Chapter 26
Naia
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! I couldn't believe what had happened. But by Poseidon, it had happened. I was still feeling the effects now. My heart was pounding because of it, because of him. What had possessed me to respond to his kiss? Luckily, Ondine had arrived in time. I had pushed her when I left, but I couldn't face her right now. I was already upset by what had just happened. I couldn't face her while I was still shaking.
Flashes of the kiss played over and over in my head. Me, yelling at Dylan, hitting him to get him to answer me. He'd pissed me off by not answering my question. Still, it wasn't hard. Then, him putting his lips on mine. It had surprised me at first, but then I had tasted his kisses, and I had responded. In spite of myself. But his lips had drawn me in, and after a moment, I couldn't help myself. It was as if my body had asked for more, as if I couldn't stop until I heard Ondine's footsteps behind me. And his skin on mine, it had electrified me.
Anyway, I had to stop thinking about it. I had to forget about it. Even though it was practically impossible.
I tried to focus on the stars that twinkled above me. They were beautiful. They lit up the sky with a thousand lights. I much preferred to focus on them than on Dylan. They were less trouble. Besides, they helped me calm down. My heartbeat calmed down to a normal rhythm.
I decided to climb to the top of the mast, to the lookout, to enjoy the unobstructed view of the glittering sky. I lay back against the wood, my head to the stars, the wind against my skin. I could feel the waves under the hull, taking the boat to an unknown destination. I felt in my element, here on the mast. I was calm and appeased, for which I was grateful after the events that had just happened.
I never should have done what I did. Now things were going to be weird between Dylan and me. I knew he wasn't going to throw me overboard or leave me on the next island, but nothing would ever be the same again. Everything was going to change. Whether it would be for the good or the bad remained to be seen.
Chapter 27
Dylan
To say that I had slept badly was an understatement. I had only myself to blame. I'd replayed the kiss a billion times, tingling in my limbs every time I saw Naia's lips on mine again. I had loved kissing her and wanted to do it again. But I also remembered that she'd ended it and scurried away when Ondine had arrived in her cabin. My second hadn't said anything. She had just watched my face and knew better than to speak. She had just watched me leave and return to my quarters.
I had spent the night wondering how Naia had felt during the kiss. If it had pleased her or, on the contrary, disgusted her. Yet she had responded to it. She was so mysterious that I didn't know what to think. And it had been plaguing my brain all evening.
In short, I had to concentrate. I had a more important goal to undertake than thinking non-stop about Naia. I took my map in one hand, the sunstone in the other and tried to decipher the mystery behind it. Unfortunately, without the water tear, I could do nothing.
As if she had heard my prayers, Naia appeared behind me, handing me the gem. I was so surprised that she was there, that she was willing to let me have the tear, that I was speechless.
“I thought about it and I figured you need it more than I do right now, so here it is," she said shyly.
“Thank you," I said hoarsely.
Then she put the object in my hands and turned to leave.
“About yesterday," I began.
“No, please, no.”
“But why?”
“Not now, give me time Dylan.”
“Okay,” was the only thing I could say.
Then she walked away. A part of me left with her. I felt it deep in my soul as a void settled in my heart. I shouldn't feel this way, and yet I was tired of fighting the feelings I had for Naia. Since what had happened last night, I couldn't deny it anymore.
I came to my senses and turned to the table where my things were laid out. I stored the sunstone and the tear of water on the map. Then I poured a few drops from my canteen onto it, as we had done the first time. The sun glinted in the sky and suddenly illuminated the stone and the map. It blinded me for a few minutes. When I could open my eyes again, what I found was breathtaking. The map had finally revealed our next destination: the island of survivors.
“Ondine!" I exclaimed suddenly, rushing to my second in command.
“Yes Captain?" the young blonde woman answered.
“Head for the island of survivors," I said.
“Are you sure? Because I...”
“Yes, I know. But the map just told me. Whatever we find out there, we'll face it together," I reassured her.
I understood my second's fears. The island of survivors was reputed to be the worst stopover to make. Rumors were rife between the monsters that populated the island and the volcano that was at its center. The island lived up to its name, and that was what we would do. We were going to survive, no matter what, because I wasn't going to lose another member of my crew.
