by Chanda Hahn
Winona held out her hand and power raced to her, her hair whipping about from the abundance of energy. “No one lays a hand on my granddaughter.”
Winona touched the cuffs, and Mina felt the current of power blast through them, turning them black. Whatever magic had blocked her was killed. Her bonds clicked open and fell to the deck with a thud.
Mina hadn’t known what she was missing, but when the Fae power came rushing back to her, it was as strong and as sharp as regaining the ability to see after being blind. She needed to grab a hold of Winona’s arm to steady herself. Her wrists weren’t rubbed raw like Jared’s, she could only assume that it didn’t hurt her as much because she was only half Fae.
Winona smirked and raised her eyebrow. “Now that is just a taste of our power. Shall I teach you the rest?”
Mina’s mouth was dry, and she had to swallow a few times before her verbal yes spilled out. “Teach me anything and everything I need, so I can save my friends.”
“Very good,” Ternan grunted, watching the exchange. “There’s the siren spirit. But you’ll have to delay your lessons until we are through the gate. Any outlash of power can collapse it around us, trapping us between the planes forever.” He gestured to the setting sun.
Mina ran to the front of the ship to watch the miracle that was about to happen.
She saw nothing on the horizon except for two giant stone monoliths that rose out of the sea. Heads popped out of the water to watch them.
Mina couldn’t help but be drawn in by the beautiful aquatic features of the sirens. The fleeting sun reflected off their tails and scales as they swam alongside the ship.
A few came up and called out, a loud piercing shriek, but it didn’t damage the boat. If it had been anything like her brother’s gift, it could very well tear them to pieces. These calls were more of a warning to the boat. The closer they came, the more violent the attacks became.
Until Ternan strode to the bow holding a giant gold trident. He raised it, and the sirens in the water jumped high into the air and flicked their tails in a salute before diving deep below the waves. This continued the last mile. When they reached the twin monoliths, the sirens that guarded the gate left them as the ship continued toward it.
“Almost,” Winona called out. “Starboard,” she yelled to the young siren with dreadlocks who currently stood at the helm. “We can’t breach the gate too early, or we’ll miss our chance completely. We won’t have time to turn around. We’ve got one chance tonight. We can’t afford to have to wait till tomorrow.”
Ever came and stood nervously next to Mina. “I’ve only ever passed through one of the smaller gates between our worlds or used the seam ripper. I’ve heard of the Sister Rocks and the rumor it was a gate, but I’ve never imagined actually seeing it or passing through.”
“Why are we not using the seam ripper to open a gate between the planes? It’s too small?”
“Do you see how many sirens are on this ship? The seam ripper would only let two or three max through before it closed, and it’s too dangerous to open in the same spot over and over. You’re bringing an army through, so you need one of the natural gates. Just like Teague would have used.”
Nix looked at the setting sun and the gate and voiced his concern, “We’re not going to make it!”
“Yes, we are!” Ternan bellowed. He ran toward the stern of the ship. He held his hands up in the air, and Winona did the same. Soon every siren on the boat raised their hands in unison, facing the sea behind them.
The ship stilled on the water, and they dropped down suddenly. Mina looked over her shoulder, and a giant wave surged up behind them. A wave that would surely break their boat apart.
“Hold on!” Ternan shouted. He controlled the wave, causing it to break and rush under the ship. It lifted the boat and propelled them toward the Sister Rocks.
Ever and Mina screamed. Nix pushed them against the middle mast and wrapped a rope around their waists, securing them to the large wooden post. Water rushed over the side, and the wave dropped again. People screamed—most in excitement—as they were airborne for a few seconds before slamming back into the water. The sun just touched the horizon.
The gate opened, a spiral of bright colors.
But they were off course, charging straight toward the right monolith.
“Turn! Port, port!” Winona hollered to the first mate on the helm. He spun the wheel, trying to keep the ship from crashing.
Everyone held their breath.
