Chapter Three

Aeryn got Serin a cup of coffee and set it next to her bed. She grabbed her pack full of changes and made it out of the hotel with twenty minutes to spare.

She used her flashlight and made her way through the streets until she saw Skaay and flicked her light to him. He raised his arm and turned to head to the dock.

At four precisely, she said, “Permission to come aboard?”

Thera grinned. “Granted.”

She climbed up the ladder and let Thera guide her to bench seats along the back of the boat, where her accessories were carefully strapped out of the way. The jet ski was strapped to the back.

“How many clothing changes did you bring?”

“Six and a summer wetsuit.”

“That should be enough.”

Thera grinned. “This is going to be fun. I always wanted to do a photo shoot.”

“I am happy to be a part of it.” Aeryn grinned.

Kayak showed up with a picnic basket and a stack of coffees. Orc followed with more coffee.

Aeryn grinned. It was going to be a fun day.

Aeryn saw the island on a horizon where there shouldn’t be an island. “What the hell?”

Thera stood next to her. “That is amazing.”

A half-oval arched up, the surface looked to be made of obsidian, and there was a crystal ridge down the centre. It looked deadly to touch and was glittering in the slow lightening of the sky.

Aeryn had her wetsuit on and discussed her plan of attack with the island in and out of the background.

Kayak smiled. “Do you mind orcas?”

“No. Nothing under the surface freaks me out.”

Thera nodded. “Good. I am going to be using Kayak as a platform so I can get some good action shots to start with.”

“Fine with me. The light is starting. So, let’s get this over and done with, and we can move on to windsurfing.”

Aeryn looked down at the water near the jet ski, and a curious small shark was circling. She focused and whispered, “Shoo!”

The shark turned and wiggled off. Thera and Kayak got into the water, and Thera wedged a tripod onto the orca as he swam toward the island.

Aeryn powered up the jet ski, throttled it high, and became the performing seal that was required for this project.

She did slaloms, whirled and jumped her own track, and then watched the waves. When one was large enough, she did a barrel roll in midair.

She cruised toward Thera slowly and asked, “Did you get enough?”

“Can you teach me how to ride that way?”

“Probably not. I am cheating with wind and waves. Besides, you can do all the flippy stuff with your mates. I wouldn’t go near one of their beaky noses.” She grinned at the narrowed eye beneath the water.

“I am going to get my sailboard. Back in a minute and will be wearing my first change.”

She circled around the boat, tied up the jet ski, then peeled off the wetsuit, and flopped it over the edge of the railing.

Skaay said, “Change your hair so it looks like a different day.”

“Nice catch.”

“How did you learn to use all this equipment?”

“My parents researched the birds of the islands and were on an endless migratory cycle of their own. I am not really into ornithology, so I played in the water by whatever means available.”

“Have you always been tall?”

“No. I was blissfully normal.” She raised her arms and pulled her annoying length of hair into a bound tail that was just below her shoulders.

“What happened?”

“You know the story. The wrong alpha at the right time, and six months later, I was six inches taller.” She lifted the board and sail. “I went into this kind of activity as a way of learning what my new body could do. It can do a lot.”

She was wearing the sporty swimwear and used her own wind control to move her sail, and again, she did cruising, hung by one arm as she touched the surface of the waves, and then did more flips and called a halt as she tacked back toward the boat.

While she was loading her stuff up with Skaay’s help, Thera handed off her camera and tripod and then was off to do some of the acrobatics with an orca that they had talked about earlier.

Skaay and Orc watched closely. Aeryn kept an eye on the water beneath the two in the water and kept them in a bubble of predator-free waves. They were all so busy with the whale-watching that it was only when Orc lifted his head and saw the vessel gliding toward them he whistled. The whale in the water nudged their mate. She nodded, stiffened her body, and he dove under her and then pushed her up and out of the water to land on the deck in a low crouch.

Thera grinned. “That worked out well.”

Kayak surged out of the water and climbed up the deck. “You’re okay?”

Thera walked up and hugged him. “I am okay.”

He exhaled in relief.

Thera mentioned to Aeryn, “The first time he tried that, I was wearing scuba gear and came down on my tank. Broken bones and internal bleeding.”

Thera looked at Orc. “What’s up?”

“Yacht off the bow coming for us.”

“Is it on the radio?” Kayak asked.

Orc turned, and the radio crackled. He picked up the handset and spoke to the other side, ending it with, “Over.”

Orc cocked his head. “We have been invited for lunch. Now.”

