Calista POV
"Can we just go back to the hotel or do I still have to get new clothing as well?" I asked, frustrated. The sight of my discontent was evident.
"We can head back to the hotel." Dean responded.
Despite my desire to be angry, my heart quickened at the sound of their voice.
I can't believe I let him kiss me and touch me like that earlier, the sensation was electric. The sight of his face so close to mine, the sound of his breath catching, it was all so overwhelming. It felt so good, almost intoxicating.
When Cade kissed me, it was a forceful yet passionate embrace. I could feel his determination to make me feel good. It was as if he was focused solely on my pleasure, and I found myself yearning for more. Dean, on the other hand, had a messy but exciting way of kissing. It was wild, untamed, and in those moments with him, I saw a different side of him. He took what he wanted, and I couldn't help but be drawn to his magnetic presence.
Both of their kisses were addictive, leaving me craving for more. I couldn't help but wonder what Tate would be like, but I quickly shook my head, knowing these thoughts were forbidden. Thankfully, we arrived at the hotel, and I immediately rushed to my room, needing to be alone. As soon as I entered the bathroom, I turned on the water, its sound filling the air. Although not the same as the saltwater I craved, it would at least provide some solace.
Undressing, I stepped under the water, allowing it to cascade over my body. It was a welcome relief, the sensation of the water against my skin calming my racing thoughts. I stayed under the water even after it ran cold. Suddenly, a knock on the bathroom door startled me, breaking the tranquil moment. "At least make some sound in there, or I'm going to come in," a voice, most likely Tate's, demanded.
"I'm alive," I muttered, my voice barely audible over the sound of the water.
"Get out, there is no way that water is warm," he insisted, his voice filled with concern.
I sighed, feeling a sense of reluctance, but he was right. It was time to get out of the bathroom. As I shut off the water, the sound of the rushing water ceased, leaving a quiet stillness in the air. I pulled my bikini back on, the smooth fabric clinging to my damp skin, and slipped into my shorts. As I walked out, the cool tiles beneath my bare feet provided a refreshing sensation.
Tate was leaning against the wall near my bathroom. The sight of him made my heart skip a beat. "So, ready to say why you really don't want to go to this party?" he inquired. The sound of his voice was deep and soothing.
I muttered, "It's complicated." A heavy silence hung in the air as I struggled to find the right words.
"You weren't happy to see him. Did he hurt you?" Tate asked, concern evident in his voice.
"No, he never hurt me," I explained. "I worked with him, and like many others, I turned him down. That's about all."
"But you don't want to be around him," Tate added.
"No, I don't," I admitted. "He took too much interest in me in the past, and it made me uncomfortable."
"Stick by me tonight. I'll make sure no one bugs you," he said.
"As much as I want to be close to you, I won't bug you. But, like we have said before, you are safe with us," Tate assured me.
I glanced at a bag on the bed, the sight of it piquing my curiosity. "What's that?" I asked.
"Well, I know you said you did not want to go shopping, but I think you will like it. Dean went out and bought it," Tate explained.
I opened it, revealing a new bikini in a beautiful shade of blue. The simplicity of the design matched my taste perfectly. Additionally, there was a soft t-shirt and a pair of shorts neatly folded inside the bag. "I like it," I said, a smile forming on my lips. "I'll thank him. He listened to me when I said what I was comfortable in."
Suddenly, Tate's mischievous smirk caught my attention. "So, is it true you have no undergarments?" he asked, his voice laced with playful humor. I let out a sigh, feeling a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "You're sleeping on me tonight," he laughed.
"I'm sleeping in here alone," I declared, giving him a playful smile.
"We'll see about that. I bet after last night, you'll never want to sleep alone again," he teased, his voice filled with a sense of longing.
"Well, we gotta get going soon, so finish getting ready," Tate urged, his voice snapping me back to reality.
"I'm good to go," I responded.
"Your hair is soaking wet," he laughed, the sound echoing in the room.
"It will dry," I simply replied, walking towards the door.
As we walked towards the hotel exit, the warm sun greeted us. The car was pulled up, its engine humming softly in the background. Cade was in the driver's seat, his strong hands gripping the steering wheel. Dean sat next to him.
"After you," Tate said, his voice a gentle invitation. I got into the car, the soft cushioning beneath me providing a comfortable seat. Tate sat next to me.
"You're going to smush me," I joked, a playful grin on my face.
But then, he surprised me by taking my arm. "Hey, you did not ask permission," I snapped, my voice tinged with a mix of surprise and nervousness. He let go, his confusion evident in his voice.
