“Only if you take me.”
I took ahold of her shoulder and squeezed. “Maybe you should have thought about this when you left Natatoria. I don’t have time for you anymore. Give. Me. The. Keys.”
She grabbed my arm. “But you don’t understand. There is nothing for me here. I have to go to Tahoe. I can help you. I know stuff that’ll save Tatiana’s life.”
I closed my eyes and forced myself not to react. With all the lies so far, this had to be another. I wouldn’t fall again into her web as she dangled my helpless sister over me—nothing but a ploy to keep the attention on the problems she’d created.
“No.”
“You don’t care?”
I yanked my arm away as she stared helplessly at me, tears in her eyes.
“I don’t trust you.”
“I know and I’m sorry.” She cupped her face in her hands and cried. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I’ve run out of options.”
I opened my mouth, but stopped. Did she actually apologize? Her sincerity hit me hard. Galadriel was a cunning liar, yes, but she’d never admitted she was wrong.
She inhaled slowly. “Ever since I was a young mermaid, my younger sisters and I were warned we couldn’t promise, even if we were eighteen, until Azor did. I was fine to wait eight years until he was of age, considering the prospects my father had for me were old widowers he wanted to reward with my hand. But then, I met Jax. We’d waited for over two years and though Father was going to allow Azor to promise at seventeen if Tatiana would have him, he wouldn’t approve of Jax as my mate. I was furious. So, when we couldn’t wait anymore, we kissed. Afterward, I knew we couldn’t stay in Natatoria. We had no choice but to run away. But my father found out.” She wiped her scarred knuckles over her skin.
“Did he do that you to you?” I pointed to her hand.
“What do you think?” Icy evil poured out from her eyes. “Not only did he chop off my fingers, he had Jax banished to Bone Island to be tethered to a tree and dry to death. But when the longing didn’t stop, I knew Jax had escaped. I told my father the bond had broken, and without my fingers he didn’t suspect anything. And for over a month I lived in silent agony until I had the perfect opportunity to run away from Natatoria.”
My chest squeezed thinking of the cruelty. Her own father cut off her fingers to hide her promise from the mer because of his pride and then attempted to have Jax killed.
“Why didn’t the King let you be together? What’s wrong with Jax?”
“There’s nothing wrong with him. He’s perfect and wonderful, but for me to disobey and promise out of order, and in secret. Are you kidding? My father strictly forbids anyone choose for love, especially without parental permission. That would loosen his hold and cause a revolt in his precious colony. But he needed to secure Azor’s place as King and I screwed that all up, not like I want to become the future Queen or anything. I’d never do that.”
“But Azor stole Tatiana’s promise without my parent’s permission.”
“Do you think my father cares? He wants Azor to be the future King and that requires a mate. Besides, Azor always gets what he wants.” She threw her hands up in the air. “And he’s been salivating over Tatiana for as long as I can remember. I bet my dad took advantage of me running so he could orchestrate everything. He hates your father.”
I blinked in shock. She understood far more than I’d ever realized. I nodded my head in silent sorrow for Tatchi and Galadriel: both were sacrificed in this power struggle.
“So then why does your father allow us to live in Tahoe if he hates us so much? Isn’t that a special privilege?”
“My father is threatened by Jack. He knows the people like him more. Heck, his own father liked Jack more, so the distance worked in his favor. The King was waiting for your dad to screw up, so he could punish him outright, but my running away gave perfect opportunity. I heard he’d sent a few mers from his private army after Jack to create an accident. Jack is lucky to be alive. I can imagine the lies being spun in Natatoria right now.”
I cringed. Dad needed to be warned. They couldn’t go into Natatoria without sufficient back up.
“So where’s Jax now?”
“I don’t know.” Galadriel sniffed. “I checked everywhere, and even went to Bone Island, but he wasn’t there.”
“You know where Bone Island is?”
“Of course I do, I’m royalty. I know a lot of things. And where do you think Hans and Sissy found me? Well, Ferdinand, actually. They’ve been frequenting the island to rescue the mers for years. I thought for sure Jax would be at the house because our promise was still intact. But, he wasn’t, and Sissy refused to talk. The only gate I haven’t checked is Tahoe. I’m hoping Jax is trapped in the lake. I’ve looked everywhere else.”
My stomach knotted. If I left her here, they’d eventually convert her. What if Jax was in Tahoe?
“But my dad said he found you in a tub, bleeding to death.”
She looked away. “Since I didn’t want to convert when Sissy took me in, she insisted I try and acclimate into society. I started school, made some friends, then went to a party. I had one sip of a drink and my head started to spin. The guys surrounded me and they all started to kiss me. I couldn’t stop them, then Matt—he rescued me—but he couldn’t help kissing me either. In my guilt, I thought Jax knew somehow and killed himself. So, I tried to convert myself, but then Ferd showed up before your dad—I was delirious, but I swear Ferd said his name, ‘Jax’. Ferd knows Jax is still alive somehow, he won’t tell me. So, I didn’t convert and I’m not a kiss tramp either.”
