Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea (31 page)

I embraced him, “Thank you.”

He squeezed me and started kissing on my neck, making me giggle and writhe away. I stood up and backed away with a grin.

“Come and get your coffee and tofu,” I teased, as I made for the door. He yawned, and I realized that I had kept him up most of the night.

I paused, “Do you need some more sleep?” I asked.

“No,” he said, stretching. “I got some rest, after you tried to go through me.” He followed me out to the kitchen where Cruz was having his cereal. I poured him some coffee and he started to tell Cruz about my latest sleepwalking attempt. I excused myself to go get dressed.

I logged onto my computer and found a message from my dad about winning the prize. He wrote that he was loathe to leave his work, but had to attend the presentation ceremony. He wanted to know if Abby and Cruz would come with me to Norway in December. I started to write him back, but I thought about what Ethan said. I gathered up my courage, took a deep breath, and decided to call instead.

It was late in Afghanistan but he picked up, saying he’d been meaning to phone, but had been fielding congratulatory calls all day and night. I told him that I was proud of him, and asked how his research was going.

Gathering up my courage, I told him about Cruz finding out about his father, and said I needed to ask him some things about my mother. He changed the subject, asking me questions about Abby and Cruz and school. My stomach was churning, but I persisted, telling him I really needed to know more about Adria. He was suddenly unable to talk, and said he’d get back to me later. He hung up abruptly, leaving me sitting in stunned silence.

I was frozen there for a moment, thinking. I was disappointed in him, and angry at myself for not having the courage to just blurt it out. I got dressed and headed back out to the kitchen.

Cruz and Ethan were eating cereal and actively discussing various forms of restraint.

“How about a straitjacket?” I heard Cruz say as I came in and sat down.

“Very funny,” I said sourly.

“How about we surfboard leash you to the bed?” Ethan asked seriously, looking up at me.

I shrugged, “That might work, but if I can move furniture in my sleep I could probably get it off.”

“Duct tape!” added Cruz, “Hand cuffs! You’d need a key to get loose!”

“Are you insane?” I asked him.

“If the shoe fits...” Cruz cocked his head at me.

“Have you
seen
her shoes?” asked Ethan with raised eyebrows. We all started to laugh. My whole life was starting to feel like a black comedy. I sat down next to Ethan and he moved his leg over to press it into mine.

“I just called my dad,” I blurted out. They both looked at me expectantly. I told Cruz about the Nobel prize and he was appropriately impressed. “He wants you and Abby to come with me to Oslo for the award ceremony in December.”

Cruz was excited about the trip, “Awesome! I’ve never been anywhere!”

“Did you ask him?” Ethan took my hand.

“I– I started to and he blew me off,” I looked down sadly, “He suddenly couldn’t talk...”

“Don’t feel bad, Marina,” commiserated Cruz, “Our parents are just as screwed up as we are.”

We shared another laugh, for each one of us had our own demons to grapple with, and we could all find some dark humor in our different situations.

Cruz changed the subject, “I think we need a trip up to see Evie!” He turned to Ethan, “You should meet this lady– she’s awesome! And Marina didn’t even tell me that she’s totally famous!

She’s like fashion
royalty
! I have to deliver her dress.” He launched into the tale of our trip to the city. He rhapsodized about Evie’s fabulous apartment and amazing wardrobe. When he got to the part about the fortune teller encouraging him to claim his inheritance Ethan caught my eyes, looking at me intensely.

“Marina made fun of her, but I think she’s the real deal… I mean, she totally knew about my father leaving me something. It was spooky,” Cruz said, wide eyed.

“I’ll call Evie when she gets back,” I told Cruz, wanting him to stop. There was no point in fretting about Fatima and Lue’s sacrificial predictions. Especially now, because I was starting to suspect that I might just be the offering they had in mind.

“Can you give me a ride to work today?” Cruz asked.

“You can have the car if you take Ethan home first,” I said. Cruz went to get changed.

Ethan put his arms around me when Cruz left the room, “Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked.

“No,” I said defensively, “but there’s no point in you being stranded here all day.” He looked at me seriously, “I think there’s definitely a point. Look what happened last night! Don’t you think it’s escalating?”

