by M. R. Polish
He backed up, taking her hand. “Once we start, things are going to roll faster than we can keep up, and we won’t be able to stop it. As long as we do this together we’ll be fine. Just remember that.”
She smiled. “I guess we better get to it then.”
Brady pulled out a bag from one he wore around his waist, handing it to her. “For you, m’lady.”
Blushing deeper, she grabbed the bag. That was the one thing she hated about using her Syrenae gift—the fact that clothes were either shredded into pieces or she had to strip down before she got in the water.
Brady didn’t hesitate as he stripped down and shoved his pants into his bag. He winked at her before running into the water. Karis giggled as she watched his backside disappear beneath the dark surface.
Making sure no one was around, she did the same before darting into the cold sea. She took it back. The cold water before turning into a Syrenae was the worst part. Her tail couldn’t grow fast enough. Soon, the pink shimmers of her gift danced along her legs until a beautiful tail formed. The water around her felt warmer and no longer bothered her.
Brady was easy to find with his teal tail and glistening Syrenae mark trailing down his chest disappearing behind the scales under his navel. Even underwater—and with a tail—he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
She couldn’t help but think about the last time they were in the water together. It felt like years ago that she’d swam to find him imprisoned under the Pacific Ocean. But once he was freed, their reunion burned in her mind. The way his tail wrapped around hers and his hands didn’t leave a place on her body untouched, made her body warm now. Even though they had a task to do her mind didn’t want to think of nothing else.
“How far out do you think we should go?” Brady asked, breaking her thoughts.
Her hair floated out around her, and she tried to tame it away from her face, but it came right back. “I don’t think we’ll have to go too far.”
A school of fish swam by, unafraid by their neighbors who were half fish.
Karis took off, flipping her tail faster. The farther they went the more she could clear her mind. She hoped.
Slowing down once she was certain she could control her thoughts and focus on their task, Karis swam to the surface. Her head broke through the still surface of the sea. The city of Shamike couldn’t be seen. Satisfied they were far enough so no one could see them, she dove back under. “This is good enough. No one should be able to see us this far out.”
Brady nodded. “So what’s out there? On the other side of the sea?” He stared out into the liquid darkness.
She followed his gaze. “If you go far enough to find land that way you’ll be in Harish, and that way is Rishmah. They aren’t quite as big as the city of Shamike, which was named after our world, but they are decent sized. One day we shall go there for you to meet our people.” She looked away. “If they are still there that is.”
Brady lifted her chin to meet his stare. “They are still there and I know they are waiting for you.”
She forced a smile. “Thank you. Now, we should go find Poseidon. No telling what kinds of chaos he’s caused with the ladies of the Perditus waters.”
They both laughed.
Brady took Karis’s hand in his. “I’m ready.”
Nodding, she let the familiar tingle dance down her arms, flowing out through her fingers. Her necklace vibrated against her neck, throbbing along rhythmically to the beat of her power. Strangely, that was the first time she ever noticed its soothing presence while making a portal.
The sea around them swirled, concaving to their bodies from the surface and pushing them from underneath until they were raised half out of the water. Karis lifted her free and then hers and Brady’s together. The ocean funnel flew up around them shooting into the sky.
Bluish water filled the portal, immersing them back into a salty sea. Karis let her powers dissipate until the funnel disappeared. City lights danced beyond the wall of water before them.
A large sea bush of green Palpa danced in the current. Karis swam over and hid in its wide leaves. Brady followed close behind her. They watched the city looking for any enemies that might be lurking. They had no idea where Poseidon was, but hoped to find some clue as to where his whereabouts where. With luck he hadn’t been captured and taken as a prisoner like Azul.
“I’m not seeing much out of the ordinary. It’s like life went on here while the other worlds drowned.” Karis watched intently as Syrenae walked by without noticing them behind the wall of water. Their beautiful markings and skin patches could mesmerize the eye of anyone.
