Sofia: Phoenix Rising - Fire and Water Book 2
Chapter 20

CHAPTER 20

About a half hour later Ash and I check out of the B&B and drive back to the beach to see if we can figure out how to get to the lighthouse. “There! Over there,” I point off to the left of us. “I see a dock and pier. Let’s go see if they do boat rides over to the lighthouse.” I slap against Ash’s right arm in my excitement at spotting the pier. Ash nods his head and then I grab his hand and walk as quickly as he will allow us up to the ’Boat Shack.’

Just off to the right of the little white shack sits a big sign with the times and days that the little business offers ferry rides over to the lighthouse and back. At the bottom of the sign in big black letters I read, Closed for The Season. I wail out a NOOOO! And then turn sad eyes to Ash. “How will we get over there?”

“Well, it would make sense that it is closed for the season. That’s probably why Donovan chose to keep your parents there. The place is deserted for the next two months still.” I know he is looking at our situation logically, but I really don’t want logical right now. I want to rescue my parents. “We need to see if anyone would be willing to take us over even though it’s closed. It would be smart for us to locate a local witch and have that person help us especially because we will need someone who will know how to tell if there is a spell placed upon the building.”

“How can we replace a witch?” I look at him curiously as he says all this to me. “Do we just start walking up to random people and asking them if they are a witch? Are there little magical paths that lead to places like back home in the Nest?”

Ash rolls his eyes at me and then pulls his phone out of his back pocket. “I just sent Lori a text to see what knowledge she may have of the place since she is a Knower. We just have to wait for her to answer me back.” I say okay and try to be patient as we wait for her message to beep. One whole minute we have to wait until we hear Ash’s phone sound. I gather close to him so I can see what Lori’s response is.

Sorry it took me so long. I had to ask mom because she knows a bit more than me on the locations of witches. She says that there is a spot called Walnut Beach. Somewhere on that beach is the Boat Shack. Go inside and ask for Diana. She is the leader of the coven for that area and she will be able to help you with anything.

Ash and I look at each other and grin. Is it just a coincident that we should be standing in front of the ’Boat Shack’ as we receive this information? Ash sends her a ‘thanks’ and then together, we head inside. Looking around I see bare shelves and am curious as to what would sit upon those shelves during the summer season. “Hello,” a silver-haired lady says as she pops up from behind a counter smiling at us. “How may I help you young ones today, hmm?”

“Are you by chance Diana?” I feel nervous as I ask her. I’m afraid she may say yes but I’m also afraid she might say no.

“I am. What can I help you with?” She looks to Ash and me curiously. I am giddy that she says she is Diana, but I am unsure how to broach the subject of needing a boat to get to the lighthouse.

“We were wondering if anyone gives private boat rides over to the lighthouse even though it’s the winter season?” Ash speaks up since I can’t get the words past my tongue. “My girlfriend and I were hoping to go explore it this evening if we can replace someone to ferry us over to it.” I turn my head to him and give him a smile. This is the first time I’ve heard him refer to me as his girlfriend and it causes butterflies to stir in my stomach.

Diana stares at us questioningly for a brief moment; “this visit wouldn’t have anything to do with the spell that has been placed upon the building, could it?” She waits for one of us to give her an answer and I speak to Ash inside my head. Why does she think that? Should I just tell her? He nods his head slightly at me to tell her.

“Um, how do you know we want to go over there because of the spell? I mean we do, I’m just curious on why you would feel compelled to ask us. My parents were kidnapped and are being held captive there. Someone is trying to use them as leverage in hopes that I will join their clan because they want my powers.”

“Ah, I was wondering why someone would put a spell on the lighthouse. I have a gift of being able to recognize Tenebrosities and could tell right away that you two are shapeshifters. I am also able to feel ripples in the air around me when magic is being used. I am also a fire wielder and can see others who are able to manipulate fire which brings me to my own question for you, young lady. How are you a shapeshifter and a fire wielder as well?”

I duck my head wanting to avoid her question and shift my eyes to Ash. Can you tell her? I ask within my mind. “Sofia is still getting use to who she is. She is able to wield fire because she is a phoenix.” He drapes his right arm over my shoulders, tucking me into his side as he explains.

“You don’t say! This is phenomenal. It is an honor to meet you sweetie.” Diana exclaims as she comes around from behind the counter and takes my hand in hers. “Oh my,” she adds with a grin. “You have another element lying dormant inside you. I can’t quite figure out which it could be though, but I can definitely feel it.”

“But I’m not a witch. How can I be a wielder of any elements when I am just a shapeshifter?”

Dian chuckles, “honey, the phoenix is the most powerful, magical being to have ever graced the earth. The magic within you is greater than even the strongest witch or elf to have ever lived. Many humans in millennia past have even considered the phoenix to be more powerful than the Gods. You, my dear truly are a most special creature indeed.” Diana waves her hand, “anyway, that isn’t why you have come here. My son will be here in the evening to help me close up the shop. He will be able to take you over to the lighthouse. If you need assistance, I will help you any way I can.”

“What time should we come back?” Ash asks and I can hear his thought, what will we do until it is time for us to return here?

“Hmm, let me send Jacob a message and see what time he thinks he will be here. Until then, if you’ve nowhere to go, you may stay up at my cottage. It’s just over the hill there by the old pine trees.” We smile at her and on impulse, I throw my arms around her, giving her a hug of thanks. “He says that he should be here by 5:30.’’

Ash and I say thank you at the same time to her and then we leave her shop, hop in his car and do the short drive over to Diana’s cottage.

It feels as though someone put a spell on time. I have never had four and a half hours feel like a full twenty-four hours before! I squeal as I glance at my phone and see the minute change from 28 to 29. “Let’s go Ash” I say as I hop up from Diana’s very comfortable soft grey sectional couch. I have my jacket on and am standing by the front door before Ash has even stood up. “Come on. Hurry up,” I state and very nearly stomp my foot in my impatience.

He just rolls his eyes at me and casually slips his arms into his coat, taking his time to zip it up before finally walking over to me. “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.” I swear to the stars, it takes everything in me not to punch him just now.

“You are such a turd,” I grumble as we step outside shutting the door behind us and then we walk the short distance over to his Jeep, climb into it and drive back over to the ’Boat Shack’.