Forsaken (23 page)

             
“How about a pina colada?”  I didn’t know what exactly it would be called without the alcohol. 

             
“One fake pina colada coming up.” I giggled at him as he headed to the bar, and then decided to inspect the many culinary options around me.  There were several tables set up around the room, brimming with food. 

             
One table was set up fondue style, with large bowls filled to the brim with melted chocolate, caramel, and cream cheese icing.  Chunks of pineapple, bananas, strawberries, and other fruits were stacked on platters available for dipping.  Another table overflowed with an array of pastries and cakes. 

             
My mouth began to water when Finn appeared holding a tall hurricane glass filled with yellow deliciousness.  A large wedge of pineapple hugged the rim and a cherry garnished the coconut cream on top.  I took a sip and my taste buds were assaulted by the savoriness of a tropical island.  It also reminded me of Kira’s drink.  I took another sip.  Finn eyed me with amusement.

             
“Hey dude,” a large hand attached to a tall, curly haired guy clamped down on Finn’s shoulder, “I was wondering if you’d ever make it to one of these.” His dark brown eyes were warm and his smile was genuine.

Finn
punched him in the side playfully and nodded towards him, “This is Dominic,” he introduced me.

I shook
Dominic’s hand and smiled politely, “I’m Stasia.”

“I know.” H
is grin contradicted his ominous tone.

  A
cute girl with long auburn hair, wearing a silk green gown walked up to stand beside him.  She had wide green eyes that matched her dress and a tiny button nose. 

“Claudia wanted m
e to introduce her to the Scion,” he told Finn. Finn glanced my way anxiously while I racked my brain for what the word ‘Scion’ meant.

“I’m Finn,
” he affirmed and shook her hand.

             
“It’s such an honor to meet you,” Claudia gushed. “So, when’s your birthday?” Finn flinched.

             
“Claudia.” warned Dominic, as if her question might be too personal.  “Come on, let’s go dance.  See ya’ll later,” he called to us, as he grabbed her elbow and practically dragged her away. 

             
I turned to Finn with suspicion, “Is there something you’re not telling me?”  His face gave nothing away.

             
“There’s a lot of things I’m not telling you.”  Well at least he was honest. 

             
“I was waiting for her to ask you to autograph her forehead.”

He wrapped
his arm around my shoulder smugly. “It’s hard work being this good looking.”

I
just rolled my eyes. “Why did Dominic call you the Scion?”

“Just a nickname
,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“And why did I have to be lifted up first?  I thought I was going to get mobbed by the other girls.” I lifted my eyebrows at him
, wanting an answer.

“The most beautiful girl always goes first.” He
changed the subject, “How ‘bout we go back up?” I narrowed my eyes at him, letting him know this wasn’t over and allowed him to guide me back outside. I looked around for Phoebe.  If she had a breakdown while being lifted in the basket, I’d never forgive myself.  I spotted her with Ian on the other side of the dance floor and waved at her.  She waved back and smiled.  It appeared she had made it up unscathed.

We spent the next hour or so mingling with other couples.  Faces and names started blending together, but one thing stuck out in my mind.  All of the Sons treated Finn with a higher level of respect than anyone else.  Some of the guys even seemed nervous around him. 

 
Something else that stuck out in my mind was Olivia’s hateful gaze following my every move.  Maybe she really was as bad as Phoebe and Carmen said. 

W
e passed by several of the potted trees on the way back to the bar, so I took the opportunity to take a closer look at their ripe fruit.  They were close to the size and shape of a lemon. 

“
Pomegranate,” Finn said carefully, as if speaking the word aloud was taboo.

“Is that what this is?”
I cradled one in my hand and leaned in to smell it, when Finn stopped me.

“
It’s also called the fruit of the dead.” His foreboding tone had me releasing the fruit and taking a step back.  His features hardened and the muscle in his jaw flexed with anger.  He looked away and took my hand pulling me away from the trees.  His entire body tensed and I followed his eyes toward the tower. An older man in a black suit with striking silver hair observed us, emotionless.

“I’
ll be right back,” he said, without breaking eye contact with the somber man.  The stormy expression on his face didn’t look like he wanted to discuss the weather.  He was the first person I’d seen that exuded more darkness than Finn.  His body seemed to blur and shift within the shadows of the tower.  It was very unsettling and I forced myself to look away. 

“
Anastasia?” I looked up into the small, cold eyes of a petite girl with light brown hair, wearing a blue dress.  She was holding a champagne flute with her pinky finger extended high in the air.  She instantly reminded me of Laura Beth, which was not necessarily a good thing.

“Yes?”

“So it’s true?” she asked with a hostile undertone.

“So
what’s true?”

