by Devyn Quinn
She reached the reef a few minutes later. She’d stayed in the water too long. The rising tide lapped at the hem of her abandoned robe. In a few more minutes it would carry the garment out to sea.
Tessa rescued the skimpy piece of clothing. Lose it now and she’d be walking home naked as a jaybird.
Still not tired of wearing her tail, she swam toward a boulder jutting out from a rocky outcropping. She tossed the robe, watching it hit its mark.
With a grace belying her clumsy proportions, she hefted herself up onto the weathered surface. Worn smooth and flat by the erosions of wind and water, the boulder provided the perfect place to stretch out and enjoy the view.
Flipping the tip of her tail in the water, she stared at the lights flickering on the distant mainland. A few years ago both her sisters had abandoned the island for human ways.
Gwen and Addison each maintained opposing views regarding their inborn talents. To Gwen being a Mer was a curse, something that kept her from fully integrating into the human community.
Addison was on the other side of the fence. Working in search and rescue, she’d learned to put her unique talent to good use. She was often called to all parts of the country to help in underwater recovery efforts. Where other divers would fail to bring up the goods, Addison succeeded nine times out of ten.
Turning her face up to feel the night breeze, Tessa heaved a sigh. She’d never felt more alone. Abandoned.
While her sisters had both forged successful ties to the mainland, Tessa was the sole holdout. The island was the last link to the Mer, who’d settled in these waters back when the land was still untamed wilderness. And while she knew her kind came from waters far away, she had no idea where that place might have once been on this earth. Like the legendary Atlantis, the fabled Mer homeland of Ishaldi appeared to have vanished far beneath the ocean’s surface, all traces forever obliterated.
Sometimes Ishaldi was a place Tessa didn’t think ever really existed. She’d listened with rapt attention to the stories her grandmother recounted, shivering as she imagined the devastating events that had sent the great seaport to a watery grave.
But she’d taken those stories with a grain of salt. Several grains, actually.
If Ishaldi had ever truly existed, its whereabouts remained a mystery. The seven seas, all consuming but ever silent, weren’t going to give up their secrets. Not even to the daughters the salty waters had spawned.
A hot burn unexpectedly stung her lids, blurring her vision. Her throat closed, clogging with emotion. Thin tendrils of fog had begun to drift in from the sea. Taking on a shimmering ghostly form, the luminous mist undulated across the water. The mainland vanished, lights winking out of existence as the cloak thickened.
Tessa was all alone.
She shivered. “We’re a part of this world,” she whispered to the silent water. “But I don’t think we’ve ever belonged.”
Kenneth couldn’t sleep.
Though he had the fan turned on high and had both windows open to let in the night breeze, the room was sticky and hot. Stripped down to the buff, he lay naked on top of the patchwork quilt. Beads of perspiration dotted his skin. The heat clung like a giant’s smothering hand.
He sat up, rubbing his hands across his freshly shaved face. He’d already tried an ice-cold shower, and then another, to cool himself down. He’d even made an ice pack, wrapping cubes from the dorm-sized fridge into a washrag and icing himself down. And he’d already guzzled several of the beers Gwen had generously supplied. Having been off the booze for six months solid, the dark foreign brew she’d picked out had given him quite a buzz.
But the ability to close his eyes and simply drowse off eluded him. It was too hot and muggy.
Lowering his hands, he looked at the digital on the nightstand. The red numbers read 1:20. It didn’t help that the fat yellow moon cast its shine through the thin sheaf of curtains covering the window, lighting the narrow room up like a Christmas tree. A pair of blinds would be welcome.
He glanced around. Just as soon as he could manage it, he’d be installing a few things, including an air conditioner. He suspected part of the reason Tessa went through handymen so fast was because the quarters were uncomfortable.
Past providing the basics, there was nothing in the way of entertainment. No television or DVD player. Hell, not even a shelf of books. A man could work only so long. And once the day’s chores were accomplished, a little entertainment was usually on a guy’s mind. And while Tessa had made it clear he would be free to party on the mainland, no funny business would be allowed on her island.
