Blue Moon (Crimson Romance)

by Anne Bourne

  He glanced at Sevag, who was chuckling to himself.

  “Enough!”

  Sevag gave him a disgruntled look but exited the cavern with a swish of his long tail.

  “My hero,” Scyllane croaked, still strong enough for sarcasm. “But still only willing to believe what he sees, not what he’s told.”

  Erebos sighed. He had loved her more than the tides loved the moon. Still, it was a great punishment for mermaids to have their eggs taken and not something done lightly.

  “Scyllane,” he started but then stopped. It was over now.

  He scooped up the mirror his brother had played with and saw his dark reflection. When had his eyes become so black? His hair gray and scraggly like seaweed?

  Suddenly, the mirror hummed to life. Its surface sparked white and then ran a series of images of two merfolk he didn’t recognize.

  “Who are they?” he asked and held up the mirror to her face.

  Scyllane eyed it warily and he realized she was losing control of her magic. That could have been the reason the mirror hadn’t responded until just now.

  “Jake. The orphan the king rescued. I do not know this other mermaid. Why can’t I see Ephyra?” he demanded and held the mirror up.

  Scyllane smiled blandly.

  “Why can’t I see her?” Erebos repeated to himself, knowing the sea witch would not help. “There is magic of some sort she’s found.”

  He glanced back at Scyllane and his eyes sagged for a moment in grief. He kissed the tips of his fingers and tossed it to her.

  “I fear I won’t see you again, pet,” he said and in a sweep of bubbles was gone.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Hey, Muriel,” Marcus said as he walked up behind the red-headed mermaid, as she sat on the sandy shore. It hadn’t taken much to persuade Gabriel to take Ephyra somewhere for dessert and he’d promised to look after Muriel.

  She turned with an eager expression, long auburn hair cascading off her shoulder. For a moment, Marcus hesitated in what he was about to do. The blue stone necklace sparkled between her breasts. He drew a breath. For Jane and a new life after this is over.

  “Hello,” she said.

  Marcus saw her interest in his tanned body and wondered if seducing mermaids was like women. She was staring at him with interest so he played on that, keeping his shirt off and lightly brushing her as they walked.

  “So, how are you doing? Adjusting okay?” He grinned.

  “Yes, thank you, walking is harder than I thought. You are talented,” she said with a smile.

  “I suppose so. Would you like me to show you around the Keys?”

  Muriel hesitated and Marcus waited patiently. What better time to win her affections than when she was longing for someone to look at her the way Gabe did at Ephyra? It was sneaky, but Marcus couldn’t let Jane come to any harm and this opportunity was waiting for him all tied up with a bow.

  “Sure, that would be nice.” Muriel took Marcus’s outstretched hand and he helped her stand.

  The night air was softly humid and sweet scented. He watched Muriel listen to the wind and waves with a curious expression. The moon hung at half-mast in the sky and illuminated the water.

  Marcus wondered if Muriel thought Florida was dry compared to living under water. She walked along easily, her stride long if a bit hesitant.

  Marcus steered her protectively around sand castles and holes kids had dug. “So, do you like it up here?” Marcus asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  Muriel laughed.

  “I like it, but I’d never get used to it. It’s so hard to move here.”

  “I get it. I scuba dive a lot and love the way the water holds you up.”

  “Yes, it seems hard to balance on land,” she said and steered around a family walking on the sand.

  Marcus made sure she caught the intrigued glance he gave her. They made their way slowly back toward the strip of restaurants, the lights like fireflies in the dark.

  “And how do you know English, er, this language?” Marcus was glad they could communicate but he had no idea how it was happening.

  “We study as much of your culture as we can. Mermaids are capable of several languages.”

  “This is surreal.” He grinned.

  Marcus could tell she’d never had much male attention from the way she was blushing and uncomfortable. It made him feel like shit for stringing her along so easily but the cost could be lives.

  “Hey, you want to go out for a ride on my boat?” he asked and was surprised when he felt excited at her complete agreement.

  They walked toward the marina. Only a few clouds marred the bright sunlight and a breeze kicked up the ocean smell. They had reached the dock when a sharp voice called out.

  “So you tell me to hide and you’re out with another woman.”

  Marcus turned and faced a rightfully angry Jane. He closed his eyes briefly, searching for the courage to face his girlfriend. She was an awesome sight with her flaxen hair flying in the wind and blue eyes narrowed. Muriel was obviously confused by the other woman.

  “Hey, Jane! This is my friend Muriel,” he said, trying to play it casual and cool. “Could you give us a few minutes?” His eyes were apologetic.

  Muriel merely nodded to them and walked away. Marcus saw her trying to remain calm and knew he’d hurt her.

  Marcus spread his hands out in a gesture of surrender.

  “Jane, this isn’t what it looks like. You and I are in danger,” he said earnestly. “I’m trying to buy my way out.”

  She cocked her hip, a feisty trait he both loved and hated about her. Jane pursed her lips.

  “She looks like more than a friend, Marcus. And what danger am I in? I can help,” she said resentfully.

  “I need her for something. Can’t you trust me?”

