continued to hold me close, his body radiating heat even through the chilly water.

What was wrong with me? I'd faced down monsters and gods. One overgrown daemon shouldn't throw me off my game.

I tried to pull away again, but Luce's grip only tightened. He tilted his head, as if trying to communicate something without words. I stared back, frustration mounting.

We didn't have time for this cryptic crap, and I was getting irritated. My powers were waiting, and every second counted. I jabbed a finger emphatically towards the depths, toward the coral formations that concealed the gem.

Rissa, can you hear me? Luce's voice suddenly resonated inside my mind, startling me so badly I almost choked on the oxygen coming through the mask.

I whipped my head around to stare at him in shock. He met my gaze evenly, a hint of amusement in his dark eyes.

This isn't something I can do easily or long-term , he explained, his mental voice a deep, rich timbre. But it'll work while we're under here. Since radio doesn't work underwater.

I blinked rapidly, trying to process this new development. This is crazy , I thought back at him, feeling foolish and self-conscious. Could he hear every stray thought flitting through my head?

Luce's warm chuckle filled my mind, making heat rise to my cheeks. Yes, it is. But don't worry, I can only hear the thoughts you intentionally project to me.

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing pulse. Well, that's something, at least. A little warning would've been nice, though.

Where's the fun in that? Luce's mental voice was laced with mischief. Besides, I thought you could handle a little surprise.

I shot him a dirty look, but the effect was somewhat diminished by the scuba mask obscuring half my face. Just shut up and swim, daemon lord, I retorted, kicking past him with a powerful stroke.

Luce's soft laughter echoed in my head as he fell into place beside me, our bodies cutting smoothly through the crystal-clear water.

As we descended deeper, the sunlight filtering through the waves grew dimmer, casting an ethereal blue glow over the underwater landscape. Towering columns of volcanic rock rose up from the ocean floor, their craggy surfaces adorned with a vibrant layer of coral in every imaginable hue. Delicate pink fans, undulating purple fronds, and knobby orange clusters that pulsed with hidden life.

Schools of tropical fish darted past us, their scales flashing like living jewels in the diffuse light. Far to the right a sea turtle glided by, its ancient eyes studying us before it disappeared into the maze of rock and coral.

It's breathtaking, Luce murmured in my mind, tinged with something like awe.

I bit back a sigh, wishing I could share his wonder. Sure, if you like being surrounded by millions of gallons of water and creepy sea creatures .

Oh, come on, Rissa. Even you have to admit this is incredible.

Maybe for someone who doesn't mind getting wet . I shuddered as a cold current slid across my skin. Every fiber of my being longed to be back on dry land, away from the cloying embrace of the sea.

I never took you for a scaredy-kitten, Luce teased.

I glared at him through the blue-tinted haze. I'm not scared, daemon boy. I just don't like being soggy and pruney and surrounded by things with tentacles and teeth . Keep in mind I'm going to slap you for every time you call me a kitten when we're above water. Mind that I don't knock you out.

Luce's laughter echoed through my mind, warm and intimate. Relax, oh fluffy kitten. I'll protect you from the big bad fishies.

Even as I projected my annoyance, I couldn't quite suppress the tiny spark of warmth his words kindled in my chest.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed aside the feeling and focused on the task at hand, scanning the ocean floor for any sign of the small hollow that concealed the gem.

As we neared the bottom, the insistent tug of my long-ago hidden powers grew stronger, a siren song thrumming through my veins. I could feel them calling to me, urging me onward with a desperate intensity that made my heart race.

This way. I headed out toward the source of the pull with powerful strokes of my fins. He followed close behind, a dark shadow at my back as we wove between towering volcanic formations and vibrant coral reefs.

Schools of curious fish flitted around us as we swam, their silvery scales catching the filtered sunlight. They darted in close, investigating the strange intruders in their domain with quick, darting movements before scattering like leaves in the wind. I had to resist the urge to bat at them.

Nosy little buggers, aren't they? A particularly bold sardine or something nearly brushed his mask.

They probably think we're the weirdest looking fish they've ever seen. I couldn't resist a small smile at the thought. Two legs, no scales, and these ridiculous bubble-blowing contraptions on our faces.

Hey, speak for yourself. I make this look good. Luce struck an exaggerated pose that sent a stream of bubbles cascading toward the surface.

I snorted, shaking my head. You're incorrigible.