I had to admit it was. My dreams were getting stronger and creepier day by day. I was starting to feel an impending sense of doom, as ridiculous as it sounded to even think it.

“You can’t just drop everything to watch me,” I said disapprovingly.

“Humor me,” he said, “We’ll have Cruz drop us at my place. I’m not working today. I can bring you home later.”

“OK, fine, if you’re sure,” I said, “I’ll just be a few minutes.” I was starting to feel like a burden. I didn’t want Ethan’s pity, I wanted to go out surfing with him. I wanted my normal life back. I wished I’d never seen Lorelei and never found out about the aquatic side of my family. I limped down the hall to tell Cruz about the change of plans. I managed to bathe while keeping my feet dry, and slipped into jeans and a pair of soft sheepskin boots that were roomy enough to keep the pressure off my bandages.

Cruz dropped us off and Ethan insisted on carrying me up to his apartment, sneaking a kiss in on the way up the stairs. We settled down on the couch, holding hands and talking about anything but mermaids, when we were both startled by a knock on the door. Ethan went to get it, and I could hear Long’s voice ask if he was up for some surfing. I felt a twinge of guilt. I knew there was a contest coming up and Ethan was eager to get back to the waves. I was starting to feel like a real drag on him, and I hated it.

I came up behind him, shocking Long with my sudden appearance, “You should go– you can drop me off at home on the way. I want you to go,” I said, “You have to get back on that horse, right?”

Ethan turned to look at me, calculating, “Only if you come too, and promise to stay on the beach.”

Long just stared. He’d kept his distance from me ever since Shayla’s near drowning, and I got the feeling he thought I was some kind of witch.

“Long, you remember Marina,” Ethan gestured to me. Long nodded, avoiding eye contact. I got the impression Ethan thought it was very amusing.

“Why don’t you just take me home?” I said, dreading the thought of facing all the surfer girls.

“No can do,” he said annoyingly. “We agreed, remember?” Now Long was really confused.

“Fine,” I said, not wanting to argue the point in front of Long.

“I’ll meet you guys there,” said Ethan. Long took off quickly, like he couldn’t get out of my presence fast enough.

I groaned, “They all think I’m some kinda freak.”

Ethan laughed and put his arms around me. “You’re my kinda freak,” he said, and kissed me until I didn’t care anymore.

We went to the beach on the far side of the pier, having to pass by the cement path at the base of it. He made me wait in the truck while he hauled his gear down and came back to carry me down.

“Doctor’s orders,” he said, but I made him promise to put me down at the sand so everyone didn’t see me being carried around like an invalid. When we got to the place on the pavement where I had cut myself I tried not to look. The glass had been swept away, but the dark stains on the cement made me shudder. Ethan looked down and back at me wide eyed. You could clearly tell where I had stood, sat on the curb and even see the blackened dried blood footprints leading to the trash can.

“It’s always worse than you make it out to be,” he said grimly.

“Call me an optimist,” I said, looking around, “Now put me down.” We approached the little group of surfers. The guys greeted Ethan and nodded at me. They all knew about what had happened with Shayla, and viewed me with a strange mixture of suspicion and respect.

There was a group of girls that hung out and watched; I was ashamed to be in their ranks. I sighed in frustration, wishing that my feet were healed so I could be alone with Ethan, playing joyfully in the waves. It probably wouldn’t be such a good idea now that I knew the mermaids wanted me. Ethan took out a blanket from his bag and spread it out on the sand for me to sit on.

He stripped down to put on his wetsuit, and I could see all the girls watching him. I couldn’t blame them, because he was hard not to look at, but I felt a twinge of jealousy anyway.

He dropped to his knees and looked me in the eyes, “Are you going to be alright?”

“Go surf,” I said, “and be careful.”

“Promise not to go anywhere near the pier? Or the water?” he asked with serious eyes.

“Don’t worry about me! I’ll stay on the beach,” I smiled wryly, “I’m pretty sure they can’t flop themselves onto the sand to get me.”

We both laughed at the thought, and Ethan took my face between his hands and kissed me. I blushed, embarrassed with all the people around, watching him head out into the ocean with his surfboard. I looked over to see the girls staring at me with their mouths hanging open.

