Everblue

by Brenda Pandos

Several feet off shore, a group of shirtless men with hulking muscles waded waist deep in at least six-foot deep water. Colin, the car-thieving cousin held Tatchi, and another held Fin against their wills.

  “Ashlyn, no!” Fin yelled and struggled to free himself from the gnarly bearded guy who had him restrained by his arms. Fin flailed and something like a large fish tail flipped out of the water.

  I gasped.

  “Great. See what you’ve done? Brought the attention of your neighbor,” the husky voiced guy said, apparently the leader, wading empty handed off to the side. His jet black hair glistened in the moonlight as he turned toward me. He reminded me of a slimy snake. “Blanchard, take care of her.”

  I scrambled backwards and fell flat on my butt into a pile of melting snow. Pain flared up the side of my leg and I pressed my hand on my thigh, worried I tore out some stitches.

  Like an oversized seal, he came out of the water and dragged a giant fin where his legs should have been. Frozen in shock, I watched the fish-man raise the palm of his hand towards me. I pinched my eyes shut and flinched. Instead of some act of violence, a melodic sound flowed from his mouth, making my insides feel warm and tingly, taking away the alarm. I opened my eyes and stared back blankly as the weird language mesmerized me.

  Blanchard stopped after a minute and studied me. Still stunned, I didn’t move. Then he smiled and swiveled around on his belly, and plunged himself headfirst into the water.

  The guy with dark hair nodded appreciatively. “Okay, now that that’s handled, let’s go home,” he said. “Do not let either of them get away this time.”

  Fin shot me a withering look before his handler pulled him unwillingly underwater.

  “No!” Tatiana screamed as she disappeared, too, the liquid silencing her cry.

  I waited for a moment to hear “You’re on candid camera,” but the water became eerily silent.

  Wake up, Ashlyn. You’re just having a bad dream.

  When I didn’t wake up, the reality hit me that Fin and Tatchi were pulled underwater and never came back up, I screamed out their names into the night.

  “Ashlyn!” Dad called from the house. “Ashlyn!”

  I looked up through watery eyes at my father’s distorted image, running down the path towards me. I couldn’t stop sobbing.

  “Fin . . . Tatchi . . . They were here . . . They’re in trouble!” I yelled out between broken gasps.

  “Ashlyn, honey,” Dad said, fear in his voice as he glanced at my bloodied pajama’s. “It’s okay. You’re going to be just fine.” He lifted me off the ground and cradled me in his arms. I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes, wanting the insanity to stop.

  “Ashlyn?” my mother called from the doorway. “Oh, no! What happened?”

  “She was outside on the beach,” Dad said softly as he carried me past her into the house. “I think it’s PTS. Karen, get me a blanket.”

  Dad laid me on the couch and covered me up before he redressed my wound. I tried to make sense of what happened but nothing coherent formed in my brain, let alone would come out of my mouth. I just felt dread washing over me like I should have done more—dove in after them to stop the abduction at least. Where did they all go? Were the bad fish-men taking them away to that place? To Natatoria? But the biggest shock, the thing that kept echoing over and over in my mind was: forget Tessie, mermaids were real and lived in our lake.

  I was surely going crazy.

  39

  FIN

  Tatch’s scream both in my head and in the water shot adrenaline straight into my muscles. I wasn’t about to be taken home like a captured fugitive. This is the moment Badger had groomed me for—the moment to prove who I was and what I could do.

  I popped my shoulder back into Chauncey’s arm and felt him momentarily loosen his grip. With a quick flip of my tail, I slid out of his grasp and circled around, piercing a barb filled with poison into his chest. He groaned and tried to hit me with his spear, but the direct shot took affect quickly and pumped into his body. I snagged his spear as he slipped into a daze and floated in the current.

  Tatch took advantage of the attack and bit Colin in the arm. He yelled and released her. “You filthy little—”

  I smacked Colin across the face with my tail before he could finish. “Don’t you dare insult my sister.” Before he could recover, I spun around and hit him again. “And that’s for taking my Jeep without permission.”

