02 The Moon And The Tide - Marina's Tales (40 page)

“Believe me,” I said with a shudder for
emphasis, “It’s not easy!”

It was quiet in the car for a minute and I
looked up to see Boris pacing, his suspicious eyes scanning the
area. I realized that he had been there like that my whole life,
constantly vigilant, always on the lookout for unwelcome
intruders.

“Who are the ‘bad factions’ you mentioned?” I
asked.

“There are those who seek to use our
abilities to amass power… power and control. You can imagine how
useful a muse could be in war and politics. This is why we try to
identify and monitor our kind, in hopes of keeping our gifts in
service to the betterment of humanity.”

“Are there male hybrids?” I asked, wondering
why it never occurred to me before.

“No, we are all female, but there are males
born of the second generation.”

I thought for a minute, “Are they going to
make
me
go to a council?”

“Everyone attends a council when they reach
the age of majority… eighteen. Now that they’re aware that there’s
more to you than meets the eye, I’m afraid it may be sooner. I’ve
managed to convince them to give us until you finish your school
year, barring any more… situations.”

She fidgeted with her pearl bracelet, a very
un-Evielike gesture.

“Where will it be? Will you go with me?” I
was scared.

“The next meeting will be announced soon. And
of course I’ll be there,” she said, taking my hand in hers.

“What do they know?” I asked… “What do they
think happened?”

“They suspect the truth– but I denied
everything. We must be consistent with our stories. The less people
that know the better.”

“That’s what Ethan always says,” I missed him
with an acute ache.

“What’s gone wrong between you two?” Evie
asked, as perceptive as ever.

“Oh Evie...” her sympathetic gaze was all it
took for me to start crying on her shoulder. I told her about
seeing him out with a girl when I came back and all about our
confrontation over my friendship with Kimo earlier in the day. She
comforted me with a heartfelt embrace.

“Ah, the green eyed monster, it can be a
terrible thing,” Evie said philosophically, patting me on the back,
“You know Marina, it’s not love that’s blind, it’s jealousy.”

I was surprised that she was being so
diplomatic about our breakup. I had expected her to take my side
and bad-mouth Ethan. I was under the impression that she didn’t
like him.

“You know,” I said, wiping my eyes, “He was
suspicious of you from the very first moment he met you.”

Evie chuckled, “I’m aware of that, and I
could see that he was going to be… difficult. It’s uncommon, but
there are people who are not susceptible to our powers. It’s the
rare person who is so guarded... immune to our charms. Harold was
like that as well,” she smiled, and a rare trace of sorrow crossed
her still beautiful face, “It certainly makes a relationship much
more of a challenge.”

“You can say that again,” I muttered. I
hiccupped and yawned, tired after my long day. The sun was setting,
an orange blaze skipping across the sea, illuminating the car with
a warm glow.

“Will you please come back home with me?”
Evie asked.

I shook my head, “I’m sorry, but I’m not
ready to leave Aptos.”

Evie sighed, and I knew she understood.

“Aunt Evie?” I asked, “Where do mermaids come
from?”

She shook her head, “There are legends that
they descend from the muses of ancient mythology, driven to the sea
by the ugliness and brutality of humankind. I’ve also heard stories
that they only come on land to seduce human men, and return to some
sort of mermaid nursery to reproduce... these are just legends
though.”

“I could find out,” I said, and Evie’s face
grew pale.

“We must keep your abilities a secret.”

I nodded in agreement, “There’s something
else I didn’t tell you about when I became one of them...”

“Go on,” her voice shook almost
imperceptibly.

“I really didn’t want to come back. It’s just
so... euphoric... it makes you forget everything else but the moon
and the tides. It’s like flying free, without any fear or sorrow. I
can’t even begin to describe how it feels to be so graceful and
light... The only reason I could find the strength to come back
both times was Ethan,” I looked down, “I love him.”

“Love is the most powerful thing in the
world,” she said solemnly.

