“So if it isn’t a clam bra, then what is it?” I ask.
“I’m taking you to a game.”
“A game?”
“Yes, Hydraball. The season starts today. I thought it would get you out of this apartment.” He grins, enthusiastic like a small child.
“If you’re lucky I might make out with you behind the bleachers.” I mumble remembering how tacky I thought it was when all the girls at school were bragging about their Friday night, post-game conquests.
“And if there were bleachers then I would absolutely take you up on that offer.” He promises.
“Ah, so if no bleachers then do we at least have good seats?” I press him, dying to know more.
“Pretty good, we’re sitting in the royal box with my father and Shaniqua.” He smiles wryly, making me think he is underplaying the importance of our seating arrangement.
“Royal box?” I give a suspicious glare.
“Yes.” He nods, watching me intently, gauging my reaction.
“So I really am a princess?” I ask, raising my eyebrows.
“Well as far as I’m concerned, yes. But the ‘royal’ hierarchy hasn’t really been enforced in a long time, least of all by me. I can’t stand it. Atlas might be crowned ruler, but that’s because he was the origin of the species more than anything else.”
“Ah … but technically?”
“Technically, if anything were to happen to my father, which I severely doubt, and we were voted into power, yes I suppose you would be … queen.” He moves from the mattress and I sit stunned from his blasé response. Me … Royalty … I slap myself mentally, Orion didn’t act any different from anyone else, so why should I expect the title to affect me. After all, it was situational and not birth right. I rise from the bed with a single flick of my tailfin and follow him, wondering what the day will have in store.
“Come on, this way.” Orion commands and I submit, allowing him to usher my body inside the colossal stadium that holds the ‘pitch’ within. I remember noting this structure on my first visit to the city; it’s on the outskirts away from the epicentre, and towers above all the rest. It stands out, one because it is taller, and two because the frequently equally spaced partitions that serve as entrances into the building give it the look of a physically corrected leaning tower of Pisa. We ascend to the middle level. I wonder why the royal box isn’t situated at the top or the bottom. Then query exactly what the rules for Hydraball are, realising I know nothing.
“Hey, what are the rules of this game?” I feel nervous, I want to know what’s going on in case I have to make small talk with Atlas.
“Well, it’s quite complicated but basically each team has eight players. Two anchors, four interceptors, one sling-shot, and one netter. The goal is for the members of each team to get the ball in the opponent’s hoop. The game is played vertically. Getting it through the hoop at the top of the stadium gets you a point, if the ball touches the sand, you lose a point.” He explains it and it reminds me of soccer a little, but vertical.
“Okay so what do, like, interceptors do?” I ask timidly as we emerge into the tunnel leading through the wall of the stadium and into the hollow, narrow column of space inside.
“Well let’s start at the bottom of the stadium. You have the anchors, which stop the ball from touching the ground. The interceptors get the ball up to the sling-shot’s, who have to shoot the ball in the net at the top of the stadium. It’s a lot harder than it sounds, you’ll see why in just a second.” Before I can ask what the ‘netters’ do we reach the end of the tunnel and I can see what he means. At each section of the massive hollow inside the building there are nets with gaps in them, preventing the ball from moving upwards at certain points. It amazes me the amount of mer who are already here and I can’t help but fall stationary, craning my neck upward to see the two hoops at the height of the stadium, one pink and one blue. Orion moves me out of the way of more mer who are becoming backed up as I’m blocking the exit of the entry tunnel. I apologise in a mutter and move with him, coasting the side of the stadium where there are stands at each level.
“The royal box is at interceptor level. You get the best view from there.” I hear Orion telling me this, but I cannot help but stare down, through the layers of transparent net to the bottom of the stadium’s narrow column, it’s massive and the sand has been dyed a bright green. I wonder if this is to give the best view of it when it is disturbed.
“Green sand?” I give him a questioning look as we approach the box, which is carved from sandstone and decorated with a trident shape consisted of red bottles, they glisten like bloody rubies.
