Flipped Off

by Zenina Masters

  Adam grunted. “You can’t carry me.”

  She stood up easily. “I can. Now, watch your elbows. We are going to finish what we started.”

  The other man scrambled to his feet. “Where are you taking him?”

  Lorai smiled and spouted the cover story that they had selected. “Adam here has latent fey genes. We are about to activate them, and then, he will be able to dive as long as he likes.”

  It should have been difficult to haul him up and out onto the deck, but it was the curse of those who lived under water. She was far stronger than she looked.

  Adam’s lips were white, his skin was hot and his complexion was chalky. There was a glaze to his eyes, and she was more worried than she had ever been.

  Adam smiled. “Do you want to do it on the deck or in the ocean?”

  “I think we will jump into the water for this. I will need to get you away from the boat. We don’t want to sink your ship.” She smiled.

  His men were back on the boat, and the pirate vessel had been cut loose.

  The men looked at her warily. A blond asked, “What are you doing with him?”

  She smiled and showed a mouthful of pointed teeth. “He is tribute.”

  Adam laughed and then gasped. “She is my fiancée. I did tell you that she swam like a fish.”

  The two held the gate for her and assisted her onto the floating dock.

  Lorai looked at Adam. “Ready?”

  “I have waited nearly a year. I am ready.”

  She smiled and took a step into the ocean, holding him as the salt water struck the hole in his body.

  She supported him with his head above water and pulled at her hair to free the vial. She shifted her feet into fins and pushed them nearly a kilometre from the ship. “Ready?”

  He nodded and his head lolled on his neck.

  She pulled the cork with her teeth and let the salt water enter the glass.

  For a moment, nothing happened. Lorai shook Adam to keep him awake, pressed the vial against him, and suddenly, the magic took hold.

  Crackling power filled the water, bound them and pulled his beast from him, splitting it and giving half to her. Her power and the thousands of years were split and given to him. They shared all that they were, and the water boiled around them.

  When the power surge stopped, they sank under the waves and let the forms they now had take over.

  This was going to take some adjustment.

  Chapter Six

  Lorai looked at the smooth expanse of her dolphin-like tail with the silvery fins and glossy scales. It was different from her blue and green standard.

  Adam looked at her with solid black eyes and his black hair moving with the tugs of the water.

  You are more beautiful than before. The admiration in his mental whisper was heady.

  You are very attractive yourself. King of the seas. She flicked her tail and moved around him.

  He had inherited her size, which was a bit of a relief. She was enough of a cougar without being a babysitter as well.

  The black and silver-streaked hair now spread around him in a cloud. His scales were the colour of blue steel, and the fan of his tail was tipped with black. Ink and shadow marked him. He was just short of a trident, and he could have doubled for Neptune.

  She swam around him and he grinned.

  Done with taking stock?

  She winked. Getting familiar with the territory.

  He took her hand and moved his tail. They shot through the water.

  So, you get the speed. Good to know.

  He grinned and released her, darting off into the darkness before returning to her in a rush. He grabbed her and bore her toward the ship.

  You are planning to properly introduce me?

  I am. I also want to make sure that the pirates didn’t get back on my ship.

  Two are floating to the left. The others are catching up with their ship, possibly to reload.

  You don’t have a problem killing?

  Pirates are barely human, so no. I have never had a problem letting the ocean take its toll. Also, the fuckers shot you. I am not a fan of having my mate injured.

  I am not a fan of being shot. If you hadn’t arrived, I don’t know how long I would have lasted.

  She could feel the urgency in his mind, and she tried not to smile as he shot them out of the water and onto the deck. She took up her legs as reflex so that when they landed she was on her feet.

  The three treasure seekers were on the deck and staring.

  Adam grinned. “Gentlemen, this is my fiancée, Lorai. Lorai, this is Rick, Alan and Tim.”

  She inclined her head but felt the gazes on her. “Pleased to meet you. Do any of you have a shirt I can wear?”

  The men scrambled into action, heading below deck.

  Adam looked at her in surprise. “I never have that effect on them.”

  She laughed. “I am guessing that they haven’t seen many mermaids.”

  He squeezed her tight. “I suppose I should put something on as well.”

  “If they are all humans, they might not be as comfortable with nudity as we are.”

  “They are. It is a small boat. Privacy is only something you find in the shower.”

  She chuckled, and his buddy Rick was the first one to arrive with a clean blue shirt that hung to mid-thigh.

  He also grinned and tossed Adam some shorts. “Stop showing off.”

  Adam got into his clothing while Alan brought Lorai a towel.

  She sat on one of the benches and towelled her hair. “Thank you, Alan.”

  He beamed. “When Adam said you were a mermaid, we all just thought he was exaggerating.”

  She chuckled. “Well, the maid part is exaggerated, but the merfolk part is very accurate. I am happy to announce that he shares my affinity for the water now that we have completed our vows.”

  Alan chuckled. “We noticed.”

  Tim cleared his throat. “How... Adam wasn’t a merman before, was he?”

  “He had fey in his blood and our connection woke it up. It has probably been dormant for centuries. His attachment to the water was its only indicator.”

