by Melissa Haag
“You need to work on your hugging skills,” he told me.
“Thanks for the tip. I’m sure Eliana will be happy to help me today, though. You just get me a name.”
“I’m on it, my wrath goddess.”
I grinned and watched him jog away. When I looked at Eliana, I found her watching me.
“What?” I asked.
“I think he’s trying to cause trouble between you and Oanen. Oanen’s going to smell him on you.”
“As you pointed out, Oanen’s not here today.”
She shook her head, and we walked inside, joining the masses in the halls.
“So why do you need to know about oracles?” she asked.
“Because I’m tired of bullshit answers.”
Eliana laughed.
“That’s all everyone here does. Why do you think an oracle would be any different?”
She had me there. But that didn’t change my plan. I asked everyone during our first session. Some gave me looks like I’d dropped a silent bomb in class. Some sniggered and smirked but said nothing. The second session wasn’t much different. I even asked Professor Flavian.
“Megan, oracles are dangerous creatures. It would be a better use of your time here if you returned to your studies in the library.”
“Nope. It wouldn’t. Been there. Read that. I need answers, and no one here wants to give them.”
“I’m sorry, Megan. I can’t help you.”
“You won’t help me. There’s a difference.”
I walked out of the room and straight into Eliana.
“I heard,” she said.
“It’s really starting to piss me off. You want lunch?”
She gave me a startled look then quickly hugged me. I laughed and hugged her back. My frustration immediately faded.
“That’s not what I meant, but I’ll take it.”
“Oh, you meant–”
“Now this is what I like to see,” Fenris said from behind Eliana. “Can I get in on that?”
Eliana pulled away and gave Fenris a scolding look. “I think you’ve hugged Megan enough. She’s with Oanen, and you know it. Stop trying to cause trouble.”
He gave her his best boyish smile.
“Does that mean you’ll give me a hug instead?”
Eliana shook her head and turned to me.
“Ready for lunch?”
Fenris winked at me over her head.
“I wanted to let you know that I haven’t found the car scratcher, yet, and the word’s spreading that you’re looking for an oracle. I’m still keeping my nose and ears out for both.”
“Thanks.”
We left Fenris and merged with the flow of bodies heading toward lunch. Instead of going outside, we sat in one of the free rooms to eat our meals in peace.
“Seriously, Megan. What are you hoping to learn? Why an oracle?”
“First, I want to know if there’s an oracle even alive. Second, I want to find out where said oracle would live if said oracle is alive. Finally, I want the oracle to tell me what I will become or how I can control my temper. Both, if the oracle is willing.”
“I don’t know much about oracles, but I do know nothing’s ever free. You’ll need to give something to get something.”
“Your hugs are free. Oanen’s protection is free.”
“Nope. I take something from you with each hug. And, the bond is the price of Oanen’s protection.”
“What about your friendship? Is that free?”
“Nope. There’s a price there, too. You now carry the stigma of associating with the succubus who can’t feed.”
“My stigma doesn’t seem to bother Fenris.”
“That’s because he wants something. I just haven’t figured out what yet.”
I took another bite of my Oanen-made sandwich so I couldn’t answer if she asked me anything. She didn’t, though.
“How am I going to find out what I need?” I asked after I swallowed my mouthful.
Eliana shrugged. “Keep asking people, I guess. Word is spreading. Someone’s bound to know something.”
After we finished our lunches, we tossed the bags in the recycling near the door. A tingle of irritation ran up my spine, and my head whipped in the direction of the hall. Eliana immediately grabbed my hand. Neither of us moved as voices filtered into the room.
“She’s asking everyone.”
“I bet she is. Don’t tell her a thing. That bitch owes me a human. She has no idea what she stepped into.”
I recognized the second voice. The merbitch I’d kicked in the face.
“Why not tell her?” the first voice asked. “She’d never make it to the island without help.”
There was a moment of silence.
“You’re brilliant. This is far better than getting people to trash her car or trying to get her to fry her boyfriend.”
If not for Eliana’s hold, I would have flown out the door. Instead, all of the rage trying to pump into me slipped away before I could embrace it. Eliana held my hand until their footsteps faded. As soon as she released me, I ran out into the hall but found it empty.
Eliana watched me closely, no doubt trying to decide if it was backpack time.
“Where’s the island?” I asked.
“There’s only one lake. I’m guessing it’s there.”
The same lake where I’d kicked the merbitch in the face. If there was an island somewhere on that large body of water, I needed to find it. There were two ways to do that. A search by water or by air. Either one would take some time if I didn’t know a general idea of where to look. The lake was beyond huge.
“I need to go back to the library. I’ll see you after school,” I said absently, already thinking of what I would need to do.
“Behave,” Eliana called as I hurried away.
I took my phone from my pocket and started dialing Oanen’s number. Before I reached the second turn, I heard Adira’s voice and stopped. She was the last person I wanted to run into. I was still pissed as hell at her.
