Page 12 of Outcast Fae
“We need to go now,” I said. “The sun is going down. I don't know if there are predatory animals on this island, but if there are, our chances of meeting them go up at night.”
And I won’t stay on the ground to be their meal, not when Vaughn would make a sizable main dish, and Elon could serve as dessert. That was what I wanted to add, but I didn’t. Most of them seemed to hate me as it was.
“Fine,” Vaughn said. “We go to the coast for the night, sleep on the beach, but then we scout out the islands’ center tomorrow, first light.”
No one argued. I certainly didn’t. I had no intention of heading inland at first light. I was going to figure a way off this island.
With one last glance at the intake building, the five of us set off toward the coast. As soon as we left the compound, the way became difficult. There was no road and very little path. The ground was uneven, littered with rocks and roots that seemed to reach up to trip us at every step. Trees crowded in, making us walk single file. The air was so moist, it made it hard to breathe.
Worse were the insects that swarmed over our faces and bit at our exposed skin. After an hour we were soaked in sweat, miserable, and bitten up.
“Gah, if I had my earrings, I could zap them away,” Daniella complained.
“This is such bullshit.” Wally kicked at a tree. “I’m going to kill those dickwads back there.”
At this, a magical disembodied voice echoed overhead. “Ah, ah, ah, Wally. Threats of violence towards facility staff will earn you a penalty. You get one warning.”
Our eyes darted up to the tree canopy overhead. They’d been listening.
“So they can hear us,” Daniella said, wiping moisture off her glasses. “Perfect.”
“I don’t care what they say. They can kiss my ass sideways. If I see one of them out here, so help me,” Wally grumbled a bit more quietly this time.
“If they can hear us,” Elon said, “then they can hear this. Hey! We need water. We’re dying out here!”
We waited. Only the buzz of insects and the call of birds answered.
Suddenly, the rushing sound of water tumbling over rocks drowned out the other jungle sounds. A waterfall? They must have magicked something into being.
“See,” Elon said, elated. “All you had to do was ask.” He took off toward the sound.
Wally and Vaughn followed. Daniella looked at me. I shrugged. Somehow, I didn’t trust that they’d just given us exactly what we’d wished for, but then, I was terribly thirsty. I couldn’t risk dehydration. Cautiously, I walked toward the water.
Just as we’d suspected, a small waterfall now fell from a twenty-foot rock cliff, the water tumbling down and filling up a small crystal blue pool. It reminded me of a waterfall we’d had back in Alanthyl, my faerie home.
My throat ached as I stared at the widening pool of clear, fresh water.
Wally and Vaughn stalked forward, stripping down to their underwear before wading into the water. Once again, I couldn’t help but admire Vaughn’s muscular physique. His broad back flexed as he reached down to cup some water. I reminded myself he was a vile human who hated fae. I tore my eyes away from the cruel and arrogant male.
Instead, I focused my attention on the water and the area surrounding it. Tall trees blocked the view of anything beyond the rocky cliff or the pool. The water itself seemed safe enough. Wally had no concerns. He ran forward and dived in, plunging his head under and then rising up like a porpoise, shaking out his dyed hair, which now lay limp to one side of his head. He gave a whoop and plunged back in.
Elon walked up and dipped his hands in the water, sniffing it first and then gulping it down.
“Seems safe enough,” Daniella said, stepping beside me. She watched my movements, taking her cues from me.
I neared the edge and peered down. The water smelled clean. I dipped my finger in and gave it a taste. Fresh and cool.
“Yes, it seems safe,” I said just as a scream rent the air.
My head sprung up and my wings whirred, lifting me a few feet off the ground on instinct. Elon, Daniella, and Vaughn all appeared to be fine, but where was Wally?
The surface of the water churned and then a figure broke through. Wally’s head emerged, a scream erupting from his mouth the moment it was free from the water. He began to swim to shore with wild, frantic strokes, but, before he could reach it, a giant purple tentacle wove around his neck like a noose.
Then he was yanked beneath the water’s surface and disappeared.
Chapter Six
“Oh,my God, what is that thing?” Daniella yelled, a trembling finger pointed toward the water. “It's got him. It's going to kill him!”