Chapter 28
Dylan
It didn't take us long to reach the island of survivors. Without realizing it, we had begun to sail in the right direction and finally reached the coast in only three days. I was a little apprehensive about the time of approaching the island, for it held many mysteries and dangers, but I was convinced that we were ready. I had chosen only a few men, who had volunteered. Ondine, Naia, Morgan and Kevin had also wanted to come. So there were about ten of us who put our feet down.
When I arrived on the island, I felt weird. I felt a strange sensation, giving me chills all over my body. Something was wrong, but I didn't know what it was. Fear gripped my insides. I had been a fool to think we were ready to board this island, even after our previous experiences. Every time, we'd been trapped by magic. What was it going to be this time? After the forced dehydration and sunburn, I expected anything.
I took a deep breath and began to explore the island. My men followed me closely, fearing that we would become separated from each other. Together we were stronger. That was our strength.
For the moment, nothing unusual had happened, but I was on my guard. I was sure that at some point something would happen to us. I wished I knew what, but it was impossible to guess. All I knew was that it would contain magic. That was the only thing our former destinations had in common. Besides, we had to locate the object or stone on this island at all costs. The sooner we did that, the sooner we could get back to the ship.
This thought gave me a boost. I quickened my pace, wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible. Naia was following closely behind me, her eyebrows furrowed. I could tell she didn't understand my sudden burst of energy, but I didn't care. All I wanted was to find the stone, wherever it was.
But suddenly everything changed. I should have seen it coming, it had been far too quiet before. The earth began to shake, the ground to crack. I started to run, my men doing the same. Unfortunately, we were out of luck. The whole island was affected by this phenomenon. Then it got worse. The cracks began to grow. However, it was not the void that awaited us at the end, no worse, it was lava, which began to spurt and explode everywhere. We were trapped in the flames that were getting bigger and bigger. I ran like a maniac to find a safer place, but there was no escape.
“We have to jump," Naia, who had followed me, shouted.
I turned to her, not understanding what she was saying. What did she mean jump? Jump where?
Analyzing my expression, Naia answered me without my having to ask.
“Here, silly," she pointed to a patch of water on the edge of a cliff.
Finally understanding her logic, I nodded and followed her. She began to run faster and faster, the flames closing in on us at an astonishing speed. Then, when she reached the edge of the cliff, she took a deep breath and threw herself off. A second later, I did the same.
I felt myself falling and falling and falling. I felt as if there was no end to it. Then a strong pressure hit my back so hard that the impact hurt. I let out a cry of pain. Was it really a scream because I was in the water? Except that the water entered me and filled my lungs, choking me and depriving me of oxygen. I tried to come back to the surface but an incredible force was pulling me firmly down. I only struggled, but nothing helped. I had never felt so helpless. I was sinking deeper and deeper. I could not breathe. Panic took hold of me. Then it got dark.
Chapter 29
Naia
I was finally in my element. The water cooled me down and calmed me down, after the volcano attack we had suffered. I was afraid for Ondine and the others, I didn't know where they had gone. It all happened so fast that when I had turned my head, all I could see was the flames and Dylan running in the distance. So I'd followed him. Just because I didn't want to be alone. Being around him was weird, especially since the kiss.
I swam towards the surface, finding the cool evening air. I could see the sun beginning to descend in the distance. Suddenly, I was panicked. Where was Dylan? He should have come up to the surface before me. Where the hell was he?
I began to turn about to see where he might be, but to no avail. Then I probed under the water, deeper and deeper, only I could not see him. He couldn't have disappeared. Although, we were on a magical island. My heart began to beat fast. I swam relentlessly to find him. Suddenly, I saw a movement in the corner of my vision. I moved towards it as fast as I could. I got closer and closer and could make out the outline of the figure. Dylan! He wasn't moving. His eyes were closed. No !
I rushed to him. Once I was near him, I shook him but he did not wake up. He was sinking, and there was only one thing to do. I pulled him as best I could to the surface, pulling him up with my arms. And even though I wasn't happy about it, especially with what happened last time, I put my lips on his and breathed air into him. I did it again and again, until he showed some sign of life. Then he came to his senses, spitting out the water which he had kept in his lungs. I pulled away from him, my lips buzzing with unfulfilled need. Why was it that every time I touched him, I felt strange emotions?
Suddenly, I felt Dylan's hand on my waist. Shivers ran through my body at his touch. He pulled me closer to him and put his lips on mine. He must still be a little foggy, not thinking clearly. Why else would he do this? And why, for the second time, was I responding to his kiss? His lips were so soft and undeniably attracted to me. I let myself go in this embrace.
