by K. K. Allen
Just as Adam and Eve betrayed God by eating the red fruit from the Tree of Life, there once was an Autumnal Equinox who chose a similar poison. Erebus tempted the God of Autumn and the Goddess of Spring with power and high societal rankings that were superior to Astina’s. The God of Autumn was the first to take the bait, revealing enough weakness for Erebus to take his life. When the Goddess of Spring refused to stand by his side, he murdered her and took reign over all Equinox descendants and Followers.
Erebus had always longed for Astina’s affection, knowing their partnership would create the ultimate pairing of power. But she rejected him, which enraged him to the core.
With a new mission for revenge, and in hopes of overthrowing Astina’s chosen love, the God of Winter, to claim his spot beside her, Erebus murdered Astina’s Fated husband.
Heartbroken, Astina ordered her Solstice army to kill Erebus in what would come to be known as the Great Enchanted War. Astina’s army was nearly successful. As Erebus lay dying, he used his magic to give himself eternal life as a possessor. While his born body turned to recycled energy, his dark soul remained. At this same time, Astina learned she was carrying the baby of her late husband.
The book goes on to tell the story of the Dark Soul of Erebus who first chose to possess the body of a cobra in an effort to kill Astina. He wrapped his slithering body around Astina’s neck to strangle her, but Astina’s light was too bright. She cursed the god of Darkness, trapping him in his serpent form for eternity so all could see the evil he truly possessed. She didn’t know that he was still able to possess others.
Four decades later, Astina had successfully built the foundation for the Solstice community. She went on to have two more children with her new husband. Her children gave her eight grandchildren. When Astina’s first great-grandchild—a baby girl named Elisa— was about to enter the world, Erebus struck again.
On the night following the baby’s birth, Erebus went to Astina’s home when her husband was traveling, and he snuck into her bedroom. Knowing the goddess of enchantment was an Elder, older and weaker, he wrapped his serpent body around her neck and strangled her to death.
I snap the book shut and swipe the tears from my face. My chest hurts, as if Astina is an old friend. Perhaps being tied to her by blood is enough for me to feel such a strong connection, but I feel something else too. I now realize that our powers aren’t just to manipulate the earth’s elements, but to protect ourselves and those around us with our light. And when an Elder’s light has dimmed, it makes them vulnerable with a weakness that makes Erebus strong.
I set the book in my lap and wrap my arms around myself, but it doesn’t comfort me. I tremble at the very vivid reminder of my own powers growing so weak on the night of the bonfire. I remember being tossed around in the bay, waiting for the darkness to finally take hold of me. My powers were gone, and I was certain I was done.
Then I was pulled to a hard, rocking surface. Was Erebus there, trying to weaken me to the point that he could kill me? Was he unsuccessful because my light was still too bright? Or, was it just as Rose and Arabella speculated? A warning. I wonder if I’ll ever get the answers to my questions.
I’m in midshudder when Rose pushes open the door to the den. “You’ve been in here for quite some time, dear. Is everything okay?”
I look down at the book I just finished reading and shake my head. “I thought if I could understand more about the history of the Equinox, I could figure out what Erebus wants and try to help stop him from causing more harm.”
Rose steps forward and sits on the couch beside me. “And what did you find?”
“I only have more question. What does he want?”
“Power. Dominance. He’s always been envious of our strength and our numbers. He’s already lost too many wars between Solstice and Equinox, so he knows his best hope is to take us down one by one. Since he’s eternal, he uses time as his advantage and strikes when we’re least expecting it.”
“So that’s why he attacked Darryl, because an Elder’s ability to energy source over time has been weakened?”
Rose nods. “Because Erebus is weak, his only chance is to take out the weak. Unfortunately for him, that doesn’t do much good for his cause. It might break our hearts, but his destruction has only made us stronger over the years. Our community continues to grow in number rapidly. Our partnerships with Enchanters of other descendants only contributes to our abilities.”
