by K. K. Allen
“They like to make a scene,” she says.
I can agree with that. They definitely made a scene with the bonfire.
“And we could be dealing with more than one Equinox here—we could be dealing with the dark one—Erebus.”
Her words force me to sit up in my chair. “What?” My blood doesn’t run cold because that’s impossible, but if it could, it most certainly would in this moment. Even when Rose told us about the disaster a decade ago, I didn’t stop to think that maybe it was the god of darkness behind the fire.
Arabella sits up too, slowly. She nods her head at me, silky red hair following her head in perfect movements. “That’s what I wanted to tell you,” she lowers her voice. “I tried to talk to Rose about this but she refuses to have the conversation. It’s like she knows the threat is out there, but she’s terrified to deal with it. She needs you, whether she knows it or not. Erebus is like a host of a disease—and he’s capable of much more evil than creating a wild bonfire. The Elders are the only ones who know more than I do but they like to keep it a secret because they don’t want us to panic and migrate to a new settlement. You need to see if Rose will come forward with the information. It’s important for us to understand who—or what, is out there.”
I’m still taking in the new information as Arabella speaks again.
“Kat. The Equinox is in Apollo Beach and he knows who you are—and you probably know him too.”
Chapter Five
It’s a beautiful day at the spring and I’m hanging out with my friends, yet I’m not enjoying myself. Instead, I’m worrying about the evil threat of the Equinox and all that I still don’t know.
After Arabella disappears I do my best to get myself together and push thoughts of the Equinox away. I promised Arabella I would talk to Rose about it, but for now the thoughts of the Equinox and his—their—evil schemes, will just have to wait. There’s nothing I can do about it in Weeki Wachee.
I approach the water to find Alec and Ava, who are just a few feet from the others, talking animatedly about something. Ava appears to be pleading with Alec as he tensely looks away. The scene nags at me, but before I let the jealousy take over I plaster a smile on my face, concealing the effect of the knots that twist in my stomach.
Alec sees me and gestures toward the slide. I wave for him to join me and he smiles before swimming to the stairs. I feel a prickle of excitement at the thought of him choosing me over Ava. Not that it’s a competition. We’re all just friends—right?
He leads us halfway up the stairs to where the line starts. “Wait until you try this, it’s such a rush.”
I smile at him, grateful for his distraction from my reality—mermaids and the Equinox.
“So you and Ava are getting along better now.” I choose my words carefully to avoid revealing any feelings of jealousy.
He doesn’t look at me but shrugs his shoulders. “She’s okay. Been through a lot. Her and Iris are a bit on the outs right now, so I feel bad for her.”
I tilt my head. The subtle move must catch his eye because they land on mine making the flutters awaken inside me. “I hope Ava appreciates you.”
There, that doesn’t say it all, but I don’t need to tell him what I really think about Ava—that she is evil and selfish and would rather watch her best friend burn to death than to jump in and save her. The memory of the flames growing wild while Ava just stood there watching, without lifting a finger or reacting at all, is a disturbing thought that I’ve tried not to think about. Out of every memory from that night, that is the one that disturbs me the most.
Alec grins at me. “I’m sure she does, in a way only Ava could.”
There is a fondness in his tone that I don’t understand, but then again, Iris and Ava have been his friends far before I came along. If he liked Ava, surely he’d be with her by now.
“So what did your mermaid friend have to say to you?” His eyes twinkle and I momentarily forget all about Ava.
We take a few more steps and I notice that we’ve almost reached the top. I lean back against the wood rail and quickly calculate what I’ll tell him. Another lie. “She had a few questions about the fire. She heard about what happened at your party from Rose, and she was concerned.”
Alec makes a face. “Really? I wonder why she cares so much.”
I flinch, slightly offended, but I know he’s just curious. “Her family is from Apollo Beach. Their father went to school with Rose. They’re nice girls, really. They do a lot of charity work around here. They don’t even need to work but they do it, just because they want to entertain and encourage kids to study hard.”