The boat cleared the monolith and sailed toward the open gate.
Another wave came up from behind and spilled over the railings, making the ship rock and reel. Nix lost his grip on the rope. Mina and Ever grabbed his hands as the ship tilted to the side, buffeted by another wave across the deck.
The wave partially swallowed them for a heartbeat, and when it passed, they looked around.
Nix was gone.
Ever fought against the ropes that tied her to the mast and screamed in despair. “Nix!” she howled as they left the Fae plane behind them.
Chapter 27
When they passed through the gate, a relative silence followed.
Ever’s loud wail of sorrow cut through the wind like a sword. “No, no, no!”
Mina’s fingers worked tirelessly at the knot, but she couldn’t get the rope undone. One of the sirens rushed over to untie them. The rope fell to the deck with a thud, and Ever ran to the railing and looked over.
“You stupid nixie!” Her fist pounded the railing. “You always think of others first. For once, why couldn’t you be selfish and save yourself?” She collapsed to her knees, bawling.
Mina gently wrapped her hands around Ever’s shoulders, surprised when she turned, and buried her head in Mina’s shoulder.
“Oh Nix, I’m so sorry for all the names I called you,” Ever confessed. “For putting salt in the Pixy Stix when you kept stealing them. For telling you cartoons were real.”
“What do you mean—they’re not real?” Nix shouted from the other side of the ship.
They turned to see Nix’s head as he peeked over the side rail. He hauled himself up, swung his legs over, and hopped onto the deck. Then he used his hands to flick the water out of his hair.
Ever ran across the deck and threw herself into his arms. “Don’t you ever do anything that stupid and dangerous again, do you hear me?”
Nix blushed at Ever’s show of affection. “O-oh. O-okay. I don’t think I’ll b-be dragged through a gate off the side of a siren ship again.”
“Good, you big lug.” Ever reached up to circle her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips.
Nix was only momentarily taken aback before he returned the kiss with fervor.
“Well, I’ve got to hand it to them. They are a cute couple.” Winona smiled sweetly.
“They deserve each other, and I mean that in the best way possible.” Mina grinned. The joy she felt was slowly replaced by shock as she realized where they’d come out of the portal. Of all the places for them to appear in the human plane. “You’ve got to be kidding me! We just passed under the Golden Gate Bridge?”
“I’ve always thought that was such a horrid name. It’s not even gold,” Winona said dryly.
Behind them, the iron and steel bridge looked almost black against the rising sun. She was still nowhere near home, but what could she expect from a natural Fae gate?
“We’ll attract too much attention in this ship. And, um, you’ll all probably attract attention too.” Mina blurted out as she looked at her kin. Their crazy hair styles, unique tattoos, and the pearlescent scales that lay just beneath the skin, reflecting the light, would definitely make them stand out.
Winona whistled loudly and made a series of high pitched notes. Four male sirens scrambled up the masts. Mina watched as their hands glowed, and they began to weave a glamour over their ship. It instantly changed in appearance to mimic a smaller-masted vessel they’d just passed. The siren figurehead disappeared. The rough Fae
wood morphed into a painted blue with white stripes. Even the colorful sails became stark white. Honestly, the ship lost much of its beauty.
The young siren with the dreadlocks came up to her wearing boat shoes, a polo, and white shorts. The crew suddenly looked like they were competing in a regatta. Mina tried to stifle her laugh.
“What?” Dreadlocks asked. “Is this not right?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just not what I was expecting,” she answered.
He held out his hand. “I’m Kino.”
Mina shook Kino’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Mina.”
“Oh, you don’t have to introduce yourself. We all know who you are. Your grandparents weren’t the only ones waiting a long time for you.”
“What?”
“Ternan and Winona are not just any sirens. They pretty much rule the sea, which means one day? All of this will be yours. On both planes.”
“Uh, no thank you. The last few encounters I’ve had with the ocean or water have not ended well.”
