by Kelly, Holly
Shouts thundered in Gretchen’s ear as the whole area erupted in chaos. Giant men rushed in from all sides. Gretchen recognized them—they were Xanthus’s friends. All of them, it seemed. Gretchen lost sight of Sara behind the wall of men.
“Sara,” she shouted, searching for her. When she didn’t answer, Gretchen shouted again, her heart pounding against her chest.
Strong arms surrounded her, dragging her inside the building. She fought against them, desperate to reach her friend. “Let go,” she screamed. “She needs me!”
“Gretchen,” a deep, warm voice spoke in her ear—Kyros’s voice. “You can’t see her now. She’s hurt. Straton is taking care of her. He’s a doctor of sorts. She’s in good hands.”
“Did someone shoot her? Was that what the sound was?”
“Yes.”
“But they weren’t trying to shoot her, were they?” she asked, sagging back against his chest. “She pushed me out of the way. How did she know?” Gretchen sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “If anything happens to her, if she dies because of me…” She couldn’t finish the thought. Her mind couldn’t even go there.
Kyros turned her to face him and pulled her into his chest. “Straton is doing everything he can.” She didn’t resist, but wrapped her arms around him, accepting the comfort he offered.
“Did someone call 911?” she asked.
Sirens in the background answered the question for her.
The next hour passed in a blur. Gretchen sat cold and shaking in a hospital waiting room. Her mind was filled so thick with emotion that individual thoughts found it difficult to penetrate. She looked down at her hands. Someone must have given her coffee. She held an empty Styrofoam cup.
Gretchen could hear thundering steps approaching the door just before Xanthus exploded through it.
“Hades,” Kyros whispered, lifting his arm from around her shoulders. “This is not going to be pretty.”
Gretchen looked over to him in a daze. She hadn’t even realized his arm had been around her. The anger radiating off Xanthus was impossible to miss. Kyros stood to meet his angry glare.
Xanthus made a beeline for Kyros, grabbed him by his shirt, and slammed him up against the wall. “Tell me she’s going to live!”
Gretchen could hear a nurse call for security. One of Xanthus’s friends responded to the nurse’s concern and seemed to be trying to calm her.
Kyros absorbed the blow and the anger. “She is,” Kyros said. “The doctors say she’ll be fine. Nothing vital was hit. She’s expected to make a full recovery.”
Xanthus loosened his grip, and his shoulders sagged. “What happened?”
“Someone tried to shoot Gretchen. Sara pushed her out of the way and caught the bullet. As far as we could figure, the shooter came from a boat in the harbor.”
“But Sara’s going to be all right? She’ll sustain no permanent damage?” Xanthus asked.
“She’s going to be fine.”
Xanthus sighed, his breathing haggard. “How much longer until I can see her?”
“They said it will be at least another hour,” Kyros said.
Xanthus sank into a chair. “She was shot,” he said again, as if trying to wrap his mind around the situation. “Someone shot her. Who could have done this?”
Gretchen stood. Her legs wobbled a bit. She felt weak. “Xanthus, I’m sorry. This is my fault…” Her voice caught, thick with emotion.
“Do you know who did this?” Xanthus asked, his voice laced with anger.
Kyros put out his hand to hold her back. She could feel the warmth of his body as he stepped behind her.
She shook her head. “No.”
“What about Hal?” Xanthus asked.
She blew out a quick breath. “No way. He hates guns. This doesn’t make sense. Who would want to kill me?”
“Could it be she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time?” Kyros asked Xanthus.
Xanthus pursed his lips. “Could be.”
“Until we find out for sure,” Xanthus said, “I want Sara guarded at all times. I’m having trouble getting a hold of her father. I’ve a feeling when he finds out, he’ll want her close to him and I’ll need to stay with my wife.”
“What about Gretchen?” Kyros asked.
