by Amber Garr
She complied for a moment and then slapped him hard across the cheek, laughing as she did it. He growled at her but then smiled. This was a game for them. She leapt away from him and began to run along the water’s edge and straight towards us.
Kain and I froze as the female got within a few feet before noticing our presence. With a hiss she jerked back and dropped to the ground on all fours. In an instant her human body shuddered and disappeared as she became a large dog with massive jaws and sharp teeth. A ratchet.
I stumbled backwards in fear. I didn’t want to face one of these creatures ever again. The ratchet began snarling at us, drool falling from her mouth and her gaze locked on Kain. The man running up behind her suddenly stopped and waved his hands in relief.
“Oh. It’s just ye syrenkas.” The ratchet snapped her head around to look at the man, sending droplets of drool and water flying to the side. She backed up towards him, not once dropping her eyes from us.
“Abhainn?” I asked.
He chuckled and had the decency to look ashamed. “Aye. Wasn’t expecting company this mornin’.” He reached forward and began to pet the ratchet on the head. “’Tis alright, Isabel. They are ma friends.” She growled and he laughed again. “Isabel is quite protective of me these days.” He bent forward so that he was at eye level with her. “Really, ‘tis okay. Let’s change.”
Abhainn’s fleshy body shimmered and clothes suddenly, and thankfully, appeared on his form. Isabel wasn’t quite so quick, but once Abhainn reassured her another dozen times, she stood up on her hind legs and transformed into the beautiful women. This time, she created a very small robe to cover her most intimate parts. It was better than nothing.
“Mistress Dumahl and Master Matthew, what a surprise to see ye again so soon,” Abhainn continued. “Please, let’s ‘ave a seat.” He pointed to a few boulders that had been arranged in a circle and provided the perfect spot for a camp fire. “Tell me, what brings ye up to these parts?”
Isabel sat on the ground in front of his legs, barely blocking the view of her parts just underneath the robe. I elbowed Kain when I caught him staring. “Have you heard about the attacks on the east coast?”
“Aye, you mean the cruise ship ‘n that retched merman?” I winced at the thought of all of those dead people, but nodded my head.
“Yes. Lucian’s using water sprites of all types now to do his dirty work.” I looked at Isabel. “You’re a ratchet?”
“Oui,” she replied in a thick French accent.
“And you’re French?”
“Oui.”
“Do you speak English?”
“Oui,” she said but didn’t elaborate so I looked at Abhainn. He was smiling down at Isabel with so much love that I felt another pang of sadness flood through me. “Ratchets can change forms?”
“Oui,” Isabel snapped. “All of zee water fairies can.” Her accent was so thick it made it hard to understand. It sounded like she was choking on phlegm.
“Why are ye asking, lassie?”
“I’m just learning so much.” I faced Isabel. “I saw what your kind is capable of. They killed many humans and mermaids at Jeremiah’s. They drowned an entire clan on that cruise ship.”
“It iz my understanding zhat a mermaid created zhat wave to topple zee ship, non?” She saw my reaction and smiled. “Oui, it iz true zen. We are not zee only evil ones.” This time when she smiled, her mouth was full of hundreds of sharp pointy teeth.
“Isabel is a little sensitive,” Abhainn said while resting a hand on her shoulder. “So what is it that ye seek today?”
This time Kain answered. “We have promised our clans that we could secure the support of our own water sprites and we were hoping that you’d be able to help us with that.”
“Non,” Isabel snapped before Abhainn could reply. “I do not like her.”
“Excuse me?” I blurted.
“Ladies, ladies, relax. There is enough of me to go around,” Abhainn said with a wry smile.
“Abhainn,” I sighed but he waved his hand at me.
“You ‘ave been good to me, ‘n I will see what I can do to aid yer war.” Isabel growled at him. “My acquaintance can be quite feisty.”
“Your acquaintance?” A memory rose to the surface. “Isabel is the one who helped you find the selkies, isn’t she?”