“So we can see when the sand flies up.” He confirms my suspicion and I respond.
“So no instant replay?” he looks confused and I shake my head as we reach the box, swimming up and over the walls and down into its interior. There are two high backed chairs bolted to the floor and two smaller ones either side. It looks like Orion and I won’t be sitting together.
“Starlet isn’t sitting with us?” I ask, counting the chairs again.
“She hates the sport.” Atlas smiles, beckoning me to sit with him. Orion gives me one last look and kisses the back of my palm, rather formal etiquette for what seems to be the equivalent of a soccer game. I take the seat next to Atlas and he beams at me, golden eyes glowing. Shaniqua sits at his side, her chocolate toned palm caressed over and over by his olive toned fingers. And they both turn to me. Orion shoots me a pitying look and I smile back, trying to appear at ease. my eyes however, tell a different story.
“So, has Orion explained the game to you?” He asks and I nod.
“Um … yes. But I do have one question. What do the netters do?”
“They protect their teams hoop, try to stop the sling-shots if you catch my drift.” I smile at him, thanking him for the explanation. Feeling self-conscious, I look around, trying to distract myself and notice that the stadium is split into two very distinct halves, the first being pink, and the second being blue. The two teams I assume.
“Which teams are playing?” I question Atlas, feeling dense.
“Maidens versus men.” he says it shortly with a smile playing on his lips and I query it internally for a moment.
“You mean men versus women?” I ask, finding the concept interesting.
“I do indeed.”
“Isn’t that unfair?” I question him again, thinking about how most sports events were sexed in the human world.
“Why would it be? After rebirth, we all pull our strength from the same source. Human limitations of gender are meaningless.”
“You try telling that to Orion.” I murmur and Atlas’ head jerks to face me. Damn he has good hearing.
“What do you mean by that?” He doesn’t look mad, his golden eyes and silver scales shimmer like precious metal. I gulp and continue.
“Orion … he … he’s overprotective.”
“I should think so.”
“He won’t let me fight.”
“Oh is that right?” Atlas turns to Orion, who looks sulky. I hadn’t realised he was eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Yes father.”
“Well, let’s see what we can do about that Callie. After the game, why don’t you come help me carry out my half month address to the Knights of Atargatis, you can at least see what’s required.” He looks down at me stroking his chin, wise as an eagle and yet gorgeous too, in a weird older man kind of way.
“I’d like that very much.” I say, glad that I feel as though he will answer my questions honestly. Behind his head, I see Orion talking with Shaniqua, however I catch his eyes flickering to try and catch mine. I ignore him, leaning back in my chair, observing that the stadium is almost full.
“You know Callie, if you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them. I know Orion is overcome with your arrival, if you need someone else to talk to you can confide in me. As far as I’m concerned, you’re family.” Atlas, raises my hand and kisses it,
grasping my fingers tightly. I smile up at him shyly, awed by his kindness. He was comforting me in a way Orion could not. With unbiased acceptance not based on romantic involvement. It made me long for my father.
“You miss your father.” Atlas states. It is not a question.
“Yes.”
“I am sorry about it. If I’d have been here at the time, I would have intervened. Saturnus, he is my right hand, but that does not mean we agree on all things. I believe in mixing blood with humans. Saturnus, however, does not.”
“Oh?” I’m interested, suddenly, I’m thinking Saturnus’ spiel about causing mass panic among the mer may not be all it seems.
“Yes, I was in love with a human woman for some 40 years. Something which Saturnus has never experienced. She gave me my son and two beautiful daughters.” He sits back, shoulders square and he truly looks regal. I notice the gold flecks in his long silver hair, a crown of golden plaited seaweed, buried within his thick mane. His face, though scarred, is beautiful, full of knowledge, years, and above all respect for life. I feel more at ease next to him than I expect, as though, if he is nearby, nothing can go wrong.
