by K. K. Allen
“Isaac and his daughters are from Apollo Beach but they migrated during the destruction. Not because they were swimming away from the threats, but because there was a bigger destruction occurring in Weeki Wachee. The Equinox evaded them too and took out almost an entire community. The Valli’s sought out to salvage whatever they could and rebuild that community to what it is today. They’ve been there ever since but we meet from time to time to unite powers—this is one of those times.”
Rose stands. “Is that enough for now, Kat? I will do my best to be honest with you from now on, keeping in mind that you are a sixteen year old girl and my job is to protect you, not put a burden on you.”
I stand with her and reach out for a hug. The tensing of her muscles tell me that the hug is unexpected, but the release of her tension tells me that it is also welcome. I linger for just a moment before pulling away.
“Thank you.”
Rose looks at me, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. She forgives me for dredging up bad memories, but where do we go from here? That is still the lingering question.
Chapter Four
My doorbell rings at nine o’clock exactly and I race down the stairs at a speed that still surprises me. Alec’s face smiles back as I swing open the door. His readiness for the sun and water is evident in his light blue sleeveless top and black swim shorts. My smile meets his as I eagerly shut the door behind me.
“I half expected you to be in bed sick. This is a pleasant surprise.” He is teasing but the comment irks me.
I narrow my eyes at him with a sideways smirk. “You know, I am starting to feel a little sick.”
Alec’s eyes grow wide for a second before he laughs. “No you don’t, Summer Girl. You are coming with us, even if I have to drag you to the Springs myself. Your mermaid friends await your arrival.”
A bubble of laughter escapes me. “Is that so? Well, I haven’t told them that I’m coming so that’s impossible.”
He shrugs and twists his face mockingly. “Mermaids just know things.”
“What kinds of things exactly?” I test him to see how far he’ll push it, and although I’m having fun teasing back, there’s an uncomfortable reverberation in the back of my mind that knows there is a reality to what we’re discussing.
He taps a finger to his lips twice before answering. “Well, they can read minds. They have to read minds because they live under water. How else would they understand each other?”
Good point. Now he’s got me wondering if the Valli sisters were reading my mind yesterday.
Alec gives up and tosses me over his shoulder with one quick swoop. “C’mon!”
I shriek with laughter as he carries me upside down the entire way to his parent’s Yukon. He places me gently in the passenger seat and grins. It’s hard to keep my eyes on him with his white teeth glaring back at me, flirtatiously. “Buckle up, Buttercup.”
I turn around in my seat as I pull the strap down from the ceiling and smile at Trisha, Ava, Matt, and Brent who are all grinning from the backseat of the car. Well—Ava’s smile looks more like sneer. I could have lived without seeing her today, but she is Alec’s friend so I will deal with it.
“Hey Buttercup,” Brent teases. You ready to see some mermaids?” He asks this with a fist pump and I can’t help but roll my eyes.
“I didn’t realize mythological creatures were your style,” I tease, and turn to face out front.
If there was a phrase I could use to describe Brent it would be class clown. He’s got a joke for everything but it’s refreshing. There is a balance needed in every group setting and he’s got the flair for the dramatic that releases tension in almost any situation.
Alec puts the SUV in reverse now as Brent answers. “Oh yeah! I’ve been to this place before. The mermaids are smokin’.”
Ava lets out an ugly groan and I hear Brent cry out in pain. I’m certain Ava just jabbed him in the ribs. “Shut up, Brent. You’re fishing in the wrong pond.”
Despite Ava’s harsh demeanor we all burst into laughter, including Brent.
“That’s right, Brent,” Alec joins in. “There are plenty of fish in the sea—if the mermaids don’t work out, that is.”
“Okay, okay,” Brent says from the back, laughing.
Matt takes his turn next to jab Brent. “Don’t worry man. Just keep swimmin’.”
“Okay, I get it!” Brent shouts and we all are laughing now.
“Pig,” Ava rolls her eyes and adjusts herself so that she faces the window behind Alec.
My eye catches Alec’s as he turns to me and we smile with a mutual understanding. With one look, I know I’ve been forgiven.
* * *
A passing sign tells me that we are getting close to Weeki Wachee Springs. I take in the bright sun, yellowing trees, and flat landscape in front of us. There’s a hidden beauty to Florida that appears dry and colorless to others, but I find the scorched trees and tortured earth quite beautiful. Although too hot for most to enjoy unless wading in the water, the golden rays, gentle breeze, and sparkling water have grown on me.
I hear giggling in the back of the SUV and smile. I wonder how Trisha will take to Solstice life. I can only imagine that she’ll be more prepared than I ever was since her parents are around to help her through it, and I’ll help her however I can. It’s a comfort to know that I will finally have someone to confide in about everything that’s happened since my Enchantment, and even before it.
I notice that Trisha doesn’t complain of headaches or awful nightmares. Is she going through the same experiences I went through? Where will she be when she’s hit with her powers for the first time?
As someone who’s been through it before and struggled with it, I would not want to be surrounded by party guests or the boy I’m crushing on.
My own Enchantment hit me as I soaked up the rays of energy beaming down from the sun. I didn’t realize it then, but it was my first experience in energy sourcing. One second I was sitting with Alec by the pool, and the next, I was blasted by a bright flash that transported me to the beach. It was in this moment of utter disbelief that I could finally confirm that something about me was changing. What was most frustrating was that Rose knew what was going on—she had always known. Come to find out, my mom had always known too.
Everyone believed that secrets were kept from me for my benefit. I still think everyone was wrong. How can ignorance help anyone? Knowledge is power, as they say. Even Rose admitted that in her speech to the community yesterday.
If it were up to me, I’d prepare Trisha for what’s to come, but I know that it’s not up to me.
I’ve learned quickly, and I know that especially in sensitive times like this I need to respect the Laws of Enchantment. I also need to respect Trisha’s family for the choices they make. In doing that, I respect who I am—even if I don’t completely understand it.
* * *
The line to enter the parking lot reaches outside the main gate. I watch as a security guard shakes his head and waves the front car around back toward the exit. Everyone in the car groans loudly.
“We drove all this way! Don’t tell me they’re going to turn us around.” Matt voices our frustration.
A different guard walks toward the front of the entrance holding a large a-board sign that reads Park Closed in large letters. More cars turn from the entrance to the park and my mood dims. Really? The park must be busy.
“Sorry guys, I guess we should have left earlier.” Alec’s voice is filled with of disappointment, as if he’s to blame for the park closing.
We follow the line of cars that are forced to turn around just as they reach the guards. The line is excruciatingly slow because everyone seems to be pleading with the guards to let them in.
“We’ll get in,” I say confidently, while silently kicking myself for not warning the Valli sisters that I was coming. I will find us a way in. I can’t stand to see how disappointed everyone is.
The guard doesn’t even look at us as Alec
rolls down his window. “Park’s full folks. Come back in a few hours and you might have some luck.”
I lean over Alec and smile at the man who still doesn’t look back. “Sir.”
He finally looks at me, appearing irritated.
“Hi sir, my friends, the Valli sisters are expecting me here today. Is it possible to let us in to see them?”
The man stares down at me now, studying me a little too long and then his face seems to register something—his face changes shape as it clicks. “Ms. Summer.”
I tilt my head, unsure of how he knows who I am. “That’s me. Do we know each other?”
He grins at me. “If you’re friends with the Valli’s then I know you. You’re on my list. Go ahead through and park in the security lot. I’ll have someone place a permit on your car.” He waves. “Nice to meet you Kat.”
“Your name?” I ask but Alec’s already driving away.
“That was strange,” I say out loud but no one in the car hears me, they are too busy shouting and screaming with joy.
“I can’t believe you pulled that off!” Alec says clapping a hand on my back. “We’re taking you with us everywhere now.”
“Who are the Valli sisters?” Ava asks curiously. Surprisingly, her voice is devoid of the usual irritation.
“The mermaids,” I say to her grinning, because I know that will irritate her.
As we park in a stall marked for security, another guard greets us and places a permit on Alec’s dashboard. We scramble out of the car, happy to finally be standing in the sun. The guys grab the heavy stuff; the chairs and cooler, while us girls grab the towels and bags of food.
“Whoa,” Brent says before I hear a loud crash.
I look over my shoulder at the cooler that has fallen to his feet, his mouth agape. I roll my eyes knowing it can only mean one thing; he’s spotted a mermaid. I turn in the direction he’s drooling and see Latuana and Marabella approaching from the front entrance. They wear long, colorful dresses. Their hair flows down their backs in perfect waves. It’s in their relaxed smiles and overall appearance that shows me this is their natural environment; this is their home. It must be unsettling for them to be around a bunch of Enchanters when they come to Apollo Beach, no matter how much we all have in common.
They smile brightly and embrace me with strong arms. Their scent is a mix of fresh flowers and a hint of salt—exotic, just like them.
I introduce the girls to the group and leave Brent for last, just for fun.
“And this is one of your biggest fans—Brent.” He glares at me and stares back to the girls, bereft of all charm.
Latuana wraps her arms around him and squeezes. I stifle a laugh. When she pulls away she smiles. “Great to meet you Brent. We hope to see you at our show?”
Brent practically drools in response.
“That’s the plan.” Alec distracts the girls away from the awkward Brent. “We were thinking about coming to the evening show.”
Marabella grins. “Great! We’ll tell the others you’re here.” I know she’s speaking to me but she looks at everyone, to deflect, I think.
Brent responds, “yeah, okay.” He’s looking around nonchalantly, with his chest puffed out.
I giggle and Ava slams a hand into his chest before rolling her eyes. Someone should tell her that her eyes will stick in mid-roll one day if she keeps that up.
“Here.” Marabella sticks her hand out and I take the slips of paper that hang loosely between her fingers. “Vouchers, so you don’t have to pay entry. You’re here as our guests.”
“Thank you,” we all say enthusiastically. I pass the papers around so everyone has one and stare back up at the grinning girls.
“We’ll see you later, Kat!” Marabella winks and then turns on her heel, Latuana follows with a flicker of her fingers and they are lost in the crowd, past the entrance gates.
We shuffle down the sidewalk, hand over our slips of paper, and then head toward the water park area. There’s a tiki bar set up on the right. Beyond that is a large water slide that empties into the spring.
We find a spot in the sand which overlooks the water. I claim my chair by throwing a towel over it and sitting down. I’m pleased to see Alec take the chair beside me.
Everyone is stripping down to their bathing suits or shorts and running for the water but I stay back as I see Arabella approaching from a distance. She’s coming to talk to me. I sink deeper into the chair and lay back.
Alec hovers over me, blocking the sun from my eyes.
“Go ahead,” I assure him. “I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
He frowns. “You’re not going to be spending the day working on your color are you?”
The way he says working on your color makes me giggle. I shake my head.
“Good.”
“Just five minutes, I promise!” I throw my sundress at him.
“Okay. If you aren’t tearing down that slide in five minutes then I’m coming after you.” His threat is cute, but not scary enough to do much good.
“You know Alec, it’s a good thing for you that I want to go down that slide. I don’t take orders from you,” I tease as he runs toward the water and plunges into the spring.
Perfect timing. Arabella plops down beside me and I squint at her. “You should wear sunscreen,” she tells me. “But not the toxic-to-the-environment kind. Here.” She shoves a green tube toward me and I scoff at the brand label.
“Seriously, Arabella? Goddess Garden? Is this really a brand?” I’m laughing as I lather the lotion all over my body. She is smiling too, understanding the unintended joke—or maybe it was intended after all. I’m not sure I will ever have the nerve to call myself a goddess, even if I am a direct descendant of one. It just seems so ostentatious.
She offers to rub the lotion into my back and I let her, wondering how after only one meeting I feel as if I’ve known Arabella forever.
“So I made it,” I say with a lift of my arms.
Her eyes are bright and lively. “We expected you. Don’t be mad but we caught sight of your boyfriend last night and eavesdropped.”
My mouth drops in shock. “Arabella!” But then I laugh. Of course she finds Alec gorgeous—he is.
Her amusement is written all over her face. “Sorry, but I’m glad we did. Now we know he’s off limits.” She waves a hand in the air, signaling a change in conversation. “Are any of your friends like us?”
Like us. What an interesting way to categorize us. I shake my head. “No, but Trisha—the blonde—she will be. Her birthday is at the end of the month.”
Arabella leans back into Alec’s chair. “I bet it’s nice getting out of that town for a bit.”
My face scrunches at her statement. I’m not sure what she means. “I like Apollo Beach.” I am defensive, without meaning to be. “It’s not so bad,” I try again, this time with less resistance.
“Even with the threat of the Equinox?” Oh, that’s what she meant.
I don’t know what to say to that. I shrug my shoulders but the question doesn’t leave me. I decide to be honest. “I’m not really sure what to make of all that. No one tells me much. Rose likes for me to find things out on my own—it’s frustrating.”
Arabella makes a noise that sounds like a groan. “Rose reminds me of my father. Sometimes I wish he didn’t put me in the middle of everything. Rose is probably just trying to do you a favor.”
Of course she’s on Rose’s side. “Well, I don’t agree. The last time she kept something from me it almost killed me.” Even as I say this I’m not sure this is even true, but it’s all I have to make Rose feel like maybe she should be more honest with me. It could be true. If I had known that a real threat like the Equinox existed, I could have watched for the signs—whatever the signs were.”
I turn to face Arabella. She’s nodding in agreement. I feel relieved though I’m not sure why I care what Arabella thinks.
“If I were you,” she says, “I’d care too. I can’t imagine being th
e target of the Equinox.” She shakes her head, hair swishing around her face and landing perfectly over her shoulder.
I notice now that Arabella uses subtle touches of magic in everything that she does. In the way she moves her hair, the way she walks, speaks – how natural it must all come to her. Has she lived like this her whole life—with a tail? With magic?
“What do you mean, I’m a target?” I ask.
Arabella looks around now, like someone might be listening in on our conversation. “You’re a direct descendant. Direct descendants attract the Equinox. It’s like blood to a shark—especially when you expose yourself. I heard that you used your magic to create a wave in front of all your friends.”
“But no one actually knew it was me that created that wave,” I argue.
She shakes her head in agreement. “Right, to a normal person, that wave was created by Mother Nature, but you played right into the Equinox’s trap. He knows exactly who you are now, and they want you to know it. That’s why he left his mark.”
I shudder. The disgusting symbol of the Equinox is something I never want to lay eyes on again. My memory flashes back to the Enchanters meeting yesterday when Rose projected the image of the infinity serpent.
What Arabella is saying is exactly what Rose mentioned on the night of the fire. I spent a good week waiting for the Equinox to strike me after that night; to come after me and kill me, but that never happened.
“If the Equinox knows who I am then why hasn’t he come after me by now? Doesn’t he know he has the advantage?”
“It depends.” It’s obvious Arabella knows a lot more than I do about all of this. She’s been clued in by someone—probably her father—or possibly Rose. I decide not to ask her. I don’t have much time before Alec comes after me and I want to know what Arabella needs to say.
“Depends on what?” I ask exasperated. Everyone makes me work so hard for answers.
“A lot of things,” Arabella shrugs. “The Equinox likes to plan his attack.”
I tremble at the thought of whoever it is, mapping out my death in a dark room, covered with maps and photos of me, ‘x’d out in red marker.