“Aye, I told you she could smell them a mile away.” I suddenly had a new respect for her.
“Thank you,” I said. “You were very helpful.” She turned her nose up to me, but I could see a hint of pride on her face.
“How many do you think you can get?” Kain interrupted.
“I don’t know, but I will ask the kelpies ‘n the nereids. Isabel can work with the ratchets.” She snorted again but didn’t argue. “When do ye need us?”
We spent another hour scheming and planning. We told him about our trip to Montana and he agreed that this may be a trap by Lucian. But he was also familiar with the area and thought that Lucian picked it because there weren’t very many lakes nearby. And those that were, would most likely still be frozen. So we couldn’t bring any sprites but neither could he.
“Adele really thinks that he just wants a meeting.” Kain was explaining.
“What do you think?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t trust him.”
“Oui, Aye,” Isabel and Abhainn said at the same time.
“Well, we don’t have much of a choice.” I said with a sigh. With that, we agreed to meet Abhainn at the house later that evening. He promised there would be a way for him to find us and I had to trust him to do it. It was almost lunch and Kain thought that someone would be looking for us. Reluctantly, we left Abhainn and Isabel and returned the house where Brendan was no longer waiting for me.
Sixteen
It was a horrible day. Once Kain and I returned to the house, we were immediately swept up into a flurry of meetings. Our advisors had a change of heart overnight and were now insisting that some of them accompany us to Montana. I was too worn out to argue and let Kain handle it instead. Yes, it was cowardly, but I would return the favor someday.
In the end, we agreed to have four protectors travel with us. Selkies had been mentioned but we feared that Lucian would be able to take control if I wasn’t around. So it was decided that Troy, the leader of our little army, would designate who was best fit for the job.
It was just before dinner when the doorbell rang and I heard a commotion downstairs. I had retreated to my room as soon as possible, mostly to wallow in my sorrows, but also because of the incorrigible headache that exploded behind my eyes. A voice called for me and I groaned. Why couldn’t I just disappear for a while?
Trudging down the stairs, I heard Kain arguing with someone. He didn’t usually raise his voice so I picked up my pace to see what was going on.
“She doesn’t need to see this right now!”
“Yes, she does. She should know what she’s getting into. What she’s getting all of us into.” It was my uncle.
“What’s going on here?” I asked trying to sound stronger than I felt. No one said anything. Palmer, Jason, and Troy were huddled behind Kain, Andre, Marisol, and Daniel. There was a long box in Kain’s hands. “What is that?”
“It’s from Lucian,” my uncle said with a slanted glance towards Kain.
“Eviana, don’t worry about it right now,” said Kain. He tried to leave the foyer area but I ran down the stairs and reached towards the box.
“It’s okay, I’m fine.” When he wouldn’t let go of it, I looked up at him and tried to smile. “Really.” Plus I needed a distraction. He opened the lid and inside was a black orchid. It was just as beautiful as the first one and it was another gift from Lucian. “Is…,” I cleared my throat. “Is there a note.”
Kain shook his head. “No, just the flower this time.”
“Well, that’s creepy,” Daniel vocalized my thoughts exactly.
“He is unbelievable,” my uncle stomped away but then quickly turned back to
wards us. “You should not be meeting with that lunatic!” For the first time in a long time I noticed that my uncle really seemed to be concerned for me. And for the first time in a long time, I was starting to agree with him.
“We’ll have the Council with us, plus the protectors. We’ll be alright.” I think that I was trying to convince myself just as much as everyone else. I looked up at Kain and he wrapped his arm lightly around my shoulder.
“Yes. They aren’t going to put us in harm’s way.”
“How do you know that? You don’t have any control over this!” My uncle was nearly screaming at us. “He already took your mother away from me. I couldn’t bear it to watch him destroy you too.”