“It’s starting.” I hear Shaniqua whisper in a tone laced thick with excitement. A hush falls over the arena. Atlas rises. Something extraordinary happens next. Atlas’ voice is inside my head, reverberating around the inside of my skull.
“Welcome one and all to the official start of the Hydraball season. Today we have Maidens versus Men. May the best team win!”
I am startled, jumping a little as the voice fades away. He smiles at my bewildered look. “Don’t tell me Orion didn’t tell you about my abilities!” He exclaims, looking slightly irritated. Orion cocks his chin.
“I’ve been slightly busy, she’s not been turned long. Plus, I didn’t want to drown her in information. This is difficult enough as it is. Especially for someone who transitioned from the modern world.” Orion defends himself and I feel sorry for him. We have been rather wrapped up in each other, and I keep pushing my questions away, fearing the answers I may get in return for asking them.
“That’s no excuse.” Atlas bites out, looking at me with pity. I dislike his stare on me, as though I’m being used against Orion.
“It’s my fault. I don’t quite know what to ask I suppose.” I pipe up.
“Callie knows she can ask me whatever she likes. I’m not keeping things from her. It takes time to communicate all this you know.” Orion argues and Atlas nods.
“I suppose, I haven’t been on land outside of the Lunar Sanctum for many years. It must be quite different than I remember.” Atlas comments and Orion snorts.
“No kidding, the last time you were out there on land they had chamber pots!”
“Okay fine. But can we at least keep Callie up to date with everybody’s powers? I nearly scared her half to death.” Atlas mutters and I smile at his exaggerated tone.
“So what can you do?” I ask as Orion looks about ready to explode.
“I can transmit my thoughts into the minds of everyone in this city, which is useful for military purposes. I can also read auras.” He enlightens me and I wonder what my aura must look like, I dare not ask. Then another thought hits me.
“So you can read my thoughts?” I feel slightly horrified.
“No, not at all, just transmit my own.” He acknowledges and I breathe out.
“Ah okay. Phew.” I respond and he lets out a small laugh.
“I apologise for my son. Truly.”
“No need for that, please, your son is wonderful.” I promise and his eyes sparkle, pride welling inside them. I can tell he thinks so too, not that Orion would ever agree. Before I can be caught up in any more of this family drama, I hear a harrowing blast from a mer, with a striped black and white tailfin, blowing into a conch shell. The game is getting underway.
I have never experienced anything quite like Hydraball. The speed and strength it must take to even attempt to play is sheer, mind-boggling torment. The ball is a pearlescent white and shines like a moon. Atlas informs me that it is weighted, making it harder for the players to keep it afloat within the water. I watch them and start to see the rules I have been told in action. I watch the anchors scrambling at the base of the tower, stopping the ball from causing the sand to spray up in green plumes, looking not unlike toxic mushroom clouds. The interceptors are kind of like soccer mid-fielders, they keep the ball off the ground too but they’re also trying to hit it upward to the team’s sling-shots. The sling-shots are ridiculously well muscled and their tails are longer than even Orion’s. They are the most powerful of all the players, I decide, as they frantically try to hit the ball upward within the column and past the Netters defences. The players have their tails encased in a lightweight silicone sock. The Maidens in pink and the mermen in blue, these fin socks reinforce the hard slabs of muscle as they fly through the water, tossing their heads backward and revolving in back somersaults that contact the white orb with a large slapping sound, propelling it from one level to the next with massive force. The streams of bubbles and chanting from the crowd make for a sensory overload, made up of moments of pure screaming from fans, along with instants of fogginess over the pitch before the masses of bubbles rise and disperse. The players are fast, really fast, so fast in fact that it’s hard to keep up, but I can’t help but dangle over the edge of the box, unable to take my eyes away. This is so awesome. I catch Orion watching me, amused as I cheer with the crowd.
