by Casey Lane
“So Dad stopped loving her?”
“Yes, and she stopped loving him, as well as us, and even her dad and sisters. She lost her entire family because of us.” Her voice became a whisper. “It’s our fault.”
I didn’t believe that. It was the sea witch’s fault and then it was our mom’s fault for making the deal with her. But I figured now wasn’t the time to get into the specifics. “That’s horrible,” I said, the sickness in the pit of my stomach growing stronger by the second. “That’s why she separated us? She didn’t care how it would affect us?”
Tempest nodded. “She and Nathan made a deal once we were born. He would keep one baby, making sure to keep the child from the water, and she would keep the other one, making sure the child stayed away from land.” Tempest blinked and I got the feeling she wanted to cry.
My heart ached for her. What would it be like to grow up knowing your mom didn’t—couldn’t—love you? “How did you learn all of this?”
“Mom told me on my sixteenth birthday.”
I thought of the pearls. That seemed like a really touching gift. Not something a person who couldn’t love would give their child. “What happened?”
“It was the strangest thing. My mom changed when I turned sixteen. When I first saw her that day she was singing, something she’d never done, and fixing me breakfast. As soon as she saw me, she hugged me and told me how sorry she was, explaining everything.”
“The curse was broken,” I said breathlessly.
“Yes. And the last year-and-a-half has been amazing. When I learned about you, I started to search. And tonight I found you.” She laughed, happily.
“But Dad’s curse didn’t break.” He was still the same as he’d always been.
Tempest swallowed, the happiness on her face vanishing as quickly as it had come. “Mom tried to break the curse over him. She really loved Nathan, but her desire to fix things consumed her.” Tempest faced me, holding a string filled with half the pearls from her bracelet. She tied it on my wrist before I realized what was happening. A current of something inexplicable rippled through my skin. I wanted to ask her what the feeling was, but Tempest continued, “A month ago, Mom left, following her latest lead, and I haven’t seen her since.” She blinked rapidly.
“What happened to her,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out.
“I don’t know. Grandfather has enlisted the help of every creature in the ocean looking for her. So far we haven’t found anything.”
“I’m so sorry, Tempest.”
She gave a wistful laugh. “Nothing you can do about it.” She stepped back and I studied the pearls she had given me.
“These are exquisite, but you didn’t’ need to do this.”
Her eyes never left mine. “Yes, I did.”
“I’ll never take it off,” I said, hugging her tightly.
After several long moments, I sat back. “Do you think she’s dead?”
Tempest shrugged. “I don’t know. I hoped you’d help me look for her.”
“And what about Dad? Can we find a way to break his curse?” I longed to feel his love, so much. And if our mom was dead, it might be nice for Tempest to have a dad.
“I think if we find Mom, we’ll also find a way to break the curse. She wouldn’t have disappeared like that if she wasn’t close to finding something.” She closed her eyes and her face puckered with emotion.
I reached out and took her hands. “Of course I’ll help. Without a doubt. We can start now.”
She shook her head. “Not tonight. It’s too dangerous. There are too many predators out there. We don’t want to become a shark’s midnight snack.”
“Right.” I guessed suddenly becoming a mermaid meant I’d have to learn a whole new set of rules.
Tempest scooted down until she lay on her side, facing me. I followed suit. Our matching eyes met.
“Get some sleep. We’ll start looking in the morning.”
“Okay.” This was so surreal. Maybe I’d wake tomorrow and it would all turn out to be an elaborate dream.
Life Underwater
Morning arrived more quickly than I thought possible. A quick look around the room confirmed Tempest was gone. Part of me had believed that when I woke, I’d no longer be a mermaid, but my beautiful tail was still there. Same as it had been the night before.
I swam from the little room and into the cave. It was still dark but not nearly so much as last night. “Tempest?” I called when I reached the cave opening. Peeking out, I saw there were no sharks so I left the cave, swimming toward the surface. Just as I was about to break the water, Tempest shouted my name.
“Don’t go up there. You can’t let anyone see you.”
I turned toward her, still swimming upward. “Why not? I’m sure everyone is worried. My dad— He must be freaked out.”
She grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me down. “He knows what you are. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“Right.” I was momentarily distracted by the way the sunlight glinted against my tail, and the way the scales went up my stomach to my chest, covering my breasts. It was beautiful. Nothing like the clamshell bathing suit top I’d seen in drawings of mermaids or on TV. This was much better. “But everyone else. They’ll be worried. My friend Jessica must be a wreck. She probably thinks I’m dead.” I tried swimming toward the surface again, but she grabbed hold of my tail.
“No.”
A shadow passed under us.
Tempest’s eyes got huge. “Do exactly as I say.”
Fear rushed through my body. “What is it?”
“What do you think?” She took my hand. “We are going to swim back to the cave.” She gave me an encouraging look, like this was something I did every day. “On the count of three.”
I nodded. I’d argue later, after we were safely away.
“One.” The shadow appeared again, this time even closer.
