Page 20 of Shifting Tides

I fought the angry tears that stung my eyes, not just for their hazing, but for everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

Just focus on class, I told myself.Just get through this. Those bitches will get over it eventually, and so will I.

Caesar started class just then, giving me the perfect distraction.

“Today, we’re going to talk about the Mer Allocation. Do any of you know what this refers to?”

There were some giggles in the class behind me; some I knew came from Adina and her trio, but it was a guy who raised his hand. Caesar pointed his index finger at the guy.

“It was when the mer migrated from living in the ocean to living on land.”

Caesar nodded. “Yes. I’m sure you’re all too young to remember, but it was a big shock to many of us to learn that mers even existed. They had always been a subject of legend, a fairytale even to us shifters.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace leisurely on stage, and my attention was locked on his every word.

“They trickled in at first. Testing the waters, so to speak.” He chuckled at his joke, but no one else did. “Then assimilated into human society, assuming human identities to live on land full-time. Due to global warming, overfishing, and pollution, along with upgraded hunting technology by hunters, the mermaids no longer felt safe in the depths, and believed their only way to escape the dangers of humans was to join them. Does anyone know when this happened?”

Another hand went up. “1995?” a girl in the back answered.

“Correct. The movement began in the early eighties, and by 1995, the entire mer civilizations of the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean had merged with humans.”

Caesar pointed to a student I hadn’t seen raise a hand.

“Is it true that Celeste was one of the pioneers that led the mer to land?” a girl asked.

“Very good, Jenna. Yes, in fact, were it not for Celeste’s brilliance with financial gains, the mer might never have made the switch. And were it not for Celeste, none of us would be here in this room.” He paused to let that sink in.

“When The Dome’s predecessor school was destroyed by vampires eight years ago, Celeste came forth with the vast funding she and other mermaids had amassed using their fortune-telling skills. She offered to help create a new school for shifters of all origins. Celeste made The Dome possible, and it has proven to be the greatest shifter sanctuary of all time.”

I was on the edge of my seat, frantically typing everything he said. I found it all fascinating! I was blown away by the history of a people I never knew I belonged to—and still questioned that relationship. After all, I had yet to see proof that I was actually a mermaid.

What if Celeste and Caesar had gotten it wrong? What if that was why those other girls dogged me? Because they could tell I wasn’t one of them? After learning about the mermaids’ history, I would be so honored to be a part of that community, to be welcomed into their culture, and learn all I could.

“Are there any questions on the lecture?” Caesar asked the class.

“I have a question,” a gratingly familiar voice said from the back of the room.

“Yes, Cora,” Caesar said.

I turned around to see who had raised their hand. Sure enough, it was the strawberry-blonde diva.

“Why have all the teachers been searching for a stray mermaid all these years?” Cora asked, shooting a venomous look at me.

A stray mermaid? The teachers have been searching for someone like me? Why?

I turned my quizzical gaze on Caesar, as did the rest of the class.

Caesar faltered momentarily, and I didn’t miss that his eyes flashed to me for a second.

“I’m sorry?” he asked, obviously feigning ignorance.

“What’s so special about this new mermaid you brought in last night?” Cora rephrased, this time directly targeting me. “I think we all want to know.”

“Ooo, I smell blood in the water,” some boy yelled in the background, and snickers followed.

I stared at Caesar with anticipation, barely breathing. If there was something special about me—something other than beinga mermaid, which was already incredible if it was true—then I wanted to know about it. Maybe it could shed some light on the vampire attack on my house, on my mom…

“I think you should leave the gossip in the dorm rooms, Cora,” Caesar said, dismissing the issue entirely. “Now, does anyone have any questionsabout the lecture?”

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