The bonfire was at the Cape, which was only a short walk down the beach. The four of us headed that direction. It was a gorgeous night. The silver moon above was completely full, lighting up the world like a disco ball. The sand beneath our feet reflected its light, creating the illusion it had been lit from below. With the ocean glistening around us, it felt like we had been transported to another world. The refuge of night was captured in the ocean breeze ruffling my hair and the enchanted white crabs scurrying around our bare feet.
The warm glow of the bonfire could be seen from miles around, but as we got closer, I could make out the individual embers shooting up from the blaze, riding on the wind. Freed from captivity, they flew high in the air before snuffing out. I could see why ancient man sat around staring at fire. It was a beautiful dance as old as the dawn of time. You could become entranced within its flames, stripping away everything except the raw humanity that burns within us all.
We were drawn closer by the heat radiating out from the fire. Large pieces of driftwood had been set up around the bonfire as seats, so we claimed a relatively empty one. I stretched my legs out in front of me and scanned the crowd. I saw a couple of kids from my classes, couples sitting close together in their own world, and a group of guys playing something that looked like lacrosse down towards the water. I also noticed Olivia and Cassie with two other girls sitting on a blanket nearby.
They were surrounded by six guys who were hanging on their every word. The one thing I didn’t see were Sons of Daimon. Maybe they weren’t the social event type?
“Look who finally made it.” Logan spoke up behind us. He was trailed by Noah and two other guys who put The Hulk to shame. They were at least 6’6 and built like tanks. Noah took a seat in between me and Willow, while Hans and Frans sat beside Phoebe. Logan and Carmen snuck off towards the water by themselves.
“How’s your first week going?” Noah attempted conversation with me.
“Pretty good so far,” I replied politely. He smiled a dimpled smile at me and I noticed he was definitely cute, but he needed a lesson in personal space. I scooted an inch down the driftwood, but he just leaned farther in my direction as he talked.
“It definitely takes some getting used to. Especially if you haven’t been around our kind your whole life. That’s got to be hard.” If he only knew.
“A lot of things have been a shock, but I know things will fall into place with time.” I looked down at my trace. I tried to turn the conversation back to him, “So you and Logan are Tritons?”
“Logan is, but I’m not,” he told me. “I’m a Tyde like you.”
“Really? I have a hard time telling the Orders apart, except for the Sons of Daimon.” Which sent my thoughts to deep blue eyes.
“Well I’ll tell you a secret,” he leaned even closer. I thought about asking him if he’d be more comfortable sitting in my lap, “We all have different stones that represent our Orders. The Tyde stone is turquoise. Most of us wear one all the time.” He pulled a necklace out from under his shirt. It was a thin leather string with a single turquoise bead flanked by two knots.
“That’s amazing!” It dawned on me that maybe the décor in our living room was turquoise and white for that very reason. I’d have to ask Willow about that.
“My mom got me this when I started at Lorelei, but there’s a shop near The Hole that sells all kinds of stones.” He tucked the necklace back under his shirt. “If you want me to take you some time, just let me know,” he looked at me hopefully.
“Thanks, I’ll let you know if I decide to go.” He smiled and I felt guilty for giving him false hope. If I went with anyone it would be Kira or my roommates.
My mind wanted to ask what the stone was for the Sons of Daimon. Thankfully, it didn’t come out that way. “What are the other Orders’ stones?”
“The Sirens wear sapphires, the Tritons wear obsidian, and the Sons wear the black onyx.”
Definitely fitting. I’d have to see if I could spot one on Finn the next time I saw him.
“There’s so much I don’t know.” I looked out over the ocean. It was still and calm, reminding me of an infinity pool, not that I’d seen an infinity pool other than in magazines and on TV.
“You’ll learn,” he reassured me. “You’ve only been here a couple of days. You can’t expect to learn everything that quick.”
“I’m not the most patient person in the world.” I tossed a rogue seashell in to the fire.
“I can see that,” he laughed, and his dimples showed again. “You wanna go for a walk? The fire’s starting to get hot.” I glanced at Willow, who was now talking to Phoebe and the other guys.
What could it hurt?
“Sure.” We stood and strolled towards the point of the Cape. The sounds of the ocean filled my ears, and I had the strangest urge to run as fast as I could and dive beneath the waves. I also got the feeling of being watched. I looked around but no one was even remotely paying attention to us. I shrugged it off and zipped up my hoodie.
“I don’t know if I could ever live anywhere but the beach.” Noah said.
“I like how you can look out over the ocean and see the curvature of the earth.” I pointed out toward the horizon, “It makes you realize just how small and insignificant we really are.”
“I don’t think you’re small and insignificant, Stasia.” He was suddenly closer to me. Goose bumps popped up on my arms, but I couldn’t tell if it was because of the cool wind or his uninvited nearness. I felt his arm wrap around my shoulders and tensed. I knew I should probably relax and lean into him, but something stopped me. I turned away, towards the bonfire.
“I’m getting chilly, I think we should be go back to the fire.” he furrowed his brow in confusion, but followed me back. I got that feeling of being watched again, but still didn’t see anyone watching us. The hairs on my arms rose and my chill bumps started growing chill bumps. I began walking faster.
“Hey there, lovebirds,” grinned Phoebe. I gave her a look that could kill and Willow elbowed her in the ribs. I sat down beside her, suddenly very comforted by the fire and my friends. Noah and Hans began talking about the upcoming football season and I tried to relax. I should have probably found out what their names were instead of calling them Frans and Hans, but decided against it. After a while, I gazed back at the ocean. The urge to be underwater slammed into me again and it became harder to ignore. I could almost feel the water’s soothing touch enveloping my body, sweeping me away with the currents to places I’d never been.
Unable to concentrate on anything else, I informed Phoebe and Willow I was going to take a walk. They gave me a strange look, but warned me to be careful. Being that we were on an island not accessible by cars, I figured the chances of something bad happening were pretty slim. A flash of the dead woman lying on the beach entered my mind, but I pushed it away just as quickly. I walked down the beach and out of the fire’s light. The darkness of night brought a tender smile to my face. I made it to the water’s edge and took in everything around me. The wet sand beneath my feet mirrored the sky above. The water sparkled with the light of the moon. As the waves rushed up to greet me, I stood mesmerized and fought the urge to join them. My thoughts strayed to Finn. The turbulent water reminded me of his stormy blue eyes. I wanted to get lost in them again. I tried not to think about what it would be like to be close to him.