The Rare Pearl (Broken Water Series Book 1) Read online

  “Are you okay?” he called.

  “I think I can climb up.” She dug her boots into the dirt wall and stretched toward a higher root.

  “Good. One more before I can reach you.” He lay flat on the ground and leaned way over, extending his arms to her. He clasped her hand and pulled her up. Back on horizontal ground, Harmony scooted away from the edge.

  “Are you sure you’re okay, Harmony?” He waited for her to catch her breath.

  She nodded. “Thank you, Finn.”

  He handed her a container of water and she thanked him again. She was sure she swallowed a handful of dirt. After finishing every drop of water, she admitted, “I shouldn’t have left the city alone.” She swept the dust from her eyelashes, remaining leery of him. Nakoma treated him with a respect she didn’t show other men. What was so special about him? Harmony wondered how he happened upon her, though grateful he did. “It appears you’ve saved me twice now.” She grimaced and added, “What are the chances?”

  “I think you could have taken out those sirens on your own. And as for today, I was following you. I should have stayed closer though,” he said.

  Nearby brush rustled. Swiftly, Finn slipped a slingshot from his belt and a small stone from a pocket. In one swift motion he aimed, shot, stood, and repeated.

  Harmony moved to her knees searching for his targets when she spotted the wolf. He returned with two pack members.

  Finn fired off a couple more shots and the wolves ran off, whining. “They won’t come back now.” He returned the slingshot to his belt.

  Harmony stared after the canines until he asked, “Are you hurt?”

  She realized she cradled her hip. “Just a scratch, I think.” She continued to search the forest for other danger.

  “Let me look…” He waited for her permission.

  She regarded him with interest before nodding. He lifted the tunic to reveal a puckered, red line that snaked from her ribs to below her trousers.

  “Just a surface scratch. I’ll put something on it.” He twisted to reach a pouch hanging from the back of his belt and pulled out a round tin, like the one that held her lip balm at home. She leaned back on her elbow as Finn smeared on a pinkish cream, explaining it was an antibacterial salve.

  “Why were you following me? I’m glad you were, don’t get me wrong.” It made sense Nakoma would have her followed. “Why you?”

  Finn rubbed the medicine into her skin and slid her pants down to access the injured skin there. She stayed his hand and his gaze locked for a moment with hers. She adjusted the fabric to allow him access without exposing too much of her flesh. He silently chuckled at her modesty.

  Harmony couldn’t get over how much Finn looked like a young Clint Eastwood: narrow eyes, sloping nose, and lips that stretched to reveal dimples. His abundant hair waved back from his forehead and curled at his neck. What was most notable about him was his facial hair—a couple days of scruff, which she hadn’t seen on any other man in this realm.

  “Nakoma asked me to seek you out and speak with you.” He finished and tucked the tin away. “I was waiting for the right moment to approach you, but…” Harmony glanced toward the drop-off and nodded. “Why don’t we start walking back? We can talk.” He stood and offered her his hands. When she faced him, his hands in hers, she realized his hands were warm—very warm.

  “Oh my… Your hands… You’re warm,” she exclaimed. “But how?”

  “I’m human.” He had a way of stretching one eyebrow, daring her to question him. Her lips parted, but no words came out. His gaze roved over her face. “I knew you were human the moment I saw you.

  “But how did you get here?”

  “I was taken from our world by a Linker when I was a boy. I have been in this realm for fifteen years.”

  Harmony found her voice. “I was told that I’m the first human to come here. I can’t believe the clans don’t know about you. You are human—completely human?”

  “My past is not a secret here, but no one speaks of it.”

  Shock and disbelief sent chills through Harmony. Their clasped hands connected them physically, but she immediately felt an internal connection with him—a fellow human from her world. “Fifteen years—fifteen years!” She recalled Nakoma mentioned a Linker from fifteen years ago. “Do you remember our world? How old were you when you crossed?”

  Finn nodded. “I was twelve.”

  “And they’ve kept you here? Against your will?”