"You have a tattoo. I did not see this before." He said. My heart started to race, the pulsating sensation matching the rapid beat of my heart.
I had birthmarks on my body, representing my power, hidden in my human form. But as I struggled to maintain it, they started showing. "Temporary, they are fading," I said, my voice trembling.
As we pulled up to the dock, the sound of seagulls filled the air. The drive was short, and I quickly got out of the car. Walking with the triplets, I could hear the chatter of people gathering. The scent of the salty sea breeze mixed with the faint smell of food from the yacht.
Lazer was there, guiding everyone onto the huge yacht. It was bustling with staff, carrying trays of delicious food and drinks. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the air. It struck me as odd, considering I remembered Lazer being broke before.
A she-wolf approached the triplets, their voices blending with the sounds of the waves. The sight of them talking made me angry, but I fought to keep my emotions in check. I knew I had to let them move on from me, yet it felt like I was only digging a deeper hole with them.
"Looks like everyone is here, let's start the fun," Lazer said, his voice cutting through the sounds of the crowd. The yacht began to move, and I was handed a drink. I took a big gulp, trying to distract myself.
Tate took notice of my unease and said, "Careful," as he took the cup out of my hand and took a sip himself. I watched as a few girls chatted amongst themselves, their glares making me feel their animosity. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Your fan club is not happy about you being near me," I remarked. Tate's protective presence made me feel a mix of amusement and comfort. The glances from other males were quickly dismissed as Tate growled, creating a humorous atmosphere.
"I guess you are good on outings, my personal guard dog," I teased. Tate came closer."You're the only one I'll ever allow to call me dog," he said.
As time passed, the feeling of unease intensified. My skin burned, and weakness washed over me. The need for sea water became overwhelming. Tate noticed my distress. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"Sea sick," I whispered, hoping he would fall for it.
"Stay here, I'll see if I can get you some medicine." He ordered. As he walked off, his footsteps faded, and the sound of waves crashing against the boat became more prominent.
Suddenly, another voice greeted me from behind. "For someone who likes the water so much, you seem nervous," Lazer spoke. The creaking of the boat mixed with his words, creating an eerie atmosphere.
"I don't like boats," I muttered, my voice barely audible over the noise.
Lazer persisted, "Come talk with me." Reluctantly, I took a step, feeling the unsteady movement of the vessel beneath me.
"I'm good," I responded, my heart pounding in my chest.
Lazer chuckled and said, "Come on, Calista, this party is for you."
Confusion filled the air as I asked, "What does that mean?"
"A fish can't stay out of the water forever. Step away and talk with me," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the commotion. Did he really discover who I was? I sighed and started to walk with him, feeling a mix of fear and curiosity.
Just as I began to follow Lazer, Tate reappeared. "Back away from her," he growled, his voice filled with protectiveness.
"Calista just agreed to a fast chat. It's important," Lazer explained. Tate looked at me, concern evident in his eyes.
"I'll just be a minute," I said to him, sensing his hesitation.
As I entered a small room with Lazer, the scent of demons, faint but distinct, enveloped me. Lazer started speaking, "By the way those wolves are treating you..." His words were accompanied by a chilling laughter that sent shivers down my spine.
"Who cares?" he continued, his voice filled with a sinister tone. "Those fools are hunting you, you do know that, right?"
Confusion and fear swirled within me as I denied his claims. "I have no idea what you're talking about," I said, my voice trembling slightly.
"You can lie now, fish, but very soon the secret will be out," he taunted. The sound of his laughter echoed in the confined space. "The potion on the beach mixed with what was put in the drinks tonight will make it impossible for you to stay in that human form," he revealed, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Dread washed over me as I realized the gravity of the situation. "Those triplets will catch and lock you away the moment they realize what you are," he explained, his voice filled with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"But if you accept coming with me, I'll take you to a place that will accept you," he offered, his words tinged with false promises. "No longer will you have to run or be called a monster. My boss only wants to give you the home you deserve, a home where that magnificent power of yours won't be feared but accepted."
I scoffed, feeling a mixture of disbelief and desperation. "Power? I'm human." I retorted.
Lazer laughed again, his laughter mocking and sinister. "Your expression says it all. The choice is yours. Come with me, or I will take you by force at the night's end," he threatened.
There was no way out of this. I could feel the walls closing in on me, the impending doom becoming more palpable. "Good luck," he chuckled, his words dripping with malice.
"You got the wrong person," I said simply, my voice filled with resignation. As I turned and walked away, I knew I was screwed. The regret of making a deal with the triplets weighed heavily on me. If only I hadn't, I would have been long gone by now.
