Chapter Twenty-Seven

Abby

I clutched the porcelaindoll to my chest as I turned the corner to my house, quite pleased with myself at my find. Though the baby hadn't been born yet, I trusted Safi's intuition that Charlotte was having a girl. I imagined the baby would look just like Charlotte, with big blue eyes and cornsilk hair. Though it cost more than I'd wanted to spend, this doll, with pretty blonde curls, rosy lips and cheeks, and a baby-blue silk dress, fit her to perfection.

I had already delivered invitations to Charlotte's party and stopped by Miss Rose's to order delectable pastries. Though it wasn't Charlotte's birthday, I felt a party in my best friend's honor was long overdue. And what better way to celebrate Charlotte, than by buying gifts for her new baby? I was determined to make the party this coming Saturday afternoon a merry event.

I quickened my pace when I saw Se?or Cortez's cart parked in front of Nana's house. Why was he there? Had he any news from Safi and Gabriel? How did his grandson fare after the shark attack? I raced up the stairs, panting by the time I reached the last step.

Se?or Cortez was standing on the threshold as Nana took his hat.

I was pleased to have arrived in time to hear his tidings. "Se?or Cortez, how nice to see you." I looped my arm through the elderly man's and helped him walk toward a seat in the parlor. "How is Pedro?"

He gaped at me, momentarily stunned, no doubt, at my sudden kindness.

I was humbled. He must have thought me a spoiled nitwit all these years.

"He is well," Se?or Cortez said as he lowered himself onto a chair. "Thank you for asking."

"Josef." Nana handed him a cup of steaming tea. "I am worried about Fiona. Here it is Tuesday, and she has been sleeping since yesterday morning."

"Se?ora Jenkens, please trust me." He set his tea awkwardly on one bony knee, the lines on his brow creasing even deeper. "She needs much rest after healing Pedro. Please do not disturb her."

The look Se?or Cortez shot Nana made me uneasy. Though I'd never had a reason to mistrust the man, I didn't like the feeling that he was harboring a secret.

I sat across from him, leaning forward. "We haven't disturbed her, though Dr. Straw tried to yesterday."

His eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

"He forced his way into the house and demanded to see Miss Fiona." I waved at the door. "Luckily, Moses came to our aid. Se?or Cortez, I believe that doctor means her harm."

He set his cup down with a clank, gripping his knees with whitened knuckles. "I think he does, too."

I nodded toward the stairs. "How long is she going to sleep?"

"I'm not sure." Se?or Cortez grimaced. "But she will wake on her own when she's ready."

I wasn't sure why, but I got the feeling Se?or Cortez didn't want Miss Fiona to wake.

"Surely she'll need to eat soon," Nana grumbled.

"Sí." He sighed. "She will eventually need to eat."

Why didn't Se?or Cortez seem concerned about Miss Fiona? I wondered if it had anything to do with Gabriel and Safi running away together. I remembered early yesterday morning, when Se?or Cortez had brought the sleeping mother home. He'd asked Nana to help his grandsons put her to bed. The oldest boy had carried her up the stairs, tripping on the rug once he'd reached the landing, nearly tumbling to the floor, and Fiona had not even stirred in his arms. It wasn't as if she was asleep but unconscious. I suspected Miss Fiona had become distraught once she'd learned her daughter had run off, and so Se?or Cortez had given her a sleeping draught to ease her suffering. Se?or Cortez had always been a kind man. I refused to believe he'd poisoned her.

I feared that when Miss Fiona finally did wake, she'd ask about her daughter. What was I to tell her? I still didn't know where they'd gone.

"Se?or Cortez," I asked. "Have you heard anything from Safi and Gabriel?"

Dark shadows fell across his weary eyes. "I have heard nothing."

My heart sank, for I truly did like Safi, and I didn't wish to witness Miss Fiona's heartbreak. "Do you think they are ever coming back?"

