Charlie takes a step close to me and places a hand on the small of my back. "She's literally been to Hell and back, so I wouldn't test her."
Shit, he's concerned about me. He knows me too well.
"She does know if the artifact is here." Dax scowls at the man and takes a step toward him.
"Well, in this case, I'm afraid she is mistaken." Tide smooths out his forehead and drops his arm. "I'm sure there might be some type of spell she can find in the market that can get water to do something similar to what she's needing. I just don't know of anything like that off the top of my head."
He's full of it. "Where do you recommend not going?" Maybe that's being sly?
Dax looks at me from the corner of his eyes, and Charlie's shoulders shake a little.
Okay, maybe that wasn't as cool as I’d hoped.
Tide rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "Just go down the pier and in between those two large buildings." He motions to the manufacturing building on the right and a massive glass building on the left. "Once you get past them, the path will open up to a plaza where there are hundreds of tables set up. Each one is selling water spells, and they are congregated in spell types."
My hearing goes out even though his mouth continues running. The artifact powers are now ramming my insides. The pull from the Water Artifact is now attacking me from the outside while the other three are clawing at me from the inside. I can't take it much more of it.
The wind picks up around us, and the ground shakes underneath our feet. I try to rein it in, but it doesn't work. Between the water on the outside and the other artifacts on the inside, it’s like I’m trying to contain a tornado.
"What the hell is going on?" Tide's mouth drops open, and his eyes widen.
"It's that artifact you supposedly don't have." Dax's tone is gruff, and he points a finger at him. "That's what's going on."
Charlie takes a step toward me, but I shake my head.
I want to bury myself in his arms, but I refuse to be a weak person any longer. If I'm to handle all four artifacts, I better damn well act like it. I concentrate deep inside me and focus all of my attention there. I push the strands of brown, blue, and purple down and am surprised when they listen. When the ground stops quaking and the wind becomes a breeze, I turn my attention to Tide. "That's just a taste of what I can do."
He pulls at the collar on his shirt and then wipes the sweat off of his forehead. "Fine, you need to go see Ria. She's the keeper of the Water Artifact."
Now we're getting somewhere. "Funny how your tune is changing."
"This isn't my fight." He takes a few more steps back away from me. "Just go through the market area to the last tent on the right. You will find her." He then turns and walks away.
"Hey, are you okay?" Charlie's tone is husky, and his hazel eyes are filled with concern.
"No, I'm not, but we don't have time to spend on this." My power is already clawing to get out again. "We need to find the fourth artifact and fast."
"Let's get moving." Dax heads off in front and glances around. "I don't trust that guy."
At least I'm not the only one getting that vibe.
We move in the direction of the buildings. They look just like the ones on Earth. The manufacturing plant has a giant pump that is sucking water out of the reservoirs and running it through some kind of process. The building across is made of glass, and we can see our reflection in it as we walk by. It's almost as if we are the only ones here, but we know that's not true.
With every step closer to this market, the Water Artifact’s hold over me grows stronger. Not able to hold it down any longer, I feel the artifacts' power spring free and attack me once again. I don't want to alert the guys to this, but I'm not sure how much longer I have until I lose it.
Dax is still leading with Charlie right behind him. We emerge from between the two buildings and come to an expansive common area where lush grass covers the ground. There are small wooden tables set up along the sides and a walkway down the middle. There have to be hundreds of tables and people standing side by side.
A lady at one of the tables stands and holds out a small jar of water. "This water can heal your soul. I've spelled it so any ailments will be alleviated at the first drop that passes your lips." She takes a few steps toward us and stares at me. "I'm sure your friend could use it. In return, I would just want a lock of her hair."
Oh, hell no. I want to open my mouth, but all concentration is around my power.
"No, that won't be happening." As if Charlie reads my thoughts, he steps in between us and glares at her. "But thanks for the offer."
It's not like that water would work anyway. I'm not injured in the way she thinks; the energy inside and outside is just too much. The wind picks up, and at this point, it’s a losing a battle.
“Holy crap.” Dax mumbles, and there is some shuffling. “Back away from her now, and Charlie, do something.” His tone is anxious, and there is a hint of panic.
He knows what’s going on. He’s been around me enough to know when I’m about to melt down.
Hands slide over my cheeks and lift my face up. “Hey, I’m right here.” Charlie’s tone is soft and soothing.
The pain is so intense inside that I can’t
