Fated (Enchanted Gods Book 2) Page 17

  My eyes follow, and I see just a few manatees floating around, their large gray backs barely above water. Some of their snouts come up to take in a breath of fresh air, and I giggle.

  “Come on.” He opens the door to the gate, and we reach the end of the platform and sit, our legs dangling off the edge.

  Johnny points to the nearest manatee. “This is the guy I saved a couple of years ago.”

  My jaw drops. “How do you know it’s him?”

  He points. “You can’t really see them now, but his scar pattern is unique. I don’t know why, but this is the only group of manatees that normally stick around the plant during the summer months.”

  I gaze at him, amazed. Then one of the manatees pops out of the water, raises his snout to Johnny, and heads toward us. Johnny leans forward and pets his large whiskered nose. I laugh.

  He looks at me over his shoulder and smiles. “Do you want to touch him?”

  I nod and pull myself forward, and he takes my hand and guides it closer to the manatee’s rough and prickly nose.

  “Why aren’t people allowed to touch them?” I ask. Manatees seem to love it.

  “Because they get used to the attention, and when they lose their fear of humans, they lose their survival instincts, making them more susceptible to harm.” Johnny looks back down at him. “Hey, buddy, I’m glad you’re hanging around today. I wanted Kat to meet you, so she could see what she helped protect the other day.”

  I pull my hand away, smiling. “Do we really need to argue about this again? You saved that manatee. Not me.”

  “Shh,” he says, covering his mouth with a finger. “Don’t tell my friend that. I want him to like you.”

  Our eyes lock, and I swear he’s leaning in to kiss me. Then my stomach rumbles so loudly that I know he hears it.

  He freezes just before my reaching lips, cringing and laughing all at once. “Well, if that isn’t a sign.”

  I curse my appetite and pout when Johnny stands and lends me his hand to help me up.

  “Not too much to see here, but I thought you’d like to check it out.”

  “Hey, Johnny.” A man's voice from behind causes us to turn. He’s an older gentleman with white hair and a beard. “Frank told me you were here. Checking on your friend?”

  Johnny smiles. “Yes, hello, sir.” They shake hands. “We were just about done here.”

  “Will you be volunteering at the viewing center again in November? They can definitely use you, and so can we. That job offer is still open if you’re interested.”

  Johnny nods. “I’ll let you know. Sir, this is Katrina Summer.”

  The man turns to me, and a look for recognition crosses his features.

  “Kat, this is Robert Hoffman, operations director of the energy plant.”

  I offer him my hand, which he takes firmly. “Nice to meet you.”

  Robert tilts his head at me. “Summer. Rose Summer’s granddaughter? I haven’t been able to make any of the community events, but it’s good to meet you.”

  Community events. He must be an Enchanter. My smile widens. “Thank you.”

  “Johnny, would you mind giving the boys a hand downstairs? They want to get out of here, but there’s only two of them today. I can give Katrina here a little tour of the facility while she waits for you.”

  Johnny throws me an apologetic look. “I’ll be quick.”

  “Come with me. I’ll show you around.”

  I’m not sure what could be interesting at the energy plant, but it’s nice of Robert to keep me company, so I feign as much interest as possible as he points out all the different contraptions and rooms as we go. We walk through the doors of the main building, and he leads me down a long corridor with nothing but doors on either side, then he stops and turns to face me.

  “Did Rose send you?” he asks me once we’ve traveled almost halfway down the hall.

  I shake my head slowly, eyes wide. “No. Why?”

  He lets out a sigh of relief. “We’ve had this place on lockdown lately. Keeping workers limited. With the Equinox running around causing mischief again, we’re on high alert. I thought you may have a message for me.”

  I don’t get it. I shake my head at him apologetically. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a message for you, but I can talk to Rose if you need something from her.”

  He stares at me as if contemplating if he should tell me something. What does he know? What should I know? “Has Rose told you anything about what we do here at the energy plant?”

  Something in his expression worries me. I shake my head again, though I am tempted to lie to see if that gives me more information. “I’m afraid she hasn’t spoken a word of this place.”