  Colin shook his head and held his bleeding nose. I prepared to whack him again for wearing my clothes when Blanchard got between us with a spear, pointed directly at my chest.

  “Enough,” Azor yelled.

  Tatch floated behind me, nails bared. “Stay back,” she said, followed with a hiss.

  I held my spear and pointed it towards anyone who moved.

  “Don’t do anything stupid,” Azor replied, keeping his distance and his cool.

  “Where are we going to go?” Tatch asked.

  “I don’t know yet. Just watch my back.”

  We mad-dogged Azor and his goons, and waited for someone to make a move. I had no idea how long this stand-off would last or how we’d escape and hide without being seen, but we had to try. We weren’t letting them take us back to Natatoria without a fight.

  “Like I said earlier, we don’t mean anyone any harm,” I said and slowly swam away from the group. “All we want is to leave peaceably and I suggest you don’t follow us.”

  “Or you’ll what?” Azor asked mockingly. “You can’t possibly think you’ll be able to hide in the lake tonight. You can run, but we’ll find you. You’ll be returning to Natatoria—both of you. It’s your choice whether or not it’s peaceable.”

  “I’ll never go anywhere with you!” Tatch growled at Azor.

  The group let out a collective “oooh.” He turned and silenced them with a glare.

  For the most part, Azor was right. But there was one place we could hide that no one would consider looking—the upstairs bathtub of our house. We could escape through the hatch and crawl upstairs while everyone combed the lake. We’d avoid the game of cat-and-mouse and in the early morning we could take the Jeep right from under their noses. With the contrived plan I smiled, until I realized Uncle Alaster wasn’t part of the apprehending party.

  “Fin, watch out!”

  I swirled around just in time to see my Uncle’s tail barbs headed straight for my face. Then the world suddenly went black.

  : : :

  “Just like his father,” I heard a deep male voice say.

  I slowly pried open my eyes and winced at the pain radiating from my cheek. King Phaleon stood just beyond the bars, staring at me coolly. Though I’d never seen him up close in person, he bore a striking resemblance to the large statue outside of the palace and he wore a crown. Azor was perched smugly on his left, showing me off as if I were a prized stag. His happiness made me wish I’d stabbed him with the spear when I had the chance earlier.

  “Aren’t you going to say something, son?” the King asked gruffly, his piercing gaze practically pinning me to the floor.

  Though flustered in his presence, I fought his contempt and tried to sit upright. The world felt very unstable, slanting at a bit of an odd angle. “This whole thing has been a misunderstanding,” I said with a hoarse voice.

  “Aye.” He shook his head, suddenly amused, as if what I’d said was humorous. “But what should I do with you now?”

  I waited, as he appeared to be contemplating a punishment. I’d learned from Dad that the best way of surviving an unsavory predicament was to keep my mouth shut. After a few moments of stifling silence, a coy smile spread across his mouth, pulling up the large white beard that hung from his face.

  “On your wrist you’ll find a new ornament to your attire—” I looked down and found a gold bracelet with the Natatorian symbol stamped across the top. “If for some reason you can’t manage to keep yourself within the boundaries of Natatoria, poison will be injected into your skin and render you
unconscious.”

  I looked at the bracelet more closely and felt a sense of panic set in. I’d seen other merman with these before, but I just thought they were employees of the King or something.

  “Don’t be alarmed. As long as you don’t try to disable the device or leave, you should be just fine. After your promising ceremony, I’ll have it removed.”

  “Promising ceremony?”

  He smiled again in an evil knowing sort of way. “Yes. Fortunate for you, your escapade hasn’t been publicized. Requests from parents have been pouring in. Your mother is eagerly deciding who your wife will be.”

  I tried not to look shocked, knowing this couldn’t be true. More like coerced into deciding would be my guess. “And my sister?”

  “Her upcoming promising has quickly become the talk of Natatoria. Azor has offered and she’s accepted. She’ll stay in the palace to help with preparations for the big day. Queen Desiree has become quite fond of Tatiana and can’t wait to have her as a daughter. She’s insisted we have a huge celebration and I’ve already had to dispatch mers all over the world to collect items she’s specifically requested.”