“Sorry.” I shifted my weight between my feet. She didn’t know we couldn’t tolerate liquor? “That wasn’t right of me to accuse you.”
“I want to check Tahoe. Jax has to be there.”
“Fine. You can come,” I said, regretting the words once they came out of my mouth.
Galadriel stared at me, stunned. “Really?” She leapt to her feet. “Oh, thank you, Fin. I need to pack.”
“Lightly,” I yelled behind her as she scrambled down the hall.
“Okay.” The loud bang of something solid hitting the wooden floor sent a wave of panic over me. Within minutes she toted a monster pink suitcase on rollers.
“What is that?” I asked.
“My stuff, of course. I’m not leaving it here.”
I took one look at her determined smirk and shrugged. Fighting over the bag wasn’t worth the energy. We were wasting time.
“How are we going to get there? I’ve always wanted to fly.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “There are too many cameras and security. We’re driving.”
“What?” she whined. “The entire way?”
“If you don’t want to drive, then stay here.”
“Driving is fine.” She forced a smile and produced the keys from within her cleavage.
I took them, noting they were still warm. I slung my duffle bag over my shoulder and held out my hand for her to lead the way. Once we were on the road, I’d call and warn Dad, but since he wasn’t prepared to go into Natatoria yet, I hoped he wouldn’t go in prematurely without me.
Galadriel chuckled as we paraded down the walkway to the RV, as if she’d influenced my defiance. I sloughed off her enjoyment and remained expressionless. I’d also need to let him know Galadriel was with me. If I helped her find Jax, she’d stop being such a pain in the dorsal fin, and all our problems with her would be solved.
“Oooh, look. A pool,” she crowed, as she tried to force her luggage through the small RV door.
Out of nowhere, Ferdinand appeared. He took hold of the suitcase and yanked backward. Galadriel toppled out of the RV onto her butt.
“Ouch,” she cried. “Why did you do that?”
He stared at her, still holding the suitcase.
“No, Ferd. Give it back. I’m leaving.”
They got in a tug-of-war over the bag. Galadriel’s hand slipped off the strap, and Ferdinand tossed it
onto the beach behind him. The clasp sprung open and clothing flew out onto the sand.
“You oversized bristleworm!” She stormed over to her things. “You need to stay here. Protect Sissy.” She pointed to the house. “Now get inside.”
He closed the lid of the suitcase and held it shut with his foot. She banged on his bare toes with her fist.
“Please, Ferdinand. I know it’ll be hard, but I need to go find Jax. Please. I don’t want to have to hurt you.”
He continued to scowl.
“I’m sorry but you leave me no choice.”
She stood and pulled something from her shorts pocket. With my merman hearing, I heard a crack. Ferdinand’s face softened, then he swayed and fell to the ground with a thump.
“What are you doing?” I came around the RV. Ferdinand lay sprawled out on the walkway, his head split and bleeding.
“No, Fin—”
Something black and oily shimmered in her hands. I inhaled slowly. The pungent scent stung my nose. Then the world around me undulated and swirled, growing dark.
26
:::
ASH
Tuesday evening, April 19th
I limped into the house with a missing shoe and a tender foot. Somewhere between Callahan’s suggestion and seeing Alaster on the porch, I’d made a decision. I’d pretend Fin and I were broken up for four short days of his drive, and turn my focus to convince Colin and Alaster to leave Tahoe. Then Fin could persuade my family and everything could return to normal.
Pleased, I headed for the stairs. Mom and Dad emerged from the kitchen and stood side-by-side, both with arms folded over their chests.
“We need to talk.” Dad held the dreaded bill.
“Sorry.” I lowered my head. “I’ll pay you back.”
Mom didn’t budge for a minute, her lips drawn in a line. “But what about what you threatened earlier?”
“I’ve had time to think and you’re right. My relationship has been distracting me from school and the Olympics. If Fin’s right for me, he’ll be there afterward. So, to concentrate, I’m swearing off all boys.”
Mom inhaled a cleansing breath and her forehead softened. “I’m glad you’re finally listening to reason. It’s for the best.” Her eyes swept over me. “What happened to you?”
I wanted to tell the truth and throw Colin under the bus, but they’d never believe me, not with the mojo hanging on.
“I fell.”
“Outside?” she asked, softly. “Oh, honey. You’re bleeding. Where’s your shoe?”
Before I knew it, she’d ushered me to the bathroom and washed the sand out of my knees. I cried as she gently scrubbed, but not because of the pain.
“It’ll be okay, Ash,” she said. “I know this is so hard. You’re making the right decision.”
“I know, Mom.”
