by Tracy Kiser
“I know, Lillen. That’s why I chose you to come with me directly to Syria. I know your opinions on humans being turned and I’m going to need your help to fix this mess.” Merric pleaded. “I couldn’t live with myself if Lana died because of me.”
Lillen stopped swimming, pushing his arm out to stop Merric as well. “You love her don’t you?”
Merric met Lillen’s gaze but didn’t answer.
“Holy Goddess, I hate you right now.” Lillen started swimming again and Merric followed. “Let’s go rescue your damsel in distress, as the humans say.”
“Thank you, Lillen.” Merric’s voice held the weight of what he’d done and he had never appreciated anyone as much as he did Lillen at that moment.
“You owe me, Merric.”
* *
“How long do you think it will take us to reach Syria?” Thomas asked Hyzine as they all swam along at a comfortable speed.
“Ah, a day or so, I’d say.” He replied casually. He felt his heart smile. His plan was going perfectly. Here they both were, the Turned, swimming straight to their deaths without a clue.
Thomas turned to his daughter with a wide grin covering his face. “I still can’t believe that you’re really here. Seems like something out of a dream.”
Lana smiled with her whole body. She felt her soul singing. “Your logbook guided me. I always felt that you were still alive and that was the missing piece that set this whole adventure into motion.”
“So I guess then that you found all of them?” He chuckled. “By snooping around my office, I suppose.”
“The ones in your office told me where you were, but the one that you sent me really started it all,” Lana explained.
“The one that I sent to you?” Thomas questioned.
“Yep, I was reading through it with Aiden and we realized there had to be more. We searched the entire house until we found the other ones. Then everything started falling together and here we are.” Lana remembered how much fun she had playing detective with Aiden. Immediately she re-imagined the whole scenario with Merric, feeling a little guilty.
They swam silently for a few moments. Lana returned to her thoughts about Aiden and how he’d been the only one who believed her when she thought her father was still alive. It warmed the depths of her heart to know how much he loved and cared for her. Lana wondered how much Merric could care about her. Her heart winced. How could she still be thinking about Merric after what he’d done to her?
“Lana?” Her father broke the silence.
“Yea, Dad?”
“I didn’t send you a logbook,” he admitted. He didn’t know how Lana had found him, but it wasn’t because he had sent her his journal.
Lana quickly turned to look at her father. “What?” She stopped swimming.
“My logbook was ruined, or so I thought. I didn’t send you anything,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders.
Lana studied her father’s face with widened eyes. He was telling her the truth. “Then how did I get it?” Lana asked quietly.
“I have no idea, honestly. When my boat crashed I lost my logbook. After I’d been Turned I went to look for it but never knew what happened to it. The Order members must have kept it with my other belongings if it somehow got to you.”
“Which Order members?” Lana inquired, wondering if it could have been…
“Merric, the son of the Highest Order member here.” Thomas answered.
“Oh my God, it was him!” Lana exclaimed. “He did it…” Her face became a canvas of confusion. Why would he do that?
“Sent you the book?” Thomas questioned.
“It had to be Merric,” Lana nodded her head. “No wonder he was there to turn me. He must have been waiting for me.”
“Why would he do that?” Her father interjected.
“I’m wondering the same thing. I don’t know, maybe he wanted me to come so you could come home with me?” Lana guessed. “Or maybe he felt badly that you were separated from your family?”
“I do talk about you and your mom quite a bit,” Thomas admitted.
“Maybe he isn’t as bad as he seems,” Lana whispered to herself, remembering the kiss they had shared.
Hyzine listened to the conversation carefully. It was his turn to have a smile spread across his face. He now had evidence to directly implicate an Order member. Lana and Thomas wouldn’t be the only ones turned into examples of what happens when you break the laws of the Goddess.
Chapter 27
Sarah and Daniel sat on the bed below deck while Aiden stood above steering the boat toward Syria. Sarah’s head was in her hands. Daniel sat watching her in silence. He was afraid of the conversation that was about to take place.
“Did that really just happen?” Sarah whispered. She turned her tear-streaked face toward Daniel.
“I think so,” Daniel calmly replied.
“After ten years, it turns out my husband really is still alive and my daughter’s crazy theory was right?” Sarah paused and took in a deep breath. “Except for the part about him being a fish now.”
Daniel tried not to laugh at the last part of what Sarah said. “This whole thing is pretty unbelievable.” Sarah echoed.
“So what are we going to do, Sarah?” Daniel forced the words to come out.
“About what?” She asked holding her breath, knowing exactly what he was asking. She needed more time to think. Or did she? Her thoughts were a tornado that swept through her mind, leaving more damage. But she held on to one thought with all of her strength. The one thing that she knew in her heart.
“Us.”
Sarah had been contemplating this question herself for the past hour. She knew that Thomas coming back from the dead would throw her world into an upheaval. But she’d made her decision. She felt that the past had made her decision for her. And she wouldn’t second guess herself. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“I told you when we started this insane adventure, I love you. You, Daniel.” Her voice was heavy with tears but she hoped that the message would hit home with Daniel.
