Wicked Waters: An Osprey Cove Mystery by Adrienne Trapp

Author:Adrienne Trapp [Trapp, Adrienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The Underwater Journey

The morning of the dive dawned dark and heavy, the sky still bruised from the relentless storms that had battered Osprey Cove. The ocean lay just beyond the cliffs, a churning, restless expanse that mirrored the apprehension Maddie felt deep in her bones. Today, they were going into the heart of the temple—into the very place where Nerina’s power had been imprisoned for centuries, and where it now threatened to break free.

Maddie stood at the docks, watching as the dive boat bobbed gently in the water, a stark contrast to the roiling waves further out. Sophie and Esme were beside her, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The air between them crackled with anticipation and nerves, and Maddie couldn’t shake the feeling that today would be the turning point—one way or another.

“We’re really doing this, huh?” Sophie said, her voice trying for lightness but not quite managing it.

Maddie offered a small smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah. We are.”

Esme, ever the calm presence, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Maddie’s shoulder. “Remember, we’ve prepared for this. We’ve strengthened the barriers, and we’ll be drawing on our combined energy throughout the journey. Trust in yourself.”

Maddie nodded, though the knot of anxiety in her chest refused to loosen. The weight of responsibility was heavier than ever, but she couldn’t let that stop her. Osprey Cove was depending on them, and they were the only ones who could prevent Nerina’s power from being unleashed.

Their guide for the dive, a local diver named Mark Hansen, waved them over as he finished loading the last of the equipment onto the boat. He was in his late thirties, rugged and experienced, with a calm, no-nonsense demeanor that Maddie found reassuring. Mark had grown up in Osprey Cove and had spent more time diving these waters than anyone else in town. If anyone could guide them safely into the temple’s ruins, it was him.

“Ready to head out?” Mark asked, his voice gruff but friendly.

“As ready as we’ll ever be,” Sophie said with a nervous laugh.

Mark nodded and gestured for them to board. “We’ll head out to the dive site and go over the plan one more time. I’ve seen parts of those ruins before, but after the last storm, more of it’s been exposed. I’ll guide you through the safest parts, but once we’re inside the temple, it’ll be up to you.”

Maddie swallowed hard, her heart racing as she followed Sophie and Esme onto the boat. The sea had always been a part of her life—its beauty, its mystery—but now it felt like something darker. It was no longer the peaceful backdrop to her days at the café; it was the gateway to something ancient and dangerous, a force waiting to be unleashed.

The boat ride to the dive site was short but tense. The sky had darkened again, thick clouds hanging low over the water, casting everything in shades of gray. The waves grew choppier the closer they

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