Though Fin would erase everyone else’s memories once he arrived, I wished he could wipe mine after what happened. I could still feel Colin’s grimy hands on me and I never wanted to see him again. Why were all the other Natatorian men so nasty? No wonder Tatchi didn’t want anything to do with that world. What if choosing to become a mermaid was a mistake? What would my life really be like living under Natatorian law? Was Fin telling the entire truth?
:::
After dinner, I headed to my room to check my email again. Fin still hadn’t replied. Was he on the road yet? A soft rapping on my door broke my anxious thoughts.
“Ash?” Mom came into my room. I typed on my keyboard as if I was working on homework.
“Yeah?”
She handed me my phone. “I didn’t shut it off. With everything, I think you need it for emergencies. But I’m monitoring your calls and texts, just so you know….”
I looked at my hands and played with the Band-Aid on my finger. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to call him,” at least not on that phone. Luckily Fin’s cell number was still in the Lake Tahoe area code.
“Well… I know it’s hard, but really it’s for the best.”
For now.
“And, don’t worry about Colin. You’re right. Now isn’t the time for boys.”
My head popped up. “Really?”
“Of course.” Mom smiled warmly. “After you puked on him last night, I don’t think we’ll be seeing him anytime soon, anyway.”
I tried not to smirk as visions of peas bouncing off his khakis came to mind. Too bad mermen didn’t turn into fish when they came into contact with liquid.
“Thanks,” I said, genuinely surprised. Maybe the mojo didn’t last forever.
I looked out the window. All the lights were on in Fin’s house. Colin apparently didn’t bite on my leak about the Helton’s being in Maine. Maybe they were leaving tomorrow. If not, phase two of Operation Fish and C.H.I.P.’s (Clean House of the Idiot Piranhas) was about to be executed in the form of an ambush of letters and phone calls. Then they’d be stupid not to leave.
Hours passed as I waited in the dark with my bedroom door cracked. A little after midnight my parents finally shut off their light and went to sleep. I tiptoed downstairs and took the cordless off the base. Blood pounded in my ears as the call connected, then rolled directly over to voicemail.
Crap.
“Fin, it’s Ash. I don’t know where you are, but I’m worried. You promised to email me today, and now I don’t know if you’ve left or not. I really hope I’m worrying for nothing again. I miss you and can’t wait to see you. Don’t call me back. My parents are on high alert and blame you for this rebellious phase I’m going through. I think mer mojo is the only way to get me out of being grounded. I can’t wait ‘til you’re here and we don’t ever have to be apart again. I love you. Goodnight.”
As I hung up, a fat tear tricked down my cheek.
27
:::
FIN
Thursday afternoon, April 21st
My body shifted from side to side, sloshing around in warm liquid. In the background, a girl belted out lyrics to some annoying country song about a red Solo cup.
I moaned, my temples throbbing with each blood-filled beat. I peeled my eyes open. Out the windshield grassy fields waved at me.
“Where am I?” My tongue lolled around in my mouth as if it weren’t attached.
“There you are, sleepy head,” Galadriel crowed. “Nice of you to finally wake up.”
Wake up? I sat upright in the pool, my legs submerged in only a few inches of water. My board shorts hung from my waist like a skirt. I fastened them up at the crotch with weak fingers.
“What did you do to me?”
“Nothing you didn’t want done.” She shot me a wicked gleam. “Just kidding. I don’t take advantage of the unconscious.”
What? I ran my tongue over my teeth—film covered them. She’d used octopus ink. That’s the only thing that would knock a merman out cold like that.
“You poisoned me?”
“No-o-o. I warned you to stay away and—Ferd. He’s just so big; he needed a lot more. But it’s okay and now you’re fine. Look. I stuck to our plans.”
Our plans?
“Where are we?”
“Um… the middle of Texas somewhere. I’ll see a sign soon.” Her big smile disconcerted me. “I really like this driving thing, though. You were right. It’s so much fun.” She honked the horn and waved at a passing trucker.
I held my head still to try to keep my brain from swimming in my skull. She cranked the radio louder and some hick with a heavy twang sang about losing his boots, his truck, and his dog.
“Where’d you learn to drive?” I asked over the racket.
“I found a manual in there.” She pointed to the glove box. “At first I wasn’t sure where to go, but the people at the gas station were so nice and helpful. They gave me this. I follow along like it says and drive.” A map covered the passenger seat complete with pink lines and notes.
“You don’t have a license.” I rolled out of the pool and crawled on all fours. My body squished into the carp
et. “And there’s water everywhere.”
“Sorry. It’s a pain in the anal fin to refill that thing.”
Over her shoulder, I watched the RV drift into oncoming traffic.
“Eyes on the road!”
A truck honked. She screamed and swerved, over correcting. I grabbed onto the countertop for dear life as water sloshed all over the inside of the RV.
Evergreen (Mer Tales, Book 2) Page 16