“So, then he stands no chance against us.” I’m hopeful that I’m hearing Rose right.
She frowns. “I don’t know, Katrina. Something is different this time.” Her expression carries a mixture of emotions, each one tugging at my heart.
“What’s different?”
Rose looks up and sighs. “It appears he’s not just after Elders anymore.”
A heavy silence covers the room as I anticipate her next words. Where is Rose going with this?
“The wildfire on the Fourth of July was no accident. We knew that the moment we found the mark of the Equinox. But there were Elders at that party, yet none of them were targeted.”
“Why do you think that is?”
Rose shakes her head. “I’m not sure. But it’s clear that Erebus has possessed one of his own—possibly someone from this town. Probably someone we all know.”
“Arabella mentioned that too.” My brows crease. “When someone is taken by Erebus, do they know?”
Rose frowns. “I don’t know for sure, dear. You have to understand that there are Equinox descendants out there who are so fearful of death that they will do whatever Erebus asks. But it’s said that when Erebus possesses, he’s in complete control of that person’s actions, no matter what their conscious believes or wants. And when Erebus takes a body, his dark energy contains magic almost equal to ours. The question is, has he gotten stronger in all this time?”
A lump forms in my throat when an image of my mom comes to mind. “Thank God my mom didn’t know what she was. She was good.” Saying the words out loud is comforting.
Rose’s expression softens. “Your mother was very good. It’s terrible that we have no knowledge of what really happened with your mother before I met her, because there’s a chance it would explain a lot more about all of this.”
“Why do you think she was able to escape her destiny and survive?” My voice is quiet. I’m almost afraid of the answer.
Rose smiles. “Oh, Katrina. Don’t you believe in fate? I believe your mother was meant to be found by Isaac and brought to Apollo Beach. Grace and Paul were meant to fall in love and have you—and you were always meant to live your legacy here in Apollo Beach and one day take your rightful place as leader of the Solstice community. Everything is happening just as it is meant to.”
“You think?”
Rose squeezes my hand, her warmth transferring to me, then she looks at me with unwavering confidence. “I know.”
“That is so bizarre. I’m sorry, Kat. He seemed to be totally into you. It doesn’t make sense.”
A week later, Trisha and I are sneaking in a conversation in the staff room at the tail end of my shift. I’m filling her in on all she missed between Alec standing me up then me finding him with Ava. “Yeah, I didn’t expect that, but I’m just glad it happened before we even went out on a date. Alec seemed like a nice guy, but something was starting to feel off with us.”
“Really? It didn’t seem like that in Weeki Wachee. We all saw you two sneak off into the woods. I thought Ava was going to kill someone, the way her eyes followed you.” She raises her eyebrows, and I laugh, choosing to ignore the comment about Ava.
“I can’t explain it. It was just a feeling, but maybe I was picking up on some red flags or something. Clearly, I should have listened harder.”
Trisha frowns. “Well, if you ever want to talk about it, you know where to find me. I’d give you my number, but you still don’t have a phone. What’s up with that?”
I shrug. “I don’t really need one. It’s not like
I have a million friends here—”
“Yet,” Trisha cuts in.
I roll my eyes at her optimism. “And it’s not like I go anywhere besides the island.”
“Again, that will change. C’mon, Kat. You don’t have to live your life as the recluse you were back in Silver Lake. It’s a different world here. A magical world.”
From what Trisha has told me about her frequent absences lately, she’s felt nothing more than a few headaches, nothing nearly as terrifying as what I went through, but her words make me study her expression to see if she knows more than she’s told me. I see nothing.
It’s four o’clock on the dot when I leave the restaurant. I don’t linger because Johnny’s shift starts in a half hour. I don’t want to ruin my great luck avoiding him. Scribbling my name into all the available slots he’s not scheduled for has helped immensely. I haven’t had to deal with his glares, his cold demands, or the strange attraction I seem to have for him.
