by K. K. Allen
It takes me a second to realize he’s talking about the beachfront. Images of my mom and dad meeting in this very spot overwhelm me. This entire day is surreal.
I sneak a look at him. “That’s the beauty of sand, right? Every imprint washes away with a single wave. The history of our mistakes, the possibilities of our future. Poof. As if it never even happened. If you’re not careful, the good memories get carried away too.”
Where did that come from, Kat?
He turns to me instantly. It’s as if I’m opening up a floodgate to a lifetime of pent-up emotions, and the words he’s been wanting to say are about to spill out. “There’s so much to tell you, Katrina. But I’ll start with this, because it’s important that you hear it.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing myself.
“The choices I made were forced upon me. If there was any other way … I would have done anything just to be with you and your mother. You may not believe it yet, but it’s true.”
Maybe it’s my fear that he’ll leave again as quickly as he appeared, or the fact that nothing he’s about to say will bring back my mother, but I’m not ready to hear his explanations. Not yet.
“Can we talk about something else? I don’t think I’m ready …”
He nods. “Of course.” We’re silent long enough for the blood in my veins to stop racing.
“I’d like to get to know you,” he says, breaking the silence. “Do you work? What do you like to do for fun?”
“Hasn’t Rose told you anything about me?”
There’s a hint of disappointment in his eyes, but I see his shoulders relax. “Rose has been angry with me for quite some time now. Our exchanges haven’t been pleasant.”
“Why?”
A sigh escapes him, and I can tell this conversation isn’t going the way he’d planned—assuming he planned this discussion at all. “Rose …” He pauses. “Your grandmother is stuck in her ways, Katrina. Her beliefs are unwavering, and we don’t see eye-to-eye much of the time. I moved away at a young age, after your mother took you, and when I returned a few years later, things had changed. My mother had become cold and distant. I guess I never tried very hard to understand why.
“I was angry for a very long time. I’d lost my world, and I just didn’t have the strength to mend my relationship with my mother.” He shakes his head. “Looking back, I was depressed. My problems became bigger than me, but I was immature to not face them head-on. None of it was my mother’s fault, but I took it all out on her. I don’t know why I did that; I had no one else.” He shakes his head, as if ashamed. “Our relationship has been strained ever since.”
His eyes search my face, and I shift above the sand. “Sounds like you accept defeat well. Are you even going to try? Rose may be stubborn, but she has a good heart. I know she means well, and you know it too.” I can’t believe I just said that to my father.
To my surprise, Paul chuckles. It’s an odd but not altogether unwelcome sound. His amusement plays in his eyes when he speaks. “Just there, you sound just like her.”
He means Rose. He doesn’t have to tell me that. I flush with embarrassment. “I guess she’s been rubbing off on me.” I shake it off. I want to turn the conversation back to him. “You think she was mad at you for letting my mother go?”
When I turn to face him, his eyes are filled with emotion. “And you … especially you. I didn’t see any other choice at the time. When I figured out what your mom was—”
“You knew she was an Equinox?” This is new information. From what Rose always told me, Isaac and she were the only ones who knew about my mom’s connections to Erebus—until she announced it to the entire community this summer.
“Not right away. Not until after she took you away. I was desperate to understand why she would leave me and break up our family. I knew it was something more than her fear of our family being Enchanters. I considered that someone else had stolen your mother’s heart, but deep down I knew that wasn’t it. Our love was a storybook kind of love. There was and will never be another great love for me.”
Oh.
“It was only a week or so after Grace took you away, and I was perusing my mother’s office. I stumbled upon a picture of Grace’s pendant—”
“This pendant?” I shift again and hold up my wrist so he can see the gold ornament pressed against my skin.
He gasps. “Yes.” His voice is breathless as he stares, wide-eyed, before reaching for my hand and holding it in his to examine the antique. “That’s the one. Only she wore it as a necklace.” He brushes his fingers against the delicate charm. “She gave this to you?”