“I trust you’ll do well when you choose to leave,” she said. “Your parents and I understand that it won’t be until the bond is settled between the two of you. But when it is, there’s some important work we need you to complete.”
“I understand,” Oanen said. “I’ll do what’s necessary.”
I frowned and stepped around the corner. Both turned to look at me.
Adira smiled slightly.
“I’ll let you share the news.” She stepped back into her office and closed the door.
“News?” I asked.
“That meeting my parents wanted with the Council? It was for my mark. I didn’t know.”
A bubble of excitement burst inside of me.
“Let me see.”
He turned his head, and I saw a large trinity knot on the column of his neck.
“My mom had that on the inside of her wrist,” I said. I couldn’t believe that was the mark that would let us in and out of Uttira.
“Yeah. Location and size don’t matter. You can choose both when it’s time.”
“This is perfect, Oanen,” I said, stepping close and grasping his forearm. “You can take me to see my mom.”
His expression shifted slightly.
“I can’t. It was the one oath I had to give before they gave the mark. I cannot take you from Uttira until you have a mark of your own.”
I could feel my insides start to heat and quickly took two steps back from him.
He reached for me like he was going to close the space again, and I held up my hand.
“Don’t. I’m not even sure this is far enough.”
His expression changed to one of hurt.
“I’m not mad at you,” I said. “I’m mad at the Council. Why are they such assholes?”
“They’re trying to protect the humans. Without control, you could hurt a lot of them.”
“No shit. I could hurt a lot of people in Uttira, too. That’s why I need to figure out how to contr
ol this. I need the answers my mom can give me.”
I clenched my hands in frustration and glared at Adira’s door. Furls of smoke started to curl up from the wood door.
“I can try to find her,” he said. “Your mom. The Council never said anything to prevent that. Do you know where she might be?”
My gaze flew to him, and all my anger left me.
“Yes. I do.” I texted him our last address. “I think she’s still there. Maybe.”
“Good, and I’ll go right now on one condition,” he said.
“Sure. What is it?”
“You go home and stay there until I get back. Eliana will check up on you.”
“Done.”
He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around me.
“We’ll figure this out, Megan. Together.”
When he nudged my head up, I didn’t think why.
His lips touched mine lightly, sending a zing of desire straight through me. Heat gathered in my middle once more. His tongue swept against the seam of my lips, and I opened with a small sound of need. The heat pooled under my skin. I gripped his shoulders and stretched taller, needing more contact.
He kissed me like he would never see me again, and I kissed him back just as desperately.
When we finally tore apart, his face was red, and he had two scorch marks on his shoulders.
I cringed.
“Don’t,” he said. “I loved every second of that. The fire of your kiss does more than burn me. It lets me know what you feel is real. That I really am the one you want to be with.”
“Of course you are.” I couldn’t believe he would ever doubt it.
“It’s sometimes hard to tell when you always smell like Fenris.”
“About that. He’s promised me to secrecy, but I swear to you there’s a reason for it that has nothing to do with his interest in me.”
Oanen studied me for a moment then nodded.
“Thank you. I trust you, Megan. And I trust him because you asked me to. But, it’s still not easy smelling him on you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll ask him again if I can talk to you about it.”
“After I’m back. Hopefully, it won’t take long.”
I smiled and shooed him down the hall.
“Go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’re back. And the sooner I can stop giving you second degree burns every time we’re together.”
He gave me one last kiss and strode away. Excitement coursed through me at the thought that all of our struggles might soon be over. I couldn’t wait to just hug him without worrying about hurting him.
It wasn’t until he turned the corner that reality pooped on my rainbow. My mom had moved us often, and there was no guarantee that she hadn’t moved again. What if she wasn’t where I’d left her?
I sent off a quick series of texts to Oanen with all the prior addresses I could remember then went to the library. Even if he did find her, there was still no guarantee that she’d talk to me. After all, she’d left me here with no clue in the first place. I was tired of waiting. The information about oracles was a solid lead to get answers. And now, I also knew one lived on an island in the lake. Wouldn’t it be smarter for me to at least research what I could and know where she was if Oanen didn’t find my mom?
Researching in the library proved to be helpful for a change. On one of the lower shelves, there was a large book that had a hand drawn map of Uttira. The massive lake had a spell on it that reduced its size in the human world while maintaining its size within Uttira. It was easily half the size of one of the Great Lakes.
In the center of the water, the mapmaker placed a dot and called it the Isle of Woe. There were no other details and no other dots.
I headed out the door with the information and didn’t bother going to any of the other sessions. If I wanted to get to the island without Oanen’s help, I’d need a boat and some supplies. And a lot of real, practical advice about mermaids that I wouldn’t find in the books. I picked up my phone from the basket in the hall and sent a message to Ashlyn.
Do you have time to come over tonight? Or could I come to your place? I have some questions about the lake.
Sure. I’d rather you come to me.
I’ll be there by five, I replied.
Oanen would understand.
