by Rose Pressey
“What about your hot boyfriend? Make him go in the house. He already chased after the guy,” Melinda said.
“No way am I sending him in there either. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“But he took off running and looking for the guys. Apparently he’s not too scared. I’m sure he would want to go in.”
“I’m not even going to ask him and you’re not either. End of discussion.”
She glared at me as if I’d just told her the most ridiculous thing ever. I was beginning to really worry about Jack when I finally spotted him coming back around the side of the house.
When he grew close, I asked. “Did you see anyone?”
“I just saw the back of the guy. He ran around another house. I’m sure he’s long gone by now.”
“There had to be someone else because we saw someone open the door,” I said.
“Maybe that person got away before we noticed them,” Jack said.
“But what if they’re still in there?” Melinda asked. “I really think that somebody should go look around.” She batted her eyelashes as she stared at Jack.
“No way. He’s not checking it out,” I said.
“I can check it out,” Jack said. “I don’t mind.”
I’d been afraid he would say that. He might not mind but I sure did. I didn’t want to have to worry about him being attacked by some weirdo. Melinda smirked at me as if she was satisfied that she’d got her way. She made me so mad. Now I understood why Shelby said she didn’t like them so much. Jack headed toward the house.
“Be careful,” I said. “Melinda, even if he goes in there and doesn’t find anyone I still think you should report this to the police. Maybe they’ve had other break-ins around here.”
Melinda studied her feet. I felt as if she wasn’t telling me everything.
“I don’t know who it could be,” she said.
I knew she wasn’t telling the truth, but I doubted I would get her to tell me. I stared at the house, waiting anxiously for Jack to come back out. Had the man who had been in the house come back?
After another minute Jack came from the front door. At least now I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
He came back over to us. “No one is in there. I guess they both took off.”
“Okay, well, thanks for all the help,” Melinda said as she walked toward the house.
“Aren’t they going to call the police and have them take a report?” Jennifer whispered.
Jack and Jennifer exchanged a look with me.
“It doesn’t look that way does, it?” I asked.
“What in the world are they doing? I’d be on the phone with the cops faster than they can say crazy mermaids,” Jennifer said.
“Something is definitely wrong,” I said.
“Well, I suppose they know what they’re doing,” Jack said. “If they’re okay with not going to police and reporting I suppose we have no business doing it.”
“Yeah, you’re right, we should just wait. We did what we could to help at least.”
“I think she’s withholding information and they know who those people are. They pretended that they were freaked out, but they weren’t freaked out at all,” Jennifer said.
“I think you’re right,” I said.
We headed back over to the car.
“Still, I think they know where Shelby is and they’re just not telling me,” I said as we walked.
“Maybe the police will have new information,” Jack said.
“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 19
Just as we were ready to get in the car I caught movement out on the beach. A person was coming out of the water. I looked closer and realized it was Shelby.
“Oh, my God, it’s her,” I said, pointing toward the water.
I took off running across the sand. Jack and Jennifer followed close behind me. I wasn’t sure if Shelby would be happy to see me. Maybe she would try to get away. Or maybe attack us. I had no idea what was going on with her. She hadn’t even noticed me running toward her yet.
Seaweed was wrapped around her neck and she still had her tail. She wore her bikini swimsuit top. I’d expected to see a seashell top like the Little Mermaid. She was lying on the shore with the waves lapping at her body. She rubbed her rainbow-colored tail as if waiting for it to turn back to human legs. As we neared Shelby, she turned her attention to me.
Her eyes lit up. “Rylie, I’m so happy to see you.”
I knelt down beside her on the sand. “Are you all right?”
“I’ll be fine once my legs are back,” she said.
“You were in the water? I knew I saw them put you on that boat.”
“They put me on the boat and it was horrible. We were in the water and they just left me out there.” She stroked her scales as if that would speed up the process.
“That’s not a very good way to get rid of a mermaid,” Jennifer said. “I mean, she can swim out of there.”
That was a good observation, but I didn’t want to get off topic here.
“Do you know those people?” I asked.
Shelby shook her head. “No, I don’t know them. They took me from the nightclub.”
Jennifer should remember seeing them, but Jennifer had said they were wearing masks.
“Jennifer doesn’t remember what they look like.” I looked to Jennifer for confirmation. “I just remember the creepy masks.” She gestured toward her face.
“I suppose I spent more time with them,” Shelby said.
Before our eyes Shelby’s tail started to fade away. Jack turned away so that he wouldn’t see Shelby. I just wasn’t sure what he might see. Would she have clothing on? I didn’t know so I turned to look away too.
“You guys don’t have to turn away. I still have all my clothing on. It stays underneath the tail. It’s all just like a wetsuit.”
I turned back around. Shelby was wearing her red shorts.
“That’s really cool,” I said. “What a neat trick. I wish I could do that with my fur. It would make things so much easier.”
“That is so cool,” Jennifer said.
