by Wendi Wilson
I shake my head. “I can’t. My mom said that merpeople marrying humans is frowned upon but children between them is forbidden. I’m an abomination. They would kill me. That’s why my dad sacrificed himself to keep me human.”
“An abomination? That seems harsh.”
“That’s what my mom told me. I don’t really understand it. She made me swear that if I felt my legs tingling I would leave the water immediately. It’s a sign that the change is starting.”
Ana stares at the ground for several beats, her eyes wide and unfocused. I remain quiet, letting her absorb everything I told her. My leg bounces beneath the table, an outlet for my nervous energy. Finally, she looks back at me.
“Okay. What do we do now?”
I release the breath I’ve been holding. “Bryce is trying to get in touch with his parents. They may be able to recreate the spell that Ms. Coraline used to make me and Mom human.”
Ana nods but remains silent. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have such amazing people in my life. I told her I’m a mermaid and she barely batted an eye. I reach over and squeeze her hand.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being such a good friend. For understanding and not freaking out. For being you.”
Smiling, she says, “I’m your best friend. Always have been. Always will be. Nothing is going to change that, even if you are a fish.”
“Oh, my God, shut up!” I shove her as she breaks out into giggles. “I am going back out today after school,” I say, growing serious.
“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, aren’t your mother’s people after you?”
“I don’t think so. My mom made it sound like I would only be in danger if I completely turn and get stuck out there.”
“But why risk it? Can’t you go more than a day without getting too sick? You look okay right now.”
“Yeah. I could wait. But I need to try to find my mom again. I have to ask her something.”
“What?”
I lean closer as a group of kids leaving the cafeteria hurry by. “Don’t you think it’s strange that Ms. Coraline was so determined to keep me away from Bryce? She gave up everything when she broke that spell. We all know she’s a witch now. We could tell people and the rumors, even if no one believes them, would hurt her reputation. She gave up her house servants. She gave up the favor my mom still owed her from the very beginning. For what? To make me unhappy? There has to be more to it and I’m betting my mom knows the reason.”
“Hello, ladies.”
Ana and I both look up to see Bryce sitting down across from us. He smiles at Ana, one of the real ones he usually reserves for me. It warms my heart to see it even when it’s not directed at me. He looks at me and winks.
“I just finished telling Ana everything,” I say.
“I figured,” he says, glancing at her quickly before those blue eyes settle on me again. “I could feel your anxiety fade away from inside the building.”
“Okay, lovebirds,” Ana says, standing up. “I’m coming over after school. I want to be there if Kai does speak to her mom.”
“Thanks, Ana,” I say.
“Always,” she says, reading the extra meaning in my words.
I watch her walk away until she disappears through the door leading into the building. My eyes turn to Bryce, who’s staring at me, a soft smile curving his lips.
“What?” I ask.
“She really is a good friend, isn’t she?”
“The best.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
I jerk with a start at the sound of the bell ringing. Last period is over and I’ve been lost in my own head the entire class. I jot down the homework listed on the blackboard, hoping I didn’t miss anything too important. The book we’re reading for class is one I’ve already read three times, so I should be okay.
Gathering my belongings and shoving them into my backpack, I look up and realize I’m the only person left in the room. Even our professor is gone. Everyone is always in a rush to get out of here on Friday afternoon and today is no exception.
As I near the door, someone steps in and blocks my way out. The stench of musky perfume hits me before I can get a look at the person’s face. Taking a quick step back so we don’t collide, I suppress a groan when I see who it is. Lanie Thompson.
She stares at me without speaking, her nose scrunched up like the mere sight of me offends her. I don’t have time for this. My mother could be waiting for me, even now.
“What do you want, Lanie?” I ask, my irritation clear.
“Oooh, look who has claws after all.” She takes a step forward, invading my personal space. I try to hold my breath. Her perfume really is gag-worthy. “Mine are sharper than yours, trust me.”