  Jane rolled her eyes and tossed her silky hair. Hoop earrings dangled from her ears and shimmered in the moonlight. Marcus swallowed at what a beautiful woman he’d found. He didn’t want to lose her.

  “I trust you. What’s this plan?” she asked determinedly.

  Marcus could tell she wasn’t going to leave. He made the only decision he could and took a deep breath.

  Chapter Twenty

  Gabriel and Ephyra walked down a brightly lit Main Street. She was peering into every window, eyeing every car that passed. Even though he could handle the thought of her being royalty he wasn’t sure he could handle falling for her anymore. She was a beacon of strength among women he’d dated. Her energy alone made him want to be more, go further.

  “Do you think Jake’s already learned to drive and stolen a car?” Gabriel teased.

  She gave him a mock glare.

  “I don’t know. Jake is very resourceful.”

  Gabriel felt her little jolts every time he brushed her skin with his hand or arm. He liked the way it made her blush as she tried to ignore it. Ever since the cave she’d been different and he couldn’t say he disliked it.

  “He has brown hair, brown eyes,” she continued.

  “So, we’re searching for pretty much half the population,” Gabriel joked.

  He kept his eyes peeled nonetheless. Some part of him wondered if this Jake was someone he’d have problems with. He didn’t want to presume to understand mermaid relationships but also knew he had found someone so rare that it would take a hell of a lot for him to let go.

  He noted Ephyra’s somber face and wished she would smile again. Gabriel kept making excuses to be closer to her as they walked. It seemed almost second nature to take her hand and she didn’t protest. He felt awake; the kind of awake that a cold shower jolts you into.

  For some reason, all the radios they passed were playing sappy love songs. Gabriel fell prey even more to the spell Ephyra was casting. He spied an e
xotic flower stand and while she was searching a café, he bought her a red and yellow hibiscus to put in her hair.

  “Thank you,” she said as he tucked the stem behind her ear and smoothed her hair over the spot.

  He smiled and was rewarded by one in return. He knew it was stupid to carry this further but his heart refused to care. He loved that she was softer toward him, her eyes didn’t hold that wariness anymore at him.

  “What’s wrong?” Ephyra asked in the intensity of his gaze.

  “Nothing. You’re just very beautiful,” he said truthfully.

  “Oh, that’s very kind to say.” Ephyra clearly wasn’t sure what to do with a compliment.

  Gabriel didn’t want to make her uncomfortable with flattery so he pressed her for more information.

  “There’s so much I don’t know, and I wish I had time to explore it,” she said.

  “Yea?” Gabriel smiled. “And what exactly is the rush?”

  “It’s complicated. I don’t know if you’d believe me even if I told you,” Ephyra said with a wry grin.

  “You’re probably right,” Gabriel laughed.

  “Do you believe in magic?” she asked.

  “I believe that you’re a mermaid,” he said carefully.

  Ephyra took a breath and then looked at him as if what she was about to say would make him run away.

  “True. The magic I speak of is hidden in runes and ancient locks beneath the sea. A sea witch brought me here to hide from a merlord who has risen from his imprisonment and he wants to take over the realms of the sea.”

  Gabriel wasn’t sure whether he wanted to fight her on this or just believe. He’d never actually seen her change into a human, of course — for that matter, he had no proof she’d ever sported a tail — but her explanation did make sense in a freakishly fantastical way.

  “Is this why Jake is so important?”

  “Yes, he protects me.”

  Gabriel felt there was more she wanted to say but she bit her lip worriedly.

  “Tell you what, let’s forget about merlords and war for tonight. We have a fun human custom I’d like to show you,” he said and stood, holding out his hand.

  Ephyra smiled up at him as he extended his hand. Gabriel didn’t let go of it as they walked out into humid, cool air. Lights sparkled off the many clubs and onto the water like fireflies.

  “Where are we going?” she asked playfully. “You’ll see.”

  They stopped at a building bursting with lights and music. Palm trees gracefully framed the entrance and wait staff dressed in white suit coats rushed around with food on trays.

  “Will you be dining tonight?” a man asked politely.

  “We’d like a couple of drinks. Is the dance floor open?” Gabriel asked with a smile.

  The man grinned and nodded. “This way.”

  “I thought we could dance,” Gabriel told her as they sat at a table covered in white linen.

  “I don’t know how.”

  “I don’t know either. It’s not hard, we just sway together.” Gabriel joked.

  A waiter arrived to take their order. Gabriel ordered lemon chicken and Ephyra ended up with the pasta.

  “I’ve never had lettuce,” she said with a raised brow, when the waiter had gone, announcing he’d bring their salads out.

  “It’s like seaweed except I think it’ll taste better.” Gabriel smiled and held out his hand. “Dance?”

  Gabriel felt her uncertainty but held her firmly and she was soon swaying in time with him. He liked the feel of her skin and the way she had to tilt her head up to look at him.

  “Am I doing dancing correctly?” she asked breathlessly.

  “Yes,” he responded, his breath close to her ear.

  Gabriel wondered if she’d be alarmed if he kissed her again. Ephyra swayed toward him and Gabriel got his answer. He bent down and touched his lips to hers. Heat flashed between them and Gabriel felt her opening her mouth to his.

