The vampire slowly released his self-imposed embrace, his arms falling to his sides.
“Your mad thirst for revenge drove you to this,” my voice grew louder. “Your thirst for power will be your undoing.”
The shocked look on the Master’s face was satisfying in itself and I finished in Italian, mocking him.
“Vostra fiducia nei vostri poteri e vostra debolezza: Your confidence in your powers is your weakness.”
His face turned evil in a second. “And yours is your exuberance to jump into things headfirst.”
Before he had time to react, I threw my shield around the two of us, tossing the other vampires aside like tumbleweeds. In response, the Master opened his hand, a knife developing and threw it at me with all his might. The silver blade twinkled as it zipped toward me. Raising my hand, I disintegrated it, the rage within me shaking as I focused on him.
A few of his servant vampires beat against the shield, their attempts to enter useless. Flynn, merely crossed his arms and watched the scene as it unfolded. For the briefest of moments, a satisfied smile crossed his face.
“Do you know how any years I have planned this?” The Master focused his fingers at me, trying to control my body as Stitches had with Flynn. A tingling sensation threaded its way through me, but within seconds, I had dispelled it, throwing it back at him. Casting it aside, he attempted to pull me to him, but his powers barely registered. He was not nearly as strong as I.
I could feel my eyes growing black. Desperate, he attempted to teleport from me, but I wouldn’t release him from my shield. His fingers bent awkwardly as he strained against the invisible force.
“I am going to take everything from you,” I announced, my voice bordering on the edge of killing. “You are now human.”
His powers flew into my hands, jolting up my arms and into my torso. He screamed in agony, shouting for the others, but with the shield intact, they could do nothing but stare helplessly. His body began to shrink – like a plant devoid of water and his screams silenced as he withered into a mere shell of a man. Finished, I released my hold of him and lowered the shield. No one moved an inch. One of the vampires backed away from the scene. The smile returned to Flynn’s face as the Master crumbled to his knees.
“Let this be a warning to the rest of you,” I addressed his shocked followers standing in a semi-circle. “Never again will there be an attempt to meld our species. Your murdering of merpeople to gain extended life will no longer be tolerated. Find another way to extend your life or I will annihilate every single one of you.”
The Master coughed, white powder billowing from his mouth and though it was but a whisper, he spoke three last words before collapsing in death.
“Thayde, kill her.”
“No!” Flynn shouted, raising a hand to stop Thayde, but it was pointless.
Thayde lunged past Flynn, his strong hands tightening cruelly around my arms, and we rocketed upward leaving the plaza a faint dot below us. His grip was so powerful, I could feel bruises forming. I didn’t try to fight him – the last thing I would ever do would be to harm the love of my life. Instead, I held onto his granite shoulders and closed my eyes. If I was going to die, I’d rather it be by Thayde’s hand.
He flew until the air chilled and slowed to a stop, hovering several miles above the earth. I forced myself to look into his blank stare.
“Thayde,” my throat constricted, “don’t do this.”
He didn’t answer.
“You’re the love of my life,” I continued, praying he wouldn’t drop me. “Don’t you remember me?”
He frowned, his eyes darting away briefly. “My orders are to kill you.” His tone was unsure.
“I won’t fight you, Thayde.” His pale hands relaxed as I peeked past our feet at the sapphire sea far below us. “I don’t want to live without you.” I choked and released my hold from around his shoulders. Thayde stared at me uneasily. How could I force him to remember?
In a last effort, I gathered all The Love I had for him into my orb. All our memories, all the passion and care we held for each other stretched the orb to its breaking point. I released it just as he let me go.
Falling. Plunging toward the cement waves, my life flashed before my eyes – memories of the other Links mingled in between. The terror of death did not overcome me. Instead, an overwhelming sadness that Thayde would never know his child encompassed me. We would never have the normal life we’d once strived so hard to obtain. Closing my eyes, I resigned myself to death.
But it did not come. Instead, gentle arms surrounded me, slowing my fall. Radiant gold light and feelings of love and compassion flooded me. When the light subsided, I was able to see my rescuer.
“Naira?” I cried, completely taken back.
“Dear Sister,” she began, “I bring you a message: all is not lost. There is always hope.” Her stunning face filled with understanding. “You cannot come home – there is much more you must do. Your life is no longer your own; it belongs to your daughter and your species.”
“I can’t live without Thayde,”
“You can and you will. Despite all that has happened, you must continue to lead.”
Naira hovered above the choppy waves, refusing to drop me. She regarded the new tattoo on my wrist and smiled. “You must remember that you are never alone and all of this does not begin or end with you. The angels watch over you as do I. Those markings are my gift to you. Remember to trust and rely on God.” She hugged me close. “We are always with you.”
With that, she released me and I slipped into the cool water. The waves quietly closed over my head and I hung in the water.
My heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings. Seeing Naira once again was truly unexpected. Had I imagined her? I looked up through the undulating waves to try and catch a glimpse of Thayde, but he was gone. There had to be a way to make Thayde remember. I couldn’t lose him and I couldn’t allow Herra to win. It was time to prepare for war.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CIVIL WAR
“So, today we head into battle.” Kenneth scanned the horizon, shielding his eyes.