I want to step away, if for no other reason than to breathe clean air, but I know she’ll take it as a sign of weakness. I have to stand my ground. I stare at her expectantly, hoping she’ll make her point quick and get out of my way.
“I thought I made it pretty clear,” she says, her voice turning conversational, “that Bryce Howell is mine.”
I bite my tongue to keep from laughing in her face. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t hesitate to claw my eyes out if I did that. I take a second to school my features before responding.
“Does he know that?” I ask, my voice syrupy-sweet.
Her nostrils flare with anger. “I don’t know what kind of spell you’re weaving around him.” I make a choking sound at the word “spell.” She narrows her eyes. “What did the old lady do after I told her you were seeing him?”
“What?” I ask, my voice deepening with a flare of anger.
She smiles, finally getting a reaction out of me. “Oh, didn’t she tell you? My mother and I ran into her at dinner last Thursday night. I just had to ask her what she thought about you hanging out with the new kid.” She bats her eyelashes and lightens her voice. “He’s kind of a bad boy, you know. Flirting with all the girls. Kai should be careful or he’ll break her heart.”
My backpack drops to the floor. Balling my hands into fists, I scowl at her. I don’t know if I’ve ever been this angry. She ends her reenactment of her conversation with Ms. Coraline and shoots me a nasty smile. Her self-satisfaction is clear.
“Do you know what you’ve done?” I ask, stepping even closer.
Rage takes over, clouding my vision and stiffening my entire body. This stupid girl destroyed my life and she doesn’t even know it. I could kill her right now. At the very least, rip her hair out. My arm snakes out of its own volition and a loud crack echoes through the room as my hand connects with her cheek.
A look of disbelief crosses her face. Her hand covers the red mark I left. The slap didn’t relieve any of my anger. My face is hot and my hands are trembling. I take another step forward as she steps back.
“You stupid…”
I trail off as someone appears in the doorway behind her. Breathing hard, Bryce leans against the doorjamb, looking from me to Lanie and back again. My anger recedes as I register the worry on his face. He must have felt it from the parking lot. I’d been projecting again.
“Is there a problem here?” he asks.
Lanie pushes her way past him without a word, her hand still pressed against her cheek. The sound of her heels clicking against the tile fades in time with the last of my anger. The only thing left is regret.
“Did you hit her?” Bryce asks, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. “I could feel your anger from outside. What happened?”
“It was her,” I say, jumping forward into his arms. The aftermath of my rage is tears, and they pour freely down my face as I speak. “She told her.”
“Told who, what?”
I pull my face away from his now wet shirt to look into his eyes. They’re filled with concern. “Ms. Coraline. She told her we were hanging out together the night before everything happened. It’s all Lanie’s fault. Just because she wants you for herself.”
Bryc
e pulls me back into his chest as fresh tears stream from my eyes. “It’s okay,” he whispers, kissing the top of my head. “We are going to fix this, Kai. I promise. Everything will be okay.”
I pull away, sniffing loudly. “Can you fix it if I kill Lanie Thompson?”
He barks out a laugh and slings his arm over my shoulders. Grabbing my backpack with his free hand, he slings it over his shoulder and opens the door. Leading me out into the hallway, he leans over, bringing his mouth close to my ear.
“How about if I cast a spell to grow warts all over her face?”
“You can do that?” I ask, excitement coursing through me.
He laughs. “You’ve got a dark, catty side, Kailani Ericson.”
We step out into the bright, afternoon sunshine. The parking lot is mostly empty. I see Lanie Thompson’s car squealing tires as she speeds from the lot. Good. She better run. Ana’s car pulls up beside us, windows rolled down.
“Get in,” she calls out over the blaring music.
Bryce opens the door of her electric blue coupe and climbs into the backseat, leaving shotgun to me. Once we’re settled, Ana turns down the music and pulls out of the parking lot.
“I’m sleeping over tonight,” she says.
