The Dormant: The Elemental Witches (Book Two)

Chapter 4: Egean

~ Danielle~

Walking inside the seaside cottage, I was met by the unmistakable sounds of the crazy, old but not old-looking. I had to remind myself before I mentioned it again, hag. who, as usual, was throwing things around. ¨Packing?¨ I questioned while sitting down on one of the dinner table chairs. Turning around, she was unapologetic about how she was acting and continued to mumble to herself in Greek or what I thought was Greek while she shoved some lemons inside a sack.

My fingernails drummed the table in front of me as I tried to see how to make conversation with the least conversational creature on the island. ¨So Hektor is three hundred years old, but he says you've been around for much longer than that.¨ Calipso turned, glaring at me, holding a bouquet of chamomille flowers in one hand and pointing me with the other one. ¨If you are asking me for my age, I will do to you what the Persians human did to the Magi people.¨ Shaking my head, I silently mouthed a what. ¨I have no idea what that means…¨ My voice began speaking again as she gave me a sweet, sarcastic smile. I could only imagine what that meant. ¨You are sick!¨ My voice rose while shaking my head and wrapping my arms around my chest.

Calipso let out a loud cackle and continued fixing her bags of stuff, now throwing inside what I believe was an entire salted fish. ¨So I have something I wanted to discuss with you, something that for some reason I don't get knowledge about anywhere in my head.¨ With a whisper, she mumbled back. ¨Shocking¨ While turning her back at me and hexing a plant, so a never-ending drip of water continued to keep it alive while we were gone. ¨I am serious, Calipso.¨ I again spoke, this time going serious myself.

Hearing my voice, she turned to me, squeezing her eyes. She put both hands up in defeat and placed her bags of goodies on the kitchen counter. ¨Fine.¨ She took out a chair, sat down in front of me, her yellow eyes watching intently, and waited for me to begin speaking. ¨Well how do you manage to not have kids before Hektor, and why is Hektor your one and only?¨ I asked, quite mystified by the whole ordeal. She let out a laugh and banged both her hands on the table, knowingly, as she stood up and began rummaging the kitchen again. ¨ That's easy, witch. I didn't want kids before Hektor. I was never ready for them.¨ My eyes opened in shock as she said this .¨We can do that?¨ She turned as she mixed some acacia leaves and honey. ¨If humans can, why shouldn't we? In fact, we have a better understanding of the plants and their properties. The real trick is that each kind is different, so the potion needs different components.¨ Nodding, I continued speaking. ¨That makes sense so narrowed minded of me to think otherwise.¨

Calipso let out a laugh. ¨Indeed it is Danielle; indeed, it is.¨ In her pestle, She tossed a handful of dates and began grounding them to a pulp with a sprinkle of rosemary and a pinch of what look like fennel. ¨In fact, you don't even have to ask..¨She grabbed the pulp, adding it to a jar topping it with honey and acacia leaves. ¨Every time you are with your mate, use this. It would act as a birth control formula.¨I looked at the thick substance getting red. ¨Do you mean I have to slap it in my ... ¨

I pointed at my lower regions while mouthing my v****a. ¨Before I have s*x? How would I keep that from you know who?¨ My head went to the side door where the men were already fixing a boat to take to the sea. ¨ So you want something more discreet?¨ I nodded expectantly, my eyes shimmering. ¨Well tough luck, cookie. You got what you get, and I advise you to talk to your mate about these feelings you are having.¨ Pouting, I stepped out of my chair, grabbing the jar. ¨You are no fun… ¨ I turned to the door as she mumbled. ¨Never wished to be, so it doesn't affect me in the least.¨ Rolling my eyes, I turned around to her. ¨Either way, you are still a life savior thanks for the vag cream.¨ I pointed at the jar in my hand.

She swatted her hand at me as she cleaned her pestle and mortar and put it in a bag. ¨Yeah... yeah, whatever, just do know you need to change the formula every fifteen days.¨ I looked at it. ¨Why?¨ With disbelief, she looked at me. ¨What kind of witch are you? It has fresh fruit in it. After fifteen days, it will start fermenting. You don't want to put booze in your vagina.¨ As she said this, Hektor came in the door. ¨Mom, for the love of Triton, stop saying the word vagina.¨ She turned to him now. ¨Vagina .. vagina.. v****a. Get used to it. I won't last you forever.¨ She turned back to what she was doing as Hector looked at me, flushing a deep red. ¨She would probably will last forever.¨, I replied. Shrugging his arms, he turned to me. ¨Lets go, Danielle. Cassie says you two should pack.¨