“You state the obvious.” I answered and ran my hand along the ocean water edging the steps to Tammer’s home. A bright colored fish darted to my hand, brushed its back along my palm and dove away.
“You have the element of surprise on your side.”
I looked across the near placid waves. Beneath the calm waters, an entire army waited my orders.
“You do not seem happy that you will defeat Herra. We will win this world war.” He added.
“This is not world war. All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.” I said, quoting Francois Fenelon.
Kenneth clicked his tongue.
“Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head,” he said, my ears pricking as I recognized the phrase.
“Euripides.” I answered.
“I thought we were beginning a quoting match,” he chuckled.
“Not at all,” I sighed deeply. “I just don’t want there to be death.”
“There is always death in war.”
A whinny interrupted us as Tammer released all five of his Andalusian horses. Each of them trotted their way around the pool to the steps. The smallest one, Ren, stopped and nudged me with her nose as the others dropped into the water, morphing into pilot whales. Their fins cut through the water as they made their way to join Kenneth’s army.
I rubbed my lips against Ren’s soft muzzle and kissed her. Her warm, horsey breath reminded me of a simpler time.
“Be careful, little Ren.” I patted her shoulder and she followed after her brothers and sisters.
“It’s a good day for a war,” Lars’ cheerful voice cut through the silence. “It will feel good killing something that can actually fight back.”
I rolled my eyes. Trust Lars to find the humor in any situation. I turned to look at him and couldn’t help but smirk. Dressed to the nines in medieval armor, he strutted toward
the ocean as if he were actually able to swim in the iron.
“What?” He asked as he passed me.
“You don’t think you’re actually going to be able to swim with all that on, do you?”
“No, but it made you smile.” He began to pull the armor off.
Smiling wasn’t something I’d even thought about in the few days since losing Thayde. Life had become too complicated.
Kenneth snorted after Lars. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to Leap all of us to the trench?” He asked, his voice growing serious.
“I’ve never tried it with this many people,” I said, “but it can be done.”
“Okay.” Kenneth walked down the steps and disappeared under the waves.
It was just me now, standing on the edge of the sea. Everyone else waited below for me. How was I going to do this? I prayed.
I don’t know how I’m going to do this, but I know I can with you. Please protect my brother and sisters from harm. Let us win this without too many casualties on either side. Help me get to Herra so I can end this. Help me make Thayde remember. Be with me, please.
And then I walked into the water. Rows of merpeople waited for me as far as the eye could see. Aletheia, Tiesa, Mom, Ezen, Gavran – everyone was there. Everyone but Thayde. I pushed him from my mind. Thinking about him now would just make me weak.
Drawing my power to me, I pushed it to its limits and when I phased, a white light exploded, raining down upon the thousands that waited for my orders. I controlled The Voice to reach everyone so they would be able to hear me.
“Thank you for being here. Thank you for your love and support.”
Kenneth looked appalled at my use of the word ‘love’.
“We will Leap to the Mariana Trench. The power I bestowed upon you will protect you up to three times before it will no longer work. Please, do not do anything rash. Protect each other. Care for each other as you would your own family. I only need to get to Herra to end this. The mermaids protecting her are feral. You know this makes them highly unstable. Use it to your advantage, but remember they are capable of anything.”
A low muffle emitted from the left side of the army and a few mermen raised their weapons as a large mass swiftly swam toward them.
“Stop!” I cried, holding up my hand, forcing them to hold back. Another deep sound called to me as the giant monster nudged the edge of the border.
I could hardly believe my eyes. “Sharlie!” Swimming to him, I wrapped my arms around his scaly neck. He growled, pushing his head against me. “You shouldn’t be here.” I said, releasing my embrace.
He cocked his head and held his ground. He was Naira’s pet and he was going to help in any way he could.
“Thank you,” I whispered, patting his head like a dog.
When I turned to my army, I was greeted with many blank stares. Apparently, Sharlie was just as mythical within the merfolk community as he was with the Humans. Swimming along the strong line, I felt a bit like William Wallace in Braveheart. Did this army command my respect as they did his? Some sort of inspiring speech was needed, but the words escaped me. That was until I saw Tammer. His loving smile urged me on.
Blessed are we that joined in cause
Bow our heads and take great pause
Before the Father and the Son
We pray your mercy ‘til the deed is done.
Protect and forgive us each our own
Please watch over us from your throne
And when the battle draws us fear
May your steady hand be near.
As one we go to face the fight
As one we ask for your light
Keep us close to your heart
Never to be apart.
I finished my poem and chanced to look at the people before me. Every head was bowed – not one of my followers moved and I felt unsure as to what to do next.
“Amen?” I asked and was startled when the entire army shouted it back in unison. I hadn’t meant it to be a prayer; it was just a poem I made up. Kenneth swam forward.
“Each unit knows their part in this. Stick to it, no matter what. Dominic will lead the first wave and I the second.”
