As we make our way back I replay in my head what just happened. That had to have been the hottest sex in my whole life, not that I’ve had a lot to compare it to. We both fought for dominance, just like I knew we would. There was something about being with Dara that made every worry vanish. She had that effect on not only me, but my brothers and sister as well. We all loved her.

I’m not sure what’s gotten into us over the past twenty-four hours; it’s like we’re all suddenly on heat and can’t keep our hands off each other. I’m also not sure why I told her I love her. I wouldn’t take it back, but I don’t want to scare her away.

I tune into Dara, hearing that her thoughts are much like mine. She’s still coming down from that high, we need to focus on the task ahead of us now that Topaz is within reach.

As we near the house, I grab Dara’s hand and ask, “Are you ready for this?”

She nods once and as we step through the front door, Jolie is straight in on us.

She shakes her head. “Five minutes. You have five minutes to spare. You guys are cutting it close.”

“Someone sure is on edge today,” Dara says with a shrug, moving towards the stairs.

She was right. The pressure is getting to Jolie. If we didn’t succeed today, it’d push us back - something we couldn’t afford to happen considering the whole Kayla situation. I just hoped Alaric had that under control.

After showering, we meet everyone in the kitchen, and as I look around the room, I can see how tense everyone is.

Jolie has laid out ham and cheese toasties for everyone. We each grab one for the road and head out, settling into our normal formation with me out in front, Blair and Oliver flanking Dara in the middle, and Declan and Jolie bringing up the rear. We walk to the waterfall in comfortable silence, everyone focused on their own thoughts, gearing up for what needs to be done.

When the waterfall comes into view, it takes my breath away like it does every time. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the way it calms my mind. Stopping at the water's edge, I leave on my t-shirt and board shorts. The guys do the same as we stand there waiting for girls to catch up. Surprise surprise that we are waiting on them. Considering how much of a rush Jolie was in earlier.

“I’m ready jeez Harlan, patient much?” Jolie whines at me.

Shaking my head at her I turn around and then jump into the bitterly cold water. My breath leaves me for a moment as I get used the temperature. Declan jumps in after me with Jolie, Oliver and Blair following. Of course, Oliver tries to do a massive bomb but fails miserably, landing hard on his back. When he resurfaces, he rubs his back, groaning. It serves him right.

Dara copies Oliver, but in her case, she actually nails it, causing water to splash up around her. She smirks, running her fingers through her wet hair. “And that, Oliver, is how it’s done.”

That small gesture causes my dick to twitch. Shaking it off, I leap deep into the water and swim over to the cave entrance. Glancing over my shoulder, I see everyone is following closely behind me. Breathing in deeply, I dive down, surfacing on the other side. I try to catch my breath before pulling myself up on the ledge. Oliver, Blair, Declan and Dara join me, with Jolie somehow coming up last, taking her sweet arse time. We’re lined up in front of the wall, and I wait for Declan to take charge. I’ve relied on him a lot these last few weeks, unable to find the courage to lead, so when he pats me on the back, telling me to take back the reins, I know I need to prove to myself that I can still do it.

“All right,” I say loud and clear, “We know what to do. Just like we practiced.”

Jolie and Dara join hands, calming their minds and transporting the magic out. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of seeing the crystal blue cloud of Dara’s magic and the shimmering purple of Jolie’s. It’s a sight that would light the darkest of souls. Focusing back on the task at hand, I start stretching out my muscles, shaking my whole body to warm it up for the strain it’s about to take.

Dara and Jolie start chanting, “Let light rise from darkness. Let light rise from darkness. Let light rise from darkness…”

Their magic builds, getting bigger and bigger. When both of their eyes instantly open, I know it’s time. Retreating a few steps, Blair, Declan and Oliver follow.

“Now,” I yell out.

We run towards the wall at full speed, unleashing all the strength we have against it at the same time as the girls’ magic hits. The wall cracks, a fireworks show of blue and purple magic lighting it up. I look towards my brothers and they’re all pushing, punching, letting out everything against the wall.

I hear someone scream, but it’s muffled as debris starts to fall all around me. A small rock the size of a golf ball scraps my arm making me move. I jump forward tumbling into a roll. Panicking, I go to stand up just as a part of the wall lands on my foot. I groan as the pain from the impact hits me. Sucking in a deep breath, I wrap my arms around the rock and lift it off.

Looking around the wall is falling down, everywhere closing in, I can’t see anything. Everything happens in slow motion. I can’t see the guys anymore they have disappeared from sight. Looking back at where they were standing, it's all blocked off. I have nowhere to go. Looking back in front of me I see light, an opening. As the wall continues to fall all around me I jump rolling towards the light. Just as I make it, the rest of the wall drops in front of me. Blocking me here. Once the dust settles around me I try to stand up but double over in pain. Now that the adrenalines wearing off my foot throbs in pain. Looking down there is blood everywhere. Making it impossible to see the real damage that rock caused.

Breathing deeply, I scuffle around on the ground and my heart stops; I’ve made it behind the wall. The cave continues for a hundred metres then it ends. A blue light is shining through a hole, and I shiver. I can’t believe it. It’s actually here - Topaz.

I reach out to Dara. Dara, I’m here. Are you guys okay?

Oh my God, thank Silvia you’re okay. Where are you?

I’m behind the wall. You have to get in here.

We’re trying, but there’s too much debris.

Hurry.

Shuffling my body, I pull myself away from the destroyed wall. I grab hold of my t-shirt and rip it, using it to wrap around my, no doubt, broken foot. I groan as I finish the knot, but at least this will help stop the bleeding. Leaning against the cave wall, I slowly pull myself up to a stand on my good leg, then hobble over to where the trail ends, being careful not to get too close.

Peering over the edge, I see it’s a two hundred meter drop, Holy shit. Water surrounds a large rock and on top of it sits the most important weapon; the Topaz stone.