I nodded as I exited the tent, putting the jar Calipso gave me inside of my bag. Eugene looked at it with curiosity. ¨Is just acacia, honey, and dates, nothing toxic.¨ I stroke his head as I felt a pair of hands around me, tingles coursing through me. ¨I think the acacia flowers are edible, but the leaves can kill you... most certainly can kill Eugene.¨ I turned as I got red, and he continued asking, now pointing at the jar.¨What is that concoction.¨ I swatted my hand laughing. ¨Nothing really just medicine in case you fight Rowan again.¨

Quickly dismissing it and burying the jar inside my satchel, I put a small peck on Ben's lips. Before I could move away, his hand was on the back of my head, deepening the kiss. Eugene hurried out of my bag, happy to hear him, and traveled my arm to his arm, placing himself on his shoulder, making me break the kiss. ¨Not fair. I think he likes you more than he likes me.¨ Ben turned to his shoulder where my familiar was passing his little paws on his head and stroking its head with his index finger. ¨How couldn't he? I am a loveable guy.¨

Dropping my shoulders, I gave him a look. ¨What about Gadeus? The first time he saw you, you were getting into a fight in his hotel.¨ I made quotation marks on the word hotel with my fingers. ¨He loves me.¨ He let one of his arms go as he gave the mereman a wave, who gave him another one back. ¨Okay, Rowan, you beat the s**t out of him. How much can he love you?¨ He laughed, kissing me. ¨Werewolf etiquette, we are now like brothers.¨ I puffed ¨Okay then Calipso.¨

Ben put his index finger on my lip and thought. ¨She doesn’t like anyone but Gadeus.¨ I shifted my head from side to side, agreeing with him. ¨Its not fair I preferred when you were the Sour-Wolf, and I was the lovable, funny human mate.¨ I smiled at him as he dropped his smile.

Letting me go, he turned me around and patted me on my butt while whispering in my ear. ¨I think I can arrange that. Now go pack. I want to leave before the sun goes down.¨ I caressed my butt even though something in his words made my whole body clenched as I turned around.

Eugene was still on his shoulder. ¨Come Eugene, let's go pack.¨ The crazy rat looked at him and then looked at me, going to the top of his head and to his other shoulder. ¨Traitor!¨ I screamed at it, letting out a puff as I walked the stairs to our cabana.

¨Sup Cass!¨ I entered the place and began climbing the stairs to my bunk bed. Cassie was sitting with her legs crossed, scribbling on something. Coming down from the bunk bed, I neared her. ¨What you got there?¨ She looked up from the book she was writing on. ¨Nothing, just a thing Hektor gave me. He says his mom has one, and it's pretty handy.¨ I went to her side, sitting on the wooden couch. ¨What is it? Is it a diary? Are you writing all your dirty sexcapades with him?¨ She let the book go squarely on her lap as she smiled at me, her brown eyes lighting up as I said this. ¨It's a grimoire; basically, a spells diary. I can write everything I am working on before perfecting it, so I don't have to start from zero every time.¨

I grabbed the book from her hand and went to the page she was working on. It read:

¨ A stone of quartz to look apart.

Wind from the south would whisper lies.

Raven hair or black-blue eyes.

Make the foreseer turn his sight.¨

Beneath the legend, it said. ¨The wind from the north would make your skin color change, and the wind from the east would add years to your complexion. West???? Hector doesn't want to try it anymore because he says it makes him itchy.¨ A small drawing of the quartz she was using for the hex etched on one of the corners.

¨Wow that enchantment looks handy.¨ I grimaced a little thinking of poor Hektor being the subject of her experiments. She grabbed the book, putting it inside of her own pack. ¨You should really consider starting one. With the whole fire thing and not knowing where it came from, It can help you keep control of what you are doing.¨. Standing up, I began looking beneath the couch, bringing some seashells I had collected and a few other stuff. ¨Yeah you are probably right. The first moment I get my hands on a notebook, I am starting one.¨ She opened her mouth, an idea popping in her head." Maybe we can write a student handbook for young neophytes on the simple control of air and fire., ,¨ ¨I am not saying no to the idea, but I think we should first learn everything ourselves maybe in forty years or so?¨

She nodded as I finished packing, both of us looking around at our home. For some reason, now saying goodbye to the place made me sad. I wasn't sure why. Maybe because I loved this island, and something told me I wasn't getting back here any day soon.

I walked up the stairs, where the guys were already putting the boat out in the ocean. Calipso was traveling from the house to the boat carrying several bags with her. Ben grabbed my hand, and I jumped inside as she was leaving a couple more bags and was going back for more. ¨Has someone told her we are staying a few days tops.¨I asked. ¨I heard that!¨She screamed as she was walking away. ¨I am just saying you are exhibiting hoarding behavior. We need to go now!¨ I clapped the back of my hand on my other hand.

