by Esme Addison
Celeste had finished opening the windows, and a slight breeze lifted the remaining smell of smoke from the room. She came to Alex’s side. “I don’t think this is Alex’s fault. The other candles are fine. Maybe it was just a freak accident.”
“Sounds like a town lawsuit waiting to happen.” Cressida bristled. “No thank you. We’ll drop the branded candles for this year.”
Celeste frowned, then glanced at Alex. “Sorry.
“It’s not your fault. Maybe the candles are bad—the wicks or something.”
* * *
After the break and once the room was clean and sorted, the meeting resumed, and Neve returned to calmly discussing the inspiration behind her painting. Despite the accident, Alex was still excited about the festival and looking forward to speaking with Neve.
I can’t wait to pick her brain about mermaids.
Alex sent the thought to Celeste, then looked at her with a wide grin. She sounds amazing, she continued. But she was surprised to see that Celeste’s brow was knitted and her nose wrinkled. What’s wrong?
Celeste rolled her eyes. She’s working with Jasper at the museum. All he can talk about is how amazing she is. I’m over it.
Oh, Alex said leaning back against her chair. Sorry.
It’s fine. Celeste made another face, and her mother turned to look at her as if she was sending her daughter a message about minding her manners.
Neve’s gaze swept across the room, seeming to land on Alex, but maybe she just imagined it. “I personally want to invite you all to the unveiling of the finished mural in the park tomorrow. I hope you’ll all join me at noon for art and some enchanting herbal tea.” She gave Alex another look—this time she was certain. “I’ve heard wonderful things about the teas at the local apothecary. Can’t wait to try them.”
She must know I work at Botanika, Alex thought. Maybe that’s why it feels like she’s talking to me personally.
Neve regarded everyone in the room with a warm gaze. “Well, I’ll leave you ladies to it then. Dylan is giving me the grand tour.”
Alex couldn’t help herself. “Where are you going next?”
“The old Wesley property. I hear it’s beautiful.”
Alex shot Dylan an interested look. Many generations ago that land had been the Wesley homestead, but when witch hunters burned the house to the ground, the family had sold the property and moved to their current location on the peninsula. But thanks to his murderous sister, the property was back in the Wesley portfolio.
* * *
After they left, Cressida called Josephine to the podium to discuss the town’s marketing efforts for the festival. As the director of Tourism for the town of Bellamy Bay, she was also coordinating the social media, advertising, and marketing efforts for the festival.
After Josephine finished her presentation, Alex looked around the group, wondering how she could help on the committee. She raised her hand and asked Cressida the question.
Cressida glanced at her paperwork and then nodded. “You’ll be in charge of vendors. We have a list of previous vendors you can work with—confirm that they are attending, send them their welcome packages, and answer any questions they may have. Day of the festival, you’ll be on point for making sure everyone is set up and ready to begin selling at nine am sharp.”
Cressida continued on until the agenda was completed. Celeste was in charge of wrangling all of the food trucks and culinary vendors. “And Celeste, since you’re dating the director of the museum, I understand you’ll also be updating us on the exhibit he and Neve are curating for the event?”
Celeste nodded. “That’s right.” Her mother shot her a disapproving look.
“As usual, the party at the lighthouse keeper’s cottage is always sponsored by Botanika and Wesley, Inc.,” Cressida said. “This year Celeste and Minka will be heading up the plans for this event, since both Lidia and Tegan are conspicuously missing.” She gave both Celeste and Minka pointed looks.
“We’re on it.” Minka assured.
“We intend to make this truly a magical event.” Celeste winked at Alex. And I mean really magical! she telepathed.
“We’ve decided on a theme,” Minka declared. “Under the sea!”
Cressida’s lips twisted like she’d bitten into a lemon. “How original.”
“Just you wait.” Minka’s grin widened. “It’s going to have the best decorations, the most delicious food—”
“I get it.” Cressida waved a hand. “Just make sure everything goes as planned.” Taking a deep breath, she looked at everyone. “You have your marching orders. I’ll see you ladies again in a week. Next time, the meeting will be at my house, and we’ll have tea.”