I felt good in his arms, like I belonged there. I brought my hand up from behind his back and grabbed his hair. He let out a grunt of pleasure and pressed me against him. I could feel his desire. I wanted to put my legs around his waist, but it was not possible. We would have sunk otherwise. I was already panting between the kiss and keeping us afloat.
Once again I broke off our embrace. I could hardly breathe and was getting weak from swimming. Dylan understood immediately and led us to the beach nearby. The sun was getting lower and lower and we could see orange spots in the sky. It was beautiful, but I was so tired that when I touched the ground I collapsed and fell asleep instantly.
Chapter 30
Dylan
I didn't know what had come over me. I'd felt Naia's lips on mine and then a second later she'd pulled them away. But I had wanted more, so I had provoked, once again, an embrace. And she'd responded. Again. This girl was driving me crazy. Crazy for her touch. Every time I touched her, I wanted more. And I couldn't resist. Her lips had called to me, drawn me in, and I'd thrown myself at her. Literally. Now she must have thought I was crazy. Why was I reacting strangely to her? This had never happened to me before.
And now what was I doing? I watched the beautiful young woman with the long jet-black hair sleep. I told you I had gone mad. That was the effect she had on me. But for my part, she was so cute, so vulnerable, asleep like that, on the sand. And I couldn't take my eyes off her face.
Only a fierce scream drew me from my contemplation. I turned towards the sound, but saw nothing on the horizon. I stood up and approached with slow steps, on my guard. It was strange indeed! I hadn't dreamed that sound, had I?
Suddenly the cry came again, but from the other side of the beach. I started to run to that side, but again I could not see anything. What on earth was going on? Even though the moon was high in the sky, I could see enough from its beam. Only there, apart from the noises, there was absolutely nothing. Should I wake Naia, to warn her of a possible danger? After all, we were on the island of survivors.
As I moved towards her I felt a hand come down on my shoulder and send me waltzing away from the girl. I felt the shock in my back, which had already been battered when I had jumped off the cliff. I let out a grunt of pain. Then I got up immediately. Naia was still asleep and unsuspecting. I had to protect her, until I woke her up. I was too far away to shout her name, to warn her that something strange was chasing us. So I ran to her, again and again. I was thrown to the ground, beaten, but nothing stopped me from finally reaching the young woman. I was so focused on my goal that I did not feel the pain. At last I got close to her and shook her so that she would wake up.
“Naia, wake up, please," I said.
“Hummm," she answered.
“Naia," I said, shaking her harder.
Maybe I shouldn't have. Because she raised her arm and punched me in the face. Luckily, she hadn't put all her strength into it.
“Oh sorry," she exclaimed, finally awake, seeing my bloody nose.
And yes, she could aim well.
“I didn't mean to, it's an automatic thing. I hate being woken up like this.”
“I had to. We have a problem," I said.
“What do you mean?”
“I can't explain it, but we're being attacked.”
“By whom?" she asked, suddenly on guard.
“That's the problem. I don't know.”
“What do you mean you don't know?”
“They're invisible," I admitted.
She froze at my words and I saw the shock on her face. She was digesting the information I had just divulged to her and I could imagine her mind spinning to find a solution.
“We need fire," she said suddenly.
“The flames disappeared as soon as the sun went down,” I told her.
Now that I thought about it, it was strange that they disappeared so quickly.
“Do you have the sunstone with you?”
“Yes, why?" I replied, doubtful.
“I have an idea. Do a diversion, please.”
“Okay, since you asked so nicely.”
I passed her the sunstone and moved away from the young woman so that she had room to do what she had in mind.
“Hey invisibles, catch me if you can!”
Then I started to run as fast as I could. I managed to avoid some of the attacks, feeling the wind change direction just before they hit me. But I couldn't avoid them all and a second later I was on the ground, gasping for breath and bleeding from my nose.
“I did it,” I heard in the distance.
Footsteps rushed towards me as I groaned in pain and held my ribs. I could see the light. It grew brighter every moment. Then Naia came to my side, holding a flaming piece of wood in her hands. She was out of breath from running and did not immediately see what I was witnessing. For her idea had worked. By the light of the moon we could see nothing, but with the flames everything was now discernible. And what I could see was a vision of pure horror.
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