“Michael, you’re a fucking godsend.”

I lifted my head up to Christian closing the door, walking down the hall towards Junho and I who were stationed at the kitchen island.

I looked over to Jaxson who was knocked out on the couch; Ethan relaxed in the single chair, scrolling aimlessly on his phone.

We’d been drinking all evening and had just returned to our suite; Jaxson crashed on the couch within five seconds. He ended up facing Vinzent in a drinking war and surprisingly won. Of course, he was now paying the consequences and was passed out.

Ethan and Junho had a few drinks but were still coherent – Ethan became the quiet type when he was tipsy versus Junho who became more talkative.

I wasn’t allowed to drink for Jaxson’s sake – my drunk side had some type of crush on the phoenix demon shifter. I knew I was bisexual, but I didn’t like admitting it. I’d already had a fucked-up childhood because of it.

I knew the guys didn’t judge me – even Jaxson who was the target of my flirtatious drunk side didn’t mind. It was a bonus that Scarlet enjoyed it. Needless to say, I was forbidden from drinking on this cruise for the sake of the mission.

“I am an angel, so I guess you’re correct there,” I commented, returning my gaze back to him.

“Where’s Scar?” He asked.

“Asleep. She didn’t last five steps before passing out.” I smiled at the memory.

“Irina?”

“Michelangelo!”

“Why does everyone call me that when they’re drunk?” I pondered more to myself than to drunk Scarlet. Her arms hooked around my neck.

“My sexy emotion changer, take me away to the land of dreams.” Scar slurred. I looked up to see Christian who looked relieved. I nodded to him, directing drunk Scarlet down the hall before she fainted.

“How did you know?” Christian asked me.

“I saw you, Scar, Akane, and some punk dude. Scar’s lip was bleeding, wasn’t it?” I questioned, wondering if my quick vision already occurred. My foresight could either see the past or future, but it was such a short glimpse I honestly didn’t know what happened after Scar’s lip began to bleed. I continued.

“I figured you may need a helping hand with the amount of tension I felt in that vision. Plus, drunk Scar doesn’t help anyone.” I commented, knowing how incoherent Scarlet was.

“That fucking Akane bitch cut her lip. There were ten vamps on the dance floor, eyeing Scar all fucking night. In fact, scratch that, everyone eyed her the entire day! First, she had to deal with being cornered in the washroom, bumping into Akane when I was listening in on those groupies’ conversation, and then Akane has to go showing up again.”

“Did you threaten her to back the fuck off?” I growled.

“Even better, I was able to get a device on that Daichi brat.”

“The punk guy?”

“Yup.” He replied. Junho lifted his head, staring at both of us.

“Why is this Akane girl so transfixed with Scarlet?” He questioned.

“It’s something to do with her power. You can sense the dramatic increase from when we first met her. I bet they want to use her.” Christian argued, pulling out a stool and taking a seat.

“It makes sense. She’s undercover as a human. I bet they’re assuming she’s a mage without any knowledge and want to take advantage of her cluelessness.” Junho pointed out.

“When did you put the tracker on?” I questioned.

“Less than five minutes ago. I came straight here after our confrontation.” Christian replied.

We all turned our gaze to Ethan who still scrolled his phone.

“Ethan,” I called out. He paused, looking up at us.

“It will download in a bit.” He replied, returning to the phone. He always gets depressed when he drinks.

I kept my eyes on Ethan, frowning. He must have sensed my gaze; his eyes met mine.

“I’m fine.” He reassured me. I nodded, watching his eyes move to look in the direction of Scar’s room. He lifted his eyebrow.

“Um. Maybe it’s the alcohol, but is the boat leaking?” He questioned.  

“What are you—” I began but was cut off by the shuffling of stools – Junho and Christian already opening Scar’s door.

Ethan and I rushed after them, crowding behind them as we peaked into the flowing chaos.

Water in the shape of a woman stood at the end of the bed – the liquid that formed her hair flowed lightly around her. The created being had purple eyes – turning her head to face us.

We all stood there frozen in place – my eyes landed on Junho, wondering if he’d know or do anything, but his body was rigid and unmoving.

“What. The. Flying. Fuck?” Ethan exclaimed.

I glanced to see Scarlet still fast asleep; my eyes landed on her now glowing arms – her multiple Celtic markings wrapped up her arm, from wrist all the way to under her short shirt sleeves.

“Shouldn’t we do something?” Christian asked.

“Junho?” I called out, hoping my attempt to snap him out of his daze would work.

“Um. I’ve never dealt with this before. It’s a rare skill to have.” He began.

“What is Scar doing?” Christian questioned.

“It’s a form of summoning magic. But, it looks as if the water is trying to tell Scarlet something and took form. Scarlet shouldn’t be able to do that when unconscious.” Junho explained.

“You think she’s showing her something? Through her dreams?” Ethan proposed, motioning the boys to move into the room.

We shuffled to the side; making sure not to touch the floating balls of water that drifted effortlessly through the room. The water spirit paid us no mind – her petrifying eyes returned to staring at Scarlet’s sleeping form.