I had never been one for football games, especially seeing as Daryl wouldn’t leave me alone afterwards, but this, this was intoxicating and left me on the edge of my seat. The sling-shots were my favourite, watching their speed and power, from stationary to sprint in under a second, left me in awe. The sun shines down on the pitch, the game taking place on so many levels it’s impossible to catch everything that’s going on. There’s a commentary being played by Atlas inside my head, allowing me to keep score, now used to his voice penetrating my mind. But it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t know who was winning or not. I am stunned and in love with this world, in this moment, as the immortals spiral and race against each other, smiles wide across their faces, we are not here to serve, and we are not here to kill. We are living, living the most incredible life.
I watch a Maiden netter deflect the ball for the third time in as many minutes. I feel slightly sorry for the anchors, as I haven’t seen the ball fall below my eye level since the first ten minutes and wonder if they must be bored as they circle the floor like sharks. The interceptors are fast, skilfully shooting the ball up through the gaps in the netting as though we were on land. I clap enthusiastically with each goal that is scored regardless of who wins.
My stomach knots as the ball gets higher and higher in the water, rising with the tension of the crowd as people move to float rather than perch, screaming and singing the most exotic and beautiful chants. Their combined mer voices are the most amazing thing, the most powerful thing I think I have ever heard and I wonder why I haven’t seen them sing together before. I wonder if it’s something to do with lusting. Or maybe the combined memories and thoughts conveyed are just too much to bear. I mean it was intense when I heard Shaniqua sing on her own. What would that be like if there were thousands of stories, thousands of memories swimming around in my head? Regardless, I wish I knew the words to those songs. I longed to sing along, I needed to after all, and I didn’t want to be the new girl forever.
Sometime later, the ball falls past the royal box and my thought is lost as a male interceptor swims past me at epic speed, just inches away from the ledge I am leaning on. I watch him, examining the taut muscles that are straining to keep up such speed. If there’s one thing to be said for Hydraball, you’re right there with the action. I jump slightly as a flurry of bubbles that follows the interceptor tickles my face. He races after the ball, getting himself in prime position to make contact. He is moving on to his side and bringing his tail around in a whirling motion as I admire his grace in the water.
His shot easily scoops the ball from the path it was following, and slams it toward his teammate. His teammate, a dark haired merman with enormous arm muscles, is ready to propel it upwards to the blue team’s slingshot before a mermaid with a fox-like face and black hair intercepts the shot and slaps her silicone encased tail against the ball. I lean forward wondering what will happen next, my blood pounding with excitement as the rest of the crowd, particularly the women rise once more. I watch as the pink tailed sling-shot takes no prisoners and smashes her lower half into the weighted ball. My breath catches as we approach the final few seconds. The ball rises, rises, rises and then narrowly misses the male Netter’s grasp, flying upward and through the pink hoop in one fail swoop. The crowd roars, screaming and flailing their arms in either disappointment or joy. The women in the stadium clap a quick victory song. I can’t help but pick up the easy rhythm and find myself clapping right along with them, smiling to myself as I fall a little bit more in love with the world that I’m living in.
At the end of the match, which lasts a full ninety minutes, I wonder where the time went. Atlas looks at me, amusement in his eyes.
“I think we have a real fan over here, Orion.” I flush and Orion smiles back.
“I think you’re right,” Orion states, then looking to me, “You couldn’t keep your eyes off the game the entire time.”
“Well … I … thought it was really cool.” I say and they both twist their mouths at the expression. I blush scarlet, overwhelmed.
“So you’ll accompany us back to the Alcazar Oceania?” Shaniqua requests, her lime green tail fin moving hypnotically.
“Yes. I’d like that very much.” I want to squeal, for the first time all day I haven’t been anxious. While watching the players I stopped worrying and enjoyed myself, letting go in a way I haven’t allowed in a long time.
“Come along then. I have to congratulate the Maidens before we leave.” Atlas acknowledges. As the mer disperse from the stadium, I let my mind relax, Orion takes my hand and I look at him beaming.
The Kiss That Killed Me (The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book 1) Page 32