  I fought my desire to rip his crown off his head and shove it down his throat, keeping a stoic expression. Mers typically didn’t promise before their eighteenth birthday. No such luck for us. Maybe with all the extra preparations, we’d have extra time to plan our escape.

  “After the ceremony, Azor will assist in assigning you a home and a job. I imagine we won’t have any more incidences from you in the future.”

  Azor nodded his head.

  Emotional blackmail. They intended to use the feelings a promising created to hold me captive in Natatoria. Good thing they didn’t know they were already too late.

  “Of course not,” I lied and could hardly contain my smug smile.

  Azor opened the lock on the cell door and swung the gate open, setting me free. I remained on the floor and felt strangely calm even after the King’s dismal portrayal of my future. They might have thought they’d won, but I’d use their “promising” weapon against them; my feeling for Ash would fuel my escape. And I’d never let Azor look at, let alone kiss my sister. Ever.

  King Phaleon turned toward Azor in satisfaction. “He’s in your charge now.”

  “Yes, Dad.” Azor bowed and the King exited with his body guards trailing behind him.

  My weakened state prevented me from rising and strangling Azor’s neck once we were alone. He had a lot of nerve to force Tatch to promise him. I wondered if my sister had a matching bracelet as well.

  “You’re very lucky, Fin,” he said, his voice laced with sarcasm. “I wouldn’t have been so lenient.”

  “One day, Azor,” I pledged. “You’ll wish—”

  “Fin!” Badger said, interrupting my threat. “I came as soon as I heard.”

  “Oh,” Azor said in surprise. “Yes. I’ve had a little trouble with my star pupil.”

  Badger glanced at my wrist but kept a stony exterior. My guess was he knew exactly what the golden decoration meant.

  “Aye,” Badger shook his head. “Let me take him off yer hands. I’ll straighten him out.”

  Azor laughed. “You can try—” he threw his arm out in an invitation. “He’s all yours.”

  I exchanged hard looks with Azor for a minute before I tried to pick myself up off the ground. One day I’d get my revenge.

  Badger reached out his hand and pulled me up. “Let’s go, lad.”

  As soon as we were clear of the compound, I opened my mouth to explain what happened.

  “It’s okay, son,” he said and held up his hands. “I already know.”

  “You do? How?”

  Badger’s frown pulled into a grin. “I keep thinkin’ back to the day we met. I knew ye were gonna be a firecracker. But the promisin’ is a right smart plan to get back on the King’s good side. I’m honored at your choice.”

  I screwed up my face. “Choice?”

  “Ah, don’t pretend like ye don’t know. My little Lily is a right fine gal and ye two will be so happy together.”

  My heart thudded a few haphazard beats. What did Lily have to do with any of this? “Oh, right,” I said, playing like I knew what he meant.

  But my breath came out heavily as my head swirled at the revelation. Did Mom decide Lily for me? If so, there definitely was no way I could tell Badge what happened with Ash now. He’d kick the crap out of me, especially if he thought I was two-timing his niece.

  The logistics suddenly concerned me. Would our souls combine and free Ashlyn? Or would Lily bond with me too? I’d go mad being apart from Ash if it did. And I couldn’t imagine being Lily’s husband, the thought of kissing her was utterly disgusting. A life without Ashlyn wasn’t a life at all and I planned to fight to be with her. If only it were some other girl, then Badger could help me escape.

  Badger looked me in the eye as if he’d read my thoughts. “I’ll be expecting ya to respect her or you’ll be dealin’ with me.”

  “Of course,” I choked out as I cowered under his stare, worried he’d seen right through me. “You have my word. I’d never hurt Lily.”

  “I know that,” he said playfully and jabbed me in the arm. “I’m just joshin’ with ya.”

  I faked a chuckle and continued towards my underwater home-away-from-home. All I wanted was to close my eyes and wish myself out of Natatoria and into Ash’s arms. I couldn’t be forced to promise someone I didn’t love.

  Then I remembered I had to face my mother first.