Kino grinned. “That’s because you thought you were human. Now that you know you’re part-siren, it will call to you like a lover. One day, you’ll answer.”
“Nope, I’ll let it go to voicemail.” She held up her hand to her ear. “Please leave a message after the beep.”
Kino laughed. “Well, I guess that’s one way to avoid responsibility.”
“This isn’t my responsibility. It never was. I already have too much on my plate with a cursed prince hunting me down. I’m not ready for more.”
Kino bent over, gripping his stomach in laughter. “Oh, if you weren’t already taken, I’d try to win your hand.”
“What do you mean?” She freaked. How could he come to the conclusion that she was taken?
“It’s written on your face. You’re in love with someone. And I hope he loves you in return, because princess, if he don’t, Kino’s going to show him what happens when you mess with family.”
“Uh…”
Ternan stepped up as they reached the pier. The sirens, all completely camouflaged, began to secure their ship to the posts. Her grandfather wore a deep blue jacket and captain’s hat. Of course his costume wasn’t complete without the old wooden pipe he was shoving—was that seaweed?—into. He might as well have stepped out of an ad for a seafood restaurant.
But she wasn’t going to be the one to correct the king of the sea. Thankfully Winona’s attire was more toned down. She wore white shorts, a blue tank top, and boat shoes, and her hair was all brown and tamed into a simple braid.
“What now?” Mina asked.
“You to tell us where to find your brother,” Winona answered. “We can wait for another dream, or you can try your Fae intuition.”
“I don’t know how trustworthy that is,” Mina answered.
When they were docked and the gangplank secured, Kino escorted Mina, Ever, and Nix off the ship, and they set off on a quest for a payphone.
“They’re going to be harder to find than I thought,” Ever grumbled. “Now, I’m kicking myself for having broken my phone. Sorry, Mina.”
“Don’t be, now you get a taste of what my life is like.”
They had to walk among the shops of the pier. Kino tried to play it cool, but he was just as excited as Nix was at the musical stairs, the street performers, and the mirror maze.
Mina cringed at the mirror-maze memories that flooded her—and this maze was even larger. “Okay, does anyone have any spare change?” she asked.
Ever looked sheepish, and Kino looked confused.
Nix was the one who produced quarters out of his pants pocket. Of course nixies were hoarders, so it was no surprise that he also pulled out a bunch of rocks and bottle caps.
Mina inserted two quarters into the payphone and dialed Nan’s cell. It went right to voicemail. Feeling rushed, she tried to spout off all of the directions she could. She’d been rehearsing them in her mind on the way over.
“Nan, it’s me. He’s coming after you, but it will be okay. I’ve got friends, and they’re here to help. They can protect Charlie. We just have to find you. I need you to meet me at the place we ran away to when we were fourteen. I’ll be there twice a day waiting for you at your lucky time and—”
Beep.
Her voice message was cut off.
“What kind of message was that?” Kino asked. “That didn’t sound very clear.”
“It’s perfectly clear when your best friend is a movie buff. She once convinced me to run away and find an old fortune teller machine, so it could magically transform us into adults.”
“What magic is this?” Kina sounded skeptical.
“It’s the magic of Twentieth Century Fox and Big, a movie from the 1980s.”
The only thing she could do was wait, and it was going to be the hardest wait she’d ever had to endure. Kino begged to stay and wander the pier, but Mina didn’t want to be anywhere near a local landmark in case Teague was watching her through her mirror.
Nix was just as bad as Kino, watching all of the people along the pier in fascination.
But then Kino saw the aquarium. “Did you see what they’ve done? They’re holding that octopus captive. We must rescue him and free all of the sea creatures. How do your kind live like this, enslaving the sea’s most beautiful and smartest of creatures?” He ranted and seemed sort of unstable the whole walk back to the ship.
Mina let Ever try and explain to the siren how an aquarium works.
“Money? This is all about profit? It’s even worse than I thought,” Kino grumbled.
