part0013

Arietta peeked around her current perch on a large rock and watched as her cousin Maeve walked into the cavern followed by someone she had never seen before. His deep voice filled the cavern as he spoke to Maeve and caused answering goosebumps to rise on her skin. Who the hell was he?

As they walked closer, Arietta was able to see he was taller than Maeve, and had wide shoulders, shaggy blonde hair and deep blue eyes. His face was typically masculine yet with lips that were almost too feminine to belong, but they worked.

“Jesus Christ, he’s gorgeous,” Arietta whispered, and got a squeeze to her bare ankle from Dave. “Well, he is. Not as cute as you of course, Dave.'' She chuckled and continued to peep. Who was he, and why was he here?

Maeve, ever since Arietta had been living at the Hollow, had never brought strangers down to the cavern. As Guardian, she was extremely protective of both the krackens and the Gate. Although the krackens had proved they could take care of themselves. Yet being protective of the creatures was automatic. Somehow, Brutas and Dave had wormed their way under her skin and into her heart. How could you not love them?

“Merlin’s Gate,” the deep voice breathed, followed by, “I just saw a tentacle.”

Maeve only laughed. “Yes, you will soon grow tired of them sneaking up and grabbing food. They are buggers for that.”

Arietta leaned out further, nearly falling off her rock. Dressed in faded jeans, boots and a baggy jumper, the stranger’s appeal just continued to grow.

“Arietta,” Maeve shouted all of a sudden, making her jump and fall off the rock, her body hitting the water and shooting underneath. Saltwater whooshed up her nose and made her inhale the molecules. Panic flared as she tried to right herself in the water, yet her body was sluggish to answer. Sounds from the cavern became magnified by the water. Shouts and splashes filtered to her, yet she couldn't make out much, until strong arms, not tentacles, circled her waist and pulled her easily up to the surface. As soon as her face broke the water, she coughed and dragged deep breaths into her lungs.

It was only when they were on the submerged platform that she realised it was the stranger who had rescued her.

Blue eyes met her own, and she was mesmerised. Her hands had found their way to his biceps, where she held on unconsciously. His hands held her firmly against his wide chest, his slight touch on her bare skin sending tingles through her. Arietta's eyes found their way to his lips, and there they stayed. Unconsciously, she licked her own and watched as his pupils dilated ever so slightly in response. Tension filled her, until Maeve broke the spell.

“Well, that was exciting,” Maeve chuckled. “Arietta, meet Ethan. Ethan, this is Arietta, my cousin, and the one you have been brought to help.”

Arietta blushed instantly. Ethan... that suited the handsome man in front of her.

“Hi.” His voice again got the goosebumps going on her skin. Dressed in only a swimsuit, Arietta felt very underdressed. Luckily, Maeve had spelled her clothing to suit her constantly changing form. So, when she had legs, she sported a swimsuit in a deep red, and when she had a tail, it was a bikini top in the same shade.

“Errr hi, you can put me down now,” Arietta stated, her face heating as she pushed against his arms.

“As you wish,” he answered with a smile, and gently set her down on the platform. “As long as you are okay?”

“I'm fine, thanks to you.” Arietta blushed again, her whole face heating.

“It was no problem,” he answered.

“Awesome, I'm so glad you two are getting along. That makes things easier,” Maeve stated, as Grundlepus sauntered up to the platform. He let out a hiss when he saw Ethan.

“Why have you let a warlock in.” His feline eyes darted from Arietta to Ethan and back again. “Oh my goddess, you hurt her. I’m gonna fuck you up—” His tirade was cut off by Maeve throwing a hand over the cat’s mouth.

“Well, that’s embarrassing,” Arietta stated before she introduced her familiar. “Ethan, this is Grundlepus, my familiar.”

“Ahh, that makes sense,” he said, and smirked. Fuck, why did he have to have dimples? Arietta wanted to sigh. Instead, she turned to her cousin.

“Why does it make things easier—” Arietta started to say, only to be caught off guard by pain. Her shift came over faster this time, making her whole-body bow as her legs changed to a tail. She struggled for breath as her lungs once again fought against the change. Caught between forms, it was making it hard for her to breathe.

“Shit,” Maeve's voice cut in before she felt Ethan’s strong arms once again wrap around her. She felt the welcoming pressure of water as she was lowered into the cool liquid. Within moments, her body calmed. The sea water eased the transition, yet it still hurt like hell. It was like each time her body fluxed, it got harder and harder. Her tail swished through the water, and she hated the damn thing. It was too big and cumbersome.