“I wasn’t sure when I’d see you two again. You’re always sneaking into my cities.”
Karis’s heart skipped at least two beats before she spun around to see Poseidon in his full glory under the water. His Blue tail was thick and long, showing off his many years in the water. Muscle like that could only come from a male Syrenae born to pure blood. His aging hair did nothing to deter from his handsome looks. No matter how many times she saw him, Karis still thought he looked as if he were chiseled out of marble like the statues in Rome.
“We were actually looking for you,” Karis said, swimming out of the Palpa. “We created a portal out here in case there were guards at or near the actual entrance.”
Karis noticed a beautiful young woman who treaded in the water slightly behind Poseidon. Her red hair flowed freely around her face and upper body, matching the bright crimson of her tail. Her green eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out who the intruders were.
“That was smart, but unnecessary. There are none of Marin’s men here.” Zeus grinned, flashing his white teeth. Holding his arm out, the girl swam up to him. “Rachael, this is Karis, the Queen of Shamike, and Brady.” He introduced them. “Karis, Brady, this is Rachael. She is my advisor.”
Karis smiled at her. “It’s very nice to meet you.”
Rachael’s eyes widened. “Oh my, no, m’lady, it’s my pleasure.”
Brady dipped his head at her before turning to Poseidon. “I think you know why we’re here.”
Poseidon nodded. “I do. It’s started.” He straightened. “We’re ready. We’ve been preparing the other Syrenae for the arrival of those in my pearl on Earth. And there’s someone who you both know that is anxious to see you.”
Brady and Karis looked at each other. Who could be there in Perditus that would want to see them? Coron was dead and the portal guard sacrificed himself.
Poseidon chuckled. “I believe Jarion is growing impatient waiting for you.”
Jarion. Karis thought back to the days when he trained both her and Brady. He taught her how to us some of her powers she hadn’t even known existed.
“Are you sure we can trust him?” Brady asked.
Rachael nodded. “Yes. He was training you without Coron’s approval. Coron thought he was teaching you approved moves, which is why Jarion had to stop teaching when Coron entered the room. He’s always been against Coron, but he had to seem loyal for his family’s sake. Survival will do many things, most of all it will choose the paths on which to walk for you.”
Brady held his hands up. “I wasn’t meaning to sound disrespectful, only curious since the last time we were here he helped Coron try to kill us.”
Rachael smiled. “He told me about that. He had a plan to get you both out of there without being noticed as a traitor but you took off before he could help. He grumbled about that for days.”
“You sound as if you know him well,” Karis said.
“I should. He’s my brother.” Rachael chuckled. “I promise that he meant you no harm.”
Something about the way the girl spoke gave Karis peace about Jarion. “Well, he’s ready to see us and I’m ready to have legs again, so let’s continue this on dry land.”
Chapter Nineteen
The training room inside the palace looked the same way Brady remembered. So many new realizations happened there that he couldn’t help but
grin. The padding on the far wall reminded him of how many times he was thrust into it while he and Karis learned how to do shields. Not that he could do them without channeling her powers.
“I forgot how tightly these things fit.” Brady tugged at the sheer silver-lined, form-fitting vest. It moved with him and not against him to make him feel constricted, but the added layer of clothing felt strange.
Karis chuckled. “Maybe, but they might come in handy.” She looked at Jarion, holding up her vest. “How many of these do you have?”
“I don’t have enough for everyone fighting, if that’s what you’re asking.” Jarion frowned. “I was so worried when I realized that you both left last time without your vests.”
“You know it’s funny, you didn’t seem all that concerned,” Karis retorted. Even though Rachael assured them he was on their side, the memory of Coron tricking them only to kill them remained fresh in her mind.
Jarion hung his head. “I know. I told you how sorry I am.”
Brady placed a hand on her arm. “We know, and we forgive you. Now, let’s get back to these vests. Will they protect the baby? I know Karis won’t stay behind, so I have to make sure she and our child are as safe as we can make them.”