She took my hand, “Just beware, for there are
those who will try and sway you. There are people… ruthless,
exploitative people, who will try to convince you to use your power
for evil. Remember that no one can force you to inspire. It’s your
gift to give and it’s worthless unless it’s bestowed freely. It
only works when you have a genuine heartfelt desire for someone
with talent to succeed, and it’s virtually unstoppable where
there’s real affection involved. Please use extreme caution around
strangers... and in choosing your friends.”

She waved for Boris to return and he
materialized behind the wheel in a flash.

“Vere to?” he asked.

When we pulled up at Abby’s the lights in the
house were on, and my Rover was parked in the driveway. We all got
out and I embraced Boris and Evie, promising to come up for a visit
on Saturday.

“Won’t you come in for coffee?” I asked.

“I must get back to the city for a fund
raiser I’ve committed to,” Evie said, “Please give my regards to
your aunt, and invite Cruz to join us on Saturday.” She chuckled,
“Bring Shayla as well– we’ll have that girl gentrified in no
time.”

“She’s really changed a lot,” I said.

“Oh yes,” she smiled, “Her test shots were
magnificent, and I know several agents who are interested in
representing her.”

I was glad to hear it, “You know, she’s going
to be a huge success as a model.”

“Of course,” smiled Evie, “How could she
not?”

“No, I mean, I had a vision of it...” I said,
and watched a shadow cross Evie’s face.

“It’s going to be alright,” she said, more to
herself than to me.

Evie and Boris watched as I made my way up to
the porch and let myself in. Three frightened faces greeted me the
instant I walked into the room.

“Marina!” Cruz jumped up and ran to me,
“Thank God you’re okay! You’re not gonna believe what happened to
Shayla!”

Shayla was sitting on the couch next to Megan
with a stunned look on her face. Cruz launched into the tale of how
Shayla was approached in the deserted school parking lot. She had
pulled up next to Mike’s car and stepped out to help him unload his
board when a couple of enormous men took her by the arms. Mike came
around the side of the car and startled them into letting her go.
They watched in shock as the men fled the scene in a white moving
van.

I rushed to Shayla’s side, “Are you alright?”
I hugged her, remembering the awful thoughts running through my
mind in the aftermath of Joe’s attack, “Thank God Mike was with
you!”

She looked at me, worry lurking behind her
wide eyes, “I don’t think it would have made a difference,” she
said in a monotone, “They were after you.”

I sat back with a frown, “How do you
know?”

“They were yelling at each other, I couldn’t
understand them, but someone from the van called them back.”

“Duh! Because Mike was there to help you,”
said Cruz.

Shayla looked at him and shook her head
firmly, “Negative. I heard a dude in the van. He was pissed off,
screaming, like, ‘Damn! It’s not her!’ and then they let go of me
before Mike could even get over to me. They were big dudes… there’s
no way Mike coulda’ taken them down.”

“Oh my God...” Megan looked at me, “They
were
after you!”

“Marina, they were both massive, like Boris’s
size...” said Shayla gravely. “They were gonna put you in that
van.”

“I’m so sorry... if you hadn’t have taken my
car...”

“What? I’m fine! Boy was Evie right, you’re
in big trouble!”

Megan looked thoughtful, “We should call the
police! They’re obviously not reporters. Who are they and what do
they want you for?”

“I don’t know,” I said, but now I had a
pretty good idea.

“The internet,” Cruz said, locking eyes with
Megan, his face frightened.

I sat there thinking for a minute while they
speculated on who would want to kidnap me. Cruz and Megan had all
kind of conspiracy theories about the tabloids and crazy people. I
flashed them a warning glance, not wanting Shayla in on everything.
Evie and Ethan were right, the less people that knew the better…
for their own good as well as mine. My mind started racing, what if
they came to this house and put my family in danger?

After everything Evie had told me I was
surprised. If no one could force me to “inspire” how could I
possibly be of any use to them? They must have seen the video on
the internet and guessed at what it meant. It was strange that none
of the others could transform; maybe they wanted me because I
could, but what for? Why not just ask?

I thought about what Lorelei told me about
bad people hunting mermaids. Maybe whoever it was considered me to
be close enough to hunt down like an animal. Either way, it was
creepy, and I felt goosebumps rising on my arms.

The front door opened and Abby came in,
pausing for a moment as she sensed the tension in the room.