Looking out toward the main drive of Summer Island, I can see that carnival preparations are well underway. Trucks are already delivering equipment, promotional flyers are with the graphic designer, vendors have all been confirmed, and the volunteer sheets Enchanters were tasked with passing around are overflowing with those wanting to help in some way. All in all, it’s been a pretty productive week—and a peaceful one at that. There have been no signs of the Equinox and no deaths. It’s almost starting to feel like normal, if that’s the right word.
Charlotte has been driving me to and from work every day since Rose is adamant that I stop walking, running, and riding my bike, but when I hop off the last wooden step of the restaurant and search for her car, I don’t see it anywhere.
Instead, my favorite red-haired mermaid approaches me with a sparkling smile. “Surprise.”
“Hey, Arabella.” I let out a laugh, not sure what she could possibly want to see me for. “What are you doing here?”
“We’re going on a mission to find your mom’s bracelet.”
I tilt my head, confused. “And how would I do that? It’s probably deep in the ocean somewhere.”
“Exactly. My sisters and I have been searching endlessly, but then I had a brilliant idea. Why not have you come help? After all, you’re the one who lost it. Maybe your senses will pick up on something.” She leans forward and takes my hand. “Let’s go.”
She yanks me toward her, but we both stop when we almost run into Johnny. He stares at both of us, his eyes lingering on Arabella a little too long. When my heart starts to sink, I want to wrangle it.
“Hey, Kat,” he says evenly. And that’s it. No glaring. No rude comments. Just a plain and simple greeting.
I’m almost bitter that Arabella is here now, because I imagine he’s only being polite for her benefit. Still, I almost choke on air, my mind replaying his greeting like I missed the layer of grouch that normally comes with his words—at least when they’re aimed at me. I force out a response. “H-Hi, Johnny.”
He walks up the steps, and Arabella grips my hand harder. “Holy sea turtles,” she whispers. “Who is that?”
I can’t help but laugh. “Are sea turtles holy in your land?”
She shakes her head, still staring at Johnny’s back like she’s about to pounce on him. “No. I don’t know why we say that, but, Kat—that man is hot.”
I clench my jaw, wishing I could know as little as Arabella knows about him. “Yeah, but he’s also a complete jerk. I swear he’s always angry.”
Arabella raises her brows and purses her lips. “Nothing wrong with the angry ones. It just means they’re more protective. He’s kind of familiar looking too. How long has he worked here?”
I shrug. “I have no clue.”
She squints in his direction. “Hmm…”
I groan, not wanting to see any more of her infatuation with the man I’m trying very hard to hate. “Focus. You wanted me to help find my bracelet, but how do you propose I do that? Besides, Rose will kill me if I’m not home soon. Charlotte is already on her way to pick me up.”
Arabella shakes her head. “Not anymore. I already cleared this with Rose, and she thinks it’s a great idea. She knows you’re safe with me.”
When she pulls me forward again, I follow.
“So, how have things been going? I heard about Darryl.” She frowns. “It’s all happening again, isn’t it?”
“That’s what Rose seems to think. She says there’s no pattern to what triggers Erebus, so we never know when to expect his evil to strike.”
Arabella nods. “Right. In the eyes of Gaia, Solstice and Poseidon descendants are equal to that of Zeus, but we’re all connected in the way that our responsibilities are to the elements—water, earth, air, and fire. That’s why when Erebus strikes, he doesn’t just attack Solstice anymore. He comes after all of us.”
I turn to her with a sideways glance. “What happened twenty years ago, anyway? Rose told me the pollution in the bay is what made your father and others migrate your community to Weeki Wachee.”
“Erebus sent his Equinox followers to pollute the bay and then the Gulf. He figured out it was the quickest way to hurt us. We didn’t even know it was happening until it was too late. The Equinox poisoned us. I was just two years old, but I’ve heard all the stories. My parents tried to prevent the spread of the poison with magic, but there was only so much they could do at that point. My guess is that they dumped it in the bay, and it reached the Gulf which killed our plants and small fish. As the pollution became more widespread, it started killing bigger fish, sharks, dolphins, and manatees. And then our sea descendants started to get sick—including my mother, Queen Marlena.”