She came back holding a mirror and a plant. ¨Ready!¨She passed the items to Gadeus, who lovingly gave them to Rowan and then let her inside the boat. ¨Why do you need a house plant in the bottom of the ocean?¨ Rowan asked, as incredulous as me. ¨Thank you!¨ I shot through the bond. ¨You don't know when you are not going to need it. So are we standing here all evening or are we leaving?¨ She asked as Gadeus turned to the captain's wheel, answering her. ¨As you say, my captain.¨She went behind him, wrapping her arms behind him and giving him a kiss.

~Rowan~

We sat on the edge of the small sailboat on the road to who the hell knows. Danielle had started a small fire on a portable barbecue. The two meremen went on their way to catch tonight's dinner. I stepped to the side of the boat where Cassie was sitting, looking down as she trusted her hand in the deep blue sea ocean. ¨A penny for your thoughts…¨

Her head snapped from her daydreaming as I asked what was on her mind. ¨I guess I don't know what we are doing. We are set up on this adventure that has been the most important one in my life….¨ She began talking and abruptly stopped her sentence. ¨But…¨ I continued grabbing her chin up as her face again began to be lost in the sea around us. ¨But I feel erratic right now, like before Marco, and I got to Green Moon... What I am trying to say is I miss the place. I miss the grounding… The life and the roots I was setting in there.¨

Looking back at the waves she was watching, I understood her predicament. ¨Have you talked to Hektor about these feelings? What do you plan to do? Live with them in Ogigia or go back with us’¨ Her shoulders shrugged. ¨I don’t think I have any choice in the matter where you guys go. I go, but him...¨ She pointed at the sea in front of us.¨I don't know if it's going to be too hard to leave his family.¨ I tapped her shoulder as I sat next to her. ¨Maybe you can come back after everything has mellow out? And heck, if seaweed can sprout roots in the ocean, so can you.¨

As my mind raced on to what she was telling me, lobsters and crabs began coming out from the sea into the air and landing on the boat like a weird crustacean rain. ¨What the f**k?!¨ Danielle screamed as she grabbed Eugene, who was about to get into a fight with what looked like the king of all crabs.

After a few more thuds on the boat where we all, except Calipso, took shelter on the lower deck, the seafood assault stopped. We slowly made our way to the top of the boat. There, in all their naked glory, Hektor and Gadeus stood. Cassie blushed, and Benjamin placed a hand over Danielle's eyes. ¨Dinner anyone.¨ Gadeus gave an easy smile as he grabbed the big crab that was about to eat Eugene.

¨You meremans are such show-offs.¨ Calipso hissed as she tossed clothes to her partner and her son. Gadeus quickly covered his lower half and then grabbed a pot, filling it with salt water as Hektor began holding an assortment of the different animals. Who were now rampantly walking around the boat. Calipso went to her houseplant and started plucking some of its leaves.

Then she turned to one of the bags and took out more stuff. ¨Is she going to magically cook them?¨ Zheng asked as the witch took out jar after jar of herbs. ¨Seasoning, not much different than witchcraft.¨ She replied, and for the first time, I saw her genuinely smiling by doing something other than Gadeus as she began dumping different ingredients into the pot.

-----------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------

¨This … This right here is the best freaking food I have ever eaten. f**k five Michelin star restaurants!¨ Danielle spoke with her mouth full as she broke another leg from a crab. Calipso gave a small smirk at her remark. ¨When have you been to a five-star restaurant?¨ Benjamin asked as he broke a lobster tail. She shrugged her shoulders and swatted his arm, then continued eating.¨ You have ruined restaurants, thanks!¨ I chipped in as I patted my stomach.

¨We should get near the area tomorrow at daybreak, kids. You should all sleep well because it's a long walk.¨ Danielle looked at Gadeus as he spoke. ¨Walk? We were in the middle of the ocean.¨ She brought her arms up, gesturing around her. ¨Ohhh you are going to get the shock of a lifetime.¨Calipso spoke after. ¨Hektor you and me, we will swim beforehand and asked for a bubble to be set up for their arrival. Hektor nodded, then grabbed Cassie's hand.

We were already deep into the night, the six of us in a circle head to head looking upwards at the beautiful sky above. ¨My kind regards stars as the way to enrichment. The seventy-two paths to enlightenment said by Sung Wukong, the trickster God, was always on the line, never really good or evil. After he was advised by a dragon himself, he went to the creature's kingdom and forged a friendship that lasted millennia with the dragon kind.¨ Everyone turned to Zhang as he spoke. ¨Who are you?¨ I asked slowly at the most mysterious part of our companionship.