“You are?”
She looks into her rearview mirror at Bryce. “If it’s okay with you, that is.”
“It’s fine with me,” Bryce says, smiling.
I slump back into my seat and stare through the windshield. Ana and I have never had a sleepover before. Ms. Coraline would never allow it. I glance over at Ana with one eyebrow raised.
“What did you tell your mom?”
“That I’m staying at your house.”
“She didn’t think that was weird? I’ve never been allowed to have a sleepover before.”
Ana winks at me. “I told her the old hag is out of town and your mom said I could.”
“Do you think she’ll call to talk to my mom?”
“No. She trusts me.” Her face darkens slightly with guilt. “Anyway,” she says, brushing it off, “she’ll call my cell, if anything. We’ll just tell her your mom ran out for pizza or something.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I am.”
I smile at her. “Thanks, Ana.” I stare at the trees along the driveway, then a thought hits me. “You know, technically, you’re not lying. This really is my house. Sort of.”
Ana pulls the car to a stop in front of the garage. With a skeptical look, she asks, “Is it a ‘what’s his is yours’ kind of thing?”
I laugh. “No, nothing like that. This was my home when I was born. Old man McCormick was my great-grandfather.”
“What? I never knew that!”
I shrug. “I didn’t either. My mom told me yesterday. I wish I could have met him but Ms. Coraline never allowed it.”
We climb out of the car and head inside. Walking to the kitchen for some water, I tell Ana what happened with Lanie after school. I only get as far as her confession when Ana breaks in. Hands on hips, she all but growls, “She did what?”
“She told Ms. Coraline I was seeing Bryce. She made it sound like he’s a bad boy-”
“I am pretty bad ass,” Bryce interjects, reaching past me to grab a cup from the cabinet.
“-like that would make the old hag force me to stop seeing him,” I continue without acknowledging Bryce’s interruption. “She had no idea I’d already been ordered to stay away from him. Regardless, her petty, jealous actions lost me my home, my mother, and possibly my humanity.”
Ana snarls under her breath. “What did you do?”
My face heats with a blush. Bryce laughs and throws an arm over my shoulders. “She slapped her.” A dreamy look crosses his face as he glances up at the ceiling. “I wish I could have seen it.”
“You weren’t with her?”
He shakes his head, releasing me. “No. I got there right after. I was waiting in the parking lot when I felt Kai’s anger. I ran but didn’t make it in time to see Lanie Thompson get what’s been coming to her.” He heaves an overly-dramatic, disappointed sigh.
“What do you mean, you felt her anger?”
“Oh… I, uh, guess we left that out when we told her everything,” Bryce says, looking at me.
“Bryce can feel people’s emotions,” I explain. “It’s one of his many gifts.” I smile at him. “We don’t know why but my emotions come through stronger. And, if I concentrate, I can actually project my thoughts to him.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“That’s cool,” she says.
“Yeah. It is.”
I finish off my water and set my glass in the sink. I can feel a headache coming on. I just went swimming yesterday. It shouldn’t be happening this soon. It feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. How much longer before I’ll feel sick as soon as I leave the water?
“I’m going to go change into my bathing suit,” I say, trying to escape the kitchen before Bryce feels my pain.
“Hey,” he says softly, catching my wrist as I try to brush by him. “You okay?”
I should have known I couldn’t hide anything from him. “Yeah. At least I will be when I talk to my mom.”
He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. Ana makes a gagging noise and I laugh, pulling my hand from his.
“I’ll be right back,” I say over my shoulder as I leave the room.
I jog up the stairs to Bryce’s room. My feet carry me to the night stand and I pick up my mother’s locket. I run my fingers over the inscription. I think about my parents, trapped in an underwater world where my father is a prisoner. I guess the monsters are literal, after all.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Mom?”