* * *
It was a perfect day in the park. Humidity was low, the sun bright and clear, and the ocean breeze was constant. The park that anchored the downtown area of Bellamy Bay was filled with tourists waiting for the unveiling of the mural. A wall, part of the town’s welcome center located opposite the famous mermaid fountain, was covered by a huge tan tarp. The mural had to be at least nine feet high and eighteen feet wide. There was a festive feeling in the air, with ice-cream and cotton candy vendors, lemonade and iced coffee carts, and mermaid-themed balloons floating in the air.
Today, the unveiling of the mural was the kickoff of the annual summer mermaid festival, a monthlong event that would continue with a reception and exhibit at the museum the next night, events at the bookstore, and more parties before culminating in an outdoor fair ending on Saturday.
Botanika had a table at the event, and Minka would be manning the booth. Pepper was moving through the crowd with her recorder and microphone. Kamila strode the perimeter in mirrored sunglasses, her sidearm hanging from her waist. She didn’t see Jack but assumed he’d appear. Eventually.
Alex saw Celeste, her arm looped through her boyfriend Jasper’s. About ten or so years older than Celeste, Jasper was tall and lean, with short hair, cropped on the sides but with a shock of thick dark blond hair that fell over one eye. He was constantly tossing that lock of hair off his forehead, and the hair and the gesture reminded Alex of a smug 1990s boy band member—the one that couldn’t sing or dance, but who was self-assured in the knowledge that he was the best looking in the group and knew it. The ridiculously floppy hair contrasted with round glasses that perched at the end of a long supercilious nose, giving him an appropriately cute professorial look.
Alex had never seen him without brightly colored suspenders and a bow tie, an affection that seemed absurd to her. Now, even outside at the park, he wore navy-blue boat shorts, leather flip-flops, a crisp white oxford shirt with the sleeves rolled up, suspenders—cherry red, and the aforementioned bow tie—also bright red.
She tried not to roll her eyes when Celeste caught her watching them and waved. She waved back before moving toward the front of the crowd. The mayor stepped to the microphone to welcome everyone to the town, officially kick off the festival, and initiate the unveiling of the mural. Mayor Bronson Bellamy, Pepper’s father, was short and squat, but powerfully built, with a friendly square face, pale skin exploding with freckles, a full head of red hair, and the exuberantly boisterous demeanor of a politician always trying to win over a voter.
Dylan was turning the microphone on and handing it to Neve, who wore a magenta sundress, with her heavy hair piled up in a cloud of dreamy waves, her sunglasses resting on top of her head. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, or maybe it was just a little extra sun—Alex couldn’t tell. And she carried a few pages of notes in her hands.
The microphone squealed as Dylan adjusted the height for Neve. A banner on the bottom of the stage they stood on flapped in the breeze, announcing the mural’s sponsors: Wesley Inc. and Leviathan Industries. Dylan grinned at the crowd, introduced himself, and then gave the microphone to Neve.
“You guys,” she began, her face shining with enthusiasm, “I am so honored to be here to share in your celebration of all things mermaid!” There was a light sm
attering of applause led by Minka, who had come out of the Botanika booth for a better look. “I want to thank Wesley Inc.”—she paused, looking at Dylan with adoration—“and Montgomery Blue of Leviathan Industries.” She shielded her eyes from the bright sun and peered into the crowd, then waved at a tall man in sunglasses, with a deep tan and a full head of dark graying hair. He waved back before disappearing into the crowd.
A shy one, Alex thought of the man. He mustn’t like the limelight. She turned back to the stage.
“I’ve worked with Jasper Collins, the director of the Bellamy Bay Museum of History, to curate an exhibit at the museum on the town’s mermaids that begins with the local Native Americans’ account of the mermaids from ancient to modern times. His knowledge was invaluable and helped inspire my choice of subjects for the mural.”
She found Celeste’s boyfriend in the crowd and threw him a kiss. “Thank you, Jasper.”
