The Turned

by Tracy Kiser

  “I was doing my duty to you, my Goddess, by bringing them here. I know how you wish to keep the race pure.” Hyzine’s triumph had disappeared.

  “Answer me. It this correct information that my grandson has given me?” The Goddess repeated firmly.

  “Yes, my Goddess,” Hyzine admitted reluctantly. Would the Goddess side with her family and ignore the duty to abide by the laws that were set in place by earlier generations?

  “Did you know that they were to be turned back into humans when you brought them here?”

  Hyzine’s eyes darted back and forth between the Goddess and Merric. “Yes,” he finally answered.

  “And you brought them to be killed anyway?”

  “My Goddess, I…”

  “Stop.” She held a hand up. “Hyzine, we may not accept humans into our world but the male, Thomas, has helped us greatly. Because of his research we now understand fully, how humans are turned. He has made an outstanding contribution. For you to bring them both here to be killed shows your evil nature. The world is changing, Hyzine. We can’t keep following these outdated laws.”

  Hyzine looked at Merric. He was smiling. Hyzine’s blood began to boil. “My Goddess, we must keep the race pure!”

  “Yes, pure of evil civilians like you.” She turned to the guard standing by the entryway, “Bring the humans in.”

  Hyzine turned to watch Lana and Thomas being brought in. He saw Merric immediately swim to Lana.

  “Merric! What are you doing here? You’ll be killed too,” Lana shouted.

  Merric engulfed Lana and pulled her close to him. “No one’s going to be killed, Lana. Everything is okay,” Merric consoled. “I’ve taken care of it.” He removed the restraints off of Lana’s wrists while motioning the guard to remove the same restraints from Thomas and led her up to the Goddess. “Lana, this is my grandmother, the Goddess.”

  “Your grandmother?” Her voice faltered momentarily. Then understanding flooded her face. “I knew that was your picture on the wall.” She met the eyes of the Goddess, “It’s so wonderful to meet you.” Lana smiled.

  “It is great to meet you as well,” the Goddess replied. “Now, Hyzine.” She turned to face him again. “You have done nothing wrong so I cannot punish you, but you must leave the city immediately. I hope you come to realize that evil isn’t the path for living a good life. Consider what I’ve said and never,” the Goddess’ voice turned harsh and brimmed with strength, “I mean never try to condemn my family ever again. Guards.”

  The guards swam to Hyzine with great speed and escorted him out of the Temple. The Goddess softened immediately. She turned to Lana and smiled warmly. “Now Merric tells me that there’s a boat waiting for you above?”

  “How did you know that?” Lana asked Merric.

  “Dear, this is my kingdom. We know everything,” the Goddess winked at Merric. “Now, let’s get you and your father … Lana?” The Goddess’ face became lined with worry.

  “Yes, my Goddess?”

  “What happened to your face, Honey?” The Goddess inquired, using a human term of endearment.

  Lana had turned and the light hit her cheek enough to outline the bruise she had from where Hyzine had hit her.

  Thomas swam closer to answer the Goddess. “Hyzine struck her while we were being arrested.”

  “That…” Merric began, anger growing within his chest. “He hurt you? I’ll kill him. He can’t be out of the city yet, he can’t get away with this.”

  “Merric,” the Goddess interrupted. “Just calm down. She’s perfectly fine. All she needs is a little clam juice and she’ll be good as new, you know it.”

  Merric’s fist tightened and then relaxed. He knew his grandmother was right but the knowledge that Lana had been hurt caused his heart to swell with ire.

  “I’m fine, really, Merric.” Lana whispered.

  “I know. I’ve just been torn up about all of this. I was so scared that I wouldn’t make it here in time to save you,” Merric rambled, pulling Lana into him. He paused to let the water caress his gills so he could catch his breath. “I’m happy that you’re okay.”

  “Thank you, Merric. You saved me again.” Lana said quietly a smile dancing behind her lips.

  “Not to interrupt again, but I think it’s about time to get you and your father back to the surface and the world above, Lana.”