I may have stayed up late last night studying Weeki Wachee and their inhabitants to learn this bit of information. The history is fascinating, especially since it revolves around mermaids pretending to be real, when really, they are real, pretending to be real. I stifle a giggle.
Alec’s features soften a bit. “That’s really nice of them.”
I smile as if I’ve just conquered something.
“You ready for this?” Alec asks at the top of the staircase. We’re next to go.
The slider before us holds onto the metal rails, ready to throw himself down the slide. As soon as the attendant gives him the go, he uses the handlebars to propel himself forward as he lets out an excited holler. Everyone laughs at the sound of his enthusiasm, including me.
It’s been too long since I’ve used my powers to great extent. I try to run every day to release some of the build up, but I know that I’ll have to do something more about it soon.
I grip either side of the slide and look over my shoulder. Alec winks at me. “Have fun!”
As I wait for the attendant, I feel my veins throbbing and the volcano of energy within me ready to explode. I am so ready for this.
“Go!” He screams and I use my strength to pull my bottom away from the edge but I’ve pulled too hard. I barely feel the water below me as I fly down the slide. I slam the side and land hard on my back as the slide wraps around and continues downward. Now I can feel the smooth, watery surface but I’m still moving too fast. I’m lucky the slide is enclosed or I would have flown to my death by now. I scream in terror as I whip around another turn, this time hitting my head. The left side of my body feels the impact but I’m already at the end, zooming through the tunnel’s opening and then knifing the water at a high velocity. I practically slam into the spring’s bottom.
The cold bristles of water prick my body all at once as if I just submerged myself in a tall bucket of ice. I pull myself up until I reach the surface and gasp in the warm air. The cold sensation is refreshing as it cascades down my face. I wipe the water from my eyes so I can see.
The water dissipates from my skin steadily, beginning with my head and neck, and all the way down to my toes. My insides adjust to the temperature quickly.
Well, that was the rush I needed but not in that way. I want to yell at Rose now and tell her, “I told you so. This is exactly why I need to be using my powers, so that they don’t build up like this to the point I can’t control them. Just like the fire.”
After a few seconds I’m able to calm my mind and swim for the rope boundary, just in time for Alec to soar from the slide to the water.
* * *
It takes some coercing to get everyone on the riverboat ride. They would rather frolic in the water and I don’t blame them, but the tour guide is giving a history lesson on the Weeki Wachee river and I want to hear it.
We cram aboard the floating platform and take our seats on the left side, filling three rows of the boat. Alec sits beside me, Trisha next to Matt, and Brent with an annoyed Ava. I’m sure Ava would have chosen the seat next to Alec but that’s not for me to worry about. I really need to get over this jealousy I have with Ava and Alec. Alec couldn’t be more clear in his decisions—and his decision appears to be me.
I smile at him now, realizing how fun this is to see him in his element among friends. Even surrounded by our peers at his Fou
rth of July party, Alec and I kept to ourselves for the most part. I was too interested in getting to know him to want to meet anyone else.
Alec touches a spot on my knee causing a red-hot reaction in my cheeks. I turn to see what he’s gotten my attention for—hoping that he won’t catch the blush he’s caused.
Brent and Alec are focused on two mermaids, perched on a rock, waving leisurely at the riverboat passengers. I don’t recognize either of them. To think that there’s an entire population of mermaids is exciting and confusing all at the same time. I’m fascinated by the life mermaids have chosen by living here; constantly in the public’s eye, gawked at by kids and males especially. I glance at Brent who is practically breaking his neck in effort to continue viewing the mermaids, and I let out a subtle snort before turning back to the front.
There was a pamphlet we received when we entered that elaborated on what I read online. It explained how the mermaids not only entertain, but take time to volunteer and educate kids on their off time.
