Chapter Twenty-Six

 

Reaching into the back of my closet, I pulled the sundress I’d borrowed from Vanessa Sullivan off its hanger and held it against my body. Normally, I wasn’t a fan of pink, but something about the dress made it work. With pale blue flowers surrounded in green leaves, it fit in well with the style of clothing here in the islands. Plus, this particular shade of rosy pink seemed to perfectly accentuate my black hair and ebony eyes. I had brought this dress along for a special occasion, but hadn’t had the opportunity to wear it since I’d arrived. Tonight seemed as good a reason as any. After all, Liam asked to see me, so that sort of counted as a date, didn’t it?

I slipped into the dress, zippering the tight fitted top up my back and adjusting the straps—as thin as spaghetti noodles—over my shoulders. I spun back and forth in the mirror, secretly hoping he’d notice my changed appearance, when an urgent rapping came at the front door. My heart leaping at the sound, I slid into a pair of sandals and dashed to the door, eager to greet him.

After fanning my hands down the dress to straighten out the remaining wrinkles, I swung open the door. My face instantly brightened. “Hi,” I told Liam, my smile growing uncontrollably wide.

“Hi,” he replied in a surprisingly nervous tone and dropped the car keys into his pocket. For a second, his eyes searched mine with urgency. Before I could worry about Liam’s reservations, his gaze shifted to trace my body from head to toe. “You look really nice,” he admitted. His cheeks turned a fast shade of crimson.

I figured he wouldn’t have blushed that much if he didn’t actually like me. “Thanks,” I replied bashfully. But inside my head, I congratulated myself. He noticed the dress!

The color quickly drained from his cheeks. “Jordan, I have to tell you something,” he blurted.

“Not here,” I said and grabbed his hand, pulling him down the front stoop before I swiftly closed the door behind me.

With a short glance for traffic in both directions, I dashed across the street with Liam in tow. When we reached the edge of the sandy beach, Liam spun me to face him. “Jordan, I—”

“Hang on. It’s not far,” I said, having a more private spot in mind.

He sighed before reluctantly acquiescing. I kicked off my sandals, grabbing them with my free hand, and picked up the pace. Hand in hand, we climbed over a stretch of rocks and ducked under a few branches from the small grove of trees. Soon we reached the edge of a secluded stretch of fine black sand, lit by the bronze glow of the setting sun. “This is it,” I announced and dropped my sandals on the ground. I gazed deeply into his eyes that reflected the muted purple of the rugged peak of Mauna Kea—almost like the color sample of Pandora’s Box from Lipoa’s. It reminded me of the first day we met, causing an amused smile to form on my lips, thinking of that first awkward moment when I’d accidentally smashed his nose upon entering the store.

My smile grew wider. “Okay. I’m ready.”

Liam blinked. As desperate as he had been to speak to me before, he now seemed surprisingly silent.

His fingers caressed my cheek as he looked at me intently. I detected a slight trace of worry on his face.

I looked at him in the fading light of day. “Go on,” I prompted, my voice a mere whisper carried on the wind.

He released a heavy sigh. His eyes searched mine. “This past week has been…well…”

“I know,” I finished his sentence for him. “Not what you expected. I didn’t think it was possible, either.”

“What wasn’t possible?” he asked.

My smile widened. “You. And me.” I squeezed his hand, hoping he’d understand my intent.

Only Liam shook his head. “It’s not just that. I’m not exactly who you think.”

“I know that now,” I said with a nod. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but when I first met you, I thought you were a bit too…” I paused, hoping my admission didn’t hurt his feelings.

“Helpful?” he suggested.

“Bingo. I mean, it wasn’t a bad thing,” I explained. “It was just a little over the top.”

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t exactly me.”

“But I know that now. You are so much more than the guy I first met who seemed overly helpful in a slightly irritating way.” As soon as those words left my lips, I regretted every one, certain I’d upset him.

One of his eyebrows perched high on his forehead. “You thought I was irritating?” he asked.

I gave him a sideways look. Did I detect amusement in his tone? I studied Liam’s face as he strained to keep his lips flat and allowed myself a huge sigh of relief. He’s not mad. He may try to look it, but deep down he’s about to bust laughing.

“‘Slightly irritating,” I replied, unable to contain my widening grin.

“Oh, is that it?” he asked. He squinted his eyes to appear angered by my reaction, but his mouth belied his true emotions. As one corner perked up in a knowing smirk, he leaned toward me this time to kiss the smile from my lips.

Phew.

When our mouths parted, I rested my forehead against his, drawing comfort from his warm touch in the cooling night. “But none of that matters anymore, now that I know what you’re really like.”

His face paled as he swallowed hard. “That’s the problem, Jordan. You don’t know.”

“Of course I do,” I told him. Regardless of whatever concerns he had about himself, I carried a far more dangerous secret. Only that secret no longer frightened me. With my knowledge and powers, I could protect Liam from any future threats.

“Jordan, there’s more I have to tell you,” he admitted with a puzzling hint of sadness.

I pinched my brows together. “Like wha—?” Fright robbed my voice from completing that sentence. From the corner of my eye, I caught a flicker of movement in the shadows. I watched in horror as two figures I recognized far too well emerged from the grove, their silhouettes clearly visible against a backdrop of darkening skies. Together, they stood upon the black sand on the edge of our secluded beach—one with a head of untamed curls, the other with pale flowing hair that gleamed in the moonlight.

“Oh, God, no,” I murmured, my body trembling with fear. Instinct prevailed over logic and reason. Still, one thought triumphed above all others: I must protect Liam.

I released Liam’s hands and stepped in front of him, ready to aim my full destructive forces upon Gaia and Skye to guarantee his safety. “You have to run,” I told him. “I can handle it from here.”

Only he didn’t move as the other Elementals steadily approached.

“I’m serious, Liam, they’re dangerous. I promise I’ll protect you, but you’ve gotta get out of here. Now.”

Instead of heeding my warning, he planted his feet firmly in the sand.

His reaction surprised me. I glanced backward for a split second, noticing moisture clouded his bold, bright eyes. With a small frown, he mouthed, “I’m sorry,” then stepped in front of me, unafraid.

Gaia strode up to his side and slipped her arm around his waist. The Earth Elemental flashed me a cunning, satisfied smile, like she’d just played her trump card. But instead of speaking to me, she turned to face Liam. “You’ve done well, Lir,” Gaia congratulated. She moved to kiss his lips, but at the last second he turned and she caught his cheek instead.