by Kelly Risser
***
David picked me up from the Mitchells’ house. I was happy to see him, but my automatic response was, “Where’s Mom? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, just tired.” David glanced over at me. “Buckle up.”
His eyes were shadowed by black circles, and something glinted at his temples. I reached out and touched his hair. “Graying already?”
I meant to tease, but he looked worried. He didn’t say anything and turned his attention back to the road.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I didn’t realize you were so sensitive about your looks.”
He smirked. “It’s not that.” He took a deep breath. “It’s my power. It’s draining.”
“Why?”
“It’s taking a lot, Meara.”
His voice was so quiet that I leaned in closer and whispered, “What is?”
“Keeping your mother comfortable.” He stole a glance at me.
“She’s getting worse?” I hated the whine in my voice. She looked so healthy lately.
“Every day,” David said. “It’s taking more of my power to keep her comfortable.”
I stared at him, swallowing the lump in my throat. “What are you saying?”
His eyes filled with tears. “I’m doing the best that I can.”
“I know you are.” I wanted to comfort him, but I didn’t know how. I’d never seen my father cry.
“It’s not enough,” he continued. “Soon, I won’t be able to help her.”
My tears fell as his words sunk in. Mom was dying. Really dying. “Does Mom know?”
“No,” he said. “If I told her, she would tell me to stop. I don’t want to worry her; she already worries about you.”
“Can I help?” If I Changed, could I combine my powers with David’s?
“There is nothing you can do. I’m sorry, Meara,” he whispered. He reached for my hand and squeezed it. I squeezed back.
I cried a little, but felt helpless. I needed to ask David about Kieran, but it was hard to think about that with the knowledge that Mom was dying. I didn’t want my mind taken over by a power-hungry Selkie. I cleared my throat and shifted to the side.
“Dad?” David’s lip quirked at the name. He liked it when I called him Dad instead of David.
“Yes?”
“How can I protect myself against Selkies?”
David looked at me and frowned. “Why are you asking?”
“I, uh, met a Selkie at the dance club yesterday. I’m not sure if he influenced me, but I want to make sure he can’t.”
“Did you get his name?”
“Kieran.”
David sucked in his breath before hissing. “Kieran. I should have known.” He reached across the seat toward me. “Give me your bracelet.”
I took it off and handed it to him. He closed it in his fist and murmured under his breath. I couldn’t make out the words, but they sounded foreign. A green glow seeped from his closed fist. His hand shook when he gave me back the bracelet.
“Keep that on at all times. It will protect you.”
He breathed shallow and fast. He looked pale, too. “Dad? Are you okay?”
“Just tired, Meara,” he said. “I will survive.”
“You shouldn’t have used your power on me. You’re already helping Mom.”
He laughed, although it sounded more like a wheeze. “And what would she say if something happened to you because of my kind?” In a quieter voice, he added, “What would I do if something happened to you?”
My wrist felt warm where the bracelet lay. My father gave his energy to protect us.
“I’d sooner die,” he added after a moment, “than lose either of you.”
Humbled, I could only say, “Thanks, Dad.”