“By whom?”Aeryn watched the yacht approaching.

A voice came from the ladder. “By me. Hello, little one.”

Aeryn looked at him, and then her gaze swung to the island that was now no longer taking up space in the ocean. “You.”

He had dark hair, rich brown skin, eyes that were a startling shade of crystal grey, and a slow smile. He was also seven and a half feet tall and naked.

Skaay handed him a sarong, and he put it on, barely covering the essentials.

Orc asked, “May we get your name?”

“Sohar Vendoric.” He bowed. “At your service.”

“Is this a weird hobby? Lying in the ocean and pretending to be an island?” Aeryn crossed her arms. He stared at her cleavage, so she grabbed a shirt and yanked it on.

Sohar smiled. “Usually, the yacht makes ladies remove clothing.”

Aeryn looked at the vessel that was nearly touching them. “Great. Find those ladies. Hang out with them. I am too old to play the pick-me game.”

Lines were thrown down, and the two vessels were tied together.

Sohar smiled. “My adorable queen, would you please board my vessel?”

She tilted her head. “If you can make the offer without a leer in your tone.”

“Please, dear one. We have much to discuss.”

Aeryn sighed.

“There is food... hot food. No offense to this team, but I see a picnic, and you have burned a lot of calories today.”

She looked at him. “You were watching. How?”

He laughed. “Something to explain over a hot meal. Everyone, shall we continue all discussions on my ship?”

Skaay smiled. “You have a lot of shoots this afternoon; you may want to recharge.”

They had settled at a right angle to the much larger ship, and uniformed crew were ready to help them hop over.

Orc grinned. “Thera, come with me.”

He walked over to the back of their boat. Skaay walked in front of them, got over to the other swim deck, and took Thera from Orc. Kayak wandered over, leaving Aeryn alone with Sohar.

He cocked his head. “What can it hurt?”

“The last time I saw you, hurt was very much part of the situation.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“You know, if you have the orcas, there might be enough food for me.”

He looked at her. “Please.”

Aeryn groaned and stalked to the bobbing decks, flying over the split between them and climbing up past the surprised crew.

When she got to the top of the ladder, Sohar was right behind her. Aeryn stepped away from him and thudded into someone else. “Fuck. I should have known you would be around here somewhere. Congratulations on surviving.”

The man looked at her and said, “I remember you smaller, treasure.”

“I wasn’t done growing.”

Sohar chuckled. “Loken, you two look cute together.”

Aeryn pulled away from the bodyguard and companion. She looked at Sohar. “You mentioned food?”

Their host nodded. “Of course. The dining room is this way.”

The crew led them into the ship to an enclosed deck that had a full three-hundred-sixty-degree view with protected glass all around.

There were several small tables and food on two of them.

Loken held a chair out for her. She wrinkled her nose and sat.

The Daring Pod was already eating.

Loken sat near her but not too close.

Sohar sat on the other side.

Aeryn took a roll and buttered it.

Loken asked, “How is it that you don’t usually appear on standard security footage?”

She bit down and mumbled, “I have a disguise.”

Sohar nodded and moved some grilled meat to her plate. “So, you knew we were looking.”

“Yeah, you almost found me a few times.” She put some of the meat on the bun and kept eating.

Loken eased some grilled vegetables next to the meat, and she continued the mechanical action of stuffing her face.

She made sure that they were eating as well as feeding her, and her beta brain accepted that she had allowed the start of a courtship ritual.

When there were only crumbs on the plates, she put her palms down on the table. “I can give it back.”

She looked to Sohar.

He blinked. “You still have it?”

“It’s why I am so fucking tall. I can pull it out, but I will probably collapse. Once you get it, you can just dump what’s left of me with the orcas. They will get me back to my boss.”

His eyes widened. “You can remove it?”

“You told me to take care of it, right? I took care of it. Now you are here, I am going to give it back.”

Sohar swallowed. “You still have it?”

She focused and closed her eyes, gripping her chest with her fingers and pulling outward. Pain ripped through her as it came out an inch. She heard panicked whimpering and kept going as she eased the diamond out of her chest.

She heard someone shouting at her, but then a hand pushed over hers, and the diamond slid back into her. She slumped over and panted.

Sohar stroked her head and held her hand. “It is integrated into you now. It isn’t coming out.”

“Well, fuck.” She kept focusing on her breathing until she could lift her head up. “That used to be easier. I am getting old.”

Sohar was appalled. “You used to pull it out? That was there to keep you alive.”