“Oh, brother.” Ever shook her head and strictly forbid him from going to the aquarium or even mentioning to anyone else what he’d seen. “We are here to lay low until we can find Charlie. We are not here to cause a scene. Do you got that?” She jabbed her finger into Kino’s chest.
He didn’t look happy, but he shrugged. When they got back to the boat, he immediately disappeared below decks and ignored them.
“Well, it didn’t take long for you to make enemies,” Nix commented. “I thought I’d be the one to get on the bad side of the sirens.”
“He couldn’t see the big picture,” Ever said. “He has to remember this isn’t his world, and the rules are different here. If he wants to stay, he needs to shape up or ship out.”
“Oh, I see what you did there!” Nix started to laugh, and Ever just glared at him until he fell into silence. But that didn’t last either. His shoulders continued to shake, and a loud snort slipped through.
Mina walked to the captain’s chambers and knocked politely on the door.
“Come in,” her grandfather called.
She carefully pushed open the wood door and entered.
Ternan bent over a map he had picked up from a visitor center, marking it with little green colored pebbles.
Winona carefully settled something she was holding into a trunk and picked up a little cloth-covered bundle. “Any luck?”
“No, I left a message. Hopefully she’ll get it and meet me here.” She walked over and sat on a small stool near Winona.
“Does your friend know this area?”
“Yes, she’d come out here during the summer for drama camps. Once in the middle of her parents’ divorce, Nan decided to run away and come here. She bought a bus ticket, and I came with her—only to convince her to come back—but I was grounded for a month.”
“You should have been grounded longer. Your mother was soft.”
Mina nodded her head in affirmation. “Probably, but I gave her a heads up what I was doing, that I wasn’t letting Nan go by herself. And if we weren’t back in twelve hours, she was going to come and get me.”
“Smart. I take it you both made it back.”
“Yeah, we missed the first bus back, so we had to take a later one, which is why I was grounded for the month.”
“How did you convince your friend to come back?”
“Nothing I said would change her mind, until I told her Charlie wouldn’t be the
same without her in his life. He always was her weak spot.”
Winona smiled sadly and fidgeted with the item she had pulled from the trunk.
“When your mother chose your father over her heritage, she gave up everything that reminded her of us. I’ve kept it all, if you’re interested in learning a bit more about your mother.”
Mina peeked at the opened trunk and the indiscernible items inside. “I would like that.”
Winona smiled, the corners of her lips quivering slightly. “I think she’d like that too.” She handed Mina the bundle she had in her hands.
The cloth held something hard, and Mina slowly unwrapped it to find a lovely gold seashell on a small chain. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s yours,” Winona offered. “Anything you want out of your mother’s trunk is yours.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t say anything.” Winona stood up and moved away from the trunk, giving Mina space to peruse her mother’s items. It was mostly clothes of blues and greens decorated with shells, some books, a delicate white netted top. There were a few other trinkets, but then Mina found a piece of parchment tucked inside a book cover.
She pulled it out and saw her father’s likeness carefully drawn in coal. He’d been very young at the time—before he grew out his mustache—possibly in his early twenties. Studying her mother’s love for her father, forbidden but blooming all the same, felt like an invasion of privacy. Mina carefully tucked the picture back into the book and placed it in the bottom of the trunk.
“Tell me about her, before, when she was a siren,” she said.
“Oh, she was a handful—stubborn and one of the strongest in her gifts. I can see that her bloodline passed on to each of you. So it’s not just your father’s curse you were born with, but your mother’s gifts as well.”
“But why would she hide it—from my father, from me?”
“Your father, James, hated the Fae, because they killed his brother. When your mother saved his life, he didn’t know she was a siren. But they fell in love so deeply, he willingly shared his secret, his curse. When Sara learned how much he hated the Fae, she chose to keep her identity a secret. But Ternan told you all of that already—about her deal with the sprite and all.”
