They took me to a huge cavern where the waters glowed an otherworldly blue. There were giant stalactites and natural marble formations everywhere. We went through several chambers until we came to a white-lit tunnel that opened up to what looked like a cathedral room. There was a fissure in the ceiling from which a beam of bright light illuminated the area like a massive lightning bolt.
“She’s pretty enough,” the sea creature said, taking a closer look at me. “Any flaws?”
“She’s smart, especially in science,” Adel remarked.
The corners of Belva’s mouth drooped. “There’s just one little thing. She doesn’t know how to swim.”
The eel let out a loud roar and began to shed its skin, revealing a beautiful mermaid with long black hair and a deep purple tail. “What am I supposed to do with someone who can’t swim?”
“We didn’t find out until it was too late,” Belva added. “We’d already cast the spell.”
“Excuses mean nothing to me,” the creature spat. “It was your job to bring me the finest specimen around, and you failed.”
“We’ll take her back and get you another one,” Calista said.
“Take her back where? She can’t be set free now that she knows about us. Put her in the black hole.”
Adel shuddered and said softly, “But she’ll die in there.”
“And you’ll have no one to blame but yourselves. Do as I say, or you’ll wind up in there as well.”
As the three mermaids surrounded me, a familiar voice rang out. “Give her to me. I’ll teach her to swim.” A second later, Sasha propelled himself in front of me with one swish of his thick cobalt tail. His powerful well-muscled upper body moved with easy grace.
I merely stared, tongue-tied that Sasha was a merman, but grateful that he was here to save me.
“Do you trust that she’ll work with you and not try to escape?” the creature asked.
He spoke with quiet, but desperate, firmness. “I do. Besides, what choice does she have? Where would she go, and what would she do? She’s one of us now, like it or not.”
The creature’s dark eyes narrowed. “It’s still risky. I trust you have a plan?”
“I do. No need to worry, Aunt Dabria. Our secret won’t get out. I promise you,” he said smoothly, with no expression on his face.
Icy fear twisted my heart. Sasha was related to that vile creature! He wasn’t my savior. He was going to make me suitable to serve that monster. I choked back a frightened cry, knowing there was no way for me to escape.
As I fought hard to control my swirling emotions, Sasha wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me snugly against him before swimming out of the grotto and then up through the waves. The wind whipped strands of my long, wet hair across my face, but I barely felt it. All I cared about was gaining my freedom. When we reached the shore, his hold on me loosened, and I knew this could be my opportunity. Thankfully, my tail transformed into legs before his did, and I was able to bolt across the beach, nearly reaching the road as he tackled me. I was ready for him, though, and used my martial arts training to my advantage. A quick kick to his jaw sent him reeling backward.
I sprang to my feet and sprinted about ten yards before he caught me again. This time he countered my attack with one of his own, and I landed flat on my back. My arms and legs were pinned by his crushing weight, rendering me helpless to move.
“Stop fighting,” he ordered brusquely. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
I boldly met his gaze. “You don’t really expect me to believe that.”
Uncertainty crept into his eyes. “If I wanted to hurt you, why would I have saved you from my aunt?”
“Did you?”
“What would you call it then?”
I drew a deep breath and forbade myself to tremble. “Catering to her. Offering to teach me to swim so I could become her slave.”
“It was all I could think of to get her to turn you over to me.” His voice was firm, final.
I studied him closely, wanting desperately to believe him, but unwilling to take the chance. “You set me up.”
Intense astonishment touched his face. “What? When?”
“This morning. You didn’t almost run me over by accident. It was intentional, used as a way for us to meet.”
His look changed to one of annoyance. “I suppose I also planned to nearly break my neck and trash my bike. Yep. All planned.”
I didn’t know what to think. He truly seemed upset by my words. Yet, what other explanation was there for today’s crazy events?
His tone became gentle, and his voice broke slightly. “I don’t blame you for being angry. Your life will never be the same, but I swear to you that I had nothing to do with what’s happened to you.”
