Emily's head popped out of the water, about fifty feet off the shore.
“Please come back,” he begged her.
“You have to trust me, Michael,” she yelled over the crashing waves. “I know what I'm doing. I'll be back, I promise. Charlie needs my help.” She sank down below the waves, her flippers popping into the air with a splash as she dove, swimming away from him.
And worse, now Michael had something else to worry about.
Not only was his girlfriend a mermaid, now swimming in bloodsucker-infested waters, but apparently, his brother was also in some sort of trouble that only a mermaid would know about.
“Michael,” a voice called out. It was Mr. Jordan. He was standing on the pier, motioning for Michael to join him. When Michael got back onto the pier, Mr. Jordan ordered Michael to follow him into the house.
Michael followed him inside, stepping into the living room, which was stacked with boxes and trunks filled with papers and books.
“Did you find something?” he asked Mr. Jordan.
“Yes, I think I did,” he returned eagerly. “But I should warn you, it's not pretty.”
“Just tell me, please,” said Michael.
“Emily must die!” Mr. Jordan spoke with firm vigor. “It is the only way to force the mermaid essence out of her body.”
“Um, okay. Not liking the sound of this so far...”
“And that's the good news I'm afraid,” said Mr. Jordan, his voice lower.
“Killing my girlfriend is the good news?”
“Right before her death is the only time the essence can be removed. But here's the real kicker. We have to find someone to transfer the essence to.”
“That's...” Michael could not reply. His face contorted as if trying to speak, but nothing came out.
“Potentially a much larger problem,” Anthony Jordan finished for him. His voice held an edge of dismay, which Michael easily noticed.
“Don't lose hope my young man. Don't lose hope. I have just the concoction to kill dear Emily. First problem solved.”
Michael just looked at Mr. Jordan as if he were completely insane.
“Trust me, Michael Howard. I am an expert with plants. We can make it so for all intents and purposes, Emily will be dead, but she'll be perfectly alive. More, in a very deep sleep.”
Michael bowed his head for a moment, holding his breath. When he looked back up, he spoke with heavy skepticism. “Even if I go along with this plan, we're never going to find another person to take on the essence. I can't exactly run an ad that says, any gals out there want to become a mermaid for the rest of your life?”
“No, and I'm afraid I have not found anything helpful about transferring the essence. But never fret. We still have time.”
Michael wanted to call William and ask him to research on his own, but realized he would be busy helping Melinda, and with Charlie still missing, he did not relish the idea of Melinda trying to help Mack on her own. Not that she couldn't. He would just never forgive himself if he pulled William away, and Melinda got hurt.
“Well, give me a book or something,” Michael muttered, disbelieving what he was about to do. “There's got to be some way to store the essence without transferring it to another woman,” he said, hoping his words were true. “And then, I just have to kill my girlfriend.”
##
Melinda and Mack arrived at the pier where the fisherman had been attacked. They did not see William, but assumed he was somewhere nearby. Mack walked across the wooden pier to question the fisherman, while Melinda ducked underneath it, looking for any sign of the bloodsuckers.
She did find one, but not the kind she was looking for.
William heard her arrive and glanced upward.
She joined him at the edge of the rocky shore, underneath the pier.
“I do not believe the creatures are still here,” he said. “I have seen no sign of them.”
“Great. So we're playing chase.”
“It would appear so,” the vampire agreed.
“I'm gonna try Charlie again,” Melinda told him, yanking her phone out of her pocket. “Voicemail,” she said a minute later. “What the heck is he doing? This morning he's all about being in the lead and on the front lines, and now, none of us can even reach him!”
William noted equal amounts of frustration and distress in her tone.
“I'm sure he's fine. Most likely, he's busy and just cannot answer.”
“I hope he didn't go and do something rash.”
“I presume you’re speaking of the Deanes?” said William.
Melinda nodded yes.
“Charlie is smarter than that. He wouldn't do anything rash.”
“Even with his new ring?”
William took too long to reply.
“Uh huh. Exactly. Not even your logical brain can answer that with certainty.”
“I don’t believe your frustration is entirely just Charlie, is it?” he asked. “Does this perhaps have something to do with the young man that dropped you off at the sheriff's house earlier?”
She knew this was coming. They might as well get it over with.
“I met him a couple days ago and I was going to tell you about him but I just... chickened out I guess.” She shrugged, feeling stupid. “Sorry,” she said, inflecting more of a question than a statement.
The corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest of smiles. “I think this is a good thing,” he told her.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
She didn’t believe him. He sounded confident as he spoke, but she’d seen his face when he’d opened Mack’s door.
Crushed.
She had completely crushed him.
“Melinda, I cannot express how important it is to me that you find happiness in this life.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that.
“Let us once and for all, put last nights moment, behind us,” he continued. “Better yet, it never happened. Last night was a night like any other. And now, we have work to do, just like any other day.”
It killed her that he could be so calm and sure as he spoke.
She nodded, accepting his terms.
“So are you going to tell your brothers?” he asked her.
She let out a puff of air. “Not yet,” she said hesitantly.