“Maybe. It’s something that happens to high priestesses and mages. In Scar’s case, she’s the Elemental and is connected to all the elements. It’s a high possibility that the water is in desperate need of communicating something to Scar.” Junho explained.

I was about to reply when I heard footsteps, my head turned to see Jaxson’s frame at the door – his usual copper tinted eyes glowed orange. Oh shit, Agni.

Agni walked forward – the water spirit eyed him cautiously. The floating balls of water moved from his path, gathering around the water spirit.

“Agni, what are you doing?” Junho questioned; the rest of us watched in confusion as he knelt next to the bed.

His hand brushed lightly across Scar’s cheek – markings emerged to the surface on her cheek.

“Princess of Feminara, arise from your slumber and face the hidden purpose of thy dreams.” Agni chanted, magic leaked off him. Scar stirred; her eyes opened slowly – those blue-green orbs were now a bright turquoise, the same color as Junho’s. She blinked, her eyes glanced at the water spirit before returning to Agni.

“Scarlet. What did you see?” Agni questioned.

“Death. Lives will be lost and forgotten in the very waters we ride on. Cries will enter the air and be lost because no one will be able to deliver their salvation. Fire will burn with rage and vengeance. The earth will be nothing but a graveyard, drenched in blood. Mother Starlight will shed tears of sadness as she opens the gates for the lost souls.” She answered; her body seemed to be in a trance-like state – her eyes locked onto Agni.

I turned my attention to the water spirit who eyed Scarlet. She glanced at our group, nodding once before she began to pool onto the floor. Junho stepped forward while Ethan moved towards the window, mumbling a spell under his breath before his feet lifted an inch off the ground, to avoid stepping into the water below.

Junho chanted, his blue eyes now purple.

The water gathered in one wave, flowing out the window that Ethan held open. He closed it shut, locked it and turned to face us.

“The bomb.” He acknowledged. We nodded in agreement, understanding Scar’s prediction easily.

Scar leaned forward, her eyes already closed. Agni reached out and stopped her from falling, easing her onto her back. He rose to his feet.

“I suggest you stop fooling around and find where this bomb is.” He eyed each of us.

“We’re not fooling around,” Christian argued. Agni eyed him.

“You’re investigators, yet you haven’t figured out who the suspect is.” He proposed.

“We have our leads. We should know who it is long before the New Year.” He argued.

“You’re blind to the loophole, Christian. I suggest you let Cyrus have a word with Scarlet. I think that would make your dead ends into leads towards stopping this bomb.”

We stood in silence, Christian frowning at Agni’s words. What does Cyrus have to do with any of this, and how would Cyrus talking to Scarlet help?

“Fine,” Christian replied.

Agni took a final glance around the room; his eyes lingered on Scar the longest.

“Not everything is revealed at first glance. Take another look at the bigger picture and possibilities. You know what the Human’s say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Let the Princess sleep in. She’ll be weak from the summoning.” He finished, walking out of the room.

None of us moved, either due to the shock of Agni’s interference or the whole reality of how much time we were losing regarding this case.

“Is Jaxson awake?” I asked. Ethan was nearest to the door, taking a quick peek outside.

“He’s back on the couch and knocked out. Agni most likely took over of his own accord, as usual.” Ethan replied.

“Guess we’re not sleeping,” Christian announced; his hand slid through his hair.

“What are we missing? We’ve done background checks on Akane. We’re still waiting on Vinzent to find more info on that Daichi brat, and we have no clue who this Arnold dude is either.” Junho complained.

“Standing here pondering this isn’t going to get us the answers we need. Let’s map everything out and figure out our options. If Agni is involving himself, we need to up our game. You know he doesn’t bother appearing unless he wants to bother Ezriel, tease Scarlet or something drastic is about to happen.” Ethan reminded. We nodded in agreement. With Agni’s appearance and Scarlet dream, it confirms that this bomb threat is real and will happen if we don’t do something fast.

“Michael, can you stay with Scar? We’ll work on the case and swap later.” Christian proposed. I nodded.

“Yup.”

“Call me if Scar unconsciously summons that water spirit again,” Junho noted.

“I will. Try to get some rest you three.” I reminded, knowing once those three got into their agent mode, they wouldn’t sleep till their bodies begged for it.

“Got it,” They replied. We said our farewells as they made their way to the kitchen island, being as quiet as they could to avoid waking Jaxson.

We all knew Jaxson was a deep sleeper, but with Agni taking over, we didn’t know if he’d wake or not.

I closed the door, turning to face Scarlet who was in deep sleep. I took out my badge, cellphone, and wallet, placing them on the dresser next to me before turning the light off.

I crawled into bed, relaxing in soft sheets while enjoying Scarlet’s scent – her rosemary fragrance made me sigh. Just being near her made me calm.

She stirred, rolling to face me – her arm landed on my waist. She stilled for a moment before her body nestled itself against mine.

I smirked, pulling her against me. She relaxed, falling back into deep sleep. I loved seeing the peacefulness on her face when she slept. I moved a strand of her neon orange hair out of the way, glad to have helped remove her disguise prior to putting her to bed.

I leaned forward, kissing her on the lips. I pulled back, my lips only centimeters from hers as I stared down at her serene expression.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”