He inclined his head in a courtly manner. But Celeste, who was holding on to him even tighter, wore a pinched expression on her face.
A sudden breeze kicked up, swirling around the park, causing several pages of Neve’s paper to fly about. Dylan ran around gathering them up for her.
What is he—her errand boy? Alex wondered in exasperation. And where’s Jack? She looked around the park. He’d promised to join her.
Neve took a moment to arrange her papers before beginning, smile still in place. “This small town is rich in history, and I hope I have done justice to Bellamy Bay, the history and most importantly, the mermaids who founded this town.”
She does believe! she heard Minka say in her thoughts. Alex turned to look at her cousin, who had her hands clasped at her chest. She wasn’t sure if she should share in the excitement or not. They didn’t want people to know mermaids were real, right?
She turned back to Neve, who had stepped off the platform and approached the mural. She gave the crowd a cheeky grin over her shoulder and ripped the tarp away like she was a hostess on a game show.
A hush went over the gathering as everyone took in the big, colorful painting. It was done in a photorealistic style, the images looking like flesh-and-blood people you would see at the coffee shop or bookstore, only they were about nine feet high.
“Don’t be shy!” Neve called out, “Come closer. Tell me what you think.”
The crowd moved forward, cell phones out, taking photos. Alex stared at the painting and swallowed. The setting of the mural was the sea, a wide expanse of waves with no horizon in sight. The central figure was a mermaid, clearly the Mermaid of Warsaw, holding her sword and shield. Her skin was pale, and her hair, long, dark, and voluminous, covering her bare chest, was wet, as if she’d just come up from deep within the sea. She wore a come-hither expression that contrasted with a determined gleam in her green eyes.
Minka came up behind Alex and touched her shoulder lightly. “It’s beautiful,” she said in reverent tones. “Majestic. Fierce …”
Kamila joined them, taking her sunglasses off and squinting at the painting. “Is it a battle scene?” She pointed to a Greek god who stood proudly on the helm of a small ship rushing toward the mermaid. He was tall, tanned, and muscled, with a glistening helmet over a cap of short, curly dark hair and a clean-shaven face, and he had a spear and shield, though both were held slackly at his sides.
Pepper appeared, snapping a few photographs of the mural before answering. “I thought Neve was supposed to include our family’s Viking heritage. Why are there no Vikings in this mural?”
Speaking of Neve … Alex searched the area, wanting to talk to her. Instead her gaze landed on Celeste, this time holding hands with Jasper while he spoke to Neve and Dylan. Alex had never seen Celeste quite so clingy. She’d have to ask her if everything was okay with their relationship. A moment later Celeste and Jasper had joined their group while Kamila was still trying to figure the painting out. Finally, she gave up. “I’ve got to walk the perimeter. I’ll see you guys later.”
Alex and Minka turned back to study the painting. The smell of paint, still fresh, tickled Alex’s nose.
Neve gauged the expressions on the faces in the group and smiled. “What does everyone think?”
Jasper was the first to speak, his eyes still on the painting. “I feel like it’s missing something.”
Neve followed his gaze back to the painting. “Really?”
“I don’t understand why he’s there,” Pepper interrupted, pointing at the militant figure.
“Oh, him.” Neve smiled. “That’s Ares.”
“The god of war.” Jasper folded his arms across his chest, an unreadable expression on his face. “A rather handsome fellow.”
“Exactly,” Neve said, as if she were a teacher complimenting a student in class.
“But what does that have to do with our town?” Pepper asked, her recorder out.
Neve glanced around the group. “Anyone?”
“Perhaps he represents the challenges the mermaid had to face to get here?” Minka offered.
Pepper inched forward, her forehead wrinkled in bewilderment. “I don’t understand art,” she whispered to Alex.
“Well, I think it’s beautiful,” Minka said. “It’s the perfect addition to our town.”
“It’s very Instagrammable,” Celeste said, straightening a bit but still holding Jasper’s hand. “I was just telling my mother your painting will help market the town to a younger demographic. We’ll have to come up with an official hashtag for the mural.”