He’d already decided that would suit him just fine. Right now he wasn’t quite ready to get back into the social swing. The main thing he wanted to do was establish himself as a resident, get to know the locals, and familiarize himself with the lay of the land. Once he’d settled in, he figured he might be ready to venture on to the next step on the social ladder.
Finding some female companionship.
As it stood, he had a place to live and a job. Sure, the pay sucked. In fact, there wasn’t any. Aside from agreeing to put a roof over his head and feed him, there would be no other compensation. Gwen had offered a small cash stipend, but he’d turned her down.
Truth be told, he didn’t need the money.
Stare grimly fixed on the ceiling, Kenneth shivered, suddenly feeling the chill of Jennifer’s murder all the way to his bones. His muscles bunched with tension. Right now there was no way he’d ever consider spending the money he’d inherited from her passing. It was tainted with her blood. He’d even added more to the balance by selling the house and his half interest of the garage and salvage yard he owned with a buddy from high school.
The money was presently sitting, drawing interest. He kept half in liquid cash. The other half was invested, a tidy stock portfolio. He lived off the interest, never touching the principal. The monthly stipend added up to a very nice chunk of change. If he never wanted to work another day in his life, he didn’t have to.
As far as he was concerned, his present job would suit him just fine. By the looks of the house and grounds, the list of repairs was a long one. He had at least six months of work ahead. Perhaps more. By that time he’d probably have his head on a little straighter. Maybe he’d even have a better idea about what he wanted to do with his life.
He looked around the room again. Despite its austerity, the place had potential. A big-screen television and a satellite dish would definitely add to its charm. Maybe he’d even look for an island of his own to buy. He liked the idea of living in the middle of the ocean, surrounded on all sides by water. The mainland was close enough to be accessible without having to suffer the annoyances of living in a tourist town. No wonder Tessa wouldn’t give the island up.
Tessa . . .
He flopped back onto the bed, spreading out his arms and legs. Oh, boy. That redheaded spitfire was enough to raise his temperature all by herself. Remembering the skimpy attire she’d been wearing when he arrived was enough to send his internal mercury straight into the danger zone.
He licked dry lips. Just thinking about Tessa sent a fluttering sensation straight through his gut, sparking off an even deeper throb below. Certain parts of his lower anatomy were beginning to stir. It had been a long time since he’d considered getting physical with any woman.
Shuddering with need, a soft moan slipped between his lips. Although he knew his body was trying to tell him something, he’d steadfastly ignored the blatant signals. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he needed to get laid. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Groaning with frustration, Kenneth rolled off the bed, heading toward the bathroom. Turning on the cold tap, he stepped into the shower. Icy needles dug at his skin. There. That should help cool him down a little.
Drying off, he dug in his duffel for a clean pair of shorts. He’d slept in the buff since college and didn’t own any pajamas, not even a pair of sweatpants. Next time he made a trip into town, he’d remed
y the deficiencies in his personal wardrobe.
Feeling a twinge at the back of his throat, he reached for his cigarettes on the night table. No can do, he thought, recalling Tessa’s strict admonition. He’d have to go outside.
Ken briefly considered skipping the smoke and going back to bed. Rethinking the oppressive heat and adding in the fact he was wound up tighter than a dime store yo-yo, he pulled on his clothes. Snagging another beer, he carried his drink and smokes down the winding stairs. The trip down was actually shorter than the trip up to the catwalk.
Plopping himself onto the ground at the base of the lighthouse, he twisted the cap off the bottle. The malted liquor went down smooth. He enjoyed the alcohol’s burn on the back of his throat. Setting the bottle down, he lit up. The day had certainly taken a turn he hadn’t expected. All in all, he felt strangely content.
Leaning back, he stared out over the bay. Soft waves rippled gently, illuminated by the light of a full moon.