Xanthus looked at her. “Until we know any different, we’ll assume she was the target. You and the others will take turns guarding her, and I’ll have Drakōn hunt down the shooter.”
“Just make sure he doesn’t kill him too quickly,” Kyros said. “We need information.”
Gretchen’s eyes widened as she turned back to Kyros. “Nobody’s going to be killing anybody.”
Kyros raised his eyebrow as his eyes darted between Gretchen and Xanthus. “Right.”
She turned to face him straight on. “No. Really. No one is killing anyone. What kind of people are you?”
He gave her a hard look that chilled her to the bone. “You don’t want to know.”
She believed him.
Sara had sacrificed herself for someone she cared about, and she’d nearly lost her life doing it. The thought made Kyros’s head hurt. He padded down the hallway, through the darkness. The entire house slept. Well, except for Drakōn. Who knows where his investigation would take him? But Kyros knew his friend wouldn’t rest until he found the person responsible.
Stepping into the library, he switched on the light and sat down at the desk. He pulled the ancient book out of the drawer he’d placed it in.
He flipped open the pages, reading the headings. He paused when he came to “The Mer: Myths and Fallacies.” Maybe he could find some answers there.
“Myth #1: The song of the Mer proceeds death.
“The Truth: While this is often true, death is not necessarily imminent. The song of the Mer is used to control its victims. Oft times the hearer is not killed immediately. If motives of Mer are benign, the song may be used merely to entertain. The Mer may influence the hearer to perform various acts, depending on his or her whims. If the motives are more sinister, the Mer may convince the hearer to drown or kill themselves in various ways. Some Mer have been known to create elaborate plots to kill and/or injure others (see the story of Aella).
“Myth #2: The Mer are born of the sea.
“The Truth: While the Mer are descended from Triton and thusly sea creatures, they are almost always also descended from humans. At birth, Triton would erase the memories of the humans, and take the babe to live with him in his kingdom. Other descendants of Mer may come from unions between Triton’s offspring and other creatures, including humans. This has been known to lead to unwanted births. Humans giving birth to children born from these unions were quick to kill them—driven by superstition. The Mer were often as eager to rid themselves of any baby born too human—ones born with legs or without gills.”
Kyros skimmed over a few pages until he came to the subject he’d been searching for.
“Myth #7: The Mer are not capable of compassion.
“The Truth: This is perhaps one of the greatest fallacies among Dagonians. The Mer are just as capable of showing empathy and kindness as any Dagonian. But, because of the power they wield when they are cruel or vicious, they can wreak much more damage than other creatures, including a Dagonian. Thus, the cruel acts of the Mer overshadow any kind acts they may perform.”
Kyros frowned. Was he wrong? Was his thinking based on ignorant stereotypes?
Perhaps.
He continued to read on for a couple of hours before his back protested. The hours of reading were mind changing and enlightening, but his body wasn’t adapting to the toll gravity took on it. Standing, he stretched. He could use a good swim before he returned to bed.
He strolled into the pool room and stripped. Diving into the salty water never felt better. It slicked over his body like a lover’s caress. He braced himself for the pain of the transformation from human to Dagonian. He growled as his skin tore open, his muscles morphing and tying his legs together, forming his fin
. It always hurt like Hades, but it was worth it. When the pain subsided, he began his swim. He circled around, his powerful tail driving him forward. He swam as fast as he could in such a tight space. Diving down and skirting the bottom of the deep end. He swam back up, leaping out of the water, only to dive back down into the surface.
When he had swam enough to satisfy himself, he slowed his pace and circled leisurely. At last he surfaced, finding himself face to face with Gretchen. She raised an eyebrow. “Out for a late-night dip?”
Kyros plastered his tail against the side of the pool. Had she seen it? He searched her face for surprise or shock. She looked tired, her eyes shadowed. Her brown eyes stood out, dark against her pale face. But she seemed composed.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Kyros said smoothly, regardless of his racing heart.