  Robert glances around uncomfortably. “Okay. Well, that’s good. You really shouldn’t get involved.”

  “Get involved with what?” I’m utterly confused.

  Robert hesitates but finally makes the decision to shake his head. “I can’t elaborate.” Robert shifts uncomfortably. “I’m sorry. I’m sworn to secrecy. I just assumed you knew. Since you’re who you are and all.”

  Heat rises in my chest. Rose is keeping yet another secret from me. I should have expected as much. “It’s fine,” I say with a forced laugh. “Do you mind finding Johnny and letting him know where I am, though? I’d really like to get home.”

  “Yes, of course. It was great to meet you, Kat.” Robert backs up with a final wave, turns, and scurries off.

  More curious and determined than ever now, I give myself my own tour through the hallways, wondering what on earth about this place could have anything to do with the Enchanter’s secret. I remember the cryptic conversation between Isaac and Rose. Could it have anything to do with this?

  As I’m roaming the empty, narrow corridors, I don’t know what I’m searching for—anything that appears strange, I suppose. A door is propped open at the end of the hallway. As I approach, a man dressed all in white with a mirror strapped to his head exits the room. He nudges the door shut behind him, but it’s closing slowly enough that I can see some of what’s inside.

  The room is white. Everything about it is white, from the walls to the ceiling. Security cameras line one wall, and a huge white kiosk stands up at the side of the room, but it’s what’s in the center of the room that holds my attention. The large clear cylinder is filled with a shimmering, swirling vapor in constant motion like a tornado.

  The door closes completely, and I continue to stand there, in shock. Johnny appears next to me, robbing me of time to process what I just saw. But what did I just see? All I know is that whatever goes on behind those doors is another secret that Rose is keeping from me—and perhaps the rest of the Enchanters.

  Johnny and I exit the plant and walk back to the boat, then I tell him I need to get home. I’m too anxious with my questions for Rose to stay out any longer.

  “I can drive you,” he offers.

  I give him a thankful smile. “I’ll be okay. Can you just take me to my bike at the Grille?”

  He studies me for a second before helping me into the boat. “You okay? Did something happen back there?”

  I shake my head. “No, nothing. I just need to talk to Rose about something. Everything’s fine.” As I say the words, I’m not even sure if I believe them. I decide to quickly change the subject so he doesn’t read too much into it. “It’s great that you volunteer with the manatees. They need people like you who are passionate about their beliefs and who are willing to give up their time to make a difference.”

  Johnny doesn’t look at me as he steers us in the direction of the marina, but when I see a smile on his face, I know I’ve said something he likes. “When I moved here, I was completely lost. I vaguely remember this place from when my parents and I would come back for short bits of time. For some reason, it still feels like home.”

  “Why did you come back?”

  He shrugs. “I’m not really sure. I just found myself driving my boat in this direction one day. It’s like I knew whe
re to go, then Roy convinced me to stay. I looked for anything and everything to distract me. The Grille wasn’t enough. That’s when I started volunteering at the viewing center and it just all clicked. Maybe it’s because I practically grew up on the water and it all came so effortlessly, but I wanted to be a part of the rescue as much as I could. Even if all I could do was work the service booths and give speeches to spread awareness, not just with manatees, but with all sea creatures. As a human race, we don’t do enough to protect our environment. One day, all of this will catch up to the world, and the ones destroying it all won’t be around to pay the price. It’s selfish and unfair. So all I can do is everything I can. It will never be enough.”

  His passion is mesmerizing.

  “What you do is enough. You can’t control others or force them to make good choices. Don’t beat yourself up over what you can’t control.” I sigh and peer up at him while he focuses on easing the boat into the marina. “You’re right about all of it, though. There are people deliberately sabotaging our water. I saw it firsthand.”

  He bends his brows, appearing furious. “What were they doing?”

  “I was at the marina a couple of weeks ago and saw someone dumping something into the bay. They ran away before I could see who they were, but whatever they dumped killed every living thing under water within a fifteen-foot radius. It was like they were testing their own pollution.”