His eyes misted with tears and without thinking, I ran into his arms. He was still mourning my mother. In all the chaos that had become my life since returning to California, I had never really thought about how much my uncle was suffering. He was the only one left in their family now.
His shoulders shuddered with every sob, making it impossible for me to hold my composure. I felt another pair of small arms wrap around us just as I began to lose control. My sister had joined in the hug and now all three of us were crying like babies.
“We’ll be in the kitchen,” Kain whispered close to my ear before retreating with the rest of our audience.
The three of us stood there, crying and mourning together for several more minutes. We didn’t really speak, just held each other. There was a part of me that spent a little bit of my time crying for Brendan, too. I felt so alone in the world right now. If I could just go back a few months, even if it was only for a day, I think that it would help me get through all of this.
We were called into the kitchen by Palmer and also by the smell of someone grilling. Laughter filled the room where the protectors challenged the selkies to a cook-off. Apparently, the selkies thought that they had the advantage when it came to preparing seafood. It had to do with their seal diet or something. I guess when they catch it and eat it raw, they knew what was best.
I stood in the background and watched everyone gathered in the kitchen and dining room area. Our house had been invaded by Julian’s selkies just a few days ago, but already it seemed as though we’d forged our own family unit. Something eased in my heart. This house had been the center of everything since my parent’s death, and for the first time I realized that this was the way it was meant to be. It may not be traditional, but we were a family now.
Several of us set up some tables outside on the deck while the remaining chefs finished up their masterpieces. In the end, we had a smorgasbord of fish, crab, abalone and mussels. And although it was a contest, I certainly couldn’t pick a winner. It was all good.
I was inside clearing plates when I heard the doorbell ring again. At once, twenty heads turned in my direction asking the silent question. I waved my hand, letting the protectors and selkies know that I didn’t need them to open the door, but Palmer and Kain still came inside with me.
“I’ll get it,” Palmer said while Kain and I followed closely behind. He looked through the glossy window before unlocking the deadbolt and pulling the ornate wooden door open. “Can I help you?”
“Aye. I would like to speak with Mistress Dumahl,” an accented voice answered.
“Who are you?” Palmer asked just as I pushed around him.
“Abhainn,” I said and then gasped when I saw him. He had done it again. His body was fully formed and completely solid. Tonight he was nearly six feet tall with broad shoulders and a flawless face that any male model would want. It still looked like Abhainn, but apparently he’d perfected the chiseled jaw and high cheekbones that many would pay good money for. He also dropped the bowler’s hat this time. The water sprite was leaning casually against the doorframe watching my assessment of him. His lips curled up into a grin then he nodded his head slightly.
“You know him?” Palmer asked.
“Yes, I do.” Turning to my cousin I said, “It’s alright. He’s here to help us.” When Palmer didn’t move, I gave him a little pat on the shoulder. “Really, it’s okay. He’s here to see Kain and me. I promise we won’t leave the front porch.” That last part was meant to ease Palmer’s apprehension, but I’m not so sure it did the job. After a glare in Abhainn’s direction, Palmer retreated and Kain filled the empty space in the threshold.
While I continued to be stunned with Abhainn’s appearance, a thought suddenly occurred to me. I groaned. “Abhainn, no.”
He smiled and shook his head. “No what, lassie?”
I sighed and lowered my voice so that no one else could hear. “You ate another one didn’t you?” A smile filled with hundreds of pointy teeth was all the confirmation I needed. “Where?”
Kain shifted beside me. “Do ye really want to know that?” Abhainn asked. Did I? Probably not, so I didn’t respond. “The consumption of humans is a necessity for my kind.”
“I know,” I replied. “But it doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”
This time, Abhainn laughed. “Well, lassie ‘tis true. But I’m no’ tellin’ ye this for yer mind. I’m tellin’ ye this because the water fairies ‘ave agreed to join yer fight.”
“Really?” Kain and I said in unison, but Abhainn held up his human-like hand to stop us.
“Aye, but with some requests.”
“Requests?” Kain asked.