Jack stared in shock. Even though he was a vampire, he still got freaked out watching all the paranormal stuff going on around him. Jennifer was probably the same way, but surprisingly maybe even a little less so than Jack.
Now Shelby’s legs were completely back to normal. I stuck my hand out to help her get to her feet.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Let’s get you back to the car and to your place.” I picked more seaweed from around her neck.
She pushed the wet hair out of her eyes. Though it was quickly drying and beautiful as always.
“You have to tell us about everything that happened,” I said.
Though I didn’t want to overwhelm her. She needed time to relax. After that I would ask her about her murdered boyfriend Benjamin Thornton.
“I suppose we should call the police,” Jennifer said.
“Yeah, I guess we can let them know so they can stop searching for me.”
I wasn’t sure how hard they’d really searched. I was on high alert for any of those mermaids to return as we walked across the sand toward the car. We’d made it halfway back to the car when I stopped in my tracks. I felt their stares on us. When I looked at the mermaids’ house they were all standing on the back patio watching us.
The look they gave us sent a shiver down my spine. And I’d gotten some pretty scary looks in the past. I’d dealt with vampires, other werewolves, demons, and worst of all… Lily Friedman. But their stare on me was even more terrifying. They looked as if they wanted to rip us apart.
“Just ignore them,” I said as we continued toward the car.
I got a feeling that they were behind the disappearance of Shelby and Jennifer. I just had to figure out how to connect the dots. And the fact that we had found Jennifer and Shelby made them angry. Once we were at the side of the house we were able to get to the parking lot and I didn�
�t see them watching us from the windows. Maybe they had given up. Yeah, that was wishful thinking.
We slipped into the car and pulled away from the parking lot. This had turned out exactly like I’d wanted it to, but I had to admit it was pretty touch and go there for a while. At least the mermaids weren’t following us.
“They are the strangest women, and I live next door to Lily,” I said.
“Speaking of Lily,” Jennifer said.
I held my hand up. “Do we have to?”
“She sent me a text. She says you’re ignoring her,” Jennifer said.
“She’s right. I am ignoring her. I’m too busy to deal with her right now.”
“Well, maybe if you just answered her…”
“She’s fine.”
“She’ll never leave you alone if you ignore her,” Jennifer said.
I leaned my head back against the leather seat. “Fine. I’ll call Lily back when we get to the condo.”
Jack headed toward Shelby’s condo. She was pretty quiet. And I understood why, but I also wanted to get more information about her ordeal. Maybe if we waited until after she had a chance to shower and change…
We were almost there now. And dealing with Lily would take at least twenty minutes. That was one reason why I had put off calling her back for so long. I knew she wanted to know why I’d gone to Miami without her and what was going on here now.
We arrived at the condo and the valet parked the car. We headed up to Shelby’s place. Her hair had completely dried out and she looked as if she’d never even been in the water. Her hair had that sea-salt perfect look. Why did my hair never do that? I supposed it was because I wasn’t a mermaid. Oh, well, I would just have to keep styling it and try to achieve that look. Now we were back to my nemesis, the elevator. It made it even worse when there so many people in there.
We stuffed ourselves into the elevator and hit the button for the twelfth floor. I tapped my foot against the floor with anxiety as I waited for each floor to pass. Finally we arrived at the twelfth door. What was taking the door so long to open? I was beginning to feel claustrophobic.
“Is there not enough air in here or is it just me?” I pulled at my shirt’s collar.
“Don’t worry, you’re fine,” Jack said.
He always had to talk me out of my phobias. A bonus in having a psychiatrist for a boyfriend. When the elevator doors opened we weren’t alone. There was a huge werewolf standing right there, watching the doors. Shelby screamed and reached to push the button for us to go back down.
I grabbed her arm. “That isn’t necessary. We can get off here.”
“But there’s a huge werewolf,” she said.
“It’s just Lily,” I said.
I hurried off the elevator. Even if it had been a bad wolf I still would’ve gone out there. It was better than being on the elevator.
Lily backed up and allowed us room to get off the elevator.
“Lily Friedman, what are you doing? Why are you here and why are you in werewolf form?”
I knew it was her because she wore the gold necklace around her neck with her name on it. Even as a werewolf she wore it.
“I need you to change back so that we can have a discussion. This is unacceptable,” I said.
She glared at me. Yes, a werewolf glared at me.
“I’m guessing you were looking for Shelby’s condo. It’s right down the hall. Come back to us when you’ve changed.”
“I’m not sure if I want her to follow me,” Shelby said.
They stared at Lily as they walked past. Jennifer and Jack should be totally used to this behavior from Lily.
“What do you think she’s here?” Shelby asked.
“She wanted to come along so when I went without her she got mad. I’m not surprised she showed up here.”
“You just need to be truthful with her, Rylie,” Jack said. “Tell her this behavior is unacceptable for your friendship.”