My insides began to quake. Would I be able to outswim a shark?
“Two.” She rearranged her grip so that it was tighter.
“Three.” As she spoke the word, she yanked on my arm.
We swam faster than I believed possible. The shadow chased us. I didn’t see it, but I could feel it. The water pressure changed. My fear grew stronger and I found myself leading Tempest instead of the other way around. The cave entrance was in sight, its dark mouth open as if in anticipation of our arrival. “Almost there,” I said, even though I felt my body begin to tire.
“Ellora, wait.” I felt her tugging against me, but I only redoubled my efforts. I pushed faster. Finally, I felt her give in and help. Just before we crossed into the cave, the shadow darted in front of me.
Except the shadow was no longer a shadow. And it definitely wasn’t a shark. Directly in my path was the face of an extraordinarily gorgeous man with sea green hair, matching eyes—and a black and sea green tail.
Shocked that he wasn’t a great white, I gasped. Trying to stop myself, I let go of Tempest’s hand. But, I kept going, and ran right into him.
He burst out laughing, catching me in his arms and spinning the both of us to a stop. My head felt dizzy as I looked at him. “Where did you come from?”
He only laughed harder.
“Let her go, Rush,” Tempest said, swimming up beside me.
I blinked at him, trying to calm my brain before it spun my head right off my shoulders. “Rush? That’s your name?”
“At your service.” He bowed, placing a hand over his deeply tanned skin. His eyes took in Tempest and me. “Why are there two of you, Tempest? Don’t tell me you followed in your mother’s footsteps and made a deal with a sea witch.”
She took hold of my hand. “None of your business. Why don’t you go home?” She tried to swim us away, but I wasn’t ready to go. I was too enamored with the merman.
“Don’t be like that, Temp.” He swam around so that he was in front of us. I could see why he’d been named Rush. He was an incredibly fast swimmer.
She folded h
er arms in front of her and threw her head back in frustration. I almost laughed. If she’d had legs she would have stomped her foot. “You know I can take you, right? And now there are two of us, which means twice the power. So I wouldn’t push it if I were you.”
A glint of fear passed through his eyes. “You wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Oh yes I would.” She tried to swim around him, but he caught hold of her arms.
“Don’t be like that.” He gave her a sultry smile.
I hated to admit it, but my belly quivered at the look he gave her.
“Rush, let her go.”
I followed the sound of the voice and saw another merman. His tail was gray like that of a dolphin.
“Hey, Slater. Don’t spoil my fun. Temp knows how I feel about her.” He winked at me.
Tempest pulled herself from his grasp. “Yeah, the same as every other girl, which is that we’re nothing but playthings.”
The merman called Slater swam up beside me. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Slater. And you are?”
“How do you know I’m not Tempest?” The question came out with more confidence that I actually felt.
He got super close, his turquoise eyes studying my face. Then his finger came up and he touched the freckle under my eye. “The dolphin kiss,” he said softly, giving me a smile that turned my heart into a puddle of goo.
“That’s a mole,” I corrected, my voice shaking. Why was I arguing with him over a freckle? Apparently my brain had exited my head while I was busy gazing into his eyes. They were pretty amazing.
“Not where I’m from. We call them dolphin kisses.” He leaned forward, lightly kissing the spot under my eye.
“Stop flirting, Slater.” Tempest took my hand and pulled me back. “You’re making Ellora uncomfortable.”
It was true, but not in a bad way. I tried to smile.
“Ellora.” He bowed. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“What do you guys want?” Tempest asked before I could say anything.
“Your grandfather is looking for you. He has news.” He paused a moment before continuing. “About your mother.”
Tempest’s free hand flew to her mouth. “Okay.” She dropped my hand. “I’ve got to go. Will you come with me?”
I wanted to. Really, really badly. And I’d said I would help. But I needed to let my friends know I was alive so they wouldn’t worry. And I wanted to talk to my dad. I needed to hear his side of the story before I fell any farther into this world. “Give me a week. Then I’ll be back and I’ll help you find our mom.”
Tempest threw her arms up and waved them dramatically. “Why do you even care? He doesn’t love you. He can’t until the curse is broken.”
I nodded as she spoke. “I know, but I still need to talk to him. Regardless of the way he feels about me, I love him. He’s a good man, and he’s taken care of me as best he can for all these years despite what the curse did to him.” I hugged her. “Does that make sense?”
She hugged me back. “It does.” She released me.
“I’ll be back in a week.”
“Good.” Her voice broke and she cleared her throat, suddenly all business. “As soon as your tail is completely dry, you’ll get your legs back.”
I sighed in relief. “I wondered how that would work.” I hugged her again. “Why can we have legs and a tail without the help of a sea witch?” I thought I knew, but wanted to see if I was right.
“We’re half mermaid and half human. As children of both worlds, we’re able to live in either one.”
I nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
“It was great to finally meet you, Sister.” She kissed my cheek.
“Good-bye, Ellora,” Slater took my hand and placed a kiss on it.
