CHAPTER 14

 

In a frenzy, Stella clawed at the rim of the tomb. She struggled to get stable footing so that she could climb out, but the splintered sound beneath each attempt was a rattle that would forever haunt her soul. A keening wail bubbled from her lips as she stepped on an exceptionally tough bone and used her elbows to hike up onto the cave floor. She crab-walked a few feet and grabbed the torch again.

Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Wasn’t that the mantra they always taught you?

She was far enough away now that the deep shadows cloaked the contents of the pit. That didn’t help with the headless skeleton sitting next to her. There was a tiny shard of cloth stuck to a shoulder, but she didn’t stick around to analyze it any further. She climbed to her feet and prepared to bolt.

A glow outside the tight chamber halted her. It bobbed in approach.

Stella searched frantically for a weapon, and tossed aside the notion of grabbing a bone. Instead she held the torch like a baseball bat and assumed a battle stance.

When Colin’s familiar frame filled the entrance she nearly sobbed with relief.

Stel, why didn’t you–?”

Colin jerked to a halt. He saw the skeleton sitting on the floor.

What the hell?”

Stella shook her head. “Oh, that’s nothing.” She swept the end of the torch towards the ground to reveal the quarry of bones.

Colin staggered a step, but he didn’t say anything. His lips parted, and deep shadows rooted across his face. Curling his free hand into a fist he stepped forward and surveyed the hole that appeared to be man-made based on its rectangular shape.

The ground cannot be dug here for an adequate burial,” he quoted. “Isn’t that what Dad was told?”

Stella jerked her head up and down, unable to speak. The grim finality of what she was looking at was finally settling in.

Who are they?” she whispered.

Colin dragged in a deep breath. “Others like my mother? The survivors who didn’t make it. Maybe the ones who succumbed to carbon dioxide poisoning.”

The morbid thought that she could easily end up in this pile tortured Stella.

What do we do?” she probed hoarsely.

Colin looked angry. “We’ll mention it, but I doubt there is any great mystery to what we have here.” His eyes met hers and she saw the flames dancing there. “The truth is that people are going to die down here. Maybe they don’t want to release them all to the ocean. Maybe it will encourage too many sharks.” He shrugged. “I just–”

As if he was going to be ill, Colin stooped over, his hand on his knee for support.

Col!” She came to his side immediately.

He raised his hand to keep her away.

I just–” he whispered, “–am glad that we didn’t find her here. I’m glad for that one small favor.”

This time Stella ignored his protest and went to him, resting her palm on his hunched shoulder. He accepted the touch for a moment and then slowly rose until her hand slid down his arm and finally off.

Let’s not tell Dad or Jill about this,” he suggested huskily. “Not today. Maybe someday, but not today.”

No,” she agreed.

Come on.” This time he touched her, his fingers cupping gently around her arm.

Under that proximity he caught a glimpse of her soiled clothes. “Are you okay?”

Concerned, his hand roamed up her arm as he reached to turn her for an inspection.

I’m okay, Col.”

You, you’re filthy. What happened?”

Stella glanced down into the pit and her body trembled.

I–I fell in there.”

Shock registered on his face There was no vocal outburst–no hollow words of solace. He crouched and set the torch on the ground and took her into his arms.

Stella stiffened at first, but the comfort of his embrace was what she needed the most. Her torch slipped from her hand and landed beside his. Pressing her cheek against his collarbone she sagged until she felt him support her. Adrenaline had kept her going, but this one act of kindness tore down her defenses. Tears welled in her eyes and she didn’t bother to hold them back. She sobbed openly against his chest and he just held her tighter.

It was all too much. The loss of Mrs. Wexler. The sight of these poor souls who had survived death in the ocean only to end up in this common grave. No respect. No sorrow.

What scared her the most was having little fear of joining them. Their sentence in the Underworld, or Hell, was over.

Amidst her whimpering she swore she felt Colin kiss the top of her head. She tried to tilt her chin back to look up at him, but his thumbs brushed at her tears, and with a long look he finally set her back, holding her upper arms.

Can you walk?” he asked thickly.

She nodded.

Let’s get away from here,” he uttered. “Let’s get back.”

Back to civilization.

Yes,” she murmured.

They traveled in silence, Colin’s hand linked with hers no matter the obstacle. When they reached the dark side of the waterfall, he stopped.

Why did you go back there on your own? Why didn’t you wait for me?”

There was little fight left in her at the moment. She sighed and replied honestly. “Because you were busy.”