“Aye. Requests.” He began to pace back and forth on the porch and after several moments, I got impatient.
“And those requests are…” I urged him to continue.
“Food.”
I swallowed. “You can’t eat anyone in this house, Abhainn. They are my family.”
He chuckled and reached out to rub the top of my head like an annoying big brother. “Aye, we suspected as much. And donna worry, no one likes the taste of yer kind.” He made a face. “Or those dogs.”
“You mean the selkies,” I groaned.
“Same thing.”
Kain cleared his throat in an attempt to stop my impending response. “So how are we supposed to feed you, exactly?”
“Aye, good question.” Abhainn walked back towards us and straightened the dark jacket that hung from his impressive frame. “Here’s the deal. Since we are somewhat…limited with the distance we can travel from the water, the water fairies ‘ave requested that ye turn the other way when we need to feed nearby.”
“You want us to sit back and let you kill humans?” I asked incredulously. “You have got to be kidding! The whole point of this stupid war is to save humanity, not eat them!”
Kain rested a hand on my shoulder. “What kind of numbers are you talking about?”
“Kain!” I yelled.
“Eviana, I’m just trying to understand exactly what their demands are so we can think about this rationally.” Sometimes his calm, cool, and collected persona irked me more than anything else. But he did have a point so I crossed my arms and looked at the sprite.
Abhainn was rubbing the illusion-induced stubble on his chin. “Well, let’s see. One a week should do it, I think.”
“For each of you?” I gasped. Kain gave me a look and I rolled my eyes but closed my mouth.
“Is that absolutely necessary?” he asked Abhainn.
“Yes. Otherwise we will only be able to help ye from the water.” So eating humans allowed them to assume the solid form we would need in battle. As much as I hated the idea, I also hated the fact that we were severely outnumbered.
“We will think about your terms,” Kain replied diplomatically.
Abhainn nodded. “’Tis all that we ask, yet I should tell ye that they are gettin’ restless. The sooner you can solidify this agreement, the better.”
“We understand,” Kain said.
Did we? I’m not so sure that I did. But I didn’t get a chance to say anything more. For Abhainn suddenly stiffened and tilted his head to the side like he was listening to something. Then, with a curse, he exploded into a million tiny water droplets and disappeared fro
m our sight.
“What just happened?” I shrieked at Kain.
“I don’t know.” He ran to the edge of the porch and looked all around like he could find Abhainn. “Where could he possibly go?”
“There’s no water out here. Maybe in the ground…”
A scream from somewhere nearby closed off the rest of my thought. It seemed to echo around the house, making it difficult to determine its origin. Kain and I froze, waiting for something else to happen.
The second scream sent us running back inside and out to the deck. Almost everyone had dispersed. I saw only a handful of protectors and selkies guarding my sister, uncle, and Daniel. The rest were running towards the beach.
“What’s going on?” I asked anyone who would answer.
“We’re being attacked!” Marisol screamed. “Look!” I followed her shaking arm to see that she was pointing to the edge of the water line. It was several hundred yards away but from our view, it was easy to see a dozen animal forms rising up out of the water and approaching our army.
“No!” I gasped as the ratchets shook their body like a wet dog and bared their teeth at the protectors and selkies who had made their way down to the beach. “No, this can’t be happening! Kain!”
I yelled at my friend as he took off down the stairs. “What is he doing?” my uncle asked, but I barely heard him because I was chasing after Kain. With his long legs and the near foot of extra height, he bounded down the stairs and onto the beach way quicker than I would have expected. There was no way that I was going to catch him.
“Kain!” I yelled again. My mind suddenly remembered the night that Graham and I were running for our lives over the sand dunes at Jeremiah’s. Panic seared through my body and almost paralyzed me. I was afraid of these ratchets and I was probably one of the only ones to witness the extent of their destruction up close. The rest of my army would fight them like any other enemy but I wasn’t sure that would be enough.