And you love it, he shot back, his mental voice warm.

We rounded a jutting spire of volcanic rock, and the small hollow came into view. There, nestled in the shadows of the overhang, was the spot where I'd hidden my powers all those centuries ago.

My heart leaped with anticipation, and I surged forward, eager to reclaim what was mine. But as I drew closer, a flicker of movement caught my eye, and I pulled up short, a curse bubbling up in my throat.

There, coiled in the entrance to the hollow like a sentry, was a massive moray eel, its sinuous body rippling with corded muscle. Its wide, gaping mouth was lined with needle-like teeth, and its eyes glinted with a cold, predatory intelligence as it watched us approach.

Well, blast, I projected to Luce, eyeing the creature warily. Looks like we've got company.

I didn't want to kill the eel. It wasn't the creature's fault that it had chosen my hiding spot as its home. But I needed to get to that box, and I had a feeling the eel wasn't going to give it up without a fight.

What do you think? I asked Luce, glancing over at him. Any bright ideas?

Luce's brow furrowed as he studied the situation, his expression thoughtful. Then, with a decisive nod, he projected, Leave it to me.

Before I could protest, he shot forward. In a blur of motion, he seized the eel behind its head and near the end of its body, his hands clamping down like a vice.

The eel thrashed and writhed, its jaws snapping furiously as it tried to sink its teeth into Luce's arm. But Luce held fast, his muscles straining with the effort of keeping the limber fast moving creature immobilized.

Hurry! he urged, his mental voice strained. I don't know how long I can hold it!

Shaking off my momentary shock, I paddled forward and reached into the hollow. My fingers scrabbled over the rough stone, searching desperately for the box that held my powers.

Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as the eel continued to struggle in Luce's grasp.

Finally, my fingers closed around the smooth, cool surface of the box, and I yanked it free from its hiding place with a triumphant cry. But my elation was short-lived as I caught sight of Luce's arm, the water around him clouding with tendrils of blood from the eel's vicious bites.

I got it! I tucked the box securely under my arm. Let's get out of here!

He released the eel and thankfully it didn't attack him. As we moved away from the eel's lair, it darted back into the shadows of the small cave, its sinuous body disappearing from view. I clutched the box tightly in my left hand, my heart still racing as we began our ascent.

But something wasn't right. With each breath, the air from my tank tasted stale and heavy, an acrid tang that burned the back of my throat. I glanced down at the gauge, expecting to see the needle still safely in the green. Instead, the readings sent a jolt of fear through me.

The air... it's been tampered with. I tried to keep the rising panic out of my thoughts. The gauge says the tank is full, but the alarms are going off for high CO2 levels.

Luce's mental presence wrapped around me, his calm steadiness a counterpoint to my growing dread. I noticed it too, he replied, his thoughts tinged with grim understanding. But it's lucky I don't need to breathe. And I know you don't either.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. In the heat of the moment, I'd forgotten that little detail about my own physiology. Breathing was more of a comfort than a necessity.

Oh, yeah, right, I acknowledged with a flicker of embarrassment at my oversight. Old habits, I guess.

But even as I tried to rationalize it, a nagging suspicion took root in my mind. Who could have tampered with my air supply? And more importantly, why?

Jeanette checked our gear, I reminded Luce, my thoughts sharp with accusation. You don't think...

Luce's mental sigh echoed through my head. No. Jeanette would never do anything to harm me. There has to be another explanation.

I didn't reply, but the seeds of doubt had already been planted. Trust was a luxury I couldn't afford, not even when it came to Luce's closest allies. And she'd been a straight up bitch to me.

We continued our ascent in tense silence, the weight of unanswered questions hanging between us. The air quickly became foul, but breathing was too strong a habit to simply break, so I endured the odor.

The box was heavy for its size, a reminder of the powers I was about to reclaim.

As we neared the surface, the sunlight filtering through the waves above us, I steeled myself for whatever lay ahead. One thing was certain, I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

The moment we breached the surface, the box in my hand shattered, its fragile structure no match for the sudden shift in pressure. I watched in puzzlement as the diamond within, the vessel containing my long-lost powers, fractured into a thousand glittering shards.

"Oh crap," I muttered, staring at the remnants of the box as they sank back into the depths. Panic seized my chest, a suffocating weight that had nothing to do with the lack of oxygen in my tank.

Please, let the explosion incoming not hurt Luce!