He tossed her a questioning look.
“I do really like this guy,” she admitted. “But I don’t want to scare him off. I’d rather have a little more time before he finds out who I am, or has to endure rounds of approval from Charlie and Michael. I've already had to run out on him twice and he probably thinks I'm a total wacko!”
“No man that truly cares for you would ever think this, Melinda,” William replied in all seriousness.
She just rolled her eyes. “I want him to find out about me on my own terms, that's all I mean, William. You know, once I know him a little better and find out if he can handle me being a witch.”
“Very well. I won't tell a soul,” he reassured.
“Thank you, William.” She tossed him a tight smile.
“You two find anything useful down here?” Mack’s voice rang out. She worked her way across the rocks to join them.
“Actually, sheriff,” said William, “I may have a theory.”
He waited for her to get closer before continuing.
“The first attack, at least that we are aware of, happened near the Jordan's home. Then, just a short while later they attacked here at this pier. It seems there is a pattern forming. I do believe they are following the coastline, heading north around the Isle.”
“Sounds solid to me. So north then,” Mack noted.
“Anything helpful from the fisherman?” Melinda asked.
“Helpful, no. Just had to talk him into believing it was a crazed, weird lookin' sea lion. He seemed to agree,” she shrugged.
Her phone buzzed again. “Hello.” She listened to the deputy on the other line. “Another sighting of the psycho lions, eh. Wher
e this time?” As she spoke, she motioned for them to follow her. When they got to her car she hung up and said, “Looks like your theory was right, William. Just a few blocks away, heading north. A couple of 'em slithered onto the beach and frightened some youngins'.”
They piled into the sheriffs car, this time, William rode along with them, an inquisitive look on his face.
“What are you thinking?” asked Melinda.
He glanced her direction, a wave of emotion in his eyes. It disappeared just as quickly.
“Nothing of consequence,” he responded.
Melinda eyed him, questioningly, but he said no more.
As they neared the beach, a chaotic scene was erupting. Kids and teens were racing away from the beach.
“They're everywhere,” a boy shouted.
“Looks like we’ve got more than a couple on the beach,” Melinda spoke despondently.
“You kids all run along home now,” Mack ordered, getting out of the car. She started hanging police tape across the entrance of the beach, but knew full well it would not keep out local reporters, who were sure to catch wind of the story.
“I'll stand guard,” she told Melinda and William. “Holler if ya need me, otherwise I'll just let ya do your thing.”
“I'll put up a barrier, too,” Melinda told Mack. “Should keep people from seeing what's going on.”
Mack nodded and tugged at her gun belt, making sure everything on her person was secure.
Melinda and William ducked under the tape and headed toward the beach, the ground underneath their feet turning into sand the closer they got.
Melinda stopped in her tracks when she saw the beach. “Oh! William! Wow!”
“Yes,” he replied, with an inflection of surprise. “Although I'm not sure wow quite does it justice.”
“I really didn't expect so many.”
“To be honest, nor did I.”
“Do you think this is all of them?”
She heard a sound come out of him that indicated, no.
Hundreds of bloodsuckers lined the part-sand, part-rock beach, with more charcoal colored bodies slithering out of the water every minute.
“We really need Michael and Charlie,” Melinda said, growing skeptical of her abilities.
“We can handle this,” insisted William, noting her tone.
Melinda heard the tiniest hint of doubt and raised her eyelids as if to say she did not believe him. They were going to need something that could kill these creatures all at once, and they were going to need it fast.
FOUR
Charlie Howard had his back up against the cave wall, unsure how he would escape the three merladies advancing toward him. The one he saved from the tangled mess of fishing nets was in the middle. Her face savage looking. Her eyes feral and her mouth poised, as if ready to bite him.
“I should have been more careful,” Charlie muttered, angry with himself that he had been tricked. They had seemed so innocent and helpless. For some reason, the only thing he could think to do was to be honest with them.
“Look,” he started. “I'm not going to take this ring off, and you cannot take it off my finger, so this is going to go nowhere.”
The two merladies on the sides seemed to believe him and slowed their pace. They did not act as though they wanted to hurt him. One looked nearly ready to cry.
“We must,” she whimpered, her words aimed at Charlie.
“Yes, must get ring,” the one on the opposite side spoke, her voice wavering.
“Oh stop whining you two,” shouted the one in the middle. “If you won't finish this, I will!” She lunged for Charlie's hand, threatening to use her teeth to bite the ring off his finger. He pulled his hand back and grabbed her by the throat with his other.
“I don't want to hurt you!” he spoke angrily. “But I will, if you force me to. You cannot take this ring off my finger!”
The merlady flailed, her eyes wild, her hands grasping for the ring, just out of her reach. Just then, a splash from the pool stole their attention.
Charlie dropped the attacking merlady, shock spreading across his face.
“Emily?” he asked, as if this had to be a dream. “Did I let them mesmerize me again?” he mumbled, suddenly uncertain he was back in reality after all.
“It's really me, Charlie,” Emily said, splashing her tail.