Sixteen
Ashlyn sat on the couch after offering me something to drink. She looked less sad now. The dark circles that had shadowed under her eyes during the first week following her uncle’s death were gone. Yet, I still saw hints of sorrow in her expression. It would likely linger for a long while. I couldn’t imagine how it must feel to be still living in this place after losing her family twice.
I took a seat across from her.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had time to talk much,” I said. “How have you been?”
“Good. Well, not good. But better. I like having Eugene, Zoe, and Kelsey here. Camil and I didn’t talk much even though we were close to the same age.”
I recalled the girl who I’d found dead in the dumpster and felt a pang of regret that things hadn’t changed in Uttira quickly enough to help her.
“How are they adjusting, in your opinion?” I asked.
“Eugene is embracing all of this. Kelsey and Zoe are taking it in. I think they’re still deciding what to do.”
“I wish the Council would just give them enough money to improve their lives and let them go.”
Ashlyn snorted.
“Your heart’s in the right place, but all the money in the world wouldn’t stop what would happen to them. They have no parents. No guaranteed safety net. No one to protect them from all the harsh things out there. After living here, you should know the human world that you saw isn’t what it really is. There are predators out there that will feed on the forgotten and unattached.”
A shiver ran through me, a nudge of anger that didn’t really have a source.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Your eyes just flickered orange.”
“You’re safe; but no, I’m not okay. The talk of predators stoked the fires that have been kindling inside me since your uncle’s death. There’s an itch to do something about all of it. But, I’m stuck here.” I leaned forward slightly. “Do you know anything about the Isle of Woe?” I asked.
“No. What is it?”
“It’s an island in the center of the lake. There’s an oracle that lives there, I guess.”
Her expression changed to suspicion.
“Who told you that?”
“I overheard some mermaids talking.”
She shook her head.
“Don’t believe anything they tell you. They will do whatever they can to get you into their waters. It’s probably a trap.”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you. You’re my best source of actual information when it comes to mermaids. What happens when they get you in the water?”
“I don’t know. Previous humans, who’ve gone in, haven’t come back. Ever.”
It was the same thing that Oanen had said. My outrage poked my fury anger, but nothing happened.
“I need to get to the oracle. Do you have any tips for me?”
“Yeah, don’t do it. As soon as you put a boat on the lake, the mermaids will try to tip it. You saw what happens when they get you in their water.”
“And you saw what I do.”
She studied me for a moment.
“You’ll need some extra weight in the boat to make it harder to tip. Some weapons to deter them wouldn’t hurt either. Probably a change of clothes. If it’s any amount of distance, you’re going to go in. More and more mermaids will swarm the boat, and they’ll work together. The sheer number will eventually tip you over.”
I thought about it and nodded. I wasn’t human. Even though I’d been hurt the one time I went in, they couldn’t seem to hurt me permanently. Was it a risk I was willing to take? I thought of Oanen’s burnt face and missing eyebrows. Yes. It was.
“When are you thinking of goi
ng?” Ashlyn asked.
“Soon,” I said. “Oanen’s trying to find my mom. He already checked her old address, and she isn’t there. Everything’s gone. This is my backup plan. I need answers, Ashlyn.”
“Whenever you do go, start out at dawn. They aren’t as active. And, promise to text me before you leave. I won’t try to stop you; but if something goes wrong, the Quills will need to know where to start looking.”
“Fair enough. Just make sure to give me a full day before raising the alarm.”
* * * *
My phone beeped. I tossed aside the kitchen towel and checked the message. My heart thumped seeing it was another one from Oanen. He had been updating me on the progress of his search for my mom over the last three days, and none of it had been good so far. Being apart from him for this long might have been tolerable if he were at least finding clues about where my mom might have gone. But he wasn’t.
Each day, the need for him grew stronger, and I worried about what would happen when I finally did see him again. I felt so unstable inside. I needed answers. I needed Oanen so much it hurt to breathe. And, that worried me.
Struggling to stay calm, I read the message. It didn’t bring any better news than the last one.
Cali is another dead end.
I wanted to swear. Instead I typed out a relaxed message.
All right. Thank you for checking it.
How are you holding up? Want Eliana to take you to the Roost tonight?
I’d been stuck in the house for days. Truthfully, I was going stir crazy. But the last thing I wanted was a crowd of people and thumping music. I wanted to get the hell out of this damn town and strangle my mother. But I couldn’t tell Oanen any of that, or he’d fly right back to me.
The thought of seeing him made my heart race in excitement, and for the briefest of moments, I considered telling him to come home. The memory of his burnt face stopped me. So, I lied.
I’m doing okay. Just finished the lunch dishes. Not really in the mood for the Roost. Fenris would probably be there in all of his hugging glory.
I felt bad using Fenris as an excuse, but I didn’t want Oanen to make a call to Eliana despite my reassurances I was fine. Hopefully, his suggestion had nothing to do with what he might feel from me and had more to do with how well he knew me.