Page 2 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Not if you expect me to answer,” Duncan mutters over his shoulder, walking towards the waterfall. We follow, curious to find out his secret hideout location. He darts to the left of the streaming water and reappears on the other side. I step closer and find a concealed tunnel to the side which loops around the waterfall, letting me appear next Duncan. I shield my eyes from the sunshine. The smell of the salty sea hits my nose and the sound of waves crashing draws my attention to the water below. We are located a dizzying two hundred feet from a rocky shoreline, crystal turquoise water foaming against the rocks as it crashes rhythmically into the cliff. The ledge we are standing on is located halfway up a sheer cliff with no notable pathway. A sandy cove to the left begs me to sink my toes in.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“Caribbean,” Duncan explains. “This is the safest place on Earth. The only way in or out of the cave is to be teleported. It’s reinforced with wards, which will mask our presence, making us untraceable.”

Zee stands shoulder to shoulder with me, his gaze searching the endless sea. “Which gives Natia time to explain what’s going on.”

I turn towards him. “You say this like I knew.”

He grinds his jaw. “How could you not?”

“Not here. Inside,” Duncan instructs, pointing towards the entrance. As we file inside, Aaden grasps my hand and gives it a quick squeeze.

“It will be okay, Natia.”

I plant myself next to Duncan on the sofa, whilst Zee and Aaden sit opposite us. Zee wears a scowl, whilst Aaden tries for a reassuring smile, his steel grey eyes tight with unease. “Talk,” Zee demands.

I roll my eyes, slip my flip flops off and tuck my feet under my butt. “After the party, I went to Archan’s house and Zac appeared with the Jar which was glowing, a sign that Pandora was close. They both suspected me, and when they found the key in my purse it reaffirmed their belief.”

Duncan frowns. “What key?”

I shuffle my butt on the sofa. “When I was in the cave where we retrieved the Jar, a star shaped key was given to me, which fits the bottom of the Jar. Before you ask, I don’t know why I didn’t tell you. It felt like I had to protect it from everybody. But I was going to tell you.”

Duncan rubs my back, soothing away the sinking feeling of betrayal in the pit of my stomach, giving me the courage to continue. “Archan opened the Jar and became possessed by whatever was in the Jar. He threatened me, and I thought about trying to get somewhere safe. Seconds later I appeared in the house with you guys.”

“Why were you naked?” Zee asks.

I raise my eyebrows. “Why do you think?”

Duncan clears his throat and runs a hand through his dark unruly hair. “Your shields are down. Your aura is glowing like a beacon for every curious supernatural. How did that happen?”

I scratch the back of my neck and avert my eyes. “I need to be drunk for this conversation.”

Duncan tilts his head as Zee barks out a laugh. “You had sex with Archan and his magical dick broke your shields.”

Aaden flushes, bless him, I’m not sure how he survives our crassness. “Not sure his dick is magical, but something changed when I…” I roll my wrist, “you know?”

“Oh good, at least you got off when you endangered the world!” Zee shouts, flinging his hand in the air.

A low growl bubbles in my throat. “Let’s get a few things clear. One, I didn’t know I was Pandora, I have no memories of being anybody other than Natia. Two, I didn’t mean to drop my shields. Three, I have only ever striven to protect people, never harm them.”

“Do you know what or who has possessed Archan?” Aaden asks.

I tilt my head and remember the cloud of obsidian which bled into Archan’s golden gaze and the clawing, oppressive darkness which suppressed Archan’s wild aura. “Instinct tells me it’s something old, evil, and dangerous.”

“Where’s the Jar?” Zee asks.

“Broken, Archan dropped it.”

Duncan leans back into the sofa and rubs his hand over his face. “Shit.”

“So you let the genie out, and now you’re saying we can’t put it back in its bottle?” Zee states.

“To be clear, Archan let it out. But yes, the Jar is useless.”

“Do you feel different?” Duncan asks, steering the conversation away from the argument Zee’s seeking.

“Yes? No? Maybe? It’s like I’m connected to the world, tethered to every heartbeat on the planet.”

---