“But Thomas is alive, Sarah. I’d understand if you would rather be with him again.” Daniel felt tears sting his eyes. He’d just gotten Sarah, after being in love with her for so long, and now he might have to give her up.
“That doesn’t change the fact that he’s been gone for ten years. I’m a different person now. And he’s definitely a different person.”
“He’s your husband, Sarah.” Daniel pointed out, against his better judgment.
“No. He was my husband. And yes, feelings for him still remain, but I let him go and I can’t go back. I fell in love with someone else and I’m not giving up the first piece of happiness I’ve found in the last decade.”
“Are you sure?” Daniel cautioned.
“I’m positive,” Sarah declared. “Daniel, you’ve always been there for me. Right in front of me. And I knew the feelings that I held for you were strong and now that I’ve let those feelings surface, there’s no way to bury them again. I couldn’t if I tried. And I don’t even want to try.”
Daniel wrapped his arms around Sarah and let his worry melt into passion. He felt the love they had for each other cover them in an invisible shield of protection. Daniel took a deep breath and kissed Sarah as if it were the first time their lips had ever met.
* *
Lana couldn’t believe her eyes. She, Hyzine, and Thomas were entering Syria, the city of the Goddess. A statue had been carved of Atargatis and Lana was momentarily mesmerized. The statue stood underneath a stone archway that led to the heart of the city. It depicted the Goddess with long flowing hair and eyes that could pierce the soul. Lana saw the tiny facets of the diamond eyes reflecting light from the glowing fish positioned on the archway. The curved stone had been decorated with crimson rubies, jade, and emeralds.
Passing underneath the archway, Lana saw that every building, every piece of architecture, down to the pillars that marked paths similar to
streets, had been elegantly adorned. Pearls shone from the crevasses of stones used to build the city. Perfect seashells peeked out from the edges. Lana had never seen anything so beautiful. The population of merpeople had given the highest attention to every minute detail. Lana looked at her father and saw the wonder within him sparkling like the eyes of the statue.
“This can’t be real,” Lana murmured. She felt herself longing for someone close to her to share this with. Her mind jumped to Merric. It was because of him that all of this had been possible. Even though he had diverted her attention away from her father, she still had Merric to thank. She imagined the two of them swimming through the city, the soft glow creating a day of wonder and discovery. A day she would never live. Merric wasn’t here and soon she’d be back on land, above the enchanting world that had awakened her soul.
“The temple is this way,” Hyzine directed. Thomas and Lana followed him, slowly, absorbed in the magnificence they saw around them.
* *
Lana followed Hyzine into the temple of the Goddess. Her eyes still focused on everything around her. The palace was constructed completely out of pearls with stone and diamond adornments. Lana felt herself wanting to stay in Syria instead of returning home, but her mother was waiting for her just above the waves. She couldn’t contain her happiness over the reunion of her family. Finally, her dad, mom, and she would all be together again. But simultaneously, she couldn’t keep the wish that she could stay here from invading her thoughts.
The inside of the temple was brightly lit with the glowing jellyfish that Lana had become used to seeing. Seaweed weavings had been fastened to the pearl walls depicting detailed illustrations of other merpeople. Lana deduced that they were probably family members of the Goddess. She glanced from one illustration to the next as the three swam down the corridor. One specific weaving caught her eye. It was beautiful. Lana stared at the intricate details of the weaving. She gasped. It looked exactly like Merric.
“This way,” Hyzine ushered, hurrying them along.
Lana forced her eyes to look away and followed Hyzine and her father toward an archway. Two mermen hovered in front of the opening holding large poles with an arrow point on the end fashioned out of coral.
“May we help you citizens?” The merman on the right asked.
Hyzine hesitated, looking at Thomas and Lana. “I’ve come to turn in two members of Turned Blood to the Goddess.”
“I see. Where did these Turned members come from?”
Lana and Thomas looked at each other. Lana felt her heart fall to the pit of her stomach. Something wasn’t right.
“The Bermuda Population,” Hyzine answered.
“Thank you citizen. We’ll take them.”
Each guard moved behind Lana and Thomas. Lana turned to face the one that was closest to her.
“What’s going on?” Lana demanded. “What are you doing?”
“You’re under arrest.” The guard answered simply.
Lana looked at Hyzine. “What? No. We just want to go home. I don’t understand.”
Thomas hung his head down. He then looked up at Hyzine. “The Goddess isn’t turning us back is she, Hyzine?”
Hyzine let out an evil laugh. “Of course not,” he cackled. “The race has to remain pure,”
“Daddy, what’s going on? What’s going to happen to us?” Lana’s eyes shed tears. They mixed with the salt water and floated away.
“Sentence of death for all Turned members and those who turned them after proven to be turned.” The guard mechanically replied.
“You lied to us!” Lana shouted. “You said you’d help us go home,” Lana sobbed.
Hyzine just laughed. Lana lunged toward him, scratching his face before the guard pulled her back. The guard fastened her hands together with a contraption formed out of shark bones and seaweed. Hyzine’s arm lifted and he slapped Lana as hard as he could. The water resisted the quick movement, but Lana felt the almost unbearable sting.
“Lana!” Thomas yelled, moving toward her. The guard beside him grabbed Thomas and placed the same contraption on Thomas’ wrists to restrain him.
“Are you okay citizen?” The guard holding Lana asked.
“Yes,” he muttered. “I also request a conference with the Goddess to discuss the sentencing of these Turned members.”
“Of course, citizen. The Goddess will thank you for your duty to her.” He turned to the other guard. “Let’s get these two down to the holding dungeon.”
Hyzine stood watching Lana and Thomas being escorted to the dungeon, an evil grin adorning his face.
* *
Lana and Thomas sat in a cell, stone walls towering around them. Lana felt her face swelling. The only light filtered in from the hallway just beyond the stone rails forming the door of the prison.
“Daddy, what are we going to do?” Lana asked quietly, afraid of the answer.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” he replied shaking his head. “I’m so sorry that I got you into all of this.”
“Don’t say that, Dad. It isn’t your fault.”
“I should have guessed Hyzine’s plan. I should have known that the Goddess wouldn’t approve of changing us back. I’ve stayed hidden for ten years because of the laws they have down here about humans,” he rambled.
“I’m just glad that I got to see you again, Daddy.”
Thomas pulled Lana in, comforting her as much as he was comforting himself. He looked around the empty, daunting cell. Is this where he’ll stay until he’s killed? All of his research, his family, everything leading up to this? He felt his body beginning to shake. Thomas’ arms squeezed around Lana, he had to stay strong.
“Oh, how sweet,” a deep sarcastic voice said, dripping with venom.
Thomas looked over and could barely make out Hyzine standing beyond the constructed bars. “What are you doing here?” Thomas demanded firmly.
“Just checking to see how you two are doing while I wait to see the Goddess.” He smiled, the dim light casting shadows on his crooked smile, showing the demon within. “Need anything?”
“Go away!” Lana screamed. She felt her father’s arm tighten around her once again. She used to feel so safe in these arms as a little girl.
“Not until I see you all dead. You, your father, and that disappointment of an Order member, Merric.”
Lana’s eyes widened at the mention of Merric’s name. Hyzine witnessed the worry overtake Lana. He enjoyed the look.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Merric will be killed with the both of you. It’s an offense to the Goddess to turn a human.”
“But, he saved my life…”Lana whispered.
“And condemned his own,” Hyzine finished her sentence. “Merpeople have to realize that to turn humans is to create abominations. The race must remain pure. Your deaths will be the example for how serious the Goddess is on this matter.”
“Hyzine, don’t do this. Just let us go and we’ll leave. We’ll swim to the surface, turn back, and you’ll never have to see us again.” Thomas bargained.
Lana cried. Death was threatening two people she held in her heart. She never understood that Merric had given up his life in order to save hers, but the truth stood in front of her. They would all die.
“Oh, I would Thomas,” Hyzine replied sarcastically, “but it’s too late now.” Hyzine grinned. “I must be going now, hate to be the bearer of bad news, but oh well. I’ll be seeing you later. You both have a lovely rest of your day,” he laughed sardonically.
Hyzine swam out of sight, down the hall of the dungeon. Thomas still held Lana in his arms, squeezing her tightly while she cried.
“Daddy, we have to do something,” she managed between sobs.
“We’ll figure it out, Honey,” Thomas said, feeling like he was lying to his daughter for the first time in his life.
Chapter 28
“You may enter, citizen,” the guard told Hyzine. He was still smiling. His plan had worked. ‘Just a few last things to finish,’ Hyzine th
ought, ‘and the Bermuda Population can remain pure. After their deaths, no merperson will ever want to turn a human again.’
Hyzine swam into the chamber of the Goddess. She sat on a throne made of rubies and gold, her long hair flowing around her. The Goddess smiled lovingly at Hyzine. He met her stare, trying to remain humble while his feeling of triumph pumped through his veins.
“Citizen of Bermuda, welcome to my Temple.” The Goddess’ voice rang out like a bell.
“Hyzine is my name, Goddess. It is a great pleasure to be introduced to you,” he said bowing.
The Goddess nodded. “I know you won’t mind if my grandson is present during our conversation. He requested to observe our discussion.”
“Of course not, my Goddess.”
The Goddess lifted her hand and made a waving motion. Hyzine turned to greet her grandson and froze. Hyzine’s breath escaped him. ‘It can’t be…’ he thought.
Merric swam over and stood beside the Goddess.
“Citizen Hyzine, I trust you are acquainted with Merric, my grandson.”
Hyzine searched for words. The weight she put on the word ‘grandson’ unnerved him. “Yes… I am, my Goddess.”
“I understand you have kidnapped two merpeople and brought them here to be executed,” the Goddess stated. Her voice seemed empty of any emotion. Hyzine didn’t know if she was angry or accepting or…
“They are members of the Turned, my Goddess, not just merpeople.” Hyzine argued.
“Merric tells me the male has been conducting research about the turning process to add to our knowledge about the biological effects and that the girl has come to return him to the above world,” the Goddess explained ignoring Hyzine’s argumentative comment. “Is this correct?”