“So beautiful,” a deep voice breathed out right by her ear, making Arietta stiffen slightly. It should not feel this right to be in a warlock's arms. Yet it did. The strength in his biceps flexed as he held her in the water with her back against his chest. She could feel each ripple of muscle.

Wow, warlocks were stacked.

“Err, thank you,” Arietta finally breathed out, although Ethan didn't release her.

“Not a problem,” he answered, and it took Maeve coughing to separate them. She missed the warmth of his body as he released her, making sure she was floating unassisted before he lifted himself up on the platform. His jeans and jumper were completely saturated and hugged those muscles she had felt.

Arietta had never wanted to be a jumper more in her life.

“You guys okay?” Maeve asked, and passed Ethan a towel from the large pile that was now kept in the cavern. Maeve made daily visits to the krackens, playing with them in the water.

“Yes, thank you,” Arietta whispered out.

“I am, and thank you for this,” Ethan replied and held up the towel, then he cut straight to the point. “I see part of the issue: I’m assuming Arietta here is not a natural Siren.”

“You would be correct,” Maeve answered before Arietta could, making her frown. “Her father did something and managed to curse her with the help of a warlock,” Maeve continued.

“And this warlock?” Ethan asked, standing and trying to wring out his jumper, giving Arietta a brief glimpse of rippled abs.

“Dead. Kraken fodder.” Maeve folded her arms across her chest.

“Ah okay. Do you know what magic the warlock used?” Ethan asked, heading towards his dropped rucksack.

Maeve was about to answer when Arietta chimed in, “Err, hello, I am here you know. Maybe you should ask me—the one actually cursed—instead of talking about me like I’m stupid.”

Both sets of eyes swung to look at Arietta. The amber ones held a hint of amusement and the blue eyes of Ethan just assessed her, almost like he was looking at a specimen in a lab. And didn’t that grind her gears.

“What?” she snapped, and kicked her tail, moving back towards the platform. “I think, considering it’s my life on the line, that I should really have a say in what happens.”

She didn't wait for them to answer. Dark rage filled her as she pulled herself up and dragged herself across the platform. Her anger felt almost liberating, yet a part of her knew this was wrong. Something wasn't right.

This was confirmed when Ethan stood and stepped away, and Maeve unfolded her arms, her magic appearing within her palms.

“What the hell?” her cousin breathed out, yet Arietta felt her rage continue to grow, almost like it wanted to erupt out of her. The pressure on her chest became painful.

“Arietta.” A quiet voice filtered through her mind, yet she had focused her sights on the warlock. It was his kind’s fault that she was in this position. He would pay.

“Arietta!” The voice got louder, followed by a slight howl and a hiss.

Arietta was almost to the ledge, the weight of her tail dragging and cutting against the exposed rock, yet she didn't care. Until—

Something smacked her in the face. It was wet and cold and like a splash of freezing water. The rage vanished, leaving Arietta exhausted and confused.

“Wha…” she murmured as she looked down. She had crawled and was now on the submerged platform, high and dry, and in front of her stood Grundlepus. “Did you just hit me?” she asked, breathless.

“Yes! Yes, I did.” Grundlepus sat, his tail twitching on the floor.

“Oh yeah, he did—TWAT,” Binky shouted. “Proper bitch slapped you, he did.”

Arietta then looked down. At the cat’s feet sat a lifeless yet large fish. A cod, to be exact.

“Did you hit me with a fish?” she asked again, still a little shocked.

Grundlepus’s eyes met hers as he lifted his little furry chin. “Yes, I did.”

“Why?” Arietta was confused. She had felt anger and then boom , slap —fish juice across her face.

“Because you were turning.” Grundlepus had opened his mouth yet it was the warlock who was answering.

“Do you mind, warlock. She is my witch,” Grundlepus hissed out, only Arietta ignored the irate ginger tom.

“Turning to what? What else is wrong with me?” Panic filled her. What could possibly be worse than dying?

Ethan’s blue eyes locked with hers, and for a split second her world shifted. Her heart lurched, and her stomach clenched, and then it was gone. Did he feel that? Did anyone feel that?

No one else had noticed. Ethan had already opened his mouth to start his explanation. Arietta wasn't sure she wanted to hear it, yet the pendant at her neck warmed and the words of the note came back. All will be fine.