The evening was closing in as they finished up in the warehouse and polished off the rest of Mara's care package of food.

"Hal thinks we should build a bunker as a foundation for the school." Tajlon said. He was adjusting to the idea that Soshe might be staying on Turodey after all. She hadn't left his side since her arrival, and he really enjoyed having her so close.

"I like it," Jejliard said. "At this point we should be prepared for anything."

"It'd be even better if we could convince your friend Colberton to pay for part of it," Hal added.

"He just might." Jejliard looked around at the workspace. "I like the design, Hal. This should work well."

"Dad, do you think you and Hal can manage without us?"

Jejliard paused. "I suppose so. Go ahead and take off if you want."

Tajlon turned to Soshe, "What would you like to do?"

"There's a beach around to the east side of the island I'd love to show you."

"Thanks, Dad, Were out of here."

Hal gave him a quick wink.

"See you at home, Tajlon," Jejliard said. "I promised Mara to keep you both on a short leash. Midnight sounds good."

* * *

Tajlon let Soshe do the sailing as they circled around Turodey. Koutou could return home with the Loca Luna and Tajlon was grateful to be truly alone with Soshe for the first time.

"I'm surprised Nova didn't come with you," Tajlon said. He'd expected the big cat to be sleeping in the cabin.

"It's all you can eat shrimp night at Mara's."

"Mystery solved."

"All that matters to me is that we're together." Soshe laughed and tucked an arm around Tajlon's waist. "I've been going crazy all day. Everyone was very nice to me, but all I wanted was to find a way to be with you."

Tajlon kissed her soft lips. "Me too." He nuzzled her neck to take in her delectable scent. "I'm open to another lesson if you're teaching this evening."

"I am. I still can't read this watch you gave me, so you'll have to keep up with the time."

They snuggled into each other's arms. The beach came into view far too soon and they had to pull apart long enough to drop the anchor. The moon danced across the water and illuminated the sandy beach. Tajlon decided it was either the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen or he was in love. He'd seen a fair number of beaches in his life.

"Let's swim to shore," Tajlon suggested. "If you can swim that is."

"Sure. I love swimming at night."

Tajlon stripped down to his trunks and noticed Soshe was watching him but hadn't moved. "Oh, you don't have a suit, do you?"

"Well, you said you wouldn't mind seeing me naked."

"Not at all."

Soshe began removing her clothing. Taljon felt his heart pounding in his chest as her top came off.

"You're going to make me feel under dressed," Soshe said unfastening her pants. She smiled and looked straight at his swim trunks.

"Yeah, can't have that," Tajlon replied. He slipped out of his trunks while Soshe finished disrobing.

She gazed at his naked body and bit her lower lip. "Oh yes. Much better."

They both laughed. Tajlon reached out for Soshe, but she turned, dove into the water, and swam toward the shore.

He checked the anchor and tossed a rope ladder over the side before following her. Tajlon was a powerful swimmer and he soon caught up with her.

She kicked up her pace and led him to a flat area of the beach where a smooth shelf of rock protruded to the water's edge.

"This is my favorite place to lie back and look at the stars," Soshe said. "It's more comfortable than it looks."

"I doubt I'll notice anything but you," he said wrapping his arms around her wet body.

Soshe curled into his embrace and lay her head on his chest. "What stars?"

* * *

Tajlon's internal clock told him they still had another couple of hours before time to leave for home. He caressed Soshe's smooth skin over her back and shoulders. The breeze helped them dry off quickly, but it was a warm night. They cuddled and kissed for long while enjoying a perfect moment in time together. Ordinarily the symphony of waves upon the shore would have made Tajlon drowsy. Tonight, sleep was the farthest thing from his mind.

"Sorry, I don't have any experience in this department, but I think we're getting in deep water." Tajlon said between heated breaths.

"I wasn't planning this far ahead myself." Soshe replied. "Who were we kidding?"

"I wasn't expecting things to move so fast."

Suddenly her body stiffened, and she froze beneath his hands.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Soshe put a hand to his lips. "No, not you," she whispered. "Did you feel that?

"Feel what?"

"I don't know, it felt weird like the ground moved. Someone's watching us. I can feel it."

Tajlon lowered his voice. "Only Hal and my dad know we're on this island. I know they wouldn't spy on us."

"I agree. It's not them." Her body prickled with chill bumps. "The last time I felt like this I was being stalked by wild boars in the Lost Mountains."

"There aren't any boars here."

"I know. I lived here for months remember. This is something different."

Tajlon listened to the night sounds and continued to caress Soshe in pretense nothing was amiss. There was a rustle in the bushes above the beach. With a lull in the breeze, he couldn't attribute it to the wind.

Then he sensed something more definite, a low sound below his hearing threshold followed by a light tremor transmitted through the rock they were lying on. He felt shock waves from it as they reverberated across the beach. A pause, another rustle of bushes and another low frequency earth tremor.

"Okay there it is again now. Did you feel that?" Soshe asked.

"Yes. I did. Twice."

"There it goes again. I think it's getting closer."

"It's as though something really heavy is walking up above the beach and shaking the very ground with every step it takes," Tajlon speculated.

"Yes. There's an even rhythm to it."

"We need to get out of here, Soshe. Stand up, taking a running dive off the end of this rock, and swim to boat as fast as you can. You go first. I'll stay between you and whatever the hell is out there."

They took off and didn't look back until they were safely aboard the Casgora Wind.

Tajlon weighed anchor and set the sails. "Let's pray the wind picks up again."

"Can't we use the engine to get us out of here.?" Soshe asked.

"No, the water's too shallow and there's too many rocks. I'm afraid to the lower the prop."

He took an oar and handed another to Soshe. "Time for a rowing lesson."

Once clear of the small cove, the breeze finally caught them. The main sail flapped loudly as it billowed out.

"I never realized how much I liked that sound," Tajlon said. He relieved her of the oar and held her tight against his body. A shiver went through them both.

"You're not coming back to Turodey again," Tajlon said. "Not after this. No matter how much we want to be together."

Soshe hugged him tighter. "I'm not sure any of us need to be on this island."

"I'll tell Dad and Hal what happened tonight. We can go back in daylight and check things out."

Soshe shuddered. "When I imagined demons as a child, I always thought of them flying through the air, not shaking the ground they walk on."