I pull my arm close to my chest. “She gave it to me the day before she died. Rose thinks she knew Erebus would come for me once I turned sixteen. I used to wear it as a necklace until it was ripped from my neck on Fourth of July.”
“Ripped from your neck?”
I nod. “By someone who I grew close to. It was all a misunderstanding, but it’s been magically sealed to me ever since I got it back.”
Paul shakes his head and stares out across the bay. “You’ve turned into a strong and brave young woman, Katrina. Rose told me about your encounter with Erebus. I’m so sorry that you had to face him alone.”
“I wasn’t alone,” I say, squaring my shoulders. “Alec and Johnny were there.”
Paul chuckles softly. “From what I understand, you protected them.”
A flush creeps up my neck. “Neither of them knew about their bloodlines. Alec was adopted when he was young and just recently came into his powers. Unfortunately, the Equinox got to him first, and he didn’t know what to think. He figured it out for himself soon enough, though, and then he just played along. Johnny’s parents died a few years ago, and he’s been taking care of himself ever since, not fully understanding his powers. I can’t imagine having these powers without any explanation.” I shiver.
“Where are these boys now?”
Do fathers know these things? Can they hear heartbreak in a daughter’s tone?
Silence fills the surrounding space. I’m not sure I want to talk about my broken heart with my father. “Alec lives a few houses down. Johnny is gone.”
“Gone?”
I nod and move to stand, brushing the sand off my backside. Paul eases to his feet beside me. “Johnny is a descendant of Poseidon. The Equinox killed his parents a few years ago, and now he’s on a mission to hunt down Erebus and kill him.”
Paul’s jaw clenches, then he shakes his head. “Even if he finds Erebus, there’s no way he can win.”
The worry that’s consumed me for two weeks hits me again in full force. “Why?”
Paul looks at me. “Erebus is an eternal being. He’s made of a dark energy that can never be destroyed. I’m afraid your friend Johnny is on an impossible mission.”
Chapter Two
PRESENT DAY
We’re crammed together on the great room couch, camera levitating in front of us. Charlotte is determined to get the perfect picture. Just then, the doorbell rings, startling us from our current pose.
He’s here.
Charlotte floats the camera back into her hands as Paul stands to answer the door. “I guess this one will work,” Charlottes says, smiling down at her camera with pride.
Before I can lift myself from the couch, Rose tugs at my arm, pulling me in close to her. “You look beautiful, dear.”
The unexpected compliment makes me blush. Rose isn’t always an easy one to please, but something about her has changed since my father’s arrival. I like it. It’s as if she’s made peace with the world.
Well, most of the time.
I smile back. “Thank you, Rose. Don’t wait up.” I wink at her, and she chuckles.
“Oh no, not tonight. I’ll be too busy partying.” She shimmies her shoulders to show me she means business, and I can’t help tipping my head back and laughing.
The two muffled voices at the door cause my insides to quiver, and I wonder why I’m so nervous. It�
�s not like this is our first time hanging out. What is my father saying to him? He’s already given him the “Behave yourself, I’m watching you always” speech.
In the past year and a half, the only school dances I’ve attended have been with my friends, never with an actual date. In an effort to regain composure, I run my hands down the length of my dress and breathe deeply, screaming at my nerves to dissipate. Then I reach for my mask on the end table and stand.
Perfect timing. I look up just as Paul walks into the room with a heartbreakingly gorgeous Alec Stone trailing behind him. Alec has the coolest naturally wavy brown hair, which has grown significantly since we first met. Tonight it’s styled away from his smooth, chiseled face, so I can aptly appreciate his features.
“You’re stunning.” Alec gushes, and my eyes turn down bashfully. Of all the superlatives I’ve heard so far tonight, his certainly makes me blush the most.
He closes the distance between us and takes me in his arms. I only have to tilt my chin slightly to lock eyes with him. “You clean up nicely.” I mimic the words my father said to me, and I know he’s smiling on the other side of Alec.