“I know what you mean. Listen, I’m sorry for, you know, before. I shouldn’t have come on to you. I didn’t even know if you had a girlfriend, were married, or whatever. My behavior was uncalled for.”
Kyros frowned. “No.” He sighed and shook his head. “You have nothing to apologize for. I may have overreacted.”
“So why did you?” she asked.
Kyros was surprised by her boldness. How should he answer? He couldn’t very well say he didn’t want to get mixed up with a human. He also couldn’t say she wasn’t attractive enough. Not only was that an outright lie, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything that might crush that fiery spirit of hers.
“You know, I can handle the truth,” she said. “I’m no stranger to criticism.”
“It’s not you…”
“Oh please!” She chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re going to give me the it’s-not-you-it’s-me line.”
Kyros pressed his lips into a fine line. He wasn’t used to females handling rejection as easily as Gretchen, and it bothered him. Probably more than it should.
“Listen,” she said, “let’s just forget it happened. But, just to make things clear, are you opposed to a friendship with me, or would you rather I kept my distance?”
He’d rather close the distance and pull her into his arms—that was the problem. He should break off all contact with her. Yeah, right. How could he protect her if he stayed away from her?
“I’m not opposed to a friendship,” he finally said.
“Good.” Gretchen crossed her legs and sat down near the pool’s edge.
“As friends,” she said, “would you answer a few questions for me?”
Kyros shrugged. “Sure.”
“How long have you known Xanthus?”
Kyros had to stop himself before he answered truthfully. He doubted she’d believe that they’d known each other for nearly eighty years. “A long time.”
“Well, I’ve only known Sara for a little over a year.”
He blinked and held his silence. Only a year?
“I know. It doesn’t feel like only a year. I can’t explain it, but when I met Sara, I felt like I’d known her forever. It’s like we had some kind of cosmic connection.”
Kyros cocked his eyebrow and looked her over from head to toe.
“No! Not that kind of cosmic connection.” Gretchen brushed her hair behind her ear as color rose in her cheeks. “It was more like sisters, only closer. We were like twin sisters. At least, I thought we were. But now…”
“You’re wondering about her legs.”
“Yes! I just don’t know what to think. Did you know she was lying?”
Kyros knew she’d ask this question sooner or later. “I didn’t know,” he lied. Telling the truth would just lead to more questions, questions he couldn’t answer.
“At least I wasn’t the only one. I just can’t believe it. Sara has legs, perfectly workable, normal legs. The whole thing with her being crippled and in a wheelchair, it was a lie. If she weren’t lying in a hospital, if she hadn’t nearly died to save me, I’d be pretty ticked off right now. I just don’t know what to think.”
“I don’t know what to say about her lying,” Kyros said, “but I do know this. She didn’t hesitate to put herself between you and a shooter’s bullet. That kind of sacrifice is not insignificant.”
“I know. And I’ve already forgiven her for the lie. I just don’t know why she lied.”
Kyros didn’t know what to say. Telling her the truth was completely out of the question.
Gretchen sighed and uncrossed her legs. He couldn’t bring himself to look away. Her legs were surprisingly appealing. She turned to lie on her stomach and propped her head on her hands. “How’s the water?”
“Um, it’s a bit cold. I don’t think you’d like it.” Great! That was all he needed, Gretchen getting in the pool. He doubted she’d miss seeing a four and a half-foot-long, grey tailfin.
He prepared to have to push her back. He didn’t care if she started hating him again for being rude. There was no way he could let her see his body.
She furrowed her eyebrows. “Oh really?” She reached out and dipped her finger into the water, yanking her hand away like she’d touched burning acid. Scrambling back, she stood up.
“That’s seawater,” she said accusingly.
“Yes, it is.” Kyros’s eyes flew open wide before he narrowed them.
Gretchen took careful breaths and looked around, studying the pool. He could sense her trembling.
“Why would Xanthus have a pool filled with ocean water?” she asked.