I wanted to believe him. I really did because if he was telling the truth, then maybe I could convince him to let me go. On the other hand, if he was lying… But what choice did I have? Sasha was my only chance at survival. I stopped struggling. “So you had no knowledge of what Belva, Adel, and Calista had planned?”
The corner of his mouth twisted with exasperation. “No, of course not. I would never do that to you. No one should be turned into a mermaid against her will.”
It was possible he was telling the truth. However, he was related to that awful creature. “Would you be willing to go against your aunt to prove it?”
“It would bring me great pleasure to do so.”
I stared at him incredulously. “Really?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to prove to my uncle just how wicked she is. That chance is now, and you can help me do it. Dabria’s not my blood. My uncle is. But that sea witch has control over him, which gives her control over me… At least until I’m eighteen when I can legally rule.”
A tumble of confused thoughts and feelings assailed me. “What do you mean?”
“My father was king for over fifty years, and I’m convinced she had something to do with my parents’ death. I just haven’t been able to prove it.”
“You’re a prince?”
“And I’m afraid in jeopardy of becoming one of her victims.”
Strange and disquieting thoughts began to race through my mind, and I wavered, trying to comprehend what I was hearing, but his magnetic blue eyes compelled an answer. “How can I help?” I asked, wondering if I’d come to regret my decision.
Chapter 6
Sasha got off me, and the two of us sat side-by-side, cross-legged in the sand.
“Dabria’s been taking merfolk to a remote place, a dark area much deeper than where we usually reside,” he said. “I haven’t been able to find out what she’s doing there. She has it guarded. But once you’ve learned to swim, she’ll want you back. You’ll then have access to her private quarters and can look for clues.”
It was impossible to steady my erratic pulse. “That sounds dangerous. I haven’t even begun to process being a mermaid yet, let alone how to spy on a sea witch.”
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know, and I would never ask you to do anything I didn’t think you could handle.”
I let out a groan as a war of emotions raged through me. “Why did this happen? I don’t want to be a mermaid. I want my old life back. Tell me that’s possible.”
His handsome face clouded with regret. “I wish I could, but there’s no going back. Once a mermaid, always a mermaid.”
Tears stung my eyes, and it was impossible to keep my lips from trembling. “So what now?”
He reached over and placed his hand on mine. “Stay positive. There are lots of wonderful things about being a mermaid.”
“Like?”
“Like going places and seeing things that most people never will.”
I had to admit that the underwater world was spectacular, and I would love to see more of it. “What else?”
“Swimming under the stars. We’re most active at night. In fact, those of us, like you and me, who are part human, spend the night hours as merfolk. Duri
ng the day, we resume our normal lives. We need at least ten hours of air to spend the night underwater. You see, we’re different from full mers. Our gills aren’t the same. But we also need the ocean to survive, or like every other fish out of water, we’ll dry up and die.”
I flinched at that horrible thought. “What about sleep?”
His full lips curved up into a smile. “We don’t need it. Our entire lives are spent awake.”
I thought about that for a minute, pondering the idea of never getting tired and liking it. “You’re right. There are things about being a mermaid that sound wonderful. On the other hand, being held by your aunt is terrifying.”
“As long as you do as she asks, she won’t hurt you.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring.”
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.” His strong fingers curled around mine, sending a tingle down my spine. “Besides, it’s only temporary. Once I have the proof I need, my uncle will take control, and Dabria’s reign of terror will be over.”
Streaks of magenta and gold lined the sky as the sun began to set. “Do I have time to go home and see my mom? She has to be worried sick about me.”
“You have all night.”
“But I thought—”
He cut me off before I could finish my sentence. “It takes twenty-four hours to become a full-fledged mermaid, so enjoy your last night at home…and in your bed.” He squeezed my hand before letting go. “But do not tell a soul. Not your mom, not anyone. Our world has to remain a secret, or our lives will be in jeopardy.”