“Is everything alright?” her eyes were
concerned.

“Fine,” Cruz and I said simultaneously.

“Okey dokey...” she said with a trace of
disbelief. She turned her attention to me, “We missed you last
night... will you be here for dinner?”

“Yes,” I felt guilty, “Can I help with
anything?”

“No thanks,” she said lightly, “We’ll eat in
about an hour. Will you girls join us?”

“Thanks, but I need to get going,” said
Megan, “I was just leaving to take Shayla home.”

“Thanks anyways,” said Shayla, watching Abby
leave the room.

“What are we going to do?” Cruz hissed at me.
“Should we call the police?”

“And tell them what?” Once again, I didn’t
see how the authorities could be of any use to me. I sighed,
suddenly bone tired and depressed, “Evie wants me to come back
home... maybe I should just leave. What if they come around here?
What if they hassle Abby?”

“Don’t go!” Shayla cried out, surprising me.
She pressed her lips together, “I mean, this town would be so
boring without you... and I think it would kill Ethan if you
left.”

“I don’t know about that,” I remembered how
angry he was.

“Don’t be stupid!” she scolded me, “Marina,
do you remember how I said he looks at you? He was never that way
with his ex. I mean, she was pretty and all, but she was such a
priss– she didn’t even want him to surf!” She made a sour face.

“She’s right,” said Megan, “He’s been sucking
around school all week like it’s the end of the world.”

Shayla took my arm, “Look, I used to kinda
like Ethan, and after she took off last summer I even thought I
might have a chance with him. I was majorly stoked when they broke
up, but the
minute
you showed up it was all over. He
couldn’t stop watching you whenever you were around… I mean, he was
totally into you before you even got together... That’s why I hated
you so much.” She blushed pink and looked down.

I patted her arm, “Thanks Shayla, but it’s
probably better for everyone if I go.”

“Not me,” said Cruz.

“Me neither,” added Megan.

“It would totally suck if you left,” cried
Shayla.

“Group hug,” Megan said without a trace of
her usual sarcasm, standing with her arms open.

I was touched by their shameless sentiment,
and tears sprang unbidden into my eyes. We all stood and hugged,
making me smile despite the increasing sense of doom that was
sweeping over me.

“I love you guys,” I said.

I lay in bed that night smelling the Angel’s
trumpet and thinking about my options. I was touched by how
supportive everyone was, and agreed to stay through the week and
see what happened. We hatched a plot to be vigilant so I’d never be
caught alone. Cruz and I planned to always drive together, and not
stop anywhere that wasn’t full of people. Shayla and Megan would
meet us at the parking lot, keeping their eyes out for anything
unusual. The plan seemed reasonable, and I felt a little
better.

Everything else was a lot harder to process.
I didn’t ask for or want any freakish mermaid powers. What would my
friends think if they knew I might have some hand in their success?
It wasn’t fair and I didn’t want to believe it. Then I started
thinking of all the talented designers and artists that Evie had
patronized. She had a reputation in the fashion world as a
kingmaker. It must be true.

Exhausted as I was after two days of hard
surfing, I still couldn’t sleep. I was dreading looking into
Ethan’s angry eyes again, especially after seeing Kimo once more
today. Did I make him angry in the same way I made Joe angry? I
thought about what Evie said and realized that I had I had truly
wanted
to irritate Joe. I had provoked him to greater rage
intentionally without realizing the possible consequences. I never
wanted to hurt Ethan, even though he accused me of it.

I remembered what Shayla told me about Ethan
and saddened. I missed his handsome face smiling at me, and
thinking about the way he looked at me in the morning made me want
to cry. I hoped that he’d come around to where we could at least be
friendly. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Aptos with things
the way they were between us.

Thinking of leaving Aptos made me feel
terrible. I wanted to stay here, to continue to be a part of this
new family we’d cobbled together; I wanted to be here to greet Abby
and Dutch’s baby. Then there was Lorelei, and a whole other side of
my family. She wouldn’t understand my sudden absence, and I wasn’t
ready to say goodbye. Could she come and see me in San Francisco,
or was it too far from her territory? Were there places to surf
near the city?