  40

  ASH

  The soft rapping on the door woke me up from my drowsy state. I’d been dreaming of my angel again and the blasted noise interrupted my utopia.

  “Go away,” I grumbled and pulled the covers over my head.

  “Ashlyn, you’ve got company,” Mom said through the door.

  “I don’t want to see anyone.”

  I heard the door creak open and cringed.

  “Georgia came to see you,” Mom said.

  “Tell her I’ll call her later,” I said into the pillow.

  “You can tell her yourself.” Her soft footfalls stopped in the corner of the room just before the pulleys whined on the blinds, shooting light into the room. “It’s time you joined the world again. Tomorrow, you’re going back to school.”

  “What?” I sat up in bed, shielding my eyes from the sun. “I can barely walk.”

  “If you want, I’ve been able to get you a wheelchair and Georgia has offered to assist you to every class tomorrow.”

  “No, please—” I was about to object when Georgia peeked around the door frame.

  “Plus we’ve got great news,” she said with a huge smile.

  “We’ve?” I stared at the door, expecting others to file in from behind her.

  Brown hair and broad shoulders belonging to none other than Callahan came into view. I swallowed hard, tasting dragon breath that could kill small animals. Though today was the day I could finally take a shower, I hadn’t yet and wore the same green pajamas complete with stains from dinner the night before.

  I pulled the covers up to my neck. “Um, I need to go to the bathroom real quick. Can I meet you guys in the living room?”

  “Good idea,” Mom said as she plucked a few dead flowers from my collection of vases.

  Once the door shut, I lumbered out of bed and limped to the bathroom. My toiletries sat untouched on the counter. After a good brushing, I finished up with a gurgle of mouthwash and pulled my greasy hair into a ponytail.

  The warm washcloth felt refreshing over my face. But the swipe of deodorant and spritz of honeysuckle perfume did a poor job of covering up several days of stink.

  I peeled off the jammies I’d worn for three days and dug through the clean clothes piled in a laundry basket. The sight of the swim team jacket stopped me. I ran my hand over the satin and my lips tingled remembering I’d worn it that day. I pulled my arms into the sleeves and felt comforted somehow.

  “Hey,” I
said as I hobbled into the living room and took the couch opposite Callahan. He sat right where Fin had during his visit. My face tensed, remembering his plea for help—a plea that had to be deeper than just a request for clothing. I’d been so cruel.

  “Glad to see you’re getting around better,” Callahan said with concerned eyes.

  “Yeah, well—” I shrugged and tried not to care where he sat, forcing my feelings somewhere under the buffer of pain meds. The way Georgia and Callahan looked at me made me feel like an insect in a jar, every move watched. “What’s the big surprise?”

  Callahan turned to Georgia. She could barely contain her excitement, bouncing in her seat. “We found out why Brooke was suspended.”

  I got out of bed and cleaned up for gossip? Completely unamused, I raised my eyebrows and waited. “And?”

  Georgia’s lips curled up. “She and Kylie rigged the vote. A teacher found discarded votes for you in the trash. The office had a hidden camera. They were totally caught red-handed!”

  “Oh, wow.” I sat up, curious to what exactly would happen to the Senior Ball Queen now that she was dethroned. “So?”

  “They’re announcing the new winner tomorrow, so you have to be there.”

  I laughed. “I’m not going through this again. People will just vote for me ’cause they feel sorry for me, that’s all.”

  “No,” Georgia said and looked to Callahan for support. “They’re taking the person with the second highest votes from the original count.”

  “She’s right,” he said.

  I sat there and shook my head. What if other votes were tossed too? How unfair. Not only to put the other girls through the humiliation again, but to make me go back early to prove some point. All because of lies.

  The irony suddenly seemed funny. My best friend, whom I trusted implicitly wasn’t even human and neither was her brother—a foundation of lies. And Brooke needed the Senior Ball Queen title so bad, she was willing to do anything for it—more lies. And I almost died from my own actions, but allowed people I love to believe it was an accident—lies, lies, lies.

  Where was my dishonor? My title stripping? I deserved to be exposed as well.