Taking another drag off his cigarette, he tipped his head back. Lazy tendrils of smoke curled through the air, disappearing into the tangy salt-scented breeze. While the loft might be a sweat box, the night air was cool, refreshing. He had a feeling he would be camping out as long as the weather was good. According to Tessa, Lucky came to the island only once a month. He’d burn to a crisp before he managed to order and install a cooler in his place.
Turning his head, he glanced toward the house. The back of it was dark, the windows staring out over the ocean with dead, blank eyes. Tessa had snapped the lights out promptly at ten o’clock. The swamp cooler hummed like a charm, working perfectly.
Ken had to grin. It had taken about ten minutes to replace the motor. But it had taken another two hours to replace the wiring she’d somehow messed up. She would sleep in comfort while he sweated and simmered.
He briefly wondered what kind of pajamas she slept in. Would she have some sort of lacy baby doll gown? Maybe pink or a really sexy red. Nah. Not her style. Tessa had more tattoos than a Hells Angel biker and wore cutoffs and combat boots. He guessed she’d eschew the frills for something sensible.
Something sensible being nothing at all.
That idea definitely made him smile. It probably wasn’t true, but he sure did like thinking about Tessa naked. He couldn’t help it. There was something about her he found very appealing; something beyond her face and killer body. Perhaps it was her stubbornness, her insistence on relying on herself even when she knew she was fighting a losing battle.
After he’d gone back around the corner earlier that day, he’d paused, something he normally didn’t do. Listening in uninvited wasn’t a thing he intended to do. It just happened. If he’d heard correctly, Tessa was down to counting dimes instead of dollars.
He mused. I have the money and she has the island. If things worked out, maybe he’d approach her about buying a share. As far as he could guess, the island was about 640 acres, or roughly a mile in size. A lot of it was uncultivated, occupied by trees and other wildlife. He wouldn’t mind having a house of his own. Buying a couple of acres might help her out, without invading her space too much.
Yeah, right. Tessa would probably have a stroke if he ever actually got up the nerve to ask.
Building castles in the air was easy. It couldn’t be a bad thing. The future had once felt so bleak, empty.
Not anymore.
The black clouds over his head were finally moving on, letting the sun shine down. He’d survive. Oh, the guilt would still linger, the sadness over what might have been. But that chapter of his life was now closed. Time to write a new one, fill a blank page with new adventures. Somehow he felt Jen would smile, and approve.
The tenseness in his shoulders eased. Cigarette done, he poked the remnant through the mouth of his empty beer bottle. Feeling a slight burning sensation behind his lids, he rubbed his eyes. The need for sleep, real sleep, was beginning to set in. Eyeing the soft patch of grass, he yawned. A lazy sense of comfort had settled into his bones. He didn’t want to get up.
Kenneth was close to drifting off when the sound of something paddling at the water’s edge jarred him back awake. Eyes snapping open, he stared toward the direction he believed the sound had come from. Moonlight glistened, reflecting off the silvery waters of the bay.
Something flapped again, louder and more insistent. He thought he heard a woman’s voice, cursing.
Curious as to the cause of the disturbance, he hurried in the direction of the sounds. The western edge of the island faced the mainland, which became less and less clear as a thick fog began to roll in off the sea. Little more than a jagged shoal, the craggy ground was unstable and dangerous. One wrong step could twist an ankle.
He arrived at the edge just in time to see a woman’s head and shoulders break through the surface of the water. Her hand lifted. She tossed some dripping piece of clothing up onto a flat rock overhanging the water.
Reaching up to catch the edge, she hefted her body up. Moving with the grace of one accustomed to the life beside the bay, she plopped herself onto the rock. A mass of wet curls streamed down her back. She wore not a single stitch.
Kenneth started to back away. I’m intruding. Feet defying his mental command, he didn’t move.
Except for Tessa’s silent form, the water was deserted. Unaware of his presence, she sat brooding, staring off into the distance.
Kenneth eased a little closer, admiring the view. His gaze dipped, briefly taking in the delicate curves of her body. Eyes reaching the level of her waist, the fine hairs at the nape of his neck rose. It only took seconds to realize something about her appearance wasn’t normal. Her slender limbs had changed shape.