Dark eyes studied her for a long time.

Because I was with Loren?”

She avoided his stare and nodded.

She wanted to give her condolences,” he stated. “She felt uncomfortable doing that in front of you.”

Stella kept her gaze locked on the ground. Her toes were all scraped up.

I was about five minutes behind you. You could have waited five minutes,” he reprimanded, but the soft concern took the edge from his voice.

I was fine. I was on my way back,” she mumbled. “You don’t have to be the big brother all the time.”

Dammit.” His hand clenched. “Is that what you think I am? Your big brother?”

Something in his tone caused her eyes to swing up. What she saw there stole her breath.

Colin closed in, his hand weaving into her hair as his mouth descended on hers. He kissed her. At first it was intense, but his lips softened and the kisses lingered until Stella felt weightless.

He drew back enough that only his breath caressed her lips.

I am not your big brother.”

But–”

Stella,” he kissed her again and she whimpered deep in her throat at how good it felt.

I always thought you looked at me like the big brother type,” his deep voice mingled with the chimes of water falling. “And I admit, I felt that way–until–”

Until?”

Until that time you landed on top of me on the boat. I touched you. I had my hands all over you, and you didn’t feel like my little sister’s friend anymore. You didn’t feel young. I wanted to kiss the hell out of you right there in the dark.”

Stella swallowed.

But–but–Loren. I thought maybe you liked her–” she murmured, still confused–still excited.

Colin’s eyebrow inched up. “I like it when you’re jealous.”

His smile tantalized her, but it disappeared all too soon. “I am worried about Loren. Something is not right with her. I can’t tell you exactly what, but maybe you’ll catch it next time we see her. She wants to show us something.”

Us?”

Colin chuckled. “Yeah, believe it or not she’s not interested in me.”

His teasing elicited a quick grin from her. “No, I don’t believe it,” she kidded.

And I don’t believe you wanted to touch me.

As if he read her mind his hand slid down behind her neck and he kissed her softly. “I wanted to do that for a long time, Gullaksen,” he whispered against her lips. “If you think I’m out of line–if you’re not interested–you better tell me.”

Stella reached out and fisted her hand in his t-shirt. “I’m interested,” she smiled and tucked her head, folding against his chest.

With both of them holding torches it was an awkward embrace, but she cherished every second, knowing that they were about to go back and face their grim reality.

The bell rang in the distance. Stella jerked back.

They’ll see us.”

Colin glanced at the waterfall. “Do you think I care? Hey,” he added softly. “It might get intense, but we’ve got a few things we need to accomplish.”

She frowned and cocked her head.

Such as?”

Ask about the pit. Check on Dad and Jill. Find out what it was Loren wanted to show us.”

Why didn’t she just show you?” Stella interrupted.

Colin’s lips quirked. “Because I told her I needed to find you.”

Oh.” She hesitated. “Those are all important tasks.” She searched his face. “Was there more?”

Yeah,” his eyes travelled over her face. “There’s more.”

He reached for her hand as they started towards the waterfall. She felt him tense. The grip on her hand turned into a vice, but when she was about to ask what was wrong, she saw his gaze had shifted past her shoulder.

Anxious, she followed that stunned stare. At first nothing was evident. Beyond the reach of their torches lie the abyss they had just travelled from–a blackened confluence of tunnels and caverns. One avenue led to life-sustaining food and oxygen, another led to extinction. In that shadowed junction two eyes glared out at them.

Ghostly–floating–unblinking. Those pulsing green orbs stalked them. The shadowy figure advanced to the furthest reach of their torchlight. Stella’s gasp was trapped in her throat, and her feet became numb, useless for any means of flight.

What had simply been a pair of luminous eyes now took on mass under the ambient light. Black shadows congealed to form an upright figure, tall, but hunched. Its neck hung low so that its head was even with the sloped shoulders. Maybe there was the hint of a mouth or nose, but those features were lost on the charred face–lost to the gleaming eyes.

It took another awkward step forward, an imbalanced stride as if it didn’t know how to handle its own weight. The legs were long, defined, but seemingly soiled. Likewise the long torso and dangling arms. There were human elements to the creature, but it was naked, every inch of it covered in what now appeared to be blackened scales.

When Stella took a step backwards its eyes latched onto the movement. It had the predatory instincts of an animal.

Get behind me,” Colin whispered.

Stella stuck beside him. Colin reached forward and brandished his torch. Green orbs followed the motion. He took another step with the flames thrust forward. The creature grew agitated, aggressive, as it lumbered headfirst towards Colin.