Jack thought it was so easy. “I tried that many times in the past and it never works with her. She’s set in her ways and she’s never going to change. I just don’t want to deal with it. Though she has her moments when she’s kinda nice… almost. I think maybe deep down there’s something there and I think I’m going to save her. I can’t get her to be nice all the time.”
We reached Shelby’s front door.
“It’s so good to be home,” Shelby said.
“When we came here looking for you it sounded like there were women talking in your condo. And the neighbor said she saw women come in here,” I said.
Shelby frowned. “She said that?”
“Yes, she did.” I crossed my arms in front of my waist.
Shelby waved her hand. “Well, she isn’t always reliable in what she witnesses. I think maybe she drinks too much.”
“Oh,” I said. “That’s unfortunate.”
Shelby opened the door and we stepped in.
“I’m going to take a shower, okay? I’ll be out soon.”
“What do you think about what she said about the neighbor?” I whispered when Shelby was out of the room.
“Well, the woman didn’t seem as if she’d been drinking,” Jack said.
“I know, she didn’t smell of alcohol or anything. I think maybe Shelby just doesn’t want to admit that something might be going on. I’m really worried about her.”
“She’s been through a lot,” Jennifer said.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Well, we know who that is,” I said. “I might as well get this over with.”
I steadied myself for what was about to happen and headed over to the door. Before opening the door, I paused for a moment because I knew it would be like letting a hurricane in.
When I opened the door, Lily was standing right in front of us. She had her hands on her hips. Her red hair fell to her shoulders. The necklace was still around her neck. She wore tight jeans and a formfitting white T-shirt.
She glared at me. “I’ve got a real bone to pick with you, Rylie Cruz.”
“Lily, what are you doing here?”
“I came to find you because you left me in New Orleans. I was supposed to come to Miami with you.”
“That was never agreed upon,” I said.
“Are you going to invite me in or do I have to force my way in?” she said.
I rolled my eyes and stepped out of the way. “It’s not even my house to invite you in.”
“Well, I’m sure Shelby wouldn’t mind. She’s much nicer than you.” Lily strolled in.
“Thanks. Already with the compliments and you’ve only been here for a minute.”
She nudged me with her shoulder as she walked past.
Chapter 20
“Okay, really, why are you here, Lily?” I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
“Because we were a team, remember? We were going to do this together.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t believe that for two seconds. We’re not a team and we don’t work together, so what’s really the reason?”
She looked over my shoulder. “Where’s Shelby?”
“She’s in the shower. She’s had a traumatic experience.”
“What kind of traumatic experience?” Lily asked.
“Jennifer and Shelby were kidnapped, but it’s all over now.”
“They were kidnapped and you didn’t tell me?”
“I was busy trying to find them, hello,” I said. “Anyway, what were you going to say?” I motioned for her to continue talking.
“All right, it’s just that I don’t trust mermaids.”
She really wouldn’t trust the three mermaids I’d encountered. I couldn’t imagine them going at each other. Lily might have met her match with those three. And I didn’t think I wanted to put them together to find out exactly what would happen.
Just then a knock came at the door. We looked at each other.
“I wonder if Shelby’s expecting anyone,” I said.
“She didn’t mentio
n it,” Jack said.
I walked over to the door and looked out the peephole. I turned around to face the others.
“It’s the mermaids,” I whispered.
“Who are the mermaids? The ones you were talking about?” Lily asked.
“It’s a long story, but I think they were the ones who were behind Shelby and Jennifer’s kidnapping.”
Lily frowned. I knew what was going on in her head.
“I’ll handle this,” she said as she marched over to the door.
I stepped in front of her. “Lily, no fighting. There’s no sense in that. It’s all over now.”
“I just want them to know that I’m here and that nothing is going to go on now.”
“Yeah, letting them know that you’re here means that a lot of things are going to go on now,” I said.
She glared at me as if she couldn’t believe I’d said that. “Rylie Cruz, who do you think you are talking to me like that?”
I snapped my fingers. “Focus, Lily, focus. There are other people at the door you can be mad at right now. Go get them.”
It was like a little lightbulb went off in her head as she turned around and ripped open the door. The mermaids stumbled backwards, not expecting to see Lily standing in front of them. Lily had a mean face. Melinda stepped forward. She was much taller than Lily, but that wouldn’t stop Lily from standing up to her.
“We’re here to see Shelby. Is she here?” she asked.
“No, she’s not here,” Lily said.
Lily slammed the door in their face. Oh, this was going to be a huge problem. Immediately a knock sounded against the frame.
Lily opened the door once again. “Yes, may I help you?”
She acted as if she had no idea why these women were here and what they wanted.
“We want to see Shelby.”
“Why do you want to see her?” Lily asked.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” the other one said.
Lily released a small growl. The mermaids’ eyes widened. I snickered. It was kind of funny.
“Look, you can just take your fishy self and leave, okay? Shelby’s not talking to anyone like you,” Lily said.