  Lana looked into Merric’s eyes and nodded. She didn’t want to leave.

  * *

  The Goddess stood close to Lana as she motioned to Thomas. “Are you ready to return?”

  Thomas hesitated. “Yes,” he answered after a moment, not at all certain if he was ready to go back to being a human after ten years.

  “Wait,” Merric said.

  Lana and the Goddess turned to look at Merric. He looked scared. The time where he would lose Lana was quickly approaching and he wasn’t ready for it at all.

  “Yes, grandson?”

  “Can we… is there any way we could… wait a little bit before we turn Lana, uh, I mean, turn them back?” Merric stammered.

  “And why’s that?” The Goddess smiled.

  Merric looked at Lana. “I’d like time to say goodbye,” he sighed.

  “That would be up to Lana, the rest of her family is waiting above.” The Goddess pointed out. “But if she decides to stay for a short while then I will graciously allow it.”

  “I would actually like to spend one last night here, say goodbye to this wondrous place,” Lana said softly.

  “We shall wait until the morning then. Merric bring her back tomorrow and make sure to keep her safe in the city. Though, I don’t think anyone would harm her. Gossip travels fast in this city.”

  “I will, grandmother,” Merric smiled, taking Lana’s hand in his.

  “Thomas?” The Goddess asked.

  “Yes my, um, Goddess,” he replied.

  “I’d like you to tell me about your research more in depth if you don’t mind spending the night here in the Temple,” she offered.

  “Of course,” Thomas swam over to where the Goddess stood.

  “Merric, remember, tomorrow morning. We’ll meet here,” the Goddess repeated before taking Thomas’ arm and leading him out of the chamber.

  “May I show you the city?” Merric touched Lana’s face gently. She flinched slightly, turning her face away instinctively. “I’m sorry, Lana. I didn’t…”

  “It’s okay, Merric. I’m okay.”

  Merric head lowered, “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there.” He felt like he had let Lana down in the worst possible way. He recognized his feelings for her and wished he could have stopped the last day from happening. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for taking her to see the blacksmith. Would this all have happened if he hadn’t? Or would it have just taken longer?

  “It’s not your fault; you still saved me…for the second time.” She lifted her hand to cup Merric’s chin. “Now, how about that tour of this beautiful city?”

  Chapter 29

  The city of Syria was approaching sleep time. Merric held Lana’s hand gently as they swam, exploring every district of the metropolis. Lana’s mind was spinning – looping through the past few weeks. She tried to ignore the questions she had for Merric, wanting to be lost in the beauty that surrounded her. She was failing.

  “So what do you think of my Grandmother’s city? Isn’t it the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?” Merric asked her.

  “Yes,” she replied dryly.

  “Lana, something’s amiss with you. Are you okay?” The concern in Merric’s voice touched Lana’s heart.

  “I don’t know Merric. Honestly, I don’t think I am. In these last few weeks I ran away from home, almost died, was saved by being turned into a mermaid, found my father, was tricked into coming to a place where I’d be executed, saved again, and now here we are. It all sounds so…so…insane.”

  Merric was silent, absorbing every syllable of what Lana said.

  “And I have to ask, why did you send m
e the logbook? My dad said he didn’t send it and I can’t figure it out. I’m so confused. I trusted you, and then found out that you had lied. You knew my father was here and kept me from him, on purpose. I want to be mad at you, scream at you, hate you, but I can’t. I just can’t. And I think it’s because you’re the one that sent me the logbook and brought my father and I back together. Is that the reason behind all of this? Was that your motive?” Lana stopped. She had run out of words. She waited for Merric’s reply. Lana prayed that his motive behind bringing her here held good intentions. If it didn’t, would the dislike she had for him a couple of days ago return?

  “No, Lana. That wasn’t why I did what I did.”

  Her heart sank. “Then why?” She tried to take her hand from Merric’s grasp but he held it tightly.