She
stared at me. “Don’t you think it’s a little ironic that you’re here with the Scion?”  She twirled a ring on her finger that had a bright blue stone.  A sapphire, maybe?  If she was a Siren that could explain her hostility toward me, being a Tyde. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about
.” I turned to face her, not concealing my frustration.

“Stasia!” Phoebe ran up to the table and threw
her arms around me. Thankful for the interruption, I turned my back to the Siren, and then patted the chair beside me. 

“H
ey Phoebs! Have a seat.” She sat down beside me and I could tell pinky girl was put out by her sudden appearance.  She turned on her heel and walked away without another word.

“Who was that?” Phoebe asked as she took
a sip of something pink.  Her face was flushed and her eyes were shining with excitement.

             
“Your guess is as good as mine.  So, are you having fun?  Ian looks pretty good tonight – he cleans up nice.”

             
A Texas sized grin spread across her face.  “This is the best dance I’ve ever been to!  I found some of these little guys…”  She held up an airplane bottle of vodka with one hand and lifted her glass carelessly with the other. The pink concoction inside sloshed out and on to the table. “Whoops!” she giggled and continued, “And…I have the hottest date here.  Besides Finn, of course,” She winked at me and I couldn’t help but laugh.  Somebody was going to have a hangover in the morning.

             
“Speak of the devil!” She bolted out of her chair and threw her arms up with excitement, “Hey Finn!” She hugged him and stumbled away to find Ian.  Finn chuckled and handed me another pina colada.  I immediately took a sip.  I could drink these all night.

             
“You are truly a gentleman,” I told Finn in a horrible British accent, “These mocktails are bloody delicious.” 

             
“This gentleman would like to ask his lady to dance,” he answered in an equally terrible accent.  He stood and extended his hand formally.  I took it and raised my eyebrows in feigned surprise.

             
“His lady?”

             
He raised my hand to his mouth, holding my gaze the entire time and gently pressed his lips to it. “His lady,” he confirmed with obvious devotion and pulled me out to the dance floor as a slow song began. I watched the lights above play across his handsome face and I wished I could hear his thoughts. 

             
“Who was that man you were talking to earlier?”

             
“A friend,” he answered vaguely, and then searching my eyes, he whispered, “I need to ask you a question.”

“Okay, shoot,” I smiled up at him.

“Do you trust me?”

I
took a moment to think about what his question. On one hand, he wouldn’t tell me certain things about himself; he only gave me cryptic answers and seemed to know way too much about me.  On the other hand, I felt completely safe with him, even though I had every reason to believe he was capable of murder.  I knew he wouldn’t intentionally do anything to hurt me and my intuition told me he was actually guarding me from something.  Keeping me safe.  I just didn’t know what that ‘something’ was yet.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

             
“Yes,” I answered with certainty.

             
“Good.” His features relaxed and he let out a breath, “I need you to trust me, Stasia.  No matter what.”

             
“I’m much stronger than you give me credit for.  I want you to know you can tell me anything.  I can handle it.” 

             
“Be careful what you ask for,” he warned, more to himself than me.  Desperation flashed in his eyes as he looked over my shoulder at the ocean.  Eventually, he met my gaze again.  His was so unguarded and pure, it left me breathless.  I looked down at my feet, momentarily overwhelmed by my own emotions.  Every time he looked at me, my resolve wavered and I knew it was only a matter of time before I fell hard for him.  Which terrified me.

             
“Do I still make you nervous?” He cocked his head to the side with a devilish grin.

             
“Nope.  Not at all,” I tried to lie convincingly.

             
“You’re not a good liar, Stasia.” He hid a smirk, repeating a similar conversation of ours.  Suddenly, he cloaked us and we were covered with sparkles from head to toe. Finn stopped dancing abruptly and pulled me close; his intentions clear in his hooded eyes.  An emotional frenzy sparked inside me and my breath came faster as he leaned in ever so slowly.  His mouth brushed mine lightly, enticing me.  I grinned and took the bait, kissing his bottom lip, and then biting it gently before pulling back.  Taking my challenge, he delicately kissed the skin beneath my ear down to my collarbone.  Goose bumps raised on my skin as every sensation became heightened.  Couples danced around us, completely oblivious that we were making out right in front of them. The thought sent a thrill through me.  He touched my necklace, looking at me with warmth.

             
“It looks magnificent on you,” he said in a low voice and a thought occurred to me.

             
“How did you know it would match my dress?”  A forced whisper was all I could manage.