  Johnny stops in his tracks. “They were dumping into the marina?”

  I nod, noticing how suddenly tense he’s become.

  “Geez, Kat. I can’t believe someone would do that. I’ll keep an eye out. I’ll let you know if I see them again.”

  The intensity in Johnny’s face is new. He’s not the glaring guy who despised me so much when I met him. Not at all. He’s passionate and caring. He’s just been dealt a shitty hand with his parents’ death.

  He parks the boat and turns the key to kill the engine, but he’s still standing in place, staring off into the horizon, jaw tight and expression mixed with deep jumbled thoughts. He’s not angry. He just looks like he’s thinking deeply. And it’s insanely attractive.

  I reach out to touch his arm. “Hey.”

  He looks down at his arm then at me. “Sorry, sometimes I just feel…”

  I search his eyes, already knowing. “Helpless?” I smile lightly, meeting his eyes. “When people want attention, they do bad things to get it. It’s how they hide from what they’re responsible for—for the damage they cause. It’s a perpetual cycle, but it’s human nature. We can’t fix bad people. We just have to surround ourselves with the good ones. You need to focus on what we can do. I will too.”

  Something in his expression changes. There’s a light I’ve never seen before. Johnny is an onion, with layers upon layers of what makes him whole and different. But he’s a beautiful onion. And as I peel back each layer, the more dangerous my attraction to him feels. Like it’s all too good to be true.

  “I better go.” I frown, disappointed that we’ve reached the end of our day.

  “Can I see you tomorrow?”

  He asks the question so quickly, my heart kicks into overdrive. “Sure. I have the day off.”

  He smiles. “I know. So do I. Meet me here tomorrow morning. I’ll take you out on a real boat. My boat.”

  My chest flutters, and I know my cheeks are darkening at the thought of being alone with Johnny Pierce on his boat. “I’ll be here.” I take one step onto the dock when he grabs my hand and pulls me back into his arms. As he wraps his arms around me, he buries his mouth in my neck. “And, Kat?”

  “Hmm.” I don’t think I can manage much more than that.

  “Make sure you eat a big breakfast.”

  My mind is buzzing as I move through Summer Manor. I’m filled with elation for Johnny, anticipation for our day together tomorrow, and frustration with Rose and whatever she’s keeping from me at the energy plant.

  Rose is nowhere to be found when I approach the dining room, which is strange. I can count on her sitting in the same place at certain times in the day, and this is one of those times. Charlotte must see the confused expression on my face, because I hear her laugh and look up.

  “She’s in her den. She had to take a call. We’re having cereal for dinner. I hope that’s okay. I haven’t made it to the store in a while. Things have been so hectic, and I’ve been accompanying Rose more than usual.” I’ve never heard Charlotte sound so tense.

  I frown. “Should I be more involved with everything? Between volunteering and my shifts at the Grille, I know I haven’t been around much.”

  Charlotte waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. Rose is happy that you’re keeping busy.” She places a bowl of milk and a dispenser of three types of cereals in front of me. “But, if you’re free, are you able to come with us tomorrow?”

  I turn the knob on the Cheerios. “I promised Johnny I’d go with him somewhere. Where are you going?”

  Charlotte sits down across from me and sighs. “Isaac and Rose need to talk, but Isaac doesn’t want to leave his settlement because of everything going on—and you know how stubborn Rose is about leaving Apollo Beach.”

  My jaw drops at some point while Charlotte is speaking. “But she is going to leave?” This is new.

  Charlotte gives me a knowing smirk. “Yup, and I’m driving her. She’s frantic, Kat.”

  I sigh. “I should come then.” I cringe. I don’t want to give up my day with Johnny, but for this—maybe it’s what I have to do.

  Charlotte cocks an eyebrow at me, and I sink into myself, knowing that I’ve put my foot in my mouth. “You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with that boy.”

  My cheeks blaze as I concentrate on my food. “We’re just getting to know each other.”