  “When I was younger,” he began, “my mother would tell me these outrageous stories.” His voice became quieter as he continued. “The one she told most often was the story of how I would fall in love. She said that I’d find my true love with a kiss only to keep her hidden. My mom said this woman would be from above and… when I sent for her, she’d come to me.” He paused and his gaze swept through the city. “She said that this stranger would be the only woman I would ever love.”

  Lana stared in amazement. “How’d the story end?” Lana whispered.

  “I don’t know. She always told me that she’d finish the story when I was older, but ten years ago she died.” Merric heard Lana gasp but continued. If he didn’t tell her now, he knew that he never would. “My family was traveling south to warmer waters when we were attacked by a shark. The animal bit my mother. It was terrifying but… we escaped somehow. I remember hiding for hours. My father was acting crazy and I was so young that I didn’t really understand what was happening.” He took a long pause. “I didn’t know then that shark saliva is poisonous to merpeople.”

  Lana’s eyes were locked with Merric’s. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her heart swelled and she felt the sting of tears in her eyes.

  “My father told me we had to get her to the surface because the sun would dry the venom. It was the only way.” Merric’s eyes turned inward and Lana knew he was reliving the memory through his words. “We swam as quickly as we could but my mother was unconscious by the time we reached the surface. And that’s when we met your father. He tried to help us save my mother by sucking the venom out of the wound, but it was too late... She died.” Merric’s face was ashen and full of sadness. Lana saw his blue glowing eyes turn glassy.

  “Your father told us what he was studying and asked if we could help him. My father wanted to show his appreciation for trying to save my mother so we turned Thomas. We allowed him to live as one of us.” Merric paused to check Lana’s reaction. She squeezed his hand.

  “Keep going,” she urged.

  “Your father taught me to read and I would read his logbook for practice after our lessons were finished. He didn’t know that I had it, but I felt like it somehow connected me to the world above. He talked about you non-stop, Lana. And the more I learned about you, the stronger this feeling to meet you became, to know you. That’s when I learned what my mother was. My grandmother told me that it happens to us just as it happens to humans.”

  “What was it? What was she?” Lana asked curiously.

  “She was a Teller. My mother had the ability to touch someone and know their future. That’s when I realized that the story she told me so often was my future. So I had to send for you. I had to meet you and find out if what my mother told me was true.”

  Lana’s face flushed. “So… here I am.” Lana whispered. “I came when you called for me and you kissed me. You saved me…”

  “And almost got you killed,” Merric finished hanging his head. He wasn’t proud of everything that he’d done in the last few weeks.

  “What was your mother’s name?”

  “Tulevik. It’s from one of the human languages meaning future.”

  “So was she right?” Lana asked carefully.

  Merric didn’t know what to say. He knew that he loved Lana. He couldn’t imagine anyone he’d rather love. But could he tell her knowing that she might leave in the morning anyway? Could he handle the rejection of his true love? And if not, could he ask her to stay, separating her from the rest of her family?

  “I love you, Merric,” Lana interrupted his thoughts.

  “What?” Merric didn’t know what to say. Had he heard her correctly?

  “I said, I love you, Merric. I know that I have to go home tomorrow morning but I’m here tonight. I’ve never felt like this before and I don’t want to think of what’s going to happen. I want this last night we have together to be perfect, because I’ve fallen in love with you.” Lana waited for Merric to speak, praying that he’d ask her to stay. She knew that she would say yes if he’d only ask.

  Merric stared at Lana. His heart had begun skipping beats. “Lana, I love you, too.” He pulled Lana to him and kissed her with every hope and fear he had.

  Lana returned the passion, holding nothing back. She let go of the worries she had about the following morning and let Merric consume her. They returned to the temple and entered Merric’s chambers. The passion that they had for each other ignited the darkness. Lana lost herself in Merric’s love and reciprocated the feeling with the gift of her heart.

  * *

  Wake time came too quickly. Lana felt like she’d been in Merric’s embrace for a matter of minutes instead of an entire night. Now it was time for the return. She felt her heart growing dim. Merric had illuminated her heart with his love and she would soon be separated from him. The joy she had felt the night before was dissipating with the reality that she would be back on land.