He motioned to the man in the second row – a man I recognized. He grinned and approached as I waved him to me.
“I know you,”
He nodded. “You blessed me once.”
“I met you in New York! The day I got married!”
“That would be me,” he raised my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You changed my life that day. I hadn’t taken merman form for ten years and I didn’t think I could go on living. When I saw you, I knew you were The Link. You released my burdens. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you.”
“But I did nothing,” I explained.
“You did everything. You saved me from myself.” He withdrew into formation.
There was nothing left to do but set out.
“Let’s begin,” I ordered and the line of merpeople split straight down the middle.
Conjuring all my energy and all the power from The Links before me, I let it wave around me, filling me, coursing through me until I shoved my hands forward, throwing it violently upon the first group.
“Levitak!”
The wave of power rippled over the merfolk, causing many of them to grab their stomachs in pain. Seconds later, they disappeared.
“Did it work?” Kenneth whispered into my ear and I held up my hand. The tremendous use of energy had drained me and the last thing I wanted to do was vomit in front of the second group.
When I was able to compose myself, I focused on the merfolk I’d just sent.
“They’re there. We must go.” I looked to Mom and Tammer who held onto Sharlie.
“I love you both,” I said.
“We love you,” Mom replied, surprising me. She had barely acknowledged my existence since I’d failed to save Naira. Tammer nodded and prepared for The Leap.
Again, I focused, doubling and then tripling my power. This time, it rolled around Kenneth and I, suspending us along with the second group and my family. It was consuming, forcing my breath from my lungs and then, we were catapulted through the water, the force of The Leap, crippling.
When we arrived at our destination, the fighting had already begun. The first group materialized above the Mariana trench meeting up with the Akamatta. The presence of two species easily distracted the feral merpeople and they ascended from the canyon like drones from a beehive; their distinctive sluggish colored tails propelling them into battle. Some were armed with spears fashioned from driftwood, others with pieces of whale bone whittled into knives. Their manic faces doubled with the fact that many fought with bare hands and their sheer tenacity to kill, was terrifying to observe.
Our group watched from below, hugging the walls of the trench so as not to be seen. On my mark, we swam full speed upwards, splitting at the last moment, and circling the fighting mass, drawing it tightly into a ball. We had them surrounded and by the time the enemy had realized it, it was too late. The feral merpeople were hardly any match for us as without powers, they were not as strong. Using The Look, I was able to destroy several at one time.
Gavran reached my side, heaving and out of breath. “Is that it?” He panted.
“No,” I scanned the waters, “it was too easy.”
“What do we do now?”
“Look for a scout,” I dove, using The Sight to increase my vision. The ocean splayed before me like a black and white comic book. “They will report back to Herra.”
“Morgan!” A deep voice distracted me and David pointed north to a dark mass approaching. “They are coming!”
Indeed they were, with Herra gallantly leading the charge. Where she had recruited the many that followed her, only she knew, but the sheer number of merpeople was amazing. Sea serpents and killer whales bobbed along the outer edges of the charge, followed by sharks of every size and even a giant squid. To have gained the trust and following of the sea crea
tures would have been very difficult, and a task only done by dealing with the dark arts.
Herra spotted me in an instant and headed in my direction as quickly as she could swim. Armed with only a small trident, she sped toward me with the same insane look her father had worn when we had battled. As she reached me, she screamed, her voice amplified three times louder than normal.
“I’m going to destroy you!” She shrieked, the shock waves folding over me and pushing me back. “You denied me of my destiny!”
Instead of shielding myself, I allowed her into my space, grasped the trident with one hand and elbowed her in the face, letting her amassed momentum slam her into me. It was obvious she had been expecting me to use some sort of power instead of brute force and she pulled back, shielding her broken nose with her hand. Blood stained the water, marring her view.
I let The Fire loose and it flew up the handle of the trident, forcing her to release her grip. Flipping it around, I plowed it into her stomach and as she doubled over, brought it up to meet the underside of her chin.
Dazed, she floated momentarily in the stained water of her own blood before raising a finger and pointing it at me. Instant, electrocuting pain entered my body, making me want to sink straight to the bottom of the trench. It was worse than being set on fire. Pushing my hands in front of me, I bounced the pain back to her, doubling her over backward and she screamed in frustration.
“Get her, get her now!” She cried.
Blurred, burned hands closed over my eyes and around my chest and I released one of the powers I received from Thayde – his blinding light that paused events – momentarily stunning everything around me. Turning, I shied away from what once was Akin. Now, he was nothing more than a melted mess of skin around a torso. How he had survived me setting him on fire had been a miracle in itself. But now, as I stared into his hooded, piercing eyes, I realized he was mad. His bared teeth made him more animal than human. In those few moments of calm, I held my palm up and squeezed my hand shut, completely pulverizing him.
Turning away, I was able to focus on everyone else. It was ghastly. My people were dying by the masses, as were Herra’s. One of Tammer’s pilot whales was dead and two more wounded, barely able to swim.
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