Emily spoke to the two frightened looking merladies. “You cannot do this,” she told them. “It's not right, and I can hear your thoughts. You don't want to hurt Charlie, do you?”
“No. But we must,” one spoke.
“If we do not...”
“I know,” Emily interrupted. “That's why I’m here. I freed your sister. You don't have to do this. Just listen,” she told them.
Nothing was making any sense to Charlie. He wanted to ask Emily what she was talking about, but Emily ignored him. Her facial features changed, as if having a conversation, though he did not hear her speak a word.
The two frightened mermaids, however, seemed to understand her perfectly. They went silent as well, as if listening to something Charlie could not hear. Then, suddenly, bright smiles spread across their faces.
“Free,” one spoke.
“Not taken,” the other added.
“Don't need to hurt,” the first one said, her voice relieved.
They did not explain further but simply darted past the angry merlady and dived into the pool, swimming away. Emily had perched her body onto a small ledge at the side of the pool, where mermaids could dry themselves.
“Stupid girl,” the angry one shouted. “Ruin everything!” She stood in between Charlie and the pool to her freedom, torn as to keep up the fight or flee while she still could.
Her eyes shouted disappointment at not winning her prize and a deep rumble rose in her throat, seeping out through her teeth in thick streams of resentment. She stepped closer to the pool, her eyes drifting between Charlie and Emily. She hissed at Emily, looking ready to attack.
Charlie willed the wolf to surface, allowing its strength to envelop him. The ring knew just the right amount to let free. He bent his knees and lurched forward, his body easily passing right by the merlady and landing at the side of the pool, guarding Emily.
Admittance of her defeat came quickly and freedom won out. The merlady dived into the pool feet first and disappeared out of sight.
Part of Emily wanted to dive in after her. She felt the oceans call tugging at her like the unavoidable ebb and flow of the tide. Plus, there was something off about that mermaid and she desired to follow it and discover why.
“Emily,” called out Charlie. The ring had already reclaimed the wolf as he knelt to her side.
“Oh, hi,” she muttered, adding, “Can't go back into the water. Told Michael I would return to him.” Her eyes glazed over as if her mind was somewhere else.
Charlie took a confused breath.
Emily's eyes lost their gloss and she saw Charlie more clearly.
“Are you okay?” she asked, suddenly her usual self.
“You're asking me if I'm okay?” His gaze screamed 'I'm not the one that's been turned into a mermaid'. “What the heck is going on?”
Emily's reply quickly became nonsensical, confusing Charlie even more.
“Lots, I'm afraid. Obviously, I'm a mermaid now. Everyone was worried because you were not answering your phone. Then I heard the sisters talking about you. I had to come right way once I learned what was going on.”
“What is going on?” asked Charlie again.
But Emily suddenly seemed sidetracked. She took hold of his hand, rubbing the ring on his finger.
“So smooth. So shiny,” she mumbled.
“Um, okay, Emily. Why don't we get you dried off,” Charlie suggested.
This shook her out of her momentary lapse.
“Yes. I need to dry off. I have to call Michael. He's probably near death with worry right now.”
“I can only imagine,” mumbled Charlie. “How is it, that everything
can just go so crazy, so fast?” he asked no one in particular.
He grabbed his tank top from the cave floor and helped dry her legs. She laughed and giggled, saying it tickled, using her mermaid voice again.
The more he kept her talking, the more sense she started to make.
Emily explained the bloodsucker's attack at Anthony Jordan's, and how she was turned into a mermaid. She explained that Melinda and William were helping Mack try to get the bloodsucker problem under control.
“Mr. Jordan seems like a real nice man,” Emily told him. “He's helping Michael look for some way to change me back before sunset.” She looked longingly into the pool of water as she spoke again.
Charlie had to avert his eyes when it dawned on him that his brother’s girlfriend was naked, her long blue locks the only thing giving her any coverage.
When her legs dried and her flippers disappeared, her human nature took over once again, Emily now realizing she was totally naked in front of her boyfriend’s brother. She wrapped his wet tank top around her, her cheeks turning pink.
Charlie reached down, never having been more thankful to see that the dresses the mermaids had been wearing were floating nearby. They had fallen off when they’d dived into the water.
“Oh thank, God,” said Emily.
“Sorry, they’re wet. But definitely better than the alternative.”
He turned while she pulled one over her head.
It seemed to take awhile and he called out her name to see if she was done. When she didn’t reply he turned around cautiously. Emily was peering into the pool longingly.
“Yeah, why don't we get out of this cave, make a few calls and keep you away from the water?” said Charlie, grabbing hold of her arm before she could jump back in.
“Sorry. I can't help it, Charlie. The water calls to me. My sisters call to me... except...” she got an odd expression on her face.
“Except...” prodded Charlie.
“The mean one. The one that tried to steal your ring. Her voice was wrong.”
“Wrong?”
“I don't know how else to describe it. It just doesn’t fit.”
“I'm not really familiar with mermaid voices.”
Witches of The Demon Isle Box Set, Volumes 1, 2 & 3 Page 24