We are the same in many ways, but so very different. Mermaids choose to live their lives in the public’s eye, and that takes an insurmountable level of bravery. The permanent smiles on their faces exude confidence and show me that they are naturally happy with their chosen paths. I envy that feeling. They don’t have to hide who or what they are. They simply are.
I look at Alec who thinks he knows me. He thinks he likes who I am, and here I am, lying to him, but it’s not just me—his parents and soon Trisha will be added to that list. It makes my brain hurt from thinking about all of the things that I’ll never be able to talk to him about. How can one possibly build a relationship on lies and secrets?
Rose once told me that a relationship between a Normal and an Enchanter is hard. There are secrets and double lives that the other half can never access. At one point in history it was said that a Solstice may only love another Solstice descendant, but Rose told me that rule has changed as the Solstice community has evolved and cohabitated with Normals over the years. Now, it’s accepted for an Enchanter to love a Normal, just as my father loved my mother—but look what good that did everyone.
My thoughts are bitter toward my father, I know, but after everything that’s happened; my mother dying, my move to Apollo Beach, my Enchantment, and the accident—any of these things would make a caring father come running, no matter how absent he’d been for sixteen years. Right? But I haven’t worried about him for sixteen years, I’m certainly not going to start now.
A warm hand lands on my knee again. Alec. It’s like he knows exactly when to distract me from my thoughts. It doesn’t take much when it involves looking at him.
“Over here,” he leans in closer to me to look over my shoulder; so close that our faces almost touch. I’m reminded of the bubbly sensation I got the last time we were this close; side-by-side in the sand dune—right before Ava and Iris showed up with the water balloons, setting off a terrifying chain of events.
With a look down into the water I see a mermaid swimming upstream toward the boat and I smile, wondering if this is part of the park’s entertainment. I can only see that she’s blonde but since her face is down I’m uncertain if it’s Marabella or possibly another mermaid that I’ve never met.
“If you look to your right you’ll see a heron standing in a tree. See where the canoes are downstream? Now look up. Right there.” The tour guide continues to point out wildlife and the unique trees on our right, but my eyes are fixed on the mermaid to my left.
Something else catches my eye now because it’s staring at me with chilling black eyes attached to the large body of a black snake. I’ve never seen a snake up close but I didn’t realize how large and terrifying they were. His tongue strikes the air in a quick motion then turns its body, locking his eyes on me.
He glares at me with an evil strangeness and hisses loudly—as if he knows me and has something to say. I shiver.
The mermaid swims in closer and panic fills the open spaces around my heart. Why would she be swimming out here? I reach out and wave, trying to catch her attention. Her hair flows around her head, face buried into the water with no intent of coming up for air, so it seems. I look back at the snake who turns his eyes from me to the mermaid and hisses again, growing taller above the water, as if ready to attack.
The snake’s tongue darts out of his mouth again before gliding forward through the river. It’s like watching a ticking clock as the seconds pass by; slow and hypnotic.
With a deep breath I swipe at the snake with my mind, forcing him off his intended path. It works. His long, thick body tilts slightly, distracting him from his attack, but I’m not sure that was the smartest move now. Somehow he knows it was me.
He whips his head up from the water and stares at me with those eyes—dark and angry. He hisses again. I glare back, but his attention is on the mermaid who swims directly in front of him, unaware of the danger that lurks above her. He moves toward her slowly, stealthily.
With all of the power I can muster in a short amount of time, I stand and throw my hands out, causing the snake to create a heavy splash in the water. It’s enough time for the mermaid to get by without him attacking but I continue to watch for his next move.
He could easily go after her and strike, only this time he lifts his head and stares at me with a silent threat. The boat continues to move downriver and I can feel a hole as the snake’s eyes burn into the back of my head.
There is laughter behind me and I flip around to see where it’s coming from. Alec, Brent, Trisha, and Matt are all laughing—at me.
“What were you doing?” Ava looks disgusted.
Alec wraps an arm around me but he’s laughing too. “What were you doing?”