Kyros didn’t skip a beat when he answered. “He’s health conscious. Seawater has many benefits.”
She still seemed startled. Her eyes searched her surroundings; they lingered over a puddle inches away from her.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “You look a bit pale.”
She started to shake her head, but changed to nodding. “Um, oh yes. I’m fine. I’m just still in shock, what with Sara getting shot and having legs. Uh… it’s late. I should get back to bed.” She hesitated a moment before she turned and stepped out the door, but not before glancing back one last time.
What in Hades was that all about?
The moment Aella saw Robert, she knew he’d failed. He stood before her—his shoulders hunched and his face downcast. She nearly ordered him to slit his own throat at that moment, but stopped herself. He might still be of use to her.
“I’m so sorry.” His voice hitched. She frowned at his show of emotion. With Robert’s physique and his military training, he shouldn’t be blubbering. She much preferred the less-enamored Robert—the one who battled pirates and gave her attitude. This was an unfortunate side effect. Her voice may put men under her control, but it also made them emotional, needy, and desperate to please her. Not one of those traits was appealing.
She sauntered up to him and caressed his face. “Robert, you disappoint me.”
“I know. I don’t know how I could have missed. I had her in my sight.”
Aella frowned. “Yet, you did miss.”
“It wasn’t my fault.” He shook his head. “The girl in the wheelchair, she seemed to know what was going to happen. And then those men rushed in, and I couldn’t get in another shot.”
Aella pursed her lips. “She was in a wheelchair?”
He nodded and wiped his nose with his muscled arm.
“What did this girl look like?”
“She had dark hair, slim build—pretty.”
Aella narrowed her eyes.
“Oh, not as beautiful as you.” He reached out.
She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Forgive me.” He cowered away.
“You’re so pathetic.” She strolled to the railing and looked out over the waters. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the ocean air. She opened her eyes and frowned.
She could feel the human staring longingly at her back. “Tell me,” she said, “why I should let you live.” She spoke without looking at him.
She could hear his quick intake of breath. “There’s a man—rough, big, intimidating. He was asking questions. I’ll bet
he could lead me back to her.”
“No, you’ve done enough damage. Find this man and lead him to me. I’ll deal with him myself.”
“Yes. Yes, Aella.”
If Gretchen was going to stay at Xanthus’s house while Sara recovered, she’d better try and make nice with the local giants. She bustled around the spacious kitchen cooking as she went—admiring all the features. There was not one, but two ovens, marble countertops, a double-wide copper fridge—which had been practically empty until her quick trip to the store.
This kitchen had everything a domesticated person could want. Gretchen remembered Sara’s previous apartment, the stained sink, the chipped, laminate countertop, the square footage that allowed you to cook, wash dishes, and eat all in the same place. Sara had to love her new house.
Gretchen lifted the lid of the frying pan. Bacon and sausage sizzled and popped. They were crispy, brown—perfect. The waffle iron beeped as she placed the meat in the oven. Gretchen carefully removed the waffle and placed it on top of the giant pile in the warm oven. Given the size of Xanthus’s friends, she thought she’d better make a lot of food. She didn’t want any of them walking away hungry.
“What is that smell?” a deep voice rumbled. A sandy-haired, brown-eyed man stepped into the kitchen. Six-six, she guessed. She’d decided to play a little game and guess how tall each of these men were. For each one she got right, she’d have to give herself a little reward.
“Come on in. I’ve made enough breakfast for everyone.” Gretchen smiled.
His eyes widened in surprise. At least she thought it was surprise, but it almost looked like horror. That didn’t make sense, though. Why would bacon, sausage, and waffles horrify anyone? She’d even made her mother’s buttery syrup.
He hesitated a moment before stepping next to the table.
“Go ahead. Sit down,” Gretchen urged. “Now, I’m sorry we weren’t introduced properly yesterday. My name is Gretchen, and you are…?”