“Why, thank you. You could have worn a potato sack, but this … ” he sucks in a breath, “works much better, I think.” He winks, then grins at the flush he’s just created in my cheeks.
Two weeks of being an official couple and Alec is laying it on thick. I want to tell him there’s nothing for him to prove, that I like him just as he is—adorable, funny, and charming. I wriggle from his grasp, avoiding the potential awkwardness of a kiss. I’m not one for displays of affection in front of my family. That would be mortifying.
Charlotte’s camera drifts in front of us and I giggle. “Okay, okay. One more picture, and then we’re leaving.”
Alec pulls me tightly to his side and we smile for the flash.
With one final wave to my family, we make our way out the front door. Pulled up along the curb is a stretch limo with my two best friends’ heads sticking out through the sunroof. Arabella is whistling provocatively at me while Trisha shouts, “Get your butt down here, Summer Girl. It’s time to light this night up!” Somehow Alec’s nickname for me has caught on.
I regard Alec with a smirk. “You ready?”
He takes my hand and squeezes just enough to answer me. “There’s nothing that can stop me from enjoying this night with you … Summer Girl.”
We grin at each other and move eagerly down the steps to our awaiting limousine. Our friends greet us with warm welcomes and glowing smiles. Brent sits in the back corner with Trisha practically on his lap. I can’t believe I never saw what a perfect couple they would make before they found out for themselves. It’s been one year of bliss for them, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little jealous. Everything about their relationship seems so easy. The fact that Brent is a Normal doesn’t even faze her.
Trisha’s ex-boyfriend of over a year, Matt, sits across from the lovebirds, not at all bothered to see Trisha happy with his best friend. Matt always had trouble focusing his attention on one girl at a time, which is one reason he and Trisha are no longer together. Tonight, he’s graciously offered to be Khloe’s date to the dance—not that Khloe needed any favors. She’s the newest addition to our circle, along with her twin brother Kaleb. Everyone at school refers to them as the hottie twins because of their ridiculous good looks. Enchanters refer to them as the Solstice twins.
Kaleb nuzzles Arabella on the opposite bench, and she giggles happily. They’ve been dating ever since Arabella laid eyes on him for the first time last summer, and she has it bad. It’s a pleasant thing to witness since the last two guys she showed any interest in were Alec and Johnny. Before that, Arabella had been in love with a Normal who her father forbade her to see. Kaleb is the first guy since then who has truly captured her attention, and it warms my heart.
Alec and I take over the rear seat closest to the door. We don’t take up much space because Alec pulls me in close to his side, then wraps an arm around my shoulders. He touches his nose to my cheek in silent appreciation. There’s never a question on my mind whether or not Alec wants to be with me.
“You look amazing,” he says.
I turn to smile at him, feeling adored. “So do you. You should wear a tux more often,” I tease. His hazel green eyes twinkle, reflecting the lights that wrap the ceiling of the limo. He wastes no time to press his lips against mine. It’s an unexpected move, but Alec has become somewhat impulsive lately.
I wouldn’t go so far to say he’s changed from the guy I first met on the beach last year, but he is definitely growing into his confidence. At times, I almost wonder if his confidence is outgrowing me.
TWO WEEKS EARLIER
He’s angry at me.
This is the third week in a row that Alec has offered me a ride to the Island Grille after a Friday night basketball game. Every week, I turn him down for good reason. One week I had to work, and another I had already promised Trisha I’d ride with her and Brent.
Besides, there’s an unspoken understanding among my peers that if a basketball player drives a girl from a game to the Island Grille, they are officially exclusive. I don’t care what my peers think, but Alec and I are good friends, and I don’t want to give him the wrong idea.
This week, my suspicions are confirmed. Alec is getting impatient.
During basketball season, Friday nights at the Island Grille are the normal way to celebrate our wins on the court. When the players arrive, there’s a ceremony of hooting and hollering to let them know that their win has infected us all. We have an awesome team. Alec, of course, is a star in any sport he plays, and everyone wants to celebrate with him.