The mayor joined their growing group, winking at Pepper as he did. “You did a fantastic job, Ms. Ryland.” His voice boomed, ricocheting around the park. “Just fantastic.”
“Thank you. I’m very proud of it. It’s my best work to date. And I’ve painted many mythological subjects.” Dylan joined the group, and she wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “And this guy helped make it possible.”
Dylan pushed away the praise with a wave of his hand. “The museum is hosting a reception for Neve tonight. I hope you will attend?”
A murmur of agreement went through the crowd.
Neve playfully punched Jasper on the shoulder. “Everything ready at the museum?”
He laughed. “Shipshape, ma’am.”
Smiling, Alex turned to ask Celeste what she’d be wearing for the event, but was surprised to see her shooting daggers at the artist.
What the heck was that about? she wanted to know.
Minka rushed back to the tent when she saw people queuing up for tea, while Alex stared at the Mermaid of Warsaw, wondering what she’d really looked like. A strong gust of wind rushed through the park, lifting Alex’s hair and causing her eyes to water. She heard a yelp of shock. She turned to see that a leftover can of blue paint, the color of the ocean on the mural, had overturned, splattering over Neve’s dress and then leaking into the grass and all over Neve’s high-heeled sandals.
Dylan was nearby, and the artist grabbed his arm for balance as she stepped out of the paint and tossed her shoes off.
For a minute, Alex thought back to another time, when she’d been with Dylan. She was barefoot on the beach, and he’d just saved her life. She pushed the thought away, watching as Neve laughed at her ruined clothes and shoes.
“My goodness,” she began, “I’ve almost caught on fire and now this. I’ve been having the worst luck lately,” she told Dylan as they walked away. “If I were the superstitious type, I’d think I’d been cursed.”
Chapter Five
An hour after the unveiling of the mural, the park was still filled with tourists.
Alex had taken over the tent while Minka headed back to the store. Aunt Lidia and Josephine were taking a walk, and Alex was inventorying the remaining tea blends and candles set out before her, when she noticed Neve approaching her.
“You changed clothes,” Alex observed.
“Dylan ran to the B&B I’m staying at and brought me this.” She looked down at her clothes, this time a blue sundress with a wide red belt and matchin
g heels. “And all so I could stay here and see you.”
Dylan, again, Alex thought to herself. Maybe there was something going on between them.
“I’ve been dying to talk to you,” Neve said when she stepped under the tent, fanning herself. “I’ve heard so much about you, your family, and your highly effective herbal remedies.” She eyed Alex slyly and then grinned. “I’ve done a lot of research on mermaids. Research that has brought me to Bellamy Bay. And I’ve learned some amazing things. One of which you really need to know about.”
“Me?” Alex glanced around before settling into her chair. “Like?”
“It goes without saying, this is a secret.” Neve lowered her voice as an adult woman dressed in a pink mermaid costume passed by. “But mermaids are real.”
Alex looked at the costumed woman and then at Neve. “You know the mermaid bit is just to bring in tourists, right?”
“I know, I know—it sounds unbelievable, right? But it’s not fairy-tale stuff, it’s plain science. There are scientists researching something they’re calling ‘the mermaid gene.’”
Alex shook her head and opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t find the words.
“They think they’ve found genetic proof that there are humans with genetic markers that give them the ability to stay underwater for long periods of time and swim at super speeds for long distances.”
“That wouldn’t make them mermaids—super-human maybe.”
“There’s more,” Neve said, moving closer and lowering her voice. “I’m no scientist, so I’m not the best person to explain this, but it is a fact that humans evolved from a fish-type ancestor, possibly the ancient lung fish. Did you know that the zebra fish shares seventy percent of its protein-coding DNA with humans?”
Wordlessly, Alex shook her head.
“Or that human embryos have tails and gills? And the thinking is that fifty or sixty thousand years ago there was this fish that evolved into a fish-human with the ability to shapeshift between forms, and then it evolved into the human as we know it, with no ability to shift at all. It’s not as far-fetched as you’d think.”
