RISSA
The yacht bobbed gentlyon the waves, its sea anchor deployed. I gripped the railing, my knuckles turning white as I stared down at the crystal blue water. The sea breeze whipped through my short black hair.
It was time. After two thousand years, I was finally going to be reunited with my powers. The thought filled me with a bittersweet mix of anticipation and dread.
I inhaled deeply, steeling my resolve. This was the right thing to do. The world needed the power I had hidden away so long ago to stop the formless ones. My personal desires had to come second.
Luce emerged from the cabin and joined me at the railing. "Are you ready?"
I met his gaze and clenched my jaw. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose."
"We can try to find another way."
I shook my head firmly. "No, this is our only option. And I'm the person who has to retrieve the diamond." I turned back to the shimmering expanse, to the spot that called to the remnants of divinity still within me. "Let's just get this over with."
I pointed down at a spot off the starboard side of the yacht. "It's closest to this point when we dive off. There's a lot of old volcanic activity below here and that's what the coral grew out of. I hid it in a small hollow that was unlikely to be overgrown by coral because it's just below the light level where it can grow. So we're going to have to go past the coral and search along the base of where it grows."
Luce nodded, his dark eyes scanning the water with a calculating intensity. "Lead the way."
We made our way to the back of the boat where our scuba gear awaited. Jeanette appeared, her blonde ponytail swaying as she checked over our tanks with practiced efficiency. "Good to go," she declared, flashing a bright smile at Luce.
I bristled at her overly cheery attitude. Just because she was family to Luce didn't give her the right to act like I wasn't even here. I bit back a snarky observation, knowing it wouldn't help the situation.
I secured my mask and looked to Luce. "Ready to take the plunge, lord daemon?"
He chuckled, the sound slightly muffled by his own mask. "After you, kitten."
I punched his arm, even as a small part of me thrilled at hearing it. With a deep breath, I waddled to the edge of the boat, fins slapping against the deck. One last glance at the world above, atthe kind of life I was leaving behind, and then I let myself fall backward into the waiting embrace of the sea.
The cool water enveloped me like a disgusting second skin as I sank beneath the waves. Bubbles trailed upwards from my regulator, the rhythmic sound of my breathing amplified in my ears. I twisted, orienting myself in the blue expanse, searching for Luce.
He appeared beside me, his powerful form cutting through the water with ease. With a kick of his fins, he propelled himself closer, reaching out to grasp my arm. I tensed, instinctively pulling back, but his grip was firm. He tugged me towards him until we were face to face, our masks nearly touching.
What the hell? We needed to get moving, not waste time with whatever this was.
But Luce didn't release me. Instead, he stared intently into my mask, his dark eyes boring into mine. I squirmed under the intensity of his gaze, feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way that had nothing to do with my skintight wetsuit or the nasty water all around us.
"What are you doing?" I tried to say, but the words came out garbled, lost in a flurry of bubbles.
Luce just shook his head, his expression unreadable behind the mask. He continued to hold me close, his body radiating heat even through the chilly water.
What was wrong with me? I’d faced down monsters and gods. One overgrown daemon shouldn't throw me off my game.
I tried to pull away again, but Luce's grip only tightened. He tilted his head, as if trying to communicate something without words. I stared back, frustration mounting.
We didn’t have time for this cryptic crap, and I was getting irritated. My powers were waiting, and every second counted. I jabbed a finger emphatically towards the depths, toward the coral formations that concealed the gem.
Rissa, can you hear me?Luce's voice suddenly resonated inside my mind, startling me so badly I almost choked on the oxygen coming through the mask.
I whipped my head around to stare at him in shock. He met my gaze evenly, a hint of amusement in his dark eyes.
This isn't something I can do easily or long-term, he explained, his mental voice a deep, rich timbre.But it'll work while we're under here. Since radio doesn’t work underwater.
I blinked rapidly, trying to process this new development.This is crazy, I thought back at him, feeling foolish and self-conscious. Could he hear every stray thought flitting through my head?
Luce's warm chuckle filled my mind, making heat rise to my cheeks.Yes, it is. But don't worry, I can only hear the thoughts you intentionally project to me.
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my racing pulse.Well, that's something, at least. A little warning would've been nice, though.
