Page 11 of Mermaid's Song (Dark Sea Academy 1)

Chapter 4

My heart races as Dad pulls into the parking spot at the beach. We had to drive to the ocean because that’s the only way to Valora. It’s deep in the darkest depths of the Pacific. Way down where human explorers only dream of reaching but never will, because the merpeople will never allow it.

Dad glances back at me. “Come on, Marra.”

I want to ask him if he’ll be a monarch or dictator, but I keep my mouth shut. I’m going to play along with this cruel twist of fate until I have the chance to swim back to shore. Take a few days to catch up with life under the sea, then head back to where I really belong. If my parents want another heir, they can have another kid.

Without a word, I step out of the car and slam the door. Dad sets the alarm. For what, I don’t know. It’s not like he’s coming back for it.

But maybe I can. I’ll need a way to get home when I come back to land.

I turn to him. “What are you going to do with the keys?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He stuffs them into his pants pocket.

I make a mental note to watch. Will he take them or toss them?

My pulse drums louder in my ears with each step we take toward the water. The wind whips around us, pulling my hair from the loose bun. I take out the hair tie and let my hair fall over my shoulders. Waves splash onto the rocky shore.

The dark blue water looks so cold. I wrap my arms around myself and push through the wind. Seagulls squawk overhead. My feet twist over the uneven rocky path.

We’re really doing this. Leaving the land behind. Returning to Valora.

I pinch myself to see if I’m actually awake. Ow! Yes, this is happening. No chance of me waking to find all of this is just a nightmare.

A few people are off to the side with kites.

I clear my throat. “We can’t transform now. Look, there are people over there.”

Dad shakes his head. “We’ll go over on the other side. Doesn’t matter where we enter.”

Of course.

We turn the opposite direction, and as soon as the humans are out of sight, Dad marches straight for the water. Doesn’t bother removing his shoes or socks.

Mom glances at me and gestures for me to come along.

My heart feels like it’s going to explode out of my chest. I want to spin around and run. I’m faster than them. I’m a track star. A mermaid faster than most humans with natural legs. That lump in my throat is growing and my tears are threatening again.

I hesitate then stomp toward the crashing waves. I’m not going to give into the tears. This is just a vacation. I’ll be back home before I know it. On land, where I belong. Maybe in time for that pool party.

As soon as the frigid water laps around my ankles, a warmth spreads through my legs then up through my torso and down my arms. My skin tingles all over. My legs tickle, start to burn.

This is happening so much faster than when I take a bath in the sanitized water at home. Dad’s slacks rip. I turn my back to him. Mom’s pants tear.

“Hurry up,” Dad urges.

We need to be in deep enough to swim when our legs merge into a single tail. My bones feel ablaze as I walk deeper into the water. I clench my fists and hold my breath. If only the ocean were colder, it would soothe the burn. At least that’s what I tell myself. The truth is, nothing will help. I’ll only feel better once the process is over, when my legs are gone and I’m left with a tail.

I’m now waist-deep. Can’t wiggle my toes—because I no longer have any. My feet will be gone soon too.

Pain overtakes me. I cry out, unable to take it. Agony shoots throughout my body, running up and down my legs and spine. It feels like my entire body is going to explode. I think my kneecaps actually are coming apart.

Now I can’t stand. I crash into the water. It soothes my pain. Water shoots into my nose, but it doesn’t hurt. It fills my mouth, massages its way down my throat. I’m breathing water now.

I kick. No, not kick. Thrash my tail. Push forward. I’m swimming. Need to open my eyes.

All I want is to go back to school. I’ll gladly suffer the searing pain of transformation without complaint if I can just return to land. To my friends. My life. Roman.

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