My heart sinks. “I’m so sorry.” I don’t have to ask her if that’s how her mother died. It’s clear in her cracked voice and pained expression.
Arabella pushes up a brave smile. “That’s when Father led the migration where those who could survive would be able to start a new life. The Weeki Wachee River is a twelve-mile-long stretch from the Gulf, so it gave us a safe haven from all the toxins.”
There’s silence between us. I think of all the lives that were tortured because of the Equinox. Why hasn’t he been stopped by now? My shoulders weaken. The thought of the Equinox causing that much damage is unimaginable. “All for power.” I shake my head. “It’s hard to believe the Equinox were once good.”
“I know, but once Erebus took charge, there was no hope for their breed. Anyone who refused to follow Erebus was violently murdered.”
I shudder. “He needs to be destroyed.”
Stopping where the shore meets the water, Arabella nods. “I agree. Which is why we need to find your bracelet.” There’s hesitation evident in her eyes before she continues. “The Solstice community is considered extinct, Kat. You’re one of the last remaining direct descendants of Astina. If you die, your bloodline—the origin of Solstice power—weakens considerably. We can’t let that happen.”
“But there are other Solstices who aren’t blood related to Astina, and they possess magic. How does that make us extinct?”
Arabella looks to be in deep thought, like she’s trying to figure out how to explain a complicated math equation to me. “Think of Astina Summer as the host of the magic you all hold. Remember, she bestowed Enchantment upon her Followers who embodied what she believed to be good. From there, that Enchantment could be passed down to endless bloodlines, but only a direct descendant can carry on the host of Solstice magic. Once the last descendant falls, so does the entire Solstice community.”
My veins feel ice cold, and I try to shake away the weight that has suddenly fallen on my shoulders. “I didn’t ask for this life.”
She glares at me. “You are blessed to have this life.”
I bow my head. “I don’t mean to be ungrateful. But you’re telling me the fate of all Solstice descendants is on my shoulders. It’s just a lot to take in. My powers are new. I’m still learning.”
Arabella lets out a small laugh. “Yet, your powers
are already legendary.”
I squint at her now. “What? How?”
She frowns. “I was there that night, Kat. I saw you create that wave all by yourself to douse out the flames controlled by Erebus.”
My jaw drops, and another puzzle piece suddenly clicks into place. The blue fin. “You were there. You brought me up to the surface.” I frown. “But you released me.”
Arabella’s expression is filled with remorse. “I saw a boat. Our kind fears them above any other predator. It’s instinct to flee. But almost as soon as I left, I saw you get lifted from the water. I knew you were okay.”
“Did you see who pulled me from the water?”
Arabella shakes her head. “No. I wish I did. But if Erebus wasn’t threatened by you before, he sure is now. Finding that locket is your best bet at staying safe.”
Arabella looks around to ensure that no one is watching. She pulls off her top, revealing a blue bathing suit, then she shuffles out of her shorts and throws everything into a net bag with a rope drawstring, which she wraps around her wrist.
“Here.” She hands me another bathing suit.
“What is this for?”
She looks at me like I’m crazy. “We’re searching for your bracelet.”
“But it’s probably at the bottom of the seafloor somewhere.”
She rolls her eyes. “Exactly. Get dressed.”
I balk at her. “Are you forgetting something?”
She looks at me harder, brows knitted together. “What?”
I gesture toward the water. “I’m not a freaking mermaid, Arabella.”
She laughs as if my confusion finally dawns on her. “I forget how new you are sometimes. Just change.”
I look behind me, at Island Grille. “Are you crazy? I’m not changing here.”
“I’ve been cloaking us since we left the parking lot. No one can see you.”