His mouth set in a grim line. "Heaven help them if they do."

* *

Gabriel

I THANKED MY LUCKYstars when I found the rowboat inside the barn. I'd gone in search of tools to plow up the wild roots and herbs in the overgrown garden and had emerged with an even bigger prize. Safi was not so excited about the prospect of going into the water. She made it clear she'd prefer to stay at home, cutting up roots for a stew, so I set off for the beach, pulling the boat behind me. The task was arduous, and though I'd tried to summon wind to help, the more I tried to force the elements to comply, the more they rebelled. The gusts only rattled the boat, making it even harder to pull. I thought about returning to the house and asking my dragon mate for help, but now that I had my legs back, I refused to waste my strength.

My back was aching by the time I reached the shore. The tide was much higher than the night before, lapping at the remnants of our fire. As I pushed the boat into the current, I was pleased to see it didn't take on water. I threw the net inside and climbed aboard, rowing out to sea, which was difficult work against the waves that fought my momentum. I scanned the ocean for signs, and when I saw the water boiling in the distance, I pushed the boat onward with all my might. Closing my eyes, I called upon the elements for assistance and was rewarded with a small wave. I smiled as the boat catapulted forward, pleased that my power over water was working. Perhaps I would learn how to consistently wield my magical energy.

After I reached my destination, the shoreline was so thin, it was almost an illusion. I frowned at the water. The bubbles had stopped; no doubt the school of fish had swum away.

I gripped the sides when the bubbles began again. This time the boiling rocked my small vessel so hard, I feared it would capsize. What fish were these? Was there a predator nearby driving them all to the top? But I didn't see fish splashing to the surface.

The bubbles intensified, and when I saw what followed, I would've thought I'd gone mad had I not seen my beautiful lady transform into a dragon. A large, splotchy head with inky teardrop-shaped eyes shot up directly beside my boat, like a skyscraper jutting from the sea.

I swallowed hard when eight huge tentacles sprang up around the creature. When I'd seen drawings of giant octopi attacking fishing vessels, I had thought the pictures were merely the stuff of fantasy. But this monster looking down at me was no fantasy. In fact, she was real enough to make a bit of moisture seep into my pants.

My heart raced as I gaped up at the beast. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered my papí speaking of a friendly sea monster named Graechen. I prayed this monster was her, and that her kindness extended to me.

She peered down at me through eyes as dark as a raven's wing. You are Safina's mate.

Her voice ricocheted in my skull, though I saw no movement from her pinched mouth.

My tongue felt heavy and dry, all moisture in my mouth having vanished. "Y-yes. And you are Graechen?"

She sank into the water until she was level with me. I am. Her tear-dropped shaped eyes narrowed. Tell me, what has brought you to this distant shore?

I thought about it for a moment. Would this monster be angry with me for stealing Safi from her mother? I didn't wish to provoke Graechen's ire. "Safi and I... we...." My mind was a jumbled mess. Fear twisted my tongue into a knot. "Her mother was going to force her back into the cocoon."

The beast chuckled, a low, deep sound that vibrated my chest. Do you really think she would have done that?

I squeezed my hands together in my lap, willing myself to calm down, though I wasn't sure if the monster was purposely belittling me. "We weren't willing to take the chance."

Graechen made an odd clucking sound that rattled my insides. Foolish children.

I puffed up my chest, determined not to let this monster see how much she unnerved me. "We are children no more."

She shot up into the sky, a deep growl pulsating from her bulbous head. Safina will always be her mother's child.

I stood on shaky legs, the boat tipping dangerously, trying to show I was brave. "Why have you come here?" Even as I said the words, I surprised myself with my temerity.

She sank back into the ocean, the ripples from the displaced water rocking the boat and forcing me to sit.

Impertinent boy. I should ask the same of you. The ocean is my home. But if you must know, I came to warn you.

I gripped the sides of the boat, swallowing a lump of panic. "The dragon queen is coming?"