I look around the parking lot, desperate to find Trisha. Once I spot the bobbing blonde head, I practically sigh with relief.
He’s still staring at me, waiting for an explanation. “I already told Trisha I’d catch a ride with her,” I apologize again. “Maybe next week?”
There’s an exasperated look in his eye as he shoves his hands in his pockets with frustration. “There’s no game next week. Kat, I wanted to talk to you.”
Trisha bounces up beside me and grins at Alec, eyes twinkling against her fair skin as she pulls her wavy blonde hair into a thick bun at the top of her head. “Great game, Alec! Want to catch a ride with us?”
Trisha has a magical way of averting an awkward situation by pretending one doesn’t exist. She’s fully aware of Alec’s feelings for me and of my diversions.
Alec twists his neck to look at the parking lot behind him. “I have my car here. I’ll catch up with you two later.”
Without another glance, Alec stalks off. That was easy. But then why don’t I feel good about it? I could have said yes this one time. Maybe he had something important to tell me. What kind of friend am I?
Mentally kicking myself, I turn toward Trisha, who’s staring at me expectantly. “I’m fine if you want to ride with him, Kat.” The look she gives me deepens the hole of guilt in my chest.
“It’s too late now.” Alec’s car zooms past us in what I assume is a deliberate attempt to let me know he’s aggravated and done trying. It has a surprising effect on my heart. “Let’s just go,” I resolve.
Trisha doesn’t let up easily. “How long are you going to wait for him?”
We don’t talk about this. No one mentions his name, and no one questions my heart. Until now.
I don’t respond. Instead, I open the passenger door and step inside, letting her know the conversation is terminated.
What is my problem? Even if this is Alec’s attempt to get me alone and ask for more than friendship, what would be the harm in that? He’s always liked me, and at one point I really liked him too.
Alec was my first friend in Apollo Beach. My first crush. My first kiss. Everything between us was just as it should have been. It was sweet, innocent, and blossoming from a genuine friendship into something more. And then everything had to go and get royally screwed up.
Just when things were starting to get romantic between the two of us, he began acting strange. Standing me up. Hanging out with Ava. Avoiding me. It devastated me.
Under unsuspecting circumstances, I began falling for someone else—someone who chose to leave Apollo Beach with zero promise to return. I’ve been lost ever since. Broken. I thought I finally knew what it was to love someone although I never spoke those words aloud. Johnny had the ability to make my heart stop and expand all at once. His passion for nature touched me in a way that overwhelmed me. We shared a fierce connection, an appreciation for each other’s imperfections, and a genuine emotional attraction.
Even after all this time, it hurts to think about him. Remembering him is like a match to my withering heart, burned by the light that could have been ours. Once the memory finally burns out, I’m left alone to a cold and empty darkness. I guess deep down, in the depths of my anguish, I still have hope for his return.
But one year, four months, and three days later, Johnny is still gone. His whereabouts, unknown.
In the beginning, Arabella kept tabs on him to reassure me of his safety. “Come to find out, message by sea is quite the phenomenon,” Arabella told me one August night. “Mermaids have the ability to speak telepathically, and the range of that communication spans for miles,” she gushed.
As time went on, the messages came less frequently, and six months later they stopped completely. I never asked her why the messages stopped, too afraid of the answer. A million scenarios plagued my mind. Maybe she was tired of the torture in my eyes when I asked about him. Or perhaps it was her way of forcing me to move on.
Whatever Arabella’s reasons, I felt betrayed. She was my only tie to Johnny, and without her messages he was officially gone. It took me months to speak to Arabella again; I was too hurt and stubborn to understand where she was coming from. It wasn’t until Trisha talked some sense into me, reminded me that Johnny leaving wasn’t Arabella’s fault, that I finally forgave her and forced myself to stop looking back. Johnny’s absence isn’t a gaping hole in my heart anymore. I’ve filled the pit of despair with time, new friends, and most helpful of all, time with my father.