“I-I thought the mermaid was going to get attacked by that snake. Didn’t you see it? It was huge.”
Ava glares at me now. “Interesting. What were you going to do about it?” Her challenging eyes look as venomous as that snake probably was.
I just shake my head, unsure of how to answer that question. “I was trying to warn the mer—the girl. That’s why I was waving my arms.”
A feeling of relief washes over me as I’ve figured out how to cover up my actions, but Brent, who sits directly behind us is still laughing hysterically. Alec smacks his arm and puts his arms back around me. “Okay, okay, you guys,” he says pointedly at Brent. “It’s not that funny.”
Although Alec is being sweet and standing up for me, I’m embarrassed. I’m sure I looked ridiculous using my magic to control that snake—like a lunatic waving her hands around and accomplishing nothing. They don’t know that I potentially saved that mermaid’s life.
I can’t wait for the riverboat ride to be over. I tune out everything the guide is saying. At least the rest of my group is having a good time.
They point out colorful birds and animated turtles. A smaller snake appears on the shore and Brent doesn’t miss a beat. Every few minutes he’s got a snake or mermaid joke for me and I sink even further into myself.
“So what do you guys think?” Alec asks as we wait for the riverboat to park. “Canoe ride or tube ride?”
“Tube ride!” Everyone agrees. My humiliation is finally beginning to wear off, thank goodness. I want to enjoy this day as much as possible.
Trisha hops onto the platform next to me and grins, her small dimples popping through her round cheeks. I can’t help but wonder again how she’ll do as an Enchanter. I don’t picture how she’ll react to the threat of the Equinox. She’s just too sweet.
“Ignore Brent. Reactions only fuel his antics.” She hooks arms with me as we march the rest of the way to the store to rent our tubes.
Alec insists on purchasing my tube, so I let him, but as I wait my thoughts are on the thick black snake and his threatening hisses. Why did it seem like he wanted me to see what he was planning to do to that mermaid? Why was he looking at me?
“Hey, shake it off, Summer Girl. We’ve got some tubing to do.” Alec hands me my tube with a
grin. He’s right.
The moment we’re in the water, safely planted in our tubes, Brent decides to crack a joke. “Kat, help! A snake!” And he bursts into laughter. Everyone else giggles and chuckles around him, and I want to dump him into the water. If he isn’t careful, I just might. I begin to laugh too, an admission that what happened on the riverboat was ridiculous.
“Okay, okay. So I thought she was going to get attacked by a snake.” I shake my head. Shouldn’t they be impressed that I was trying to save that mermaid’s life?
Alec’s eyes connect with mine and when he smiles I forget that I’m the butt of every joke. Instead, I wonder when Alec and I will get a real chance to talk, and this time, I wonder if I’ll be able to come up with anything interesting to talk about.
When I arrived in Apollo Beach and met Alec, he was someone I wanted to get to know. I found him attractive, sweet, and refreshing. He was like a light in a day I’d never seen. Living so many years alone with my mother, with no one to really call my friend, Alec gave me something I’d never had before—friendship.
We bonded even more during our runs. I miss our runs.
Perhaps for him I was a dose of something different too. After spending most of his early summer with Ava and Iris, he probably liked having a new female around, one who didn’t beckon for attention at every moment.
Now that some time has passed since the wildfire and we’ve gotten over the initial awkward encounters, I can see more friendships blossoming, and not just with Alec, but with everyone. I sneak a glance at Ava. Well, almost everyone.
This time, it’s almost as if I’m blending in with the crowd. Once that happens, is Alec still going to be interested in me? Is being the new girl just a passing trend? Or are his feelings for me something deeper than that?
Ava is grinning at something Brent is saying and I can see that she really is beautiful. She should smile more often.
Alec floats next to me, his gaze distracted as he faces the sky. His skin has already darkened from just a few hours of sun. I reach over and press my pointer finger onto his shoulder and pull away. A white spot remains and slowly fades back to its regular color.
