Page 4 of Jabba's Journey

Chapter Two

Electra

As my eyesflutter with alertness, I become anxious when my unknown surroundings become visible. I don’t know where I am or how I’m even still alive. Because of my affinity, I finally had to tell the women I was in captivity with that I was a witch, especially when I grew weaker and weaker the longer I was away from a heavy flowing water source.

If I hadn’t been physically injured, I probably could've pulled some from the cave itself and healed myself, but unfortunately, it didn’t pan out quite like that at all. I take inventory of how I’m feeling and realize that surprisingly, aside from some residual soreness, I don’t feel terrible. My lips aren’t chapped like they were and there’s a thrumming inside as my body continues to mend.

I don’t heal like a shifter does, but if whoever rescued us bathed me, it would’ve started the process. I still need to get grounded by going to the lake for a day or so, but since I have no clue whereI’m at or even who I’m with, I’ll have to put that on the back burner for the time being.

“Hello?” I manage to croak out, my throat parched.

“Oh! You’re awake!” A little girl peers over the side of the bed, her smile radiant. “I’m Jazzy. Uncle Jabba went to get some food and I told him I’d watch you.”

“Thirsty,” I say, sounding nothing like myself.

“I can help!” She emphatically bobs her head. “Momma showed me how in case you woke up when nobody was here but me,” Jazzy says.

Her confidence is infectious and despite the strange set of circumstances I find myself in, I can’t help but smile at her as she holds a cup with a straw up to my lips.

“Now, Momma says to only take a few small sips at a time,” she cautions, “otherwise, you’ll make yourself sick.”

Even though I want to guzzle the water, I do as she says then tell her, “Thank you, Jazzy.”

What I really want to know is who her uncle is and whether or not he had anything to do with rescuing me. Because I might have been out of it, but I distinctly remember being held as though I was precious. Tears come unbidden to my eyes as I recall that the last time I was treated that way was when my mother was alive. Being alone in the world sucks sometimes.

“You’re welcome. I helped Momma give you a bath, too. You’re very pretty and I like the tattoos on your skin.” Her compliment has me preening. I can feel a fellow lover of art whenever my runes are appreciated.

My water elements that came out when I gained my powers flit across my mind. I briefly wonder if she or her mother understand what the symbols embedded into my flesh are for, then brush it off in favor of finding out where I’m at. Right now, having that knowledge feels more prudent than explaining why my flesh is covered in gothic symbols.

“Where am I?” I ask.

“Oh! We’re at the clubhouse. Uncle Corbin and everybody are here. I don’t know a lot, but me and Sage try to listen when we can. I guess there are enemies of the club or something, but Papa and Big Daddy and all our uncles will keep us safe. You too,” she replies. I’m amused that this little girl and her friend are eavesdropping, and she feels no guilt at mentioning that fact to a complete stranger.

The door flashes open and a behemoth of a man steps through, a tray balanced in his hand. “Uncle Jabba! The pretty lady is awake,” Jazzy exclaims, moving her hands excitedly. “I gave her some water already.”

“Good job, Jazzy,” he praises, moving closer, his gaze never leaving mine. He sets the tray on the table next to the bed then sits down in the chair, his hand reaching out to touch my forehead. “You seem to be healing nicely. No signs of infection or fever.” He shifts in his chair, moving further away from me which has me fumbling.

There are times when I’m speechless, and now seems to be one of them. My mouth opens but no words come out. The spark that traversed through me when he touched me has me stumped. Why do I feel as if my world won’t spin on its axis if he were to leave me? Anxiety grips me, choking me in its clutches, and I reach out to grab him, keep him in the same room as I’m in.

“Don’t go,” I whisper, the words coming out choppy.

“Not planning to go anywhere, Sprite,” he replies, a handsome smile splitting his face. “Just need to get you comfortable so you can eat.”

Elation flows through me and I find myself smiling back at him. “Thank you,” I murmur.

“Jazzy, your mom is looking for you,” he says to the eager little girl still bouncing on the other side of me.

“Oh! I think we’re making potions today!” she screeches out in excitement. “I gotta go, pretty lady, but I’ll come back, okay?”

I nod at the little whirling dervish, a giggle escaping me as she runs over to Jabba, throws her arms around him as best as she can due to his muscular frame before she kisses his cheek and then practically skips to the door.

“She’s something,” I whisper. I haven’t been around many children, but find that if they’re like Jazzy, I may have been cheating myself out of a lot of enjoyment.

“That she is,” he replies, setting the tray over my lap. “Harmony put together some broth for you since you were so dehydrated. She said it was better for your stomach to start ingesting food slowly. The jello was my idea, and the saltines were Zavier’s. Jazzy wanted to give you some mashed potatoes, but Harmony told her you couldn’t have those yet, maybe tomorrow or the next day.”

I giggle again thinking about the team of people who put together something for me to eat. They’re complete strangers to me, yet they were all focused on my comfort and healing. “I like red jello,” I admit, watching it jiggle in the small bowl it was putin. Memories flit across my mind of being a child and my mom making me ‘special desserts’ with the sweet gelatin.

“First the broth, then you can have your dessert,” he advises, smirking at me. “At least, that’s what we tell the girls all the time. But you’re an adult so if you want to eat your jello first, I’m not gonna stop you.”

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