“Yes, but I posited that human tissue heals itself in just under six months. So, I pulled it out, checked my pulse, and then put it back in for safekeeping because I didn’t want a twenty-carat diamond lying around. And it didn’t go with a thing I owned.”

Loken smiled. “He jammed an emerald into me when we met. Similar situation. I tried to save him but ended up carved to pieces. He produced an emerald and jammed it into my chest, and I suddenly felt better.”

“It is an interesting dating tactic. Weirder way to make friends.” She leaned back and covered her eyes.

Sohar sounded concerned. “Do you have pain?”

“Just the feeling of a rodent caught in a trap. Until I realized I was in the maze, the world was mine.”

Loken nodded. “And now?”

“Now, it is just a lifetime of suckitude.” She grimaced.

Sohar said softly, “I am trying very hard not to take this personally.”

Aeryn sat up and looked at his confused features. “Damn. I hurt your feelings. I am sorry.”

He cocked his head and held a hand out to her. She grimaced but slipped her skin along his and let his grip pull her out of her chair and onto his lap.

She looked up at him. “So, is this what the very obliging ladies do?”

His confused look made her smile. “You know, the ones who get naked the moment they step on the yacht?”

Loken groaned. “You didn’t tell her that.”

“I may have mentioned it.”

Aeryn settled and looked at Loken. “Oh. Yes. He did.”

“What did you feel about that?”

“My immediate thought sprang to disease-testing.” She shrugged. “It just means that no one is putting one finger near me. I like my body unravaged by disease. My immune system is pretty good, but I don’t want to stress it.”

Sohar frowned. “What about you? What is your medical history?”

“Oh, I just had a full workup for insurance for the Ministry of Tourism. I am fine.” She smiled brightly.

He gripped her hips and scowled. She saw a dark colouring crossing his features. “Ah, Sohar, you need to get your ass back in the water and go back to being an island.”

He smirked. “Is that what you think I am?”

“It is how you appear.”

He grinned. “Only if you aren’t really looking.”

She looked at the pod. “You guys good? Ready to eat and run?”

Thera nodded. “Ready when you are.”

“Cool. We have a long list and need to find a beach so we can do the surfing videos and stills. Oh, and a waterfall for the paddleboarding.”

Orc nodded. “We have the list, but we need to get going.”

Aeryn agreed. “Let’s get going. Gentlemen, it was nice to meet you under less hostile conditions. I hope you have a lovely soak.”

He frowned. “You are just out here today?”

“Of course. I can see you need to shift out a little longer, but I am only in the need of one day of activities. Besides, the Darings are booked for the rest of the week. No boat to take out with me.”

Dark frustration covered his features. “Where are you staying?”

“The Wonder Islands. I am staying in the village for now.” She got to her feet.

“For now?” He clutched at her hand.

“Sure. I will eventually be staying in a private residence.” She headed for the door. “Enjoy your time in the area. I hope you can find women to decorate your deck at the next harbour.”

As she headed onto the main deck, she heard Loken mutter, “She said deck, right?”

“Yeah, but I think I have made a very bad first impression.”

The door closed on their voices, but she lifted off and flew to the charter boat. Thera and the guys joined her, and then, Orc said, “They have us tied up.”

Aeryn used wind to unravel the lines and said, “We are good now.”

Orc chuckled. “So we are. Is the anchor up?”

She gestured, and the anchor settled on the deck.

“Right. Off we go.”

Aeryn looked at Thera. “Sorry, but I don’t want to waste your time or mine.”

Skaay smiled. “It was a good lunch, but now, we are off to a good surfing beach.”

They were halfway around the northern end of the island when the floating island appeared in the distance. Aeryn smiled. “And he’s back.”

Thera took some photos. “Why do you think he does that?”

“Energy builds up. It has to get out, and since he has another form, it is either do it in a controlled manner or blow in an elevator somewhere.”

Thera grimaced. “That would be nasty. So, you really aren’t curious about him?”

“No. I am not. I know what he is now.”

“But, I mean, he looked very interested in you.”

Aeryn looked calmly at Thera. “And if the guys had introduced themselves by telling you they had spread tourist women all over the deck? How would that make you react?”

Thera winced. “Got it. In giant neon letters. That would have locked my legs faster than arctic water.”

“Right. So, he can have the other women; I will have my work. We don’t need to be together.”

“What about the other guy?”

“Loken? He is his bodyguard and personal driver, as far as I know. He was transformed the same way I was. Gemstone under the skin.”

“Really?”