“I understand.” Relief washed over me like the roiling waves crashing against the shore. The wind had picked up, a reminder of Sasha’s earlier words that a storm was coming. I spotted my shoes and books down the beach. “See you in class tomorrow,” I said, before sprinting over to them.
I watched as he walked along the water with the foam coming up over the hem of his pants, and waited for him to disappear from view before heading home. As I walked, I tried to think of an excuse as to why I was a bedraggled mess and wondered if anything would sound believable. I decided to tell a half-truth, that I’d made a friend at school and when he found out that I couldn’t swim, offered to teach me, beginning today with a trip to the beach.
I hesitated a moment before opening the door to our typical tropical-style house. The living room was empty, but I could hear Mary, my mom’s home care aide, clattering around in the kitchen. She must be making dinner. I crept upstairs, stopping for a moment in the master bedroom that had once been my parents’ room. It looked the way it had when my dad was alive. Nothing had changed over the year that he’d been gone, except that my mom now slept in the spare room downstairs. I went over to the bedside table and picked up the pewter picture frame that housed my dad’s photo. I’d inherited his thick, tawny-gold hair and slate-colored eyes. I had his nose too—narrow and straight—as well as his high cheekbones. He was a strikingly handsome man, made even more distinguished by the graying at his temples. He’d been one of the top marine biologists in the world and my desire had always been to follow in his footsteps. Would I ever have the opportunity now? A deep sadness tightened my throat. “I miss you so much,” I whispered, running the edge of my thumb over his face.
Footsteps on the stairs made me quickly set the frame down and then hurry to my room. A moment later, there was a knock on my door.
“Regan, are you in there?” Mary asked.
“Yes, just a minute. I’m getting changed.” I pulled my shirt up over my head and then tossed it in the laundry bin across from me.
“Good. I thought I’d heard the front door open. Your mom and I have been worried about you. Come down soon. I have to head home.”
“Okay. I won’t be long.” I took off the rest of my clothes and then slipped on a pair of jeans and an oversized t-shirt. After running a brush through my hair, I pulled it back into a ponytail, hoping they wouldn’t notice how wet it was.
My mom was in the kitchen when I entered. Mary set a bowl of what looked like stew on the table in front of her. “Smells good,” I said, walking over to the stove to help myself to dinner.
“Thanks. I added extra carrots, especially for you,” Mary replied. She grabbed her purse that was on one of the chairs and then kissed my mom’s cheek. “See you in the morning, Raya.” Before leaving, she came over to me. “Do you think you’ll be late again tomorrow? Because if so, I’ll tell Tom not to wait for me, but to go ahead and eat supper.”
I avoided looking at her, pretending to be interested in the simmering pot of food instead. “I probably will be all week.” It better not take Sasha longer than that to teach me what I needed to know about being a mermaid.
Her bushy gray brows shot up in surprise.
“I met someone at school who’s offered to teach me to swim.”
“So that’s why your hair’s wet,” she said, her faded hazel eyes focused on my head.
“Swim?” My mom set her spoon down with a clatter. She still wasn’t good at using her left hand. “I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
I ladled out some stew, keeping my back to them as I could feel my face grow hot. “Yeah, well, it’s time I learned, and he’s a really nice guy.”
Before I could say more, my mom cut me off. “A boy? You’ve finally met someone you’re interested in.”
“Not like that, ma. We’re lab partners, that’s all.”
“And soon to be swim partners,” she added with a crooked smile. She made no secret of the fact that she was worried that I didn’t have friends, and that included a boyfriend. My mom blamed herself because all my free time was taken up caring for her. No matter how many times I told her I didn’t mind, it made no difference. She would often tell me my teenage years were meant to be free and full of fun, so it was no surprise when her face lit up, and she said, “Well, I couldn’t be happier for you, dear. And who knows, maybe when you get to know him better, you’ll develop a spark…”
“Mom,” I moaned, “we’re never going to be more than friends, I can promise you that.”
Mary laughed as she slung her purse over her shoulder and then headed out the back door. “Good night, ladies!”