Karis chuckled. “Brady’s right. I’m sorry.”
Jarion waved her off. “We can move forward from here.” He looked at Brady. “As for the vests, what did you have in mind?”
Letting out a long breath, Brady shook his head. “I don’t know. You said you don’t have enough. So, how many do you have?”
Shrugging, Jarion frowned. “I don’t know, maybe a hundred.”
“Remind me again what they do,” Brady asked, still tugging at the silky material. It still amazed him how the apparel conformed as if by magic to his body.
“It can block kinetic pulses, ones that can stop a heartbeat, or stop someone from taking over your body.” Karis pulled the vest over her head. It immediately began shrinking and lengthening to fit her torso. She glanced up at Jarion. “Isn’t that correct?”
He smiled. “Yes. It will help protect you, as well as your baby.”
She grinned back. “Good.” Straightening, she winked at Brady. “See? Nothing to worry about.”
The lighting in the room dimmed as Poseidon lowered the orb from the middle. Placing both hands around the small light source, it began to get brighter. Lifting it so it raised itself back into place high above them, Poseidon walked over to the liquor table. Pouring himself a drink, he gestured to Karis and Brady, offering a drink. He set the glass decanter down, sloshing the ruby liquid up the sides.
“So, you are bringing them here, right?” Poseidon asked. He tipped the glass of Mirum, sipping the sweet, yet potent drink. The aged sea berries were only found in Perditus and were fermented into the curiously strong wine mixed with a type of cinnamon. “Ah. I haven’t savored this in so long, I nearly forgot what it tasted like.”
Brady chuckled. “I haven’t forgotten. That stuff burns going down. Just smelling it from over here I want to cough.” The scent of the cocktail assaulted his scenes. The last time he tried that concoction it nearly burned his esophagus, and the cinnamon wafting from the berry cocktail tickled his throat—almost teasing him.
Karis turned her nose up. “Well, I think it’s ghastly stuff.” A stronger whiff reached her nose. Instantly she felt nauseas and wanted as far away from the drink as possible. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Brady picked up the closest glass and swirled it around, sniffing the contents. “It smells hot but not bad.”
Her stomach threatened to turn over again. “You make a baby and tell me you don’t smell anything bad.”
Poseidon laughed setting the goblet down on the drink table. “Yes, well, it’s not a favorite of those not born Syrenae and obviously pregnant women. No offense.”
Brady raised his hand. “None taken.” Poseidon could have all he wanted, he’d stick with beer.
Karis waved her hand, still fighting the urge to dash out of the room. “Ugh, as long as you take it away you can say whatever you’d like.”
Poseidon grinned. “Good. Now, about the others. You’re bringing them straight to Perditus?”
Karis nodded. It was the first time Brady noticed the circle under her eyes. She’d gone through so much he worried about her. He cleared his throat, trying to push away the coughing fit that taunted him from the glass of Mirum. “Yes. They need to be home. We’ll be bringing them all. Just make sure you’re ready and everyone is clear of where the portal will be. We’ll be coming from water, so we’ll most likely come back on the other side of the wall. It might help with their transition.”
Poseidon gave a crisp nod. “Very good. We’ll be ready. Rachael has already helped me inform the others of their pending arrival.” He moved to the window, staring out at the water ceiling not far above them. “I had a scout return this morning with news. I’ve not shared with anyone yet as I’m not sure how much is true.”
Brady leaned forward in his seat, resting his forearms on his thighs. “There are rumors that Azul might be dead. Of course that is only a rumor, but in a war, even the smallest fears can become reality. I just thought you’d like to know since he was your friend. But, if you want my opinion, he’s very much alive. I think Marin wants to draw you out.”
“Well, there are other ways besides spreading a rumor that our friend is dead.” Karis hoped it wasn’t true. Her already upset stomach rolled with the thought.