Kenneth stood for a moment in dumb surprise. His heart skipped a beat even as his breath stalled in his lungs. Rubbing his bleary eyes in disbelief, he stared, dumbfounded. Guts twisting, the bottom dropped out of his stomach.
Impossible!
His gaze darted back and forth over Tessa’s elongated form, taking in every inch. From the top of her head to . . .
He gulped. The tip of her . . . tail?
Kenneth felt his knees wobble as reality began to slip from his grasp. His stomach lurched. Without even knowing it, he’d stepped through some kind of strange prism, entering a world where beautiful women had the torso of an aquatic creature instead of legs.
Looking down at the woman, he felt himself begin to shake.
“Oh my God. Tessa . . . ?”
Chapter 4
Startled by the voice behind her, Tessa swiveled around. She caught sight of her newly hired handyman standing just above her rocky perch. She was fully exposed, and out in the open.
And she hadn’t shifted back to human form.
Her heartbeat doubled, pulse pounding in her ears. Every instinct demanded she scuttle away, dive back into the water and disappear.
She felt sick, but angrily shook off the unbidden emotion. Instead she frowned, resisting the urge to flee, hide herself from human eyes. I have nothing to be ashamed of, came her irate thought. He’s the one who intruded, interrupted her private moment. She should have known better than to allow a stranger onto her island.
Snatching her soggy robe, Tessa flipped it over her lap before crossing her arms over her naked breasts. At least she had a little cover. She’d never felt so vulnerable. So exposed.
“What are you staring at?” she snapped, lacing her tone with an edge of displeasure.
Kenneth blinked at the question. His face was chalky white. “I’m sorry,” he said, holding his hands out and backing away. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
She studied him suspiciously. Had he seen it? She couldn’t be sure. And this was a conversation she definitely didn’t want to have. Damn it all! Why did he have to come snooping around and invade her privacy?
“Well, you are,” she grated, wishing he would turn around and make fast tracks. The sooner he got the hell out of there, she sooner she could shift and go home.
Much to her displ
easure, Kenneth came to a sudden halt. “I thought I was crazy,” he confessed in a rush. “But I wasn’t hallucinating. You’re her, the thing in the water. It was you all along.”
Her brows rose. Had he really just called her a thing?
There was a moment of awkward silence.
Tessa’s anger unexpectedly faded. Realizing how tired she was of perpetuating the lie, she sighed. No reason to let the poor man think he’d lost his grasp on his sanity. That would be cruel. Besides, what would he do with the knowledge?
Flicking the soggy robe aside, she revealed her long tail in all its glory. “You’re right.” She wiggled her appendage, splashing the tip in the water. Her scales were bright, glimmering with soft iridescence. A mix of pinks and blues, her tail was also elaborately patterned with symbols etched in black. The pattern extended up her back and arms. Most people mistook the markings for tattoos. She rarely corrected the misperception.
Disbelief slowly drained from Kenneth’s face. Another look replaced it. Relief. “Thank God,” he breathed on a note of revelation. “I haven’t lost my ever-loving mind.”
Tessa shrugged. “Guess not.” She studied him, wondering if she hadn’t unconsciously wanted to be unmasked. He’d told her his secrets. Now he knew hers.
In uneasy awe, he asked, “Can I come a little closer?”
Tessa involuntary stiffened. She wasn’t used to having people nearby when she was in Mer form. Still, she had to wonder what he must be feeling. For him, everything about the world had suddenly turned upside down. “If you have to,” she grudgingly agreed.
Easing his way onto the flat boulder, Kenneth knelt beside her. He blinked hard. “Man alive, I was sure that beer had gone to my head. I thought I drank too much and passed out.” Pulling a hand through his already disheveled hair, he briefly glanced up. “I’m half expecting to see a winged horse fly by.”
Allowing herself to relax a little, Tessa laughed. The constriction in her chest eased. “No Pegasus here, I’m afraid, though it would be pretty cool to have one.” All in all, he seemed to be taking the truth fairly well.