Col,” she cautioned with a yelp.

The creature reacted to her cry. It lurched towards them, but Colin waved the torch and it held its ground, swaying side to side. Its arms extended and Stella could make out scaly hands with squat fingers. The palms were exceptionally large, reaching to mid-knuckle.

Stella raised her torch and edged closer, standing shoulder to shoulder with Colin. The motion pressed the beast back. It lifted one of its arms to deflect the flames.

It doesn’t like the fire,” she mumbled through tight lips.

The sound of her voice made the sullied head snap in her direction. It freaked her, but she jabbed the torch in the air again, forcing it to retreat.

Okay,” Colin urged quietly. “Let’s start backing up. Keep waving the torches. I don’t think it will follow us past the waterfall.”

Stella swung her flare. The sound of falling water filled her ears, but over it she heard a keening pitch. The creature was moaning, torn with the desire to give chase, but wary of the flames. As Colin and Stella reached the waterfall, the beast dropped its arms in apparent resignation. It swung around with its head hunched and its charcoal legs plodding stiffly away.

As it disappeared into the shadows Stella fell into a cold sweat. The hand that gripped the torch trembled.

Come on,” Colin encouraged, his fingers on her arm.

She followed him. Trauma was setting in and she could feel the blood pounding in her head.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Stel?”

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Stella?”

She blinked hard and saw the path to the Underworld ahead, the waterfall fading behind her. Colin’s hand was steady and strong around hers. The memory of his kiss startled her. Had that really happened, or was everything on the other side of the waterfall a bizarre illusion?

We’re almost there,” he assured.

Stella forced one foot in front of the other, some of her aches and pains flaring into focus now. Ahead, Margie’s boisterous voice was heard before she even came into view. As they wound around the curve of the footpath Stella saw the curvy woman stooped over a footlocker, pulling scarves out like a magician would do with his hat.

Will this work?” she asked her husband who was busy tying drab-colored ribbons to the rope railing along the path.

Jordan glanced up at the matted furry boa wrapped around her neck. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Is there a tiara in there to accompany it?”

Margie’s rear made a giant heart as she stooped over and searched the box. When she rose with a victorious smile she held up a sequined hair comb in triumph. Her smile suddenly fell and she dropped the comb. Jordan followed her gaze and frowned.

Oh my,” Margie exclaimed. “Have you fallen in the stream again?”

Glancing down at her clothes covered in a blend of soot and grime, Stella drew her shoulders back and inched her chin up.

Something like that.”

Tsk tsk,” Margie turned to Colin. “You don’t look much better.”

Colin remained silent.

Well then,” she plopped her hands on her hips, the faded pink boa dangling beneath her waist. “Go get cleaned up. Stella, do you still have that dress?”

In fact she had just cleaned the dress yesterday. It was sitting folded on her desk.

Yes ma’am,” she replied automatically.

And you,” Margie frowned at Colin. “Jordan, do you have something he can wear while he’s cleaning up?”

Thanks,” Col muttered, “but Frederic gave my father and me some clothes. I’ll be fine.”

Relief washed over Margie’s face as if the ultimate crisis had just been averted.

Great. After you clean up, come join Jordan and I. We’re sorting through our supplies, looking for decorations for the New Year’s party next week.”

Stella forced on a smile. “That sounds swell,” she gushed.

Colin’s elbow poked her and she rubbed a hand over her mouth to conceal her smirk.

We’re hoping to make the event a special one.” Wrinkles folded around Margie’s blue eyes as she focused on Colin. “We want you and your family to know that even though you’ve lost someone–” she hesitated, “–there are others here to care for you. And we will do our best.”

Jordan cleared his throat. “Let them go change, Margie.”

Stella offered him a grateful smile. The man gave her a quick wink and settled back to decorating.

As she and Colin walked away from them, he tilted his head towards the infirmary. “Are you okay,” he whispered. “Your toe, and your palm–those are two pretty nasty cuts.”

Stella flipped her hand over, remembering the slice from the sharp rock. The blood had clotted.

I think I just really need to soak in the water. I’ll be fine.”

The concern in his eyes warmed her. She suddenly felt shy in front of him.

Go soak,” he ordered softly. “Clean up, and then we’ll find Etienne and Frederic and tell them about what we saw.”

Staring down at the scratches on her toes, she nodded. When there was nothing more from him, she glanced up and caught the slow grin that caught the corner of his lips.

And then,” he murmured, “we will revisit what happened between us.”