I sensed a demon lurking in the shadows. I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
As I made my way through the crowd, the sound of laughter and conversation filled my ears. Glasses clinked, punctuating the lively atmosphere. The smoke from Dean's cigarette hung in the air.
I made my way to Dean. But before I could speak, Lazer's booming voice shattered the tranquility, capturing everyone's attention.
"Who's in for some fun?" Lazer exclaimed, his voice carrying over the crashing waves. "Rumor has it a Siren lives in these waters. If caught, it will bring great wealth. So, what do you say we try to catch them?" The sound of Dean's low growl reached my ears, his caution evident. I could feel the tension building, like an electric current in the air.
As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, Tate appeared beside me. "I got you the meds," he said, concern etched on his face. "You don't look well, Calista. Stay with me." I hesitated, feeling the weight of my exhaustion. Tate leaned in closer, his touch providing a comforting anchor amidst the chaos around us. "Tell me what's really wrong, Calista," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sounds of the sea.
My skin burned with fever, a sensation intensified by Tate's warm embrace.
“f**k, you’re burning up.” he growled.
"Shhh," I whispered, my voice barely a breath. "I'm going to speak, but you can't react. You have to act normal, understand?" Tate nodded.
"Understood," he said, his voice filled with resolve.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the sharp tang of the ocean. "There are demons here," I confessed, my voice barely audible. "I don't know how many, but I know they're here. You and your brothers have to focus on getting everyone who is innocent off this yacht safely. Lazer, he is working with the demons."
Tate's grip tightened around me, his touch grounding me. Tears welled up in my eyes, the saltwater mixing with the taste of desperation. "I can handle myself," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "But I can't stay the week. I am sorry, Tate, but this will be the last time any of you see me. I wish things could be different, but this is the way things have to be.”
"Kiss me," he demanded, his voice barely audible amidst the commotion around us. “Kiss me, Calista. You’re not allowed to reject me until you kiss me,” he said again, so no one but I could hear. With a slight movement, he shifted us, his hand leaving my side and caressing my face instead. The scent of demons grew stronger, a pungent odor that invaded my senses.
His fingers pressed against my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. The touch of his lips against mine was firm, almost desperate, as if he wanted to make a powerful statement. His trembling hand, still holding me, quivered with an underlying tension.
Tate broke the kiss abruptly, overwhelmed by the suffocating scent of demons. The air grew heavy with their foul presence, assaulting my senses.
Dean and Cade, already prepared for this encounter, appeared unfazed. "I linked them, they know everything," Tate whispered, his grip on me tightening more.
Cade maneuvered through the crowded guests, clearly focused on keeping them safe. As Lazer made his presence known once again, his voice resonated through the air, "It seems the Siren is near. Only a monster would dare to travel with demons lurking nearby, or perhaps the Siren is among us, tantalizing their taste."
Cade's demand was sharp, "Order your staff to bring the yacht to dock."
Two figures materialized next to Lazer, their demonic essence undeniable. These high-ranking demons would pose a challenge even for the triplets. Tate guided me towards the throng of guests, his hand clasping mine tightly. "Stay here, Calista," he urged, joining Cade and Dean.
Without hesitation, they launched an attack on the demons. Something caught my attention - they were struggling to shift. "The drinks," I murmured, realizing their weakness.
Suddenly, Lazer's focus shifted to Tate. Panic rising within me, I screamed, "Tate, watch out!" But it was too late. I witnessed him being swept overboard by the relentless waves. Dean and Cade managed to make one of the demons vanish, but Tate did not resurface. Time seemed to crawl as a minute passed. Unable to bear the stillness any longer so I made a move.
Lazer's chilling voice interrupted my thoughts, "Going somewhere?" His gaze fixed on me.
"I'm not going with you." I said to Lazer.
Lazer chuckled darkly, attempting to sway me, "I'm your best option. Come with me, and I will put an end to this." My eyes scanned the water ahead. With unwavering determination,
I made my choice, "I choose the triplets." Without hesitation, I raced to the ledge and leaped over it.
"CALISTA!" Dean's growl echoed behind me. I had faith in the triplets' abilities to hold back the demons, knowing that I was their primary target. As I submerged underwater, my body transformed, and I let out a piercing scream. The sound reverberated, I am sure, temporarily stunning the demons to aid the triplets.
I swam, driven by the desperate search for Tate. If they wished to imprison me, so be it. They had shown me kindness, if only for a fleeting moment, allowing me to experience a flicker of happiness amidst the chaos.