The monster made a deep gurgling sound that I assumed was laughter.

No, no. Not that. Rest assured, she won't be able to find you for a while.

"Then what is the warning?" I tried not to sound impatient, but the tension and fear that coiled around my spine had made my speech clipped. This monster brought bad tidings, and though I feared her news, I needed to prepare.

I have come from the east. She waved a floppy tentacle in the direction of the morning sun. A tempest approaches.

"A tempest?" I asked. "You mean a storm?"

Yes. The echo of her voice turned shrill. You must flee the island before it reaches your shore.

I grabbed my oars, preparing to paddle back, for I didn't wish to be caught on the water during foul weather. "I have weathered storms before." Already I was thinking of the work that must be done. I would board up the windows and collect enough food to last a few days.

She made that clucking sound again. I can assure you, my boy. Her voice was an ominous hiss in my ears. You have never seen a storm like this. The surge will wash over the land and reduce your home to ruins. Thousand will perish here, as well as the island of Galveston.

"Galveston?" I gasped. "How do you know this?"

I am steward of the sea. Earth Mother has shown me what is to come. I must go. She sunk low as the water boiled around her. The souls of the deceased call to me. I must lead them to the light.

* * *

Gabriel

THE SEA CREATURE HADbeen telling the truth. As soon as I reached shore, I saw the tide had buried the remains of our bonfire. How had it risen so fast? The only reasonable explanation was that a hurricane was indeed approaching.

I wished my powers were as strong as Papí's. The elements spoke to the old man. To the common mortal, the whistle of the wind was just a sound, but to Papí, it was the promise of sweet summer rain or the sibilant warning of a forthcoming storm. I hoped the wind had given my papí warning. If not, I feared my family and the rest of the population of the small Galveston Island would be swallowed by the tempest.

My heart beat wildly as I raced through the jungle, nearly falling on my face as I dodged roots and vines. When I came upon the house, I found Safi pulling up weeds in the garden, a futile task, for once the storm hit there'd be nothing left.

I stopped and bent over, clutching my sides and trying to catch my breath.

Safi looked up. "What is it, Gabriel?"

"Safi," I said between gasps. "We need to go."

She jumped to her feet, clutching a spade in one hand and wiping dirt from her pale frock with the other. "What? Why?"

I nodded toward the east. Already a gentle wind was picking up. "A storm is coming."

She dropped the spade to the ground. "Did the wind tell you?"

I grimaced, for I doubted my powers would ever be that strong. "No. Not the wind. Graechen."

"Graechen? The sea monster?"

I nodded. "Safi, pack your pretty dresses and whatever else we can take."

"So we are to let a simple storm drive us away?" She threw her dirt-stained hands into the sky. "Gabriel, the house has shutters, and it's on high ground."

I closed the short distance between us. Clutching her shoulders, I beseechingly searched her eyes. "Safi, this is no ordinary storm. It's a hurricane."

"A hurricane?"

"A cyclone with powerful wind and great waves that will wash over the land. Graechen has seen it, and she says the house will be ripped from its foundation. Many have already died on the southeast side of the island."

Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh, great goddess!"

"There's more." I swallowed the lump of panic that wedged in my throat. "Graechen says the storm will hit Galveston."

"Galveston? But it's many miles away. How can she be sure?"

"She says she's seen the future. It will reap great destruction and kill thousands. We must go back and warn the others."

* * *

Duncan

I WAS THE FIRST TOdisembark from the steaming train. I slung my bag across one shoulder and marched straight to the ticket counter, booking passage for the next train to Galveston.

I sat on a bench and loosened my collar, but it did little to ease my discomfort as the unbearable Texas sun beat down on me. What I needed was to check into a hotel and relax in a long bath, but I'd come too far to stop now. Only a few more hours, and I would reach my destination. After nearly five hundred years of searching, I would soon be reunited with my mate and child.