My feet kick at the cold water while I spin in circles. I’ve been calling out for my mother for several minutes but she hasn’t appeared. I dive under and swim a little further out. I can’t go too far. I have to be able to reach shore fast when the tingling starts.
“Merryn!”
I yell her name as loud as I can, hoping…I don’t know what I’m hoping. She’s not here. I turn back toward the shoreline and doggy-paddle. Taking my time, I call out to her again and again, expecting her to pop up at any moment.
A shiver runs down my spine, not from the cold temperature. Panic seizes me. I freeze and dip under the water. I open my eyes and see two legs. Relief floods me. I am not changing. I shoot back to the surface and tread water once more.
A tingling starts in my toes. I need to get out of the water. Now. I swim forward, thinking about the strange shiver I felt. A flash of light catches my attention and I stop swimming, treading water once more. I see it again.
The flash comes from Ms. Coraline’s deck. I squint and can make out her large form leaning against the railing, a pair of binoculars pressed against her eyes. She’s watching me. She probably heard me calling for my mother. She probably knows I know the truth. She is probably enjoying this.
The tingling in my toes moves up my feet into my ankles so I strike out for shore again. Swimming at top speed, I make it in less than a minute. Ana and Bryce are waiting for me with a towel stretched between them. As soon as my feet hit dry sand, they wrap it around me and mutter consoling words about me not finding my mom.
I glace back over at Ms. Coraline, who’s still standing on her deck, watching me. The binoculars hang from a chain around her neck. Ana and Bryce’s eyes follow mine until they catch sight of her too. Ana gasps and a snarl vibrates from Bryce’s chest.
They hustle me toward Bryce’s house, each with an arm around me from either side. A loud cackle erupts from behind us but we don’t acknowledge it. By silent agreement, we keep moving and ignore the old hag’s obvious pleasure. We refuse to give her the satisfaction.
“Tell her,” Ana says as we ascend the steps from the beach.
“Tell me what?” I ask, turning my attention to Bryce.
“My parents called while you wer
e swimming. They’re coming home on Sunday.”
Panic blooms in my chest and my feet skid to a halt when we reach the top. Bryce’s parents. I’ve never met them. It would be nerve racking enough if I was just a normal girlfriend. I’m anything but. What if they refuse to help me? What if they kick me out?
“Hey,” Bryce says, tightening his hold on me. “Breathe. They are going to help us.”
“They are?”
He smiles. “Yes. They are.”
“What did they say? Do they know a spell to make me human?”
The corners of Bryce’s mouth turn down. “No. Not yet. But they are in the midst of some of the best witches in the country. My dad said they would ask around, discreetly, and see if anyone in the coven has any ideas.”
“Okay.” The word sounds hopeless, even to my own ears.
“Hey,” Ana says, draping an arm across my shoulders, “don’t worry. I have always had your back, always will. Now you have Bryce and his parents too. We will fix this.”
“You’re right,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist and squeezing. Releasing her and taking a step back, I kiss Bryce on the cheek. “I’m going to go take a shower and change.”
Bryce nods and looks at Ana. “Want to help me make dinner?”
I smile at Ana’s groan and noncommittal answer as I trudge up the stairs. She’ll try to find a way to make it look like she’s helping while Bryce does all the work. A soft snicker rattles in my chest. Bryce will pick up on her scheming, of that I have no doubt.
After my shower, I dig a pair of jeans and a t-shirt from my bag. All of my clothes are still in there because I don’t know how long I’ll be here. After dressing, I sit on the edge of the bed.
My watch and my mother’s necklace still rest on the night stand. I stare at them for several seconds before making a decision. I pick up the watch and strap it to my wrist. It feels good, like a part of me was missing while it sat collecting dust for the last few days.
Grabbing the locket, I open it and stare at the picture of my father. He was so handsome. Is. He is so handsome. I swipe my eyes to clear my vision. If Bryce’s parents help me, I will never meet my dad. If they don’t, I may join him in his prison. Or worse.