Karis swam through the inky waters with only the shimmering light of the moon dancing on the ocean’s surface to guide her. The Pacific Ocean was a tad cooler than the water on Perditus, but her Syrenae mark quickly helped her adjust to the temperature.
“The city should be just ahead.” Brady flicked his tail faster.
Karis couldn’t help but wonder how he felt about coming back to the place he was imprisoned. The mark on her arm warmed the more she thought about it. His anxiety weaved through her veins.
“Karis!”
Slowing, Karis looked around for the woman who called her name. “Katiana, is that you?”
“Yes. I’m so glad to see you.” A Syrenae woman with amber colored hair swam from the direction of the city to meet them, embracing Karis quickly. “I knew you wouldn’t be long. I think we are all ready.”
“Already?” Karis asked. The time difference between Earth and the other worlds played with her mind. It was something she wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to.
Katiana took Karis by the hand, pulling her along. “Oh yes. Come see. When you left yesterday we started preparing immediately.”
Karis glanced over her shoulder at Brady, who contained a laugh behind a wide smile.
“I think you better go before she rips your arm off,” he said so only Karis could hear.
Following Katiana to the underwater city, Karis stopped in mid flick of the tail. Each family waited together in the middle of the city. Their preparedness and eagerness to help filled her heart and spirit with such adoration for these Syrenae that she prayed nothing would happen to any of them.
“I’m impressed by measures unheard of,” Karis whispered in her mind to her friend.
Brady grasped Karis’s hand and squeezed gently. “I think it’s time they got to go home.”
Chapter Twenty
Never before was there such a sweet reunion as the one Karis witnessed. Bringing the Syrenae to Perditus taxed her, but the emotions were worth every ounce of energy she spent. Grandparents saw grandchildren for the first time as they emerged from the wall of water onto the dry sea-stoned ground. Grown children saw their parents for the first time in hundreds of years.
Karis dabbed at her eyes, trying to control the flow of tears that effortlessly streamed down her face. Seeing the families together brought a new realization to her. This war wasn’t about who won or who lost, because everyone has already lost.
Families torn apart for the sake of sacrifice and safety was a loss to many and in that,
there are no winners. Marin took something away from everyone, in return taking power over them because he knew what they wanted most. And that sickened her. How someone could play puppet-master so easily and without remorse, horrified her.
The prophecy never said how the war ended, it just said it would. It never claimed who the victor would be; it just claimed there would be one. Karis wanted to throw something the more she thought about it because there wasn’t anything the prophecy could tell her anymore to help.
“We need to leave,” Brady said behind her.
A small child with a mix of orange and red hair was picked up by his grandfather. The wide smile on his face and short giggle made Karis’s heart stop. What if she couldn’t help others like him find their families?
“Karis,” Brady said. “Are you listening to me?”
She heard him talking but his words were muffled. Lost in her own little world, Karis faked a smile. “What?”
“I said we need to leave.” Brady placed a hand at the small of her back. “Let’s use the dry portal this time.” He chuckled. “My shirt just finished drying.”
Barely registering his remarks, Karis nodded. Leave. They were leaving. Wait? Now? If they leave that means the end is near. What if she fails? Her mouth went dry as she contemplated all the reasons to back away like a coward but none of them were enough to make her do it.
Holding her head high, Karis resolved to reunite all the families she could, on every world that had already lost so much. Sadly, she glanced at Brady. Too many families could never be together again. So many died behind the scenes. They fought for freedom, for their rights, and for the safety of their loved ones. Brady’s parents weren’t the only ones.
Poseidon and Rachael stood beside the portal door. Jarion waited patiently a foot or so behind them. He tapped his chest. “Don’t forget the vest. It will protect you from many things but remember, not all. Please think wisely before entering any battle.”
Brady laughed. “Well, I know I’m always cautious, but I’m more curious to how Zeus is gonna react when he puts it on.”
