Free Poseidia by J.L. Imhoff Page A

lovers leave to make our escape.”
    I turned my head back to stare at the ceiling , unable to relax. Roman shifted his position, and then fell asleep within minutes. He snored lightly as his breath moved locks of his hair.
    Will he really help me? Can I trust him? Do I want him to help me? Do I have a choice? Is there any other way?
    No , I need his help.
    I drifted off sometime before dawn, but only entered a deep sleep for a few minutes before Roman moved and said, “It’s dawning. I sense them waking. Be ready. We want to be gone before the beach fills up.”
    “I don’t think I can move.” I sat up, and then laid back down , feeling dizzy and faint.
    “We have to get you back in the wat er to heal. I’ll carry you,” he offered.
    “No , I’ll do it, give me a minute.” I do not want him to throw me across his shoulder again. No way.
    “ Then lean on me.”
    “No. Just go and I’ll meet you in the water.” I needed a minute alone to pee. “Please, and don’t ask why.”
    “You’re stubborn.”
    “So?”
    He crawled back to the front of the cave. “They’re packing up and will be gone in a minute. Be ready.” He came back to me. “It’s a shame they did not make morning love.”
    “You’re such a voyeur, ” I teased.
    “ I will meet you under the swell of the sea. You have two minutes, be quick about it.”
    “Give me three.”
    “Fine. I will be watching the mouth of the cave and if I see you try to run for it, I will throw you over my shoulder.”
    “ I’ll be there, just go.”
    “ And I promise, I’ll help you,” he reassured as he lifted me to my feet. “You’re Poseidian now. You’ll never be the same.” He took me by the hand, and led me to the cave’s entrance. “I hear their car door, I’m going. I’ll see you in two.”
    “No, three.”
    “Right.” He released my arm, and ran out of the cave toward the water. He ran so fast he became a blur as he dove under the waves.
    Standing now, I felt better—the dizziness had passed. Quickly , I did my business, and then walked to the front of the cave, staring out over the ocean.
    I hesitated. Do I trust him, or do I cut and run now ? So many thoughts skipped through my head, I needed time to sort them out. Time was a commodity I didn’t have.
    No, I can’t move nearly as fast as he can. Would he really come after me if I decided to run? Yeah, of course he would. With no other viable choice, I decided to go back, to trust him.
    In the moment of decision, I emerged from the shadows of the cave with my souvenir tooth, frantic to follow Roman. I hobbled after him, and then gained speed. With every stride, I became more committed to my decision. I can do this.
    Before I dove into the waiting sea, a sound caused my head to turn. Against the rising sun, a shadow of the car remained. I’d heard the car doors slam shut, but the engine hadn’t started.
    I moved too slowly.
    My eyes met those of the human man, as he closed the trunk of his car, and walked around to the driver’s side. He’d stopped with his phone aimed toward me.
    He saw me. Oh no.
    I paused too long before diving after Roman. Hopefully he would dismiss a vision of an iridescent woman, wearing a tattered and torn dress, to be an illusion.
    As I broke the surface of the water, it embraced me, welcoming me back. I transformed and moved faster than I could walk.
    Roman waited for me, as promised, under the swell of the waves. In the fading darkness, he glowed a light blue color, the same as when he’d healed me.
    He smiled, looking relieved and happy. It was the first time I’d ever seen him genuinely happy. Maybe he’s not so bad.
    Claiming my hand, he kissed the back of it, before placing his hands over my wound to complete the healing he’d started in the cave.
    W ith me in tow, Roman swam back toward Poseidia, to home.
    Ho me.
    It sounded good.

Chapter 8
    B y the next morning, I’d convinced myself I imagined the whole thing. When I opened my eyes, Lily