“Good night, and thank you!” I yelled after her. Mary was a sweet woman in her late sixties, who treated my mom and me like we were a part of her family, and we felt the same about her.
After I filled up my bowl, I grabbed a dinner roll and then sat down next to my mom. “How was your day?” I asked. “Get any painting done?”
“Not much, and what little I did do doesn’t resemble what I was attempting at all.” She frowned. “I feel like a five-year-old just learning to draw.” Her voice was hoarse with frustration. “Sometimes, I think I’ll never regain even a fraction of the talent I once had.”
My heart broke for her. Raya Gardner was well known for her gorgeous oil paintings, and people used to come from all over to purchase one. She specialized in seaside artwork that was so realistic they made you feel like you were actually staring at the ocean. “You will. It’s just going to take time.”
“Don’t you think a year is long enough?” There was a critical tone to her voice that would soon become full-blown anger if I didn’t change the subject.
“I’m thinking of asking Katie over for dinner soon. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
When she looked over at me, her expression had relaxed. “Not at all. I’d love to meet her, as well as your new boyfriend. Why don’t you invite him too?”
I was happy that her mood had improved and didn’t want to put a damper on it, so I simply ignored her boyfriend comment and said, “Sure. I’ll ask him.”
“And I’ll ask Mary to make her fabulous mac and cheese.”
“Sounds good.” For the next hour, I kept the conversation light. I chatted about school, as I usually did during dinner. My mom loved to hear about my day. After that, I got her settled in her room, making sure she had a book to read, and then promised to come back later to check
on her.
It was nearly midnight before I climbed into bed, and that’s when it really hit me that my life, as I’d known it for sixteen years, was over.
Chapter 7
The climate in the Florida Keys is very much like that of the Caribbean. There are two seasons. Winter is the dry season. It’s warm and sunny and beautiful, with an average of seventy degrees. But September is hot and wet. I tried to use that as the reason why I couldn’t get comfortable. I’d pull up the covers, but then wind up kicking them off.
When a bright flash of lightning, followed by a loud clap of thunder exploded outside my bedroom window, I snuggled under my comforter, trying to block out the storm. Except there was no way to escape from the fear that shook me. A vivid image of wild, raging waves filled my mind. After tonight, instead of being safely tucked into bed, I’d be in the ocean, under that treacherous water. What if Sasha wasn’t able to teach me to swim? What if I sunk like a rock and wasn’t able to come up for air at daybreak? Crazy, terrifying thoughts whirled around in my head. Thankfully, the storm muffled my sobs. The last thing I wanted was to wake my mom. Although downstairs, her room was directly below mine, and she had ears like a hawk.
I don’t know what time it was when I finally fell asleep, but when my alarm went off, I had to drag myself out of bed. Dark rings lined my bloodshot eyes. It would take drops to get the red out and lots of concealer to look presentable for school.
Not wanting questions from either my mom or Mary, I got dressed, wearing my bathing suit under my clothes, grabbed a fruit and nut bar to eat on the way instead of a full breakfast, and then said a quick goodbye. I used the excuse of needing to talk to my science teacher before class as my reason for the rush. Neither one questioned it, and I hated fibbing, but telling the truth wasn’t an option. I certainly couldn’t tell them I was up all night crying because the Popular Girl Posse had made me a mermaid. Nope. I was one of them now and had to keep the secret.
On my way to Reef Ridge Academy, I half expected to run into Sasha, but that didn’t happen. As I walked, my eyes kept returning to the beach below, and I scoured the water, thinking I might see a mer emerge from the waves. Once as a child, while on the way to elementary school, I’d sworn that I had. Annalea Island, like most, was full of tales of mermaid sightings, but my dad, being the pragmatist that he was, had convinced me otherwise. I never could’ve imagined how wrong he’d be! There was a whole other world beneath the sea. One that I now belonged to. Just the thought sent a chill through me, but I had to admit, I was also filled with wonder.
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