  “At first I wanted to go home. I had a family,” he admitted. “Once the tribe found out their Linker, Gale, had broken the sacred rules and brought a human into their world, they made him pay the ultimate price. He was sent into exile. But with him went the knowledge of the herbs to cross back over, so I was stuck here. I learned to adapt and now this tribe is my family.”

  Harmony stood on her tiptoes and flung her arms around him. “I’m so sorry, Finn.” He had a human family—that was more than she had. “We both lost our families. Finn, you are a lost soul, like me,” she mumbled into his ear.

  “At one time I felt that way, but now, I’m well respected and this life is what I know. Don’t you worry about me, kitten.”

  She pulled away at his indifference. “If you could go back…return to your human family, would you?”

  “I’ve always known it was possible. When I was young I often prayed another Linker would come rescue me and take me home, but it has been so long. I wouldn’t even know how to find my parents.”

  They waded through ferns heading toward the path. “We have a Linker, born into the tribe eight years ago. He will soon be sent to live with his mentor, a Linker outside our tribe. The funny thing about Linkers is they are very secretive about their knowledge. They claim they share their journals in the library, but much of our world is left out. Gale, our old Linker, told Nakoma I would be special and because of my achievements she’s given me a position on her council. She has afforded me many privileges.”

  Nakoma’s words rang in Harmony’s mind: You are a great asset to our people. I want you to consider staying with us. I will make it worth your while.

  Harmony related the story of how she accidently crossed, omitting the part that Calder was her great-great-grandfather. Finn grunted and confirmed his crossing experience was similar.

  “There are only six Linkers in our realm, some of them still children as I mentioned. Being born with the mark means an affluent life for Linkers. Also, not all are allowed to cross into the human realm. Healing is the priority.”

  “Nakoma will allow her Linker to leave the tribe?” She asked, surprised the chieftain would give up someone so valuable.

  “Nakoma’s a good and strong leader. The Linker will return to us once he completes his training.” He allowed Harmony to step ahead of him on the narrow path until they reached the field. “Nakoma’s making changes and needed my help to do so. If you can’t return to the other realm, then stay here with me. You wouldn’t be the only human. I would look after you.” His smile was sincere.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’d really like to go home, Finn.”

  He didn’t press her further; he only asked, “This may be a strange request, but can I hold your hand? The warmth reminds me of home.”

  She smiled, “Of course. It’s the least I can do since you’ve nearly saved my life—twice.”

  Passing under the city gate into the courtyard, she stopped in her tracks when she heard Rio call her name.

  20

  Kodiak returned, relieved their mission had been successful and eager to see Harmony. He pushed his mates to travel late into the night and then again at first light. He thought of her constantly and needed to know she was all right. Her distress over being left behind had tugged at his heartstrings. Kodiak heard Rio call her name and turned, smiling. But his smile quickly tightened into a thin line when he saw her hand-in-hand with the tribe’s famed bear hunter, Finn.

  “Rio!” She rushed into his arms with tears
of relief. “You’re safe! And you came back.”

  Kodiak heard the crack in her voice. Rio lifted her off her feet and spun his cousin in his arms, her flowing hair catching the attention of onlookers.

  “I missed you, cousin.” Rio set her on her feet.

  Binda approached them, seeming relieved. “We did it. We have everything we need.” Kodiak realized Binda carried a huge responsibility; as the Linker, they relied on her expertise.

  “Thank you, Binda—for all you’ve done for me.”

  Kodiak watched the girls’ exchange. Binda seemed accepting, without attitude for once.

  The two tribesmen greeted Finn as he walked over, excitement in their voices. None too quietly, they boasted about tricking the bears.

  Finn congratulated them on a job well done, considering they outwitted two giant bears. “I’ve seen a little action today as well…in the woods…with her.” He gestured to Harmony.

  Kodiak shifted his stance, glaring at Finn and what he suggested. Apparently, Harmony made herself at home here while they made the long, tiring trek to collect the last ingredient.

  Harmony closed the distance between them, and said, “I’m so glad you are back.” His gaze dropped to her lips, so tempting they almost melted his resolve. He reached beyond her dirt smudged face and pulled a leaf from her windblown hair. She looked like she’d taken a tumble. His eyes, glowing fireballs, probed hers before they bore into Finn’s back. Finn laughed and jested with the other hunters. Kodiak rolled one shoulder, trying to alleviate the tension in his neck.