“Really. It was a complicated day, and now that we are slowing down, I want to get into my next swimsuit and get some of the surfing down.”

“Okay, Orc is going to be freediving with one of the underwater cameras, and I am going to shoot from the beach.”

“Great. I have just the suit.”

She headed down and got into another sporty suit.

They coordinated the shot, and when Thera was on the beach, Aeryn got on her board with Orc recording. The drones took flight, and the show started.

She felt the surge of the wave under her and cheated, wanting to get the shot over with. She didn’t just move herself; she moved Orc in the water and kept a close eye on him, letting him surface when he needed to and then riding the curl.

She watched her posture, kept the fixed smile on, and eventually bailed out. Orc came up next to her and grinned. “Nice trick.”

They swam to the beach, and Thera grinned. “I got it. That looked great. The drones were amazing as well.”

Aeryn reached into her cleavage. “Yeah, the tracker for them to lock onto was handy.”

Orc grinned. “Good thing you had plenty of room in there to conceal it.”

“Yeah, it’s usually where I pack my lunch and my phone.”

Thera grinned. “This is so much fun. Back to the boat!”

Orc blinked. “You don’t want to do another run, Aeryn?”

“This isn’t a competition. If we get thirty usable seconds, we are good.”

Thera grinned. “Because it’s a commercial.”

“Technically, a video, but yeah, it’s a commercial.”

She looked at them. “Gather your stuff, and we will fly back to the boat.”

They scrambled. Orc held them both, and she used enough wind to lift them, scoop them, and carry them over the waves.

The next stop was placid in comparison, and when she stood on the paddleboard to move across the view of the waterfall, the drones were capturing everything, and Thera was once again on a whale, trying to stay out of the camera shot.

Skaay had suggested that she do a few yoga poses on the paddleboard. She did a handstand, deliberately wobbled her board, and plunged into the water. She pulled herself up onto the board with a grin and folded her arms on the board, propping her chin on them. She made her smile seductive and suspected she would be a little more in the public eye than she wanted.

When they had all the footage they needed for the day and the sun was turning orange, they headed back, tired but happy with the result. Skaay was piloting, and Orc was going over the footage.

The floating island was nowhere to be seen, and the yacht was missing as well.

Aeryn drank from her water bottle and sat with her elbows on her knees.

Thera sat next to her. “Long day, huh?”

“In many ways.”

“I am sorry your mate wasn’t what you had hoped.”

“I never hoped. I just wanted to live my life under my own control. It was the thing I didn’t have when I was growing up. So, I got a job authenticating marine salvage and antiques, and that is where I ran into Sohar and Loken. From then on, it was a fight to keep my life under my control when so much had been yanked away from me. I have been hiding from them. To see them here is astonishing. The coincidence is annoying.”

“Maybe it is time to let go of some of the control?”

“Not until they bring me clean records. No way someone is going to brag about fucking their way through the seven seas, and I just accept that they are perfectly fine.”

“Can’t you smell the difference? I hear that diseased mates smell different.”

“Oh, sure. They are both perfectly fine, but they opened their mouth and hurt my feelings, and I want them inconvenienced. I hate feeling awkward or disposable.”

Thera blinked. “Right. Did you want to come over for dinner?”

“No. I will get changed and get something in the square. I might even put my black cuff on.”

Thera stared. “Wow.”

“Just for an ego boost. A match is unlikely, but I am in the mood to flirt. It doesn’t have to be any deeper than that.”

“I will have to try that one day.”

Aeryn chuckled and looked to the nearby Kayak. “All the toys back in storage?”

“You bet. Let us know if you want to go out and play again.”

“I will. We will see how the footage comes out later this week if you all don’t mind.”

“I have the case with all the current chips. You can take a look and let us know what you think.”

“I will probably bring them all back and let Orc take a look. I hate looking at myself.”

Thera stared at her. “Why? You are gorgeous.”

“I had nothing to do with that. The only thing I have ever controlled is what I eat and what I have studied.”

Orc snagged the drive packet and grinned. “Send me the music. I will put something together.”

“Right. It will be on the way. We have a few, so pick your favourites.” She sent the music to the charter company, and Orc nodded when his phone buzzed. “Got it.”

Aeryn waved at them, thanked them, walked onto the dock, and headed for the crowd. The village was alive with energy. Amby was singing and using her siren effect.

It was going to be a fun evening, so Aeryn hurried to the hotel and got changed. She snapped on her black cuff and smiled. Time to get her flirt on.