He smiled, adjusting himself as he closed his eyes. ¨Enlightment comes to those who seek it. I am just a humble shifter with so much to learn.¨ Benjamin spoke now. ¨We are all in the same boat, monkey.¨ Closing my eyes, I felt myself drift as the motions of the ship swayed from side to side. ¨And, the most crucial lesson I have learned from all my travels is the path that you seek can only be revealed when you stop looking for it.¨

Everybody in the circle groaned as he said this, you are going Buddhist on us.¨ Hektor spoke as Cassie adjusted herself to his side. Zheng shrugged his arms as he waved us all goodnight.

-------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------

The next morning, I was woken up by a loud roar of the ocean. After previous experience with ships, I jumped up immediately, scared we were sinking again. Instead, I found everybody up and looking to the front. I turned my eyes and looked at what everybody else was looking at.

Calipso was in the front of the ship. Her arms were up, and her eyes were shut tightly. Her lips were barely moving, but she was reciting a hex. ¨What is happening?¨ I asked as the boat swayed violently to the side. ¨I don't know, but I think s**t is going to go old testament in a few seconds.¨Danielle pointed towards the witch with her chin.

¨I can definitely say this time, mate, you are right that woman just needs a staff to become Moses right now.¨ Ben replied as Cassie stepped up beside Danielle, holding Hektor's hands. He was just as amazed as the rest of us. In a low voice, he said. ¨I have seen her doing this on a small scale, but wow!¨

We all stood there in a single line as she raised her hand in the air. The sea in front of us began parting, a colossal swirling hole appearing in the middle. She turned back at us. ¨Who is first?¨

¨What does she mean?¨ I pointed towards the swirling water tunnel she was pointing at. ¨Who cares! That looks amazing!¨ Danielle took a step forward, intent on being the first one, only stopped by Benjamin, who wrapped an arm around her and, with a squeal from her, placed her behind him.

Calipso began getting upset. While throwing the things, she brought inside the vortex. ¨Go then, the path is open now, and there's enough air down there so we landers can breathe.¨ She then waited for a second, getting exasperated at the look on each of our faces. ¨It is not like my magic has accidentally killed somebody.¨Gadeus gave her a silent, knowing stare. ¨In this era anyway.¨ She shrugged her shoulders and threw herself inside the vortex making every one of us look down at the hole beneath as it swallowed her. ¨Fine, I will do it!¨ I took a step forward and counted to three before letting go.

Instead of being engulfed with water, the vortex swayed and moved like it was a wormhole, wetting my back but sliding me down smoothly. After a few minutes, I was propelled into an exit, landing directly on hard rock and sand.

I quickly moved away from where I was as I heard a loud laughing sound and a loud shrieking scream. Benjamin twirled his body, so Danielle landed on top of him. She gave him a quick peck standing up. ¨Witch I don't know why you are managing an hotel when you can have the most amazing water park in existence.¨She said excitedly to Calipso as her mate Benjamin stood up, groaning and shaking his head. ¨Glad you found that fun.¨ He kissed her deeply, jumping to the side as Zheng came propelled through the hole. As he edged to the border of the slide, he kicked his legs up, turning in the middle of the air, landing gracefully and standing up. ¨Show off.¨ I mumbled as he walked beside Benjamin, patting his back.

Lastly, the sound of a freaking out Cassie was heard from the mind-link. ¨ I can't believe you tossed me inside. You are so going to pay for this, mereman.!¨ Hektor was laughing back at her with evil intent as she landed square on her butt. I stood by her side, prompting her up.

Then she walked to where everybody was now taking in the view around us. Calipso had created a sort of a pathway around us. The water surrounded us like an aquarium. You can see small glimmers of light here and there, but mostly it was dark, and everything had a green-blue tint. ¨Look to your left.¨ I heard Hektor through the mind-link, and there he was with Gadeus. Both of them had shifted into meremen, their tails glimmering with yellows, oranges, and golds.

He pointed forward. ¨We will swim to the border. I will try to get back to you before you arrive, but if I cannot see you tomorrow.¨ He got near the wall, putting his hand up, Cassie went to the side, placing her hand too, looking into each other's eyes with only the force of the water separating them.

Hektor nodded quickly, taking off into the vast sea. ¨We need light.¨ Calipso said while passing a tiki torch to Danielle. ¨Ohh you brought your favorite party prop.¨ She looked at her and sighed. ¨Fire.¨ Calipso demanded in one word Danielle flicked her wrist, lighting it and passing it to Benjamin while she ignited another one. ¨And what do we do now?¨ I asked as I received one of the torches. ¨Walk¨ Calipso simply stated as she hiked her skirt and began doing just that. ¨So we are back to one-word sentences, don't we?¨Danielle asked the witch, who simply ignored her.