             
He paused, his eyes filled with desire, “You aren’t the only one with foresight, Pasha.” My eyes widened, but before I could respond, he kissed me with a searing urgency that made my entire body ache with longing.  He broke our kiss, grabbed my hand and led me towards the same door we had entered through earlier.  He pulled me down a different hallway and we fell against a wall. I was trapped against it from the pressure of his body on mine. The flame burning inside me threatened to explode into a raging inferno, as his hands seemed to be everywhere at once.  He moved backwards, taking me with him and we crashed through a door, landing clumsily onto a well-placed chaise lounge chair.

             
I fell on top of him, but he flipped us over effortlessly so that I was lying on my back instead.  His lips grazed mine, sending tingles down to my toes, then moved downward as he kissed my neck. I tilted my head back, giving him full access.  His cool lips offset the heat of his tongue as waves of passion took hold of my body.  He continued kissing the other side of my neck as his right hand gripped my waist with hunger, pulling me against him.  I tucked my hands inside his jacket and ran them along his strong shoulders, urging him to continue. 

His lips met mine again and suddenly there were way too many layers of clothing between us.
I wanted to touch him, feel the heat coming off of his skin as it caressed mine.  His strong hold on my waist released and his hand moved up my rib cage, inching ever higher. My chest suddenly felt fuller, anticipating his touch. His hand lingered just below, as if he was trying to decide if he should continue. His palm moved to my side so that only his thumb grazed the bodice of my dress, causing the skin beneath to tingle and ache.  Suddenly, he grasped my waist again with what seemed like a lot of effort.

“Don’t stop
…” I whispered and put my hand over his, trying to guide it higher again.  He easily threaded his fingers through mine, preventing it.  He leaned back to look at me.

“
I have to stop myself before I lose all control and rip that beautiful dress to shreds.” The fate of my dress was the last thing on my mind, but he grinned and crouched on his knees in front of me, pulling me into a sitting position.  He smoothed down a couple of hairs that had broken free of the iron clad hair spray and watched me with pure adoration.  Feeling slightly ashamed at my own lack of inhibitions, I felt myself blush as he took my hands in his.  Then the lights went out.

             
I instantly latched onto him and heard him snicker. “It’s just midnight, love.  It’s time for the meteor shower.”  I could actually hear him smirking at me. 

“I knew that…”
I stood quickly, feeling foolish. He took my hand again and led me back outside.  Everyone else had gathered on the dance floor, faces lifted to the sky.  All artificial light had been shut off, so we could see the true beauty of the moon and stars.  They were exquisite.  No longer cloaked, I felt oddly exposed. Finn wrapped his arm around me and my heart swelled.  I held on to him, reveling in our most recent cloaked make-out session.  I glanced down at my dress to make sure it didn’t look too rumpled. The last thing Finn said before sweeping me off my feet popped into my mind.

             
He had foresight, too!  A refreshing wave of relief washed over me, knowing I wasn’t alone in my random blackouts and visions.  Is that how he knew I had the same ability?  Suddenly, I had a million questions. Did he have blackouts too?  What else had he seen?  How long had he been having visions? 

Unfortunately
, my questions would have to wait.  Oohs and aahs came from the crowd as the meteor shower began.  Out here surrounded by only darkness and water, each burning meteor took your breath away.  It was beautiful to behold.

             
“Do you see those two bright stars?” Finn asked me and I followed his finger.  “They’re part of the constellation Aquarius.  He’s the water-bearer of the sky.  Right below him is the constellation Pisces.  He’s pouring water down to Pisces, which we all know is a fish.  The reason this meteor shower is important to us is because it originates out of Aquarius.  It comes once a year, and symbolizes the water bearer showering the world with new life and spiritual awakening.  It represents the washing away of the past, leaving room for a fresh start.” He peered down at me, somehow understanding the magnitude of his explanation.

             
Since arriving at Lorelei, I’d felt the past washing away, replaced by a new freedom to reinvent not only myself, but my future. A fresh start was exactly what I had been wanting, and I felt like Aquarius had been showering me lately with new life and spiritual awakening.  I smiled up at the water-bearer and silently thanked him as he spun above us in the night sky.

~Ӂ~

              Thirty minutes and two cramps in my neck later, the lights came back on. Beach music blasted from the speakers and Finn turned to me, eyes sparkling.

             
“It’s time for that dance,” he said as he extended his hand.  I looked at the dance floor and noticed no one else had taken the opportunity to embarrass themselves, so why should we?

             
“There’s no one else dancing yet.”

             
“That’s because they’re waiting for us.”

             
He was right; all the other couples were watching us curiously.  The guys seemed to know what was going on, but the girls all looked confused.  My eyes met Olivia’s and she gave me a look that could wither every flower in a twenty mile radius. 

             
“And exactly why are all of these people waiting on us?” I felt a massive attack of stage fright coming on.