  “Where is he taking you tomorrow?”

  I don’t know why I hesitate to tell her. It’s not like I need to ask for permission, but I am terrified of her disapproval. “Out on his boat.” I search her face for a reaction, certain my cheeks are burning with various shades of red.

  “Uh-huh. I see.” Charlotte is holding back a smile. I can tell by the way her lips press together tightly and her eyes twinkle. “Well, maybe this boat idea isn’t such a bad idea. We’ll all get away from Apollo Beach for a day.”

  I set down my spoon. There’s something I want to ask, but I know however I word it will be a complete tell on where my heart is at. Still, my need for knowledge is too intense to deny. “I’m curious about something,” I finally say in an attempt to ease into the subject.

  Charlotte leans in across the table to tell me she’s listening. “Go ahead.”

  I chew on my bottom lip for a second before sighing and looking up. “You know how I really liked Alec when I moved here. I felt a connection with him, but then I started to get to know Johnny, and now I’m starting to feel a connection with him too, but—” I shake my head, realizing quickly that I was heading in the wrong direction with my question. “It’s different with Johnny. It’s… more intense.” I focus on Charlotte’s expression to see if she’s reacting, but she’s just patiently waiting for me to say more. I’m so nervous, but if I want any answers, I need to cut to the chase. “If Enchanters are only given one true Fated mate, then how will I know when I find the one?”

  Charlotte’s brows rise and her mouth opens in surprise. “Oh, I see.” She leans forward, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Are things that serious between you two.”

  My entire body heats and I shake my head. “No. I mean, I don’t know. I just feel these things with him that I don’t understand. Rose told me that she and my grandfather just knew they were connected by how their energy worked together, but what if it’s not that simple for me?”

  Charlotte’s eyes slip into something between understanding and sadness. “I wish I could tell you what I know, but I’ve never experienced it myself. I will tell you what I’ve heard and what I imagine it will be like.”

  I nod, encouraging her to co
ntinue.

  “To love fully, you must be willing to do anything for this other person. Fight, die, kill. It’s rather intense, I believe. But by making yourself vulnerable to this kind of love, you’re giving them the power to destroy you. With your Fated, you will not be able to control any of this. It’s not a choice.” Charlotte leans closer, a dreamy look on her face. “In the ancient books, there’s a story of when Astina met her Fated. He completed her to the point that when they shared their first kiss, she lost all her senses. She just fainted right there, giving the Winter Solstice a choice. Let her die and take her place as leader of the Solstice gods, or let her be revived.”

  I gasp. “Of course he chose to save her.”

  Charlotte smiles. “There was no question in the young god’s heart. He raised Astina up beneath the full moon so that her energy could be restored, and then they consummated their love, uniting their bond for eternity.”

  I blink back tears and swipe them away almost as quickly. What a tragically beautiful tale. One that reminds me so much of my first kiss with Johnny. The way I felt our connection surging through my veins. The way my energy depleted with our kiss until I was nothing but a rag doll in his arms. Even the way my emerald proves worthless when he’s around me. He’s my Fated. He has to be.

  “Kat, are you okay?”

  I look up, my heart beating fast, and bite down on my lip while searching for the words to ask my next question. “What did you mean when you said they consummated their love, uniting their bond for eternity? Through marriage?”

  A smile plays on Charlotte’s lips. “In this case, I’m referring to a physical connection, when two virgins mate and their souls become bonded to each other’s.”

  “Oh,” I say, my chest filling with air as shock radiates through me. “But what if I fall for a Normal? He wouldn’t know about all this energy stuff. How could he possibly know that he’s my Fated?”

  Charlotte tilts her head and assesses my expression before speaking again. “Trust me, Kat. If you’ve found each other, he’ll know as well as you. Maybe not in the same way you do, but he won’t question the woman he wants to spend the rest of this lifetime with, and there’s nothing that will stop him from being with you.” She narrows her gaze as if searching my face for a clue to my thoughts. “Do you think you’ve found your Fated? Is Johnny the one?”