Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
STASIE
“Remind me again why you’re not driving?” I held on tight to the steering wheel as the speedboat flew over the water. Mist sprayed over my skin and hair, and the sun beat down on me, heating my skin.
“This is a one-person job as specified by the client.” Jack’s voice was smooth and calm in my earpiece. “We’re only a few miles away if you need back up.”
I chuckled. “How do you even know how far away I am? We couldn’t find this island with satellite images or on a map anywhere. Not gonna lie, it feels a bit like a trap.”
“We’ve got the longitude and latitude. Just keep on going straight. You’ve got this.”
“If I needed words of affirmation, I’d listen to a podcast. What I need right now is this payday and a vacation.” The boat bounced over the rolling waves for what felt like ages, with no land in sight. For a moment I started to think this was a hoax.
“Consider your vacation approved . . . once this is done.” Jack chuckled. “I remember a time when you loved being on the open water.”
“I have no idea which time you’re talking about, but I can assure you I’m not here for this. You have no idea what’s lurking deep in that water. Krakens are a thing, Jack. They are a thing.”
“I have no doubt of it.” He paused. “Adjust your course three degrees southwest.”
“Southwest?”
“Turn to your left a little bit.” He sighed. “Honestly east and west are not hard.”
“Listen we all struggle with something,” I teased.
“You’re lucky you’re an excellent thief—”
“Curator,” I interrupted. “I curate items for museums and families.”
For some reason it was important for me to point that out.
I didn’t steal things, I returned them to their rightful owners .
. . for a tiny profit. Paintings, sculptures, and priceless art had a way of getting stolen from their rightful owners during times of war.
It was my own way of bringing a tiny bit of peace or closure to families who so dearly deserved it.
Jack cleared his throat. “In that case, you’re the best damn curator out there.”
“Damn straight. Now are we any closer to the coordinates or do I need to turn right or something?” The question was no sooner out of my mouth when I spotted land just on the horizon.
“No . . . it . . . lo . . . ike.” Jack’s voice began to break up in my ear.
“Jack? Hey, Jack? You there?” As the boat drew closer to the island, the earpiece switched to a low buzz.
“Guess I’m on my own for now, Jackie boy.” I sighed and slowed the boat.
The island was spectacular, with towering rocky cliffs on each side.
The waves splashed up against the rocks in a gorgeous display of foam and spray.
At the center of the island was an imposing castle.
The exterior was made of light sandstone with vines creeping up the walls.
Bright, crimson flowers clung to the vines, giving the castle the appearance that the walls were bleeding.
Flower petals drifted on the breeze, raining all around the castle.
From this vantage point I could tell there were multiple rooms, hallways, and wings.
It would take me forever to navigate that damn castle.
But I had an image of the box, and I would find the damn thing for the price they paid.
The castle was surrounded by a lush tropical forest with swaying palm trees and brightly colored flowers.
I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for me in the thick of those trees.
The thought of the coming danger and excitement brought a smile to my face.
The anticipation of that hit of adrenaline that would bring visions of him had me ready to dive off the side of the boat and start my way to that castle.
I slowed my little speedboat, searching for a point of entry.
There was only one place where it looked like I could scale the rocky cliffside.
I slowed the boat to a stop and threw the small anchor over the side.
I was tucked in close enough to the island that no one would spot the boat, and I could make it to the rocks with no problem.
I slung my waterproof pack over my shoulders and placed my foot on the edge of the boat.
With a last glance up at the cliffs, I leapt over the side of the boat and into the crystal waves.
The current was so strong it pulled me toward the rocky cliffside.
No matter how much I tried, there was no slowing my pace.
Then I saw it, a deep cave where the water rushed in and shot back out violently.
I kicked my legs as hard as I could and threw my arms out, yet there was no fighting the pull.
I was dragged toward the cave with the current.
I sucked in a sharp breath a second before my head dipped below the water.
I twisted with the turbulent water and my shoulder smacked into the rough walls of the cave.
I was whipped to the other side, kicking my legs out and struggling for the surface.
My lungs burned to draw breath, and I had to fight not to open my mouth and suck in water.
My heart raced as panic overcame me. The cave was so dark I couldn’t tell up from down.
There was nothing but my body being pinballed through the cave by the tide.
My muscles burned for the surface, yet there was none to be found.
Time slowed as the water slowly consumed me.
I blinked my eyes, searching for a way out, and there he was.
My blond Adonis, his long hair drifted around him in gentle waves.
Those pale eyes met mine, and they glowed like stars in the night sky.
His robes drifted around him as he reached out toward me.
I felt myself trying to drift toward him, to grab his hand and never let go. My heart raced as he got closer.
There was a flash of blue and black sparks behind my eyes.
This is it. I’m going to die. But I saw him, the one who plagued my dreams. If I died now, I could go happily knowing he was the last thing I ever saw.
The water flowed around me, and my body was jerked back hard.
He faded into the distance, and I shot out of the water at the back of the cave, smacking into the wall and falling to a rocky shelf.
I sucked in a sharp breath and coughed, expelling the water from my throat.
I crawled to my hands and knees, sucking in deep breaths. Water rushed over my legs but didn’t take me under this time. “Holy fuck. That was close.”
Strands of my soaking hair slopped over my face and stuck to my neck.
When I finally caught my breath, I sat back on my heels and looked around in the dark.
A single beam of light shone from a hole at the back of the cave.
I staggered to my feet and forced myself to slog toward it.
My steps faltered over the slippery, uneven ground, but I had no choice other than to move forward.
When I reached the beam of light, I bent down and peeked into the tunnel.
“One way out.” I pulled at the straps on my shoulders, making sure my pack was still in place.
I glanced over my shoulder toward those murky waters, wishing that he was there for real and not just a figment of my imagination.
A deep sigh escaped my lips, and I turned back to the small hole.
I dropped to my knees and started crawling through it.
The rocks cut into my hands, but I continued forward.
As I moved, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand.
I would get the damn box, then get the hell out of here.
I crawled out of the end of the small tunnel and into an open hallway made completely of dark stone.
Narrow rectangular openings were spread down the hall, letting in the warm breeze.
Old-world torches lined the halls. Their flames flickered bright, bathing the hallway in warm light.
When I rose to my feet and stood, straight bars slammed down on the tunnel.
Then, one by one they clanged into place over the windows.
I spun in circles with my heart in my throat.
Haunting child-like laughter flowed down the hall, yet when I looked, I couldn’t find the source of it. A chill went down my spine, then a female voice echoed all around me. “Oh, we’re going to have so much fun.”