“See ya,” I said, blushing and pulling my hand away.
Rush waved. “It was great to meet you.”
“Bye.” I watched them swim away. When I could no longer see them, I swan toward shore, keeping an eye out for anything bigger than me. I saw lots of fish and had a scare for a minute when a school of dolphins appeared. They started squeaking at me and after a minute, I understood them. I knew there was a reason I liked dolphins. They were fun and kind and helpful. We talked and played as we swam. They’d seen the people searching for me and helped me figure out a plan for what to do about my friends.
When we reached the shore, they showed me a rocky area near the beach where I could hide and wait for my feet to dry. We played together until low tide, then I thanked my new friends, and climbed up onto the rocks. It didn’t take long for my legs to dry and my feet to return.
I was also naked.
“Great. Just freaking great.” The walk home was going to suck.
About the Author
There will be much more to read in this story. Stay tuned. Sign up for RaShelle’s newsletter for the latest updates and new releases.
If you’re interested in reading the other stories in the Blood and Snow world, download the Blood and Snow: Omnibus, which contains the first 9 books in the series as well as 5 short stories.
RaShelle Workman is an international bestselling author. All of her novels have been listed on multiple bestseller lists, including her BLOOD AND SNOW series, which has sold more than a million copies and the IMMORTAL ESSENCE series, which has been read more than two million times. Three of her books have been translated into Turkish and several can be downloaded and enjoyed on audio. Two of her books have been published through Curiosity Quills.
She has two pen names, including:
OLIVIA LOVE ~ Contemporary Romance with a hint of mystery and suspense.
CARLY MORGAN ~ Inspirational Western Romance.
When RaShelle isn't writing, she enjoys baking, creating new taco recipes, and watching Supernatural.
RaShelle is on the board of the iPublish Conference, serving as the social/marketing director. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children and their three dogs.
Also from RaShelle Workman
THE BLOOD AND SNOW WORLD
Undercover Empath: Kindred Demon
THE IMMORTAL ESSENCE SERIES
THE ACROSS THE AGES SERIES
OLIVIA LOVE books
CARLY MORGAN books
www.rashelleworkman.org/
The Woods
by Rebecca Hamilton and Conner Kressley
Prologue
The entire Clearing stood outside our home, singing the song of the Chosen. I had tried to forget that tonight was the night the new Hood would be revealed.
I stood on my front porch, listening to that song and remembering when it was sung for my mother.
Now they were singing for me.
The song drifted into the ether, and from a crowd carrying lit torches and wearing smiles that were equal parts relief and happiness, a woman stepped forward and draped the Hood over my expectant arms.
“You fulfill a great honor,” she said. “Congratulations.”
I thought perhaps condolences were more in order, but I dared not say so.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
As far back as anyone can remember, our lands have been held captive by the monsters who surround us.
I grew up here, in the Clearing. My parents grew up here as well, as did their parents. Even my grandparent’s parents had spent a lot of their life here. It was nothing to mourn. I loved this place. I loved the makeshift cottage homes. I loved that I knew every one of my neighbors by name, and most of all, I loved that everything I would ever need could be found in this one, solitary place.
What I didn’t love, however, was the reason for it all. Yes, there was no need to journey outside of the Clearing for any reason. But at the same time, no one had any idea if the outside world even existed anymore, and based on the stories, it wasn’t safe to go find out.
As I dressed in my ceremonial garb, I wondered what would happen if ever we did need to leave the Clearing. These thoughts always made me think of Great Grandpa, and the stor
ies he’d told me a little girl.
“Lila,” he always started, saying my name with a little more love than he used for any other, given that it had also been his beloved wife’s name. “A great tragedy forced us into this place, through those awful woods and into the only area any of us knew of that was untouched by the plague. I was just a boy then, and I didn’t really understand what was happening. I didn’t realize why this place had been left alone or the bargain we were making by coming here. But the elders did and, for that, I hope God will have mercy on their souls.”
I twirled my fingers through my blond curls, setting them as looked at myself in the mirror. In twenty-three years of life, I had never looked more like my mother than I did in this instant. It made sense, given that the last time I saw her she was wearing garb very similar to this.
I sighed heavily, placing the red hood over my head and tying it together at my neck. The damn thing flowed down my body like a curtain, hiding every curve, hiding everything that I was, aside from my rounded cherub face, bright blue eyes, and the errant golden curls that spilled out from under it.
There was no way I could let father see me like this. Losing my mother had nearly torn him in half, and now that he knew he was losing me the same way, the idea of parading in front of him seemed crueler than anything I could imagine.
“Mercy on their souls,” I muttered bitterly to myself.
What was my grandfather thinking? He likely wasn’t. After all, as a man, he didn’t have to deal with the specter of this red hood, of what it meant to be chosen to wear it. He would never look at himself in the mirror and know it would be the last time. He would never watch the sun come up and know he would never see it set again. He would never be forced by the people he had come to love as friends and neighbors to journey into the thicket of woods encircling our homes and know that he would never come out.