  The men looked at each other, and Rick cleared his throat. “So, any of us could have fey blood?”

  She looked them over and shook her head. “You could but you don’t. This is not a common occurrence.”

  Adam sat next to her and took her hand in his. He kissed the back of it. “We just got lucky enough to be in the same place at the same time.”

  Tim cocked his head. “Your face is familiar.”

  She grinned. “That is possible. I have a coastline boutique that might have been on a few news programs. I got tired of being stared at and left the public eye.”

  Alan gave her a sober look. “You left the chains where we could find them.”

  “I needed the boat stable for the jump. I couldn’t do it if you were shifting positions and pirates are not noted for their patience. I didn’t want to miss.”

  Tim clued in. “You have done that before?”

  She shrugged. “In the old days of privateers, a mermaid would be asked to guide and guard a ship. My cousins would occasionally ask for my help. Attacking from the air is never something that the pirates were anticipating.”

  Adam and Rick looked at each other. “What?”

  Tim described seeing Lorai swim at increasing speed and launching herself out of the water, the falling of the bodies on the other side and the disarming of the men with the spear guns, not necessarily in that order. The excitement in his voice meant that the story was going to grow grander at an alarming pace.

  She sighed and leaned against Adam. “And so another annoying story is born.”

  Tim blushed. “Sorry. It is just the coolest thing that I have ever been involved in. Pirates, treasure, mermaids. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.”

  Adam grinned. “For me too, but keep it a dream or, at least, a bar story.”

  “Only if you l
et me watch you swim. She was fast, but I bet you are faster.”

  Adam nodded. “Sure. Not a problem.”

  Rick asked the question that had been on his mind. “What necklace?”

  She got to her feet and smiled. “Show me your maps and I will show you where I got it. I don’t think you can get there, but I don’t have that problem.”

  They headed to the map room, and she drew the outline of the deep wreck as well as the one that had landed in shallow waters.

  The men looked at it and slouched with disappointment. She smiled. “The crevice has a ledge that caught the wreck. I just reached down and picked up some of the chains, seeding them into the shallow wreck.”

  Alan tapped the ledge on the map. “How deep is it?”

  She shrugged. “Five hundred metres? It could have been deeper.”

  “How did you find the treasure?”

  Adam smiled. “Even with my brief time under water, I can tell you; she could smell it. It is like following the scent of lilacs. It comes in your gills and swirls on your tongue. I didn’t know what it was, but now that I do, I can probably find it.”

  She held up her hand. “Most merfolk can go three hundred metres under. You might not be able to reach this wreck.”

  He shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”

  Alan scowled. “Won’t he be able to do what you do?”

  “Not really. I am fey on both sides of my family. He is only a little bit fey.” She reached up and threaded her hand in his hair, pulling it back to show the nearly human pointed ears of her mate.

  He scowled. “My ears are pointy?”

  “Just a little, dearest. Now, I believe we have that other matter to attend to.”

  During their entire conversation, the blood had begun rushing around her body until she could almost hear the pounding need of her sex.

  He turned to her, and his body tensed as she trailed her fingers down his neck. “Of course. How could I have forgotten?”

  He wrapped her in his arms and held her against him. She called out a distracted, “Please excuse us. Fey thing.”

  Adam smiled. “I am going to remember that.”

  “It is a useful phrase to describe any number of odd behaviours.” She draped her arms around his neck and licked slowly up to his ear. She nibbled at the edge, and he shivered and slammed her against the wall.

  “Damn! That felt like...”

  She grinned. “I know. Fey ears are erogenous zones. Better you learn it now than later.”

  He pushed the shirt up over her breasts and shoved the shorts down. She was wet, and her legs were around his waist. He shoved upward and the sea swelled.

  She closed her eyes as he hammered into her, lost in the mix and mingling of magic inside her. Every thrust made her grunt, and she felt the rising power inside.

  Her fingers clawed at his shoulders in a short, sharp move. He rocked upward and shouted; his mind and magic surrounded her.

  She took it all into her and screamed as her own energies surged into him. They were locked together, swirls of ancient power flowing around them until it settled in their skin.

  When they slumped together, the laughter started. She kissed him and whispered, “At least we can now find out what normal is for us.”

  He nuzzled her cheek with his. “I heartily agree. What was the clawing about?”

  She chuckled and nipped at his jaw. “It is how mermaids mark their mates so others don’t try and intrude on our territory.”

  “A little warning would have been appreciated.”

  She made a sad noise. “Sorry. It was reflex.”

  He leaned back and grinned. “Don’t be too sorry. I liked it.”

  She chuckled and looked at the marks she had left behind. Four long stripes and two short on each shoulder. They were already shining scars.

  She ran her hand down his side and felt nothing but skin and muscle where his wound had been. He was whole and he was hers.

  “Hey, Adam, we are getting some weird weath—oh geez!” Rick’s voice was shocked.

  Lorai turned her head and smiled. “Sorry. Now that we are done, the weather should dissipate. It was only for this first time.”

  Rick turned his back to them on the steps. “I thought you were in his room.”

  Adam pressed his lips to Lorai’s temple. “We didn’t make it.”

  “Uh. Right.”

  Lorai chuckled. “We will be along and presentable in a moment.”

  Adam turned to Rick, “If one of you is able, suit up. I want to take this new form for a spin, and seeing how deep I can go is going to be fun.”

  Rick headed above deck, and Lorai smirked. “I am pretty sure I am the expert on how deep you can go.”

  He laughed and eased out of her. She lowered her legs to the floor and took her weight on them again.

  He smoothed the t-shirt down over her hips. “I am gathering that you got your mother’s approval.”

  “There was a price, but I think you will be willing to pay it.” She smiled and caressed his cheek.

  “What price?”

  “She wants grandchildren.”

  Adam grinned and put his hands on her hips. “A price I am definitely willing to pay. How many do you want? Three?”

  She blinked. “I would be content with one. Fey don’t breed that often.”

  “Shifters do. We will see if we can meet in the middle.”

  He snapped his shorts into place and smiled. “I am one of eight children. The only boy. Large families don’t scare me.”

  She cocked her head. “I have been on my own for over a thousand years. It is not likely that I will get pregnant.”

  “You have never had an actual mate before. The magic wouldn’t work if it wouldn’t make a difference.”

  Lorai took his hand, and they returned to the deck.

  Alan was laying out a meal and the pirate vessel was floating into the distance.

  She had just picked up her sandwich when she heard the sound of metal on metal. “Aw, fuck. I missed one.”

  Chapter Seven

  She whirled to look at the intruder, and he glared back. The man had a deranged look in his eyes.

  “You... you killed my men.” His gaze was locked on her.

  She put herself between Adam and his men and the pirate. “I did no such thing. It isn’t my fault that they can’t breathe water.”

  She sent out a pulse and called backup. Adam stiffened behind her, and she smiled slightly. He was learning.

  “Why are you smiling, bitch?”

  She laughed. “You saw me. Saw what I am, and you still call me bitch? You are a very stupid man.”

  She stepped toward him, and he tightened his grip on the weapon.

  Adam, when I move, get the guys to safety.

  I am not going to watch you get shot.

  Remember who my mother is.

  She caught his understanding before she took two steps toward the gunman. He fired at her, and she simply walked into the spray of bullets. He realized too late that he had picked the wrong target, but before he could turn the weapon on the others, she slammed her hand into his jaw and sent him tumbling overboard into the ocean.

  The sharks struck silently, frothing the water with blood. He didn’t even have a chance to scream.

  She tossed the gun overboard and walked back to the table that Alan had set up. She sat down and ate her sandwich without any further comment.

  Adam came to her and asked. “You called something, didn’t you?”

  She shrugged. “There is a great white nursery nearby. They needed a bit of a snack. I wouldn’t go in the water for an hour. The young ones aren’t too fussy.”

  The other three came in, and Rick sat with a thud. “You called sharks?”

  “I offered them a hunting opportunity. They accepted.”

  The guys looked at her nervously. She rolled her eyes. “Seriously? I turn into a giant mermaid, and it is the appearance of natural creatures that makes you nervous?”<
br />
  Adam smiled. “Dear one, I believe it is the bullet holes in your shirt that do not pierce your skin which has them wary.”

  She grabbed another sandwich. “Oh, that is just physiology on my mother’s side. Stone giant. Bullets can only chip my skin.”

  Adam smiled and pulled her against his side. “Ah, nothing like having a woman who can’t break.”

  “Yup. It is also why I am slow in the water compared to my kind’s normal speed.”

  She sat back and sighed. “That is better. It has been quite a while since I had a meal.”

  Lorai leaned against Adam and relaxed. “If you don’t mind, I would like to save swimming for tomorrow. I haven’t slept in some time.”

  She slumped against him and felt his arms come around her. She really hoped that they had gotten all of the pirates. She was in no shape to fight.

  When she woke, they were anchored in calm seas. She stretched and carefully sat up in the bunk. The pillow next to hers was dented, so she hadn’t been sleeping alone.

  She found the tiny shower and washed quickly, wringing her hair out before groping for a towel. A hand caught hers and placed the fluffy fabric in her hand.

  Adam grinned. “Good to see you up and about.”

  “Thanks. How long was I out?”

  “Two weeks. It seems you caught up on a lot of sleep.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. I hope I didn’t worry you.”

  “I could feel your mind in mine, so I knew you were fine.”

  She smiled and wrapped the towel around herself. “I should have warned you, but it took so long for my mother to reply that I lost track of how much time had passed.”

  He lifted her chin on his knuckles and kissed her. “I am glad you are back.”

  Lorai smiled and whispered, “You couldn’t get to the deep water, could you?”

  He grinned. “No. I need you, Lorai.”

  She smirked. “Let me brush my hair and have something to eat. Do you have any coffee?”

  “Allow me to get you something to eat. I left some clothing for you on the bed. That shredded shirt was just too tempting.”

  Lorai laughed. “Do you have a brush or a comb?”

  He smirked. “Can’t you just use a fork?”