I wished I’d thought to bring a book.

I focused all my attention on the surfers. The waves at this beach were much bigger than where I’d had my surfing lesson, and there were some spectacular rides. I fought an overpowering urge to be out there, rising and falling with the ocean swells. I saw a girl surfing that looked like Shayla, and she was really good. I felt another twinge of jealousy and wished even more that I could be out on the sea with them. I could imagine how it felt and smelled and tasted. I closed my eyes and visualized the water rushing by.

My daydreams were interrupted by the sounds of giggles and I looked up to see one of the girls mimicking me to the great amusement of the rest. Heather was the only one I knew, but I recognized a few others from school. I tried my best to ignore them. I focused on watching Ethan surf and was impressed by his obvious skill. He was clearly better than everyone else; I could see why they all treated him with respect.

I could hear the girls making fun of my boots, and had to admit they
were
out of place on a beach. I wished I could put my toes in the sand, or better yet, the sea. I couldn’t stop thinking about surfing. My mouth went dry and I started to feel lightheaded. I rubbed my eyes to clear the fog, eliciting a fresh round of laughter from the girls. I gritted my teeth, realizing I had to get out of there before I lost control and snapped at them.

I decided to walk down the beach a little bit. My feet still hurt, but if I walked slowly it wasn’t too bad. I got far enough away to where I couldn’t hear them, but I could still keep an eye on Ethan. I was focused, watching his every move when I heard a little cry. It sounded like an infant, and I looked down to see the most adorable baby sea lion. It looked up at me with its liquid eyes, and let out another plaintive bawl.

“Do you want your mother?” I asked it, looking around.

It wailed again, a heartbreaking sound that made me want to scoop it up and cradle it. There were no other sea lions on the sand, but I could make out some shiny black heads bobbing in the surf. I bent to pick it up and it cried again, exposing its sharp little teeth. I decided against touching it, and tried to usher it back into the water, waving my arms and shooing it towards the surf.

The little guy started moving, humping his way across the dry sand towards where the foamy waves began. I heard another, louder bark and looked up to see several large sea lions had circled around behind me, cutting me off from the beach. They hissed and showed their teeth menacingly. At first I thought they were defending their baby, but I turned to see the little one had disappeared into the sea. More, and much larger, sea lions appeared to join their ranks, advancing on me.

I was being herded.

I tried screaming at them, waving my arms, but they kept creeping towards me. Within a minute they were in a semicircle two deep, making it impossible for me to run past them to get back to land. All I could see were flashing teeth; their barks drowned out the roar of the surf. I knew with a terrible certainty that the mermaids had put them up to this. I remembered Lorelei commanding them and felt the sting of betrayal.

My courage rose along with my anger and I stood my ground, kicking at them. Now they started shoving me, throwing their massive bulk into my legs and knocking me down onto the sand. Each time I stood up I was a little closer to the surf. Soon my boots were wet and the waves were crashing in knee deep. I remembered what Ethan said and kept fighting, kicking hard and trying to stay on my feet.

I looked up to see the group of girls standing, watching. No one made a move to help me.

Thanks a lot, I thought, battling on to my last breath. I expected to feel the ice cold grip of a mermaid dragging me under any second. I kept facing land, kicking at the snarling faces the best I could. I felt a hand on my arm and I twisted around with a cry, struggling to escape.

“Marina!” yelled Ethan. He used his surfboard as a shield, putting it between us and the snapping jaws. Long and Shayla joined in, and once I was blocked from their view, the sea lions melted away into the ocean, leaving the four of us standing on the beach. I doubled over, hands on my knees, gasping to catch my breath.

“Thanks!” I panted. I looked up at Ethan, “They almost had me in the water.”

“I gotta get you out of here,” he sounded panicked. He picked me up and carried me to the blanket. He stripped out of his wetsuit quickly, and while he was changing I turned to Long and Shayla. They were standing off to the side with a few other surfers, murmuring among themselves.

“Thanks,” I said, mortified, “Thanks for helping.”

Shayla looked shocked, “What happened? I never seen them act that way.” I looked into their suspicious eyes, “There was a seal pup on the beach, they must have been protecting it.”