Page 10 of Demon On Deck
“Mostly shows,” she says as we follow the crowds to the railing where several boats wait for us. The unease in my stomach grows, but I tamp it down. I refuse to miss this opportunity to spend time with Kallie.
We climb onto the fishing vessel that’s rocking in the waves and find seats. “What about you?” She asks before we set off.
My stomach lurches as I watch the cruise ship fade into the distance.
“Learned how to play roulette better,” I snark with a smile.
Kallie’s musical laughter drowns out the chorus of anxiety building inside me. I make it my personal goal to make her laugh and smile as much as possible.
When her laughter dies down, she gifts me with that radiant smile. “Think you can do better next time we bet?”
“Absolutely, Doll.”
We continue to chat as the boat speeds us along to our destination. It’s almost enough to distract me from the gnawing anxiety. Almost.
The boat finally slows, and several crew members come around to explain the rods and reels, as well as how to cast and not get our lines crossed. Simple enough except for the violent teeter-tottering of the boat.
When our instructor finishes, I pull him aside and ask which way the boat is, should our fishing vessel sink. He gives me a dubious look but tells me nonetheless. I return to Kallie, who casts her line before giving me a concerned look.
“You okay?” She asks as she slowly begins turning the reel.
“Fine,” I say less than convincingly as I cast my own line.
“Really,” she says in a sassy, doubtful tone.
I shrug, adjusting my stance to counterbalance the rocking of the boat. “As I mentioned before, I’m not a huge fan of open water. I just asked if something happened and the boat was sinking, which way to fly us to get back to the cruise ship.”
Kallie looks over at me and smiles, “Us?”
I level her with a serious look. “Yes, us, Doll. No way I’m leaving you behind.”
She blushes slightly, turning her focus back to fishing. “So what is it about open water that bothers you? As you pointed out, you do have wings.”
“But I can’t fly indefinitely, and I don’t have the power to conjure portals. Also, I’m not really a swimmer. I mean, I can doggy paddle like a Saint Bernard, but when I run out of steam, I’ll sink like a stone.”
“That’s understandable,” she says, turning back to face me. “Fear not, hotstuff, I’m a great swimmer. I’ll save you.” She says with a wink.
Hotstuff.
The cute tease makes me smile. “You think I’m hot?” I tease.
Kallie’s flush starts at her neck and spreads all the way to her hairline.
She’s saved from answering me by a crew member who comes by to tell us to reel in so we can move locations. We reel in and take our seats as the boat takes off once more.
The rest of the afternoon is pleasant, filled with laughter and banter. Neither Kallie nor I catch a single fish. At our final location, the seas turn choppy. Our boat rocks precariously side to side as we try our luck one last time.
“Well, it looks like our luck fishing is no better than our gambling,” Kallie laughs as she sets her rod back in the holder on the railing and leans against it.
“I’m not complaining,” I say nonchalantly as I finish reeling in my line.
“Oh?” she asks curiously.
I make a pleased humming sound. “I may not have caught a fish, but I got to spend an entire afternoon with you. That’s a win in my book.”
She graces me with a beautiful smile and opens her mouth to respond when a wave rocks the boat violently, causing her to lose her balance. I watch in horror as the boat dips down, and Kallie’s body is tossed into the air as she screams. My fiery veins turn to ice as I see her body disappear over the railing.
I move without thought, the rip of fabric drowned out by the snap of my wings as they tear free. She sinks beneath the surface of a large wave, terror etched on her face. Propelling myself faster, I dive in after her. She hasn’t sunk far, thank the gods, so I’m able to use the momentum and speed to quickly grab her and launch us upward. My wings spread, beating off the salty ocean water as we rise.