  “Me too.” He continued to stare over her shoulder at Finn. He said in a monotone, “Now I can collect my prize.” His copper-flecked eyes sought hers, reading her shock. Getting back to her, making sure she was safe, had driven him. When he witnessed her holding hands with Finn, with leaves in her hair, what could he think? He’d gone cold with jealousy.

  “Oh.” Harmony scarcely glanced at the ring before slipping it from her finger and rested it on his open palm. “Take good care of it. It means everything to me.”

  Kodiak hated himself. It wasn’t about the ring anymore, but he remained stoic, his jaw muscles flexing. She turned away, trailing her warm fingers over his palm. Above the courtyard, Nakoma stood on a balcony, watching the scene below. They owed the chieftain three days of service according to their bargain—three days too many as far as he was concerned.

  Finn offered the weary group a swim in his favorite pool. Accepted his hospitality, they followed him along a corridor and down several flights of steps. A cavernous room housed a private pool.

  “Enjoy the water. I’ll see you at dinner.” Finn excused himself.

  Kodiak was the first to enter the water. Stopping, Rio and Binda, Harmony spoke in hushed tones. “There is so much I need to tell you.”

  “We have a lot to tell you too.” Rio removed his shirt and kicked off his sandals. “Let’s talk in the water.”

  “Yeah, I need to swim. Kodiak made us leave without one this morning,” Binda added.

  Understanding their need for soothing water, Harmony stripped to her underwear as the others had done and slipped under the water. When she surfaced muddy water rinsed from her skin. She’d forgotten she kissed the dirt when the wolf chased her. She spent several minutes running her hands over her face and arms and through her hair. The pool was deep. When she went under, her feet never came close to touching the bottom. She swam to the wall and waited for the others to surface.

  Binda and Rio joined her first and began telling her about the encounter with the giant bears.

  “It seems we’ve all had some crazy experiences,” Harmony murmured. Kodiak reluctantly swam to them before she continued. “The day you left, I came into contact with two sirens. They swam up and called me over to the water’s edge. I thought they were young girls out for a swim. I didn’t realize people here choose not to sing because sirens do. Anyway, when they tried to drag me in, I touched them, and that strange ability came back, the same as with the sea serpent—except my touch burned their flesh.” She grimaced as the horrible thought of what her touch had done to them filled her mind.

  “Did you kill them?” Binda asked, baffled.

  Harmony shook her head vigorously. “No! Finn shot them with his arrows. But Nakoma saw what I did to them.”

  “Wow, I’ve never even seen a siren,” Rio declared. “I’ve heard their beauty and hypnotic voices lured even the strongest men to their deaths.”

  “They’re creepy. Anyway, there’s more. But it’s about Finn. It turns out—he’s human.”

  Binda pursed her lips, doubtful. “That can’t be. Maybe he is lying to you?”

  Harmony gnashed her teeth. Binda would believe the tale of sirens over humans? She insisted, “No, he’s quite warm-blooded—there’s no doubt in my mind.”

  “And just how did you discover that Finn is warm-blooded?” Kodiak sneered. “Did this come up today while you two had a tryst in the woods?”

  “Are you jealous?” Binda teased.

  Kodiak flicked water in Binda’s face. She just chuckled.

  Harmony was taken aback, and explained, “This morning I was lucky Finn followed me into the woods, because a wolf chased me and I dropped off a cliff. I ended up hanging from tree roots over a ravine. Finn helped me.”

  “What! Are you hurt?” His hostile tone changed to concern.

  “I’m fine.” She waved away Kodiak’s concern.

  “Cousin, they let you wonder in the woods alone?” Rio asked.

  “I think after the incident with the sirens, Nakoma had me followed.”

  “Perhaps we can escape if need be. When they’re not watching,” Kodiak mused, aloud.

  Binda had become quiet, her expression hardened. “I know what the unethical deed was. Their Linker must have brought Finn over.” Binda sounded enlightened. “That has to be it.”

