Mere Temptation (5 page)

He shifted in his seat, reminding Isa for a moment of the kid he’d been. “We’re just having coffee today.”

“Yeah, Si, of course.” Melly relented, waddling back to the kitchen.

A busboy brought them some coffee and sweet rolls. Isa sipped the strong brew and looked out over the Bay. Key Sirena was really something. With the sun high in the sky, the water sparkled blue, and she could see straight to the sandy bottom. Boats knocking created a baritone wind chime, and the salty air tickled her skin.

She pulled out of her reverie to see Sidon watching her, a curious smile on his face. “I forgot how cute you are.”

Isa blushed at his momentary sweetness. Then she smiled.

The silence between them stretched tight. The mermaid looked out over the bay, at the white boats glinting, at the colorful baskets of flowers hanging off the arbors, always feeling his presence beating against her like a pulse. It was all so comforting. She’d miss it when she left.

Not content to mind her own business for long, Melly shuffled back to their table. “I see you’ve hooked back up with our Sidon here. I always knew you kids would work it out. I remember the two of you together—never seen two bigger sets of moon-eyes. Couldn’t keep his claws off you, either, if I recall! You gonna settle down here now?”

Ismaelda choked on her piece of bread. One thing she could say about the mere, they didn’t waste any time. Eyes tearing, she coughed and spurted before answering.

“I don’t quite know yet, Melly. But I’m sure happy to be visiting.”

Her look threatened a scolding. Isa had a feeling the older woman was biting back a mouthful of unwanted advice as she turned and ambled back to the kitchen.

Isa didn’t know why she didn’t give Melly a straight answer. Telling Sidon she wasn’t staying was somehow easier. With him, she was just refusing to sleep with him. Heck, she’d done it lots of times! But with Melly, she felt like she was rejecting the mere.

Last time she’d run quietly in the night, not saying goodbye. She was a kid then, and her haste could be forgiven.

Sidon’s gaze held far too much understanding. Isa struggled to organize her thoughts and memories into something logical, something that showed a clear path forward. Her efforts were to no avail. This time when she left, it would break her heart.

* * * *

Karon peered through his face mask at the small school of mere. They darted forward for moments before disappearing again, only to weave back out to his line of sight. His location in the sea grass was well hidden, but the fry’s lack of caution suggested they didn’t realize their closeness to the edge. He noted how many males and females swam past and their frequency. From this spot, they could harvest a good number before any of the catch were the wiser.

His leg ached as he kicked up to the surface and pulled off his mask. The Zodiac idled just ahead. His crew hauled him over the round rubber edge before speeding back to the
Dendric One
. Rifling through his dry bag, he pulled out his cell phone and called for back-up. “This is Captain Karon. I’m texting you the coordinates for a possible collection site. Tons of adolescents, must be a hangout, or near a playground. Send more divers to the location. I want full recon before we attempt another capture. We’re not taking chances this time.”

Pulling up to the ship, he mentally calculated how many areas he would need to collect all the subjects. Too many from one spot and the fish would stop swimming. Grathers would expect results soon, though. The scientist knew nothing about hunting paranormal species. Whether they were fairies or werewolves, set-up took time, and they always had hidden defenses. Karon made a mental note to take harpoons next time.

His neoprene-covered feet sploshed on the deck. Karon peeled the wetsuit down to his hips. Gracie’s flowery smell mixed with the scent of ocean. Her hands came up around his back to cover his eyes. “Guess who?”

He’d know that touch anywhere. “Hi, babe.”

“That’s not a guess.”

There weren’t any other babes in his life, but he wouldn’t tell her that. Instead he grabbed her wrist and stretched his teeth over her skin, growling like a dog with a bone.

She slapped at him to stop. “You wouldn’t really bite me, John Karon.”

If only she knew how true that was. At her words, his hand covered his mouth. After a lifetime of dealing with not having fangs or drinking blood, the reminder still embarrassed him. Not being able to eat people sucked. Pretending made it worse.

Gracie swiveled in front of him and said, “I am more than willing to bite you, though.” Going up on her toes, she clamped down on his neck. Her dull teeth sent a wave of hunger through him, and saliva flooded his mouth.

He pushed her away. “Maybe later, babe.” Long strides carried him down to his quarters to shower and dress. She never stayed ticked for long, but he felt bad for shrugging her off. None of his crew knew he was a human born of vampires.

The drugs Grathers sent every month had never made any difference. Karon wished he could give up hope for a cure entirely. Each time the scientist sent a different medication his emotions took a roller coaster ride through excitement, past dismay, to land firmly back in resignation.

He caught the sight of his face in the mirror and noted the ratio of gray to gold in his hair. Like all damn humans, he aged like a motherfucker. Only thirty-five, and already thin crags marred his browned face. Humans used sunscreen, but Karon couldn’t be bothered. Why delay the inevitable? Fifty, sixty years tops. That’s all he had left.

He turned the shower’s handle, and a trickling stream of warmth washed away his thoughts, refocusing him on the task at hand— catching fry. Mere were the only paranormal species that could choose life as either human or supernatural. He tamped down a spike of jealousy. Those damn fish didn’t know how good they had it!

The mere may not know how lucky or unusual they were, but that didn’t mean science couldn’t exploit their powers. If mere could turn human, maybe someday a human could turn into a mere, or a werewolