“We are not Human.”
“Clearly,”
With that, we left the beautiful, circular room and returned to the center of Neridia.
“That took a lot of guts,” Thayde said.
“I think I just made things worse.” I admitted and rubbed my temples with my fingertips.
“They needed a bit of shuffling, I think.”
“What am I going to do about Naira, Thayde?”
He stopped swimming and placed both hands on my shoulders. “Morgan, you’re going to have to help her die as painlessly and with as much dignity as you can. There isn’t anything else you can do.”
I shut my eyes against the jumble of thoughts and memories. Thayde’s warm arms pulled me back to reality as they slid around me, cocooning me in their safety.
“Let’s go home.” He said.
Ezen and Tiesa swam to us, their faces unhappy.
“The three you dismissed are on their way to Herra as we speak.” Ezen’s voice was low.
“I’m not sure that was the wisest thing you’ve ever done,” Tiesa chanced to say and I glared at her.
“There were four and they weren’t bringing anything helpful to the Elders. They certainly didn’t remember what it meant to be an Elder.”
Let’s go home and take care of Naira. Thayde’s thoughts swirled about my head.
“We’re going back home. My sister needs to be allowed to die with some amount of dignity.”
My friends nodded in agreement. Thayde’s hands took my waist and, spiraling upward, he shot full speed to the surface.
CHAPTER SIX
THE PASSING
I don’t want to let my sister go. She’s too young and hasn’t led a full life yet. I’ve seen her as an adult. She’s beautiful and smart and full of life. Why does she have to go now, before she has even experienced living? I don’t ask for much and you already know my heart’s desires. You know what’s best for me, for my family, for everyone, but I don’t understand this. Maybe I’m not meant to understand. Maybe this is about her understanding instead. Why can’t I stop this? Why can’t I make all this better? Why won’t you allow her to live?
Tammer gently set Naira into the bathtub’s healing gel, allowing her to slide underwater. The air from her lungs rushed to the surface in one big bubble as she automatically made the shift to breathing underwater on her own. Her golden hair floated up around her body like spun silk and she phased into her strange colored magenta and turquoise tail.
Our family members stood on the edge of Tammer and Mom’s bath. Tammer’s best friend, David, and his daughters Tiesa and Fallyn stood with Ezen, Vitahl, Thayde, Shirley, Aletheia, Lars and Hadassah. We hadn’t asked Gavran and Flynn to witness Naira’s passing. Instead, we asked them to help with the arrangements and they were more than willing, which had come somewhat as a surprise. Vitahl provided the food on his own, bringing several trays full of beautifully catered appetizers. The grey circles under his eyes reflected how tired and sad we all felt.
Mom and Tammer stood in the bath next to Naira and me. I motioned for them to lie on the bottom of the tub and we submerged, phasing at the same time. I didn’t have to look at Mom and Tammer to know they were ready for limbo.
Relaxing my body as I closed my eyes, I waited, readying myself for the difficult conversion. However, the transition was almost immediate. It was as if the water was a conductor for it, making it much easier than it had been in Naira’s room. When I opened my eyes, we were floating near the surface, faces down, looking at our bodies.
“Good heavens!” Mom’s eyes were as round as sand dollars.
“Where is she?” Tammer looked for Naira.
I scanned the large pool-like tub to no avail; Naira was not there. Moments later, a pair of large, extremely muscled arms reached through the water, took a hold of my arms, and pulled me out. I steadied myself on the edge of the marble before looking up at Paul David.
“Hello Paul,” I said and he looked a little embarrassed.
“I’m sorry if I scared you. Naira said to just lift you out.”
Naira wiggled her fingers at me in a little wave. She sat next to me, curled on the side, her tail tucked neatly underneath her.
“Hi Morgan. Mom and Dad coming?” She asked.
They surfaced within arm’s reach, their mouths open in shock as they saw Naira for the first time as a woman. Mom grabbed Tammer’s arm, steadying herself.
“Naira?” Tammer breathed and a nervous smile broke across her pretty face.
“Hi Daddy,” she said.
“Baby!” Mom tore from Tammer and threw herself at her daughter, embracing her and whispering through tears. The two continued to speak quietly to one another as Tammer made his way to me.
“How long do we have?” Tammer swallowed the lump in his throat. Tears poured down his cheek and I found myself looking away to give him some sort of privacy. I focused on Paul.
“A few minutes,” he answered.
“That’s all?” Tammer tore his gaze from his wife and daughter to face Paul. He held his hand to him. “You’re the man my daughter is in love with,”
Paul shook Tammer’s hand briefly before continuing. “I wish you had more time, but a little time is better than none.” He looked to the floor, his tone heavy with meaning.
“Daddy?” Naira swam to Tammer, pulling herself into his arms. “I’m sorry, Daddy.” She sniffed.
“For what, sweetheart?” He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ve always known I was different. I love Paul. I wish there was another way.”
Mom drew next to me, taking my arm in hers for the first time since being in McCall. We watched Tammer close his eyes and drop his head onto Naira’s shoulder, his shoulders shaking.
“She’s more beautiful than I imagined,” Mom whispered to me. “Are you really telling me there’s nothing you can do?”
Her words cut me to the core. Was she going to hold this against me for the rest of my life? Paul knelt behind us.
“Morgan has no say in this; she is not God.”
Mom’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Can’t you ask Him? He hasn’t answered our prayers.”
Paul shook his head. “It’s not my place to question Him. Everything He does has a purpose.” He looked to Naira. “The bigger picture is what matters.”
Tammer and Naira drew apart, a look of alarm on Tammer’s face.
“I’m tired.” Naira said.
“It is time,” Paul’s voice was hushed.
“No,” Mom began to sob, “my baby,” she buried her face in her hands. Tammer reached for her, pulling Naira and I to him as well. The four of us held each other. No words came to my lips. What do you say to one who is dying?
“I’m sorry,” Paul interrupted after a few moments, “but we must go now.” Naira reached for him and he scooped her into his arms.
Panic set into me and I almost shouted as my heart spoke what I could not say. “Naira! I’m sorry! I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you.”
Paul stood; his magnificent height and shape seeming to double. Naira relaxed in his arms, her long hair trailing over his arm while her pretty fins touched the sparkly floor on the other side. She rested her head against his chest and smiled at me.
“Take care of Sharlie for me,” she said faintly. Paul’s giant wings spread open behind him, dwarfing us.
“I love you all,” she said and Paul’s wings closed around them. “Goodbye,” her voice was but a whisper as a bright light encompassed them. When we opened our eyes, they were gone.
I didn’t wait for Mom and Tammer to recover from seeing Naira disappear with Paul. They woke as if from a dream along with me. The first thing they did was pull Naira to the surface.
My little sister’s lifeless body hung in Tammer’s arms like a ragdoll. He clutched her to his chest and cried out loud, oblivious of our friends and family around us. Mom phased, barely able to pull herself from the tub. Vitahl reached for her hand and helped her, wrapping a towel around her sho
ulders.
Thayde offered his hand to me. I looked up at him, my body weighed down along with my heart. Instead of waiting for me, he walked into the tub, took my face into his hands and kissed me on both cheeks. Then, he carried me out of the water.
Mom quietly sobbed in Vitahl’s arms while the rest of our group respectfully waited. Tammer eventually phased and exited the water with Naira. We followed him from the room as he made his way with his daughter to the ocean.
When he reached the water, he hesitated. I can’t do this.
I moved to his side and held my hand out for Mom. She looked like the last thing she wanted to do was have any part in letting her daughter go. Finally, she took my hand and stood with us on the steps.
We’re with you, I comforted Tammer. Mom ran a shaking finger along Naira’s beautiful tail and took her limp hand in hers. Kissing the back of it, she broke into tears again. With one last hug, Tammer gently placed Naira into the water, pushing her away. She drifted with the waves, her body sinking a few inches before the bubbles began to overtake her.
Mom and Tammer clung to each other on the top step and I sat on the step next to them, my heart in my mouth. Naira disappeared before my eyes and I had done nothing to save her. Regret and guilt filled me to the bone. I dropped my head to my knees.
Loving arms circled my shoulders and Aletheia knelt alongside me. She placed her hand on the back of my head and pulled me to her embrace. I accepted her hug and began to cry. All she did was tighten her arms about me, and I suppose that’s all I needed. She smelled like Jasmine flowers.
“Look!” Gavran’s voice rang out moments later. He pointed across the ocean to the sky.
The sun streaked down through the cotton ball clouds, causing the turquoise water to sparkle like diamonds. Rising from the water, entwined in each other’s embrace, was my sister and Paul David.
It was a glorious sight – Paul’s magnificent wings arched and flexed, pulling them upward. He held Naira safely about her waist and she in turn lay her lovely head on his, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her long blonde hair fell to her fins and her tail wrapped itself lovingly around one of his legs. They held each other as if it was their last time together, and indeed it was.
Not a word was uttered as we watched them ascend into the heavens. When they were but a speck against the sun, we were forced to look away.
“Thank you,” Tammer whispered.
I don’t know how long I sat on that step, but I sensed Thayde’s presence behind me the entire time. Aletheia stayed with me, one arm slung about my shoulders, gazing out to sea. It wasn’t until Vitahl approached us that Aletheia patted me on the arm.
“Come on,” she said and helped me to my feet.
We faced the towering Vitahl who leaned down and took my face into his large olive colored hands. His kind eyes looked deep into mine.
“Do not fret. You will see your sister again.”
I kept my eyes on the ground as we made our way to the house in silence. The red carpet leading us to the house looked like blood – a ribbon of liquid blood spouting from its doors and draining into the ocean. It made me gag. I sank like a rock to my knees and pain shot through my arms, making my hands contort violently.
“Don’t touch her!” Aletheia cried to Thayde, holding her arms up like a shield to keep him away from me. “Morgan, it’s a Genif. Fight it!”
The thought of a Genif trying to invade my body made my temper explode. Flames erupted from me and I crossed my arms, grabbing hold of each bicep, and tore the thing from my body.
The shadowy creature twisted and shook in my grip, its boney black arms threatening to break in my hands. Spitting and hissing, it lurched forward, trying to bite at my face, but it was not big enough to reach.
“Ivak!” I yelled and the hideous creature grew still, the hatred on its face vicious and unrelenting.
“Why do you attempt this?” My voice growled and it shrank back.
“I do what Master decrees.” Its barely noticeable nostrils opened and closed as it breathed.
“Who is your master?”
“Herra…” The name dragged like a whisper on the wind.
“You shall not come to this place again.” I ordered and it began to laugh.
“We come for Gavran next.”
The boldness of the Genif infuriated me, making me scream. The Fire overwhelmed us in a white frenzy. I gave in to the urge to destroy the Genif and as I crushed it between my hands, the terrifying noise of the millions of tortured voices from its past screamed along with it. I wiped my hands together, letting the ash fall to the carpet.
“Well done,” Aletheia’s approval was akin to a proud Mother.
“Your arms!” Thayde pointed to where I’d ripped the Genif from my body. Blood streamed from the gashes wrapping around my upper arms. I was so angry, I hadn’t noticed the pain. Touching my hands to both wounds, I thought the healing word ‘blenald’ and they turned black.
“The evidence of the Genif is written on your body now,” Aletheia answered the question that hung in the air. I ran my fingers over the four black indentions in my skin and shrugged.
“We don’t have time for this.” I reached for Thayde and he pulled me to my feet. “I want to end all of this. Now.”
“Do not rush into war,” Vitahl warned. “Make sure your plans are in place.”
“Herra is goading you. She wants you to be careless. Do not give her what she wants.” Aletheia wrapped her arm around my waist as we walked. “We have to be very strategic about this. I suggest we call all the heads of the merfamilies for a meeting so we can discuss the plans for war.”
“I already have,” I said.
She pulled away, a shocked look on her face. “When?”
“Yesterday. Thayde and I called a meeting with the Elders and told them to notify the heads of the families to meet us here tomorrow at noon.”
Aletheia’s purple eyes bore through me. “You visited the Elders?”
“And deposed four of them,” Thayde interrupted.
“Who?”
I continued on to the house without her and she followed, catching my elbow.
“Morgan, who?”
“No one of consequence.” I replied.
Thayde answered for me. “She’s right. The worst was Xerin. He flat out refused to help her.”
Aletheia’s delicate eyebrows arched. “Xerin? That’s no big loss.”
We passed through the glass doors into the living room. The place was as empty as a shell washed upon the beach.
“Where is everyone?” Thayde asked.
“Most likely in the kitchen,” Vitahl dropped onto the couch pulling a small cushion from behind his back. “In a time of crisis, that is where everyone seems to congregate.”
“I should be with my parents,” I thought out loud.
“You should ask Gavran why the Genif wanted him.” Vitahl linked his fingers, resting his hands against his lips. “There is something amiss.”
“Now isn’t the time or place,” Thayde quickly said, his hand resting on my forearm. “Your sister just passed.”
His handsome face paled, showing fatigue.
What’s wrong? I thought and he took a step back.
Nothing. Just, leave him alone for now.
Something’s wrong.
Please leave him alone. Thayde warned and turned making his way into the kitchen.
Thayde! I called after him and he ignored me. I looked to Aletheia whose mouth tightened.
“He knows more than he’s letting on.” She said.
Vitahl agreed. “You must find out, Morgan. This is not a game.”
“He’s aware of that.” Part of me wanted to go after Thayde and ask him to talk it out with me, but the other part trusted him and knew he needed time alone. I leaned my forehead against a cool glass window to clear my thoughts.
The only time Thayde and Gavran had been alone was at the Dartmoth gates and in the garage. Both times, Flynn had been there. Fly
nn – he was an odd person. It was obvious he did not like me and I wondered why. Clearly, he was nervous of me and I thought it odd as we had never met before.
He was extremely pale for a merman. I wondered if perhaps he was of Icelandic descent. My thoughts turned to his relationship with Gavran. How long had they known each other? Where did they meet? Why hadn’t I seen Flynn in the past? Granted, I hadn’t made it a point to hang out with Gavran, but I would have thought I would have at least heard about him.
“Morgan!” Aletheia’s voice cried, “Morgan, they’re leaving!”
Stumbling from my daydream, I strained to listen to the sound of two motorcycles peeling away from the grounds. Motorcycles?
“Whose bikes are those?” I asked, pulling open the sliding doors.
“They’re Flynn’s, he had them brought here.” Aletheia followed me as I ran around the side of the house.
“Why are they leaving?” She wheezed.
What are you doing? I caught Thayde just as he turned the corner onto the street.
His answer was brief. I can’t tell you right now.
“I’ll catch up to them,” I promised, turning to the stately garage doors and forcing them open with a wave of my hand. Silver flashed in the sunlight and I pulled the Cobra’s door open.
“Please watch your driving!” Aletheia wrung her hands as the racecar roared to life.
I shot her a sarcastic look and reversed so quickly, the tires left black serpentine trails on the concrete.
“Don’t kill yourself!” She shouted, her hands cupping her mouth.
The trees and flowers lining the driveway shot past me in a rainbow blur. It was not like Thayde to leave me in the dark about his plans. Worse yet, he was taking Gavran out into the open, completely unprotected from the Genif’s. There had to be more than the one I’d killed.
Nosing my sleek car onto the highway, I quickly maneuvered my way through traffic. The bikes were nowhere to be seen. They had to have hit the freeway by now.
My irritation rose when the only stoplight between me and the freeway turned red. Fighting the urge to run it, I let my car idle and ran my hand over her leather steering wheel; she fit me to a tee. The irritating boom, boom, boom of a bass pulled up next to me.
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