  “That makes sense, I guess,” Rio said in support of his sister’s theory.

  “You’re right, Binda. Finn told me Gale their Linker brought him over when he was just a kid—twelve years old. So awful how he was taken from his family.”

  During a yawning moment of silence, the four pondered what would possess a Linker to bring over a human.

  Harmony’s hollow voice echoed in the cavern. “And what is even crazier…Nakoma wants me to stay here. She asked me the morning you left. But now that the chieftain and Finn saw what I can do to the sirens, I assume they want me here because they think my abilities are valuable. Nakoma said something about maybe my ability could affect Suijin, your god.”

  The light in Kodiak’s eyes darkened, and he nearly growled, “You are not staying here. You need to go back.”

  Rio and Binda stared curiously at him. It was one thing for him to state the obvious, but they raised their eyebrows over his desperate, agitated tone.

  Harmony felt just as confused as they did. She glared across the pool at him, exasperated, she replied, “I know! Of course I’m going back, but I think we should take Finn with us. We can help him return home to the human world.”

  Binda and Rio both floated, taking a moment to let this idea sink in.

  Kodiak’s nostrils flared. “Does he want to go back with you? Did he say that?”

  Harmony shrugged her shoulders, her voice softer. “No, but I told him there might be a chance he could go home.” She pleaded for their understanding. “He was taken when he was boy, against his will, by their Linker, who’s in exile now. Finn didn’t ask to come here—like me he was a victim of circumstances. Calder can send us both back—if Nakoma will let us go.”

  21

  During the evening meal Nakoma observed the unique blend of invited guests: Finn and Harmony, the two humans; Kodiak, a Diver; Binda, a Linker; Catori, a renowned huntress, and Rio. What is Rio’s significance? How could he be useful to me?

  After the food had been laid out on small platters by a serving man, she nodded for them to partake. Kodiak and Rio gave her an appreciative nod at the vari
ety of grains and vegetables. Binda remained guarded and Nakoma knew she was the one to watch. Binda was Calder’s granddaughter and she knew from experience the influence of Linkers. They were not to be trusted.

  Kodiak thanked Nakoma for allowing them passage with her scouts. He confirmed they’d been successful in their journey. “Binda will get started on her services first thing tomorrow.”

  Binda added, “I plan to mix salves and tooth polish. Also, I gathered some flowers along the paths to Big Bear Lake and I can make scented soap with them.”

  Nakoma nodded in approval and turned her attention to her human guest. “Have you enjoyed our city, Harmony?”

  “It’s lovely. I enjoyed visiting the women working on the looms. Watching the process for making cloth was interesting.” She smiled. “Even the little daughters worked alongside their aunts and mothers.”

  “Finn told me the two of you enjoyed exploring the forest together.” Nakoma used her knife to stab meat and ate from the sharp point.

  Harmony shot Finn a questioning glance at her suggestive tone.

  “Harmony was curious about what lurked beyond the city. We share human curiosity. Isn’t there a saying—curiosity kills the cat?”

  Catori hissed under her breath at Finn’s insulting comment while Binda and Rio stifled their laughter. Nakoma enjoyed watching the dynamic playing out in the group. Curious why Kodiak’s gaze flashed from Harmony to Finn, watchful and seemingly cross, Nakoma sought clarification on what drove him.

  “Finn, you make it sound as if humans don’t like cats.” Nakoma wasn’t amused at his comment, her tone warning. She adjusted her regal head, and pointedly said, “I assume Harmony has informed you that Finn is a fellow human.”

  “Yes. And your Linker was responsible,” Binda blurted. Nakoma’s mouth twitched as the others gasped at her impoliteness.

  “Mmm, he’s been punished. It is unfortunate we currently don’t have a suitable Linker. It’s been fifteen years since we’ve had to get along without one. I’m sure Calder trained you well—perhaps you are ready to take on a more esteemed position.” Nakoma hoped her hint would appeal to the young Linker, as the girl’s rebellious nature was plain as day. Influence and manipulation were clever tools in Nakoma’s arsenal.