  Gabriel distantly heard his cell ringing but he ignored it. He chose to massage Ephyra’s lips with his and lose himself in her. It was almost painful how much he wanted her.

  “I think your box is ringing,” Ephyra said, breaking their kiss.

  “I hate cell phones.” He answered it curtly, moving to sit back down at the table.

  His brother’s annoying voice was on the other end, asking for Ephyra.

  “Apparently, Muriel wants to speak with you,” he said and handed it to Ephyra.

  The mermaid accepted it gingerly and put it to her ear like she’d seen Gabriel do. He broke into a grin and pushed it closer to her ear.

  “Muriel?” she shouted.

  “You don’t have to yell,” he whispered. Ephyra gave him a smile and nodded.

  “Muriel, can you hear me?” she said speaking normally.

  Gabriel listened with half an ear to the entire conversation since Muriel obviously didn’t get the memo that she didn’t have to shout into the phone. He heard the other mermaid’s distress.

  “I want to show Marcus my other form tonight. I have the moonstone and I think I’ll be okay if I show him … ”

  “You know the consequences, Muriel,” Ephyra said authoritatively but sad.

  Gabriel watched her blink away tears before handing him the phone. He hung it up.

  “You all right?”

  “Can we go to the bay tonight? Muriel wants to show your brother her true form.”

  “You don’t sound like this is a good idea.” He was getting a strange vibe from her.

  “A mermaid loses her powers when she shows a human her true form but it sounds important to Muriel for some reason.”

  “I’m going to call him,” Gabriel said darkly.

  “No, she wants to show him and it’s her choice.”

  “He doesn’t know; if I tell him I can stop him from doing this.”

  “I won’t take that choice away from her,” Ephyra said fiercely.

  Gabriel felt as if his head was overloaded with information. He was fuming that Marcus was going through with a dumb plan but there was no way he’d let Muriel be alone.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The night air was ripe with moisture but an east breeze swept in off the water. The bay was deserted and they could see the lights from the city glistening on the surface of the waves.

  Marcus felt a current of electricity running through the water as he stepped into it. He nervously had a camera in his pocket and watched as Ephyra went to her friend. He could feel her tension and was sure she would try to talk to him. But she didn’t.

  “Are you sure about this?” she asked her friend gently.

  Muriel’s eyes glittered strangely in the moonlight but she nodded.

  “I do.” She looked toward Marcus wistfully. “He’s the only one I’d want to do this for. I can’t explain it but I know I’ll never get another chance.”

  Ephyra sighed but hugged her. She stepped back a little, the water barely touching her toes.

  “It’s your decision,” she said and glanced at Marcus. He was transfixed on Muriel.

  Muriel removed her light cotton dress, followed by the necklace and handed both to Ephyra. She knelt gracefully in the sand, the waves splashing up over her shoulders. There was a faint glow that started from her head and traveled down her body. Swiftly and smoothly like shedding skin, the transformation began.

  Her legs fused into one large fin, split into two at the ends. Scales of yellow, green, and blue cascaded up and down Muriel’s body, climbing as high as her breasts, but barely covering them. She lay on the ground and propped herself up on forearms. The glow died around her but the moonlight took its place, showering her with translucent light.

  Marcus felt his jaw drop and he struggled not to pinch h
imself. He numbly had the camera out and was snapping pictures without even looking through the view finder. She hadn’t been lying — Muriel just melted into a mermaid.

  The thought shocked him more than he’d thought it would. She didn’t look like a human in a mermaid suit; her fins weren’t jointed where a human’s legs and ankles would be. Her tail was gorgeous, complete muscle and smoothly covered in interlocking scales. He knelt down next to her, not touching but wanting to know she was real. Marcus could feel the heat emanating from her, the tickle of her hair as it blew in the wind.

  Muriel bent her head and he tentatively reached out to tilt her chin to meet his gaze. He smiled gently at her. The guilt had fled to the back of his mind. He only felt awe and passion toward this beautiful creature.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered.

  Muriel smiled shyly. She let him lean closer and brush her tail. She shivered, but allowed him to feel the smooth scales, each part of an ornate pattern on her tail.

  Marcus marveled at the warmth of her body. He couldn’t breathe at this wonderful creature’s surrender to him. She lay still but relaxed. All at once, his plan shattered. Marcus felt tears in his eyes. I’m a son of a bitch, he thought bitterly. He glanced involuntarily toward the dark shadows, wondering if Sanchez was there, where he’d told him to be.

  “Muriel,” Marcus started but the words stuck in his throat. How could he tell her he’d sold her secret? He shook his head, tears falling down his cheeks.

  With the last of his courage, he closed his eyes, touched her chin gently and closed his lips over hers. He felt her stiffen in surprise and then almost desperately kiss him back.

  Marcus broke apart first and peered into her eyes, seeing the way she saw him. It filled him with shame.

  “Get out of here,” he cried and stood abruptly.

  Marcus hauled Muriel out of the water and tried to get her to land but her fins were cumbersome. He put the necklace back on, but nothing happened. Her sad eyes were like accusations piercing his heart.