  “We should probably go. My Grandmother will be waiting for us,” Merric whispered. Lana heard the disappointment drenching each word Merric spoke. Lana wished that things could be different. She wished that she could stay, but she knew that her mother and Daniel would be heart broken. Not to mention that her father would be returning to the world above with her, the world that they both belonged to. Lana felt the unfairness of life bleeding into her. How could fate lead her here? Fate had let her fall in love with someone she could never truly have.

  The couple rose and left the chamber holding hands. Merric and Lana were both wishing that they would never have to let go, yet knowing that the time would come far too soon.

  Merric had been right. Thomas and his grandmother, the Goddess, were waiting for them. Lana saw the sadness and disappointment that also shrouded her father’s face. She thought that she would have been happy to go home. Missing her mom, Daniel, and Aiden had driven her to return, but now…

  “Hello there, good wake time,” the Goddess said, bowing her head slightly. “Ready to go home, my dear?” The Goddess asked Lana.

  She hesitated, looking at her father. He wouldn’t meet her eye. She could tell that her father didn’t want to return either. Lana shrugged. “I suppose so.” She felt Merric squeeze her hand. The night before felt like a foggy dream to Lana. She knew she had to go back but the love she had for Merric made it the hardest thing she ever had to do.

  “What if…” Lana began.

  The Goddess held up one hand. “No, Lana. I know what you’re thinking but there are others like Hyzine who would try to kill you. Now it’d be different with Thomas. He’s already been here for ten years and knows our society. He could blend. His eyes have even begun to glow. But you, you are so recently turned. If another citizen, who felt like Hyzine, saw you, you could be mortally harmed. I’m sorry to say that returning is the best option for you, Lana.”

  Lana understood. She turned to look at Merric who hung his head, staring at the floor. Lana knew he wanted her to stay. She also knew that Merric believed his grandmother was right. It would be the safest plan for Lana.

  “Now, let’s go to the surface, your family waits for you,” the Goddess spoke gently.

  The four of them left the temple. Mer
ric still held Lana’s hand as they swam to the borders of Syria. Lana looked at the magnificent architecture one last time, wondering if she’d ever be able to see it again and hating that out of every merperson in the large metropolis under the sea, there were ones like Hyzine.

  They swam in silence and reached the surface in less than twenty minutes. Lana poked her head above the water and saw Daniel’s boat. She felt her heart shattering piece by piece.

  “Mom! Uncle Danny! Aiden!” she yelled. Their faces appeared over the edge of the boat. Lana released Merric’s hand to swim to them. The faces of her loved ones warmed the edges of her heart, the depths still holding in the sadness. Lana turned to see her father close behind her, swimming in a matching rhythm.

  “Honey! We’ve been waiting all night for you. Can we end this fish story and go home?” Sarah asked seriously. She still feared that this was all a delusion.

  “Lana, hurry up! I’m done with this adventurous stuff,” Aiden teased.

  Lana laughed, momentarily relieved of her threatening depression. “We’ll just need you to turn us back.”

  “How do we do that?” Daniel asked confused. “How does a fish, er merperson, become human?”

  “A kiss from a human above the water,” the Goddess answered.

  “That’s it?” Daniel retorted, unsure of the answer he’d received.

  “Simple as that,” the Goddess assured, “but before that you’ll need to know that it takes a while to change. They’ll be fully human in a few days’ time.”

  “How long?” It was Aiden’s turn to question the Goddess, thinking about who had kissed Lana to turn her into a mermaid.

  “Five days, possibly a week,” the Goddess explained.

  Lana smiled brightly, enjoying being with her family and Aiden. That’s when she noticed that Sarah and Daniel were holding hands. Her head snapped to look at Thomas, his face resembling a puzzle with missing pieces.

  “Mom?” Lana asked, indicating with her eyes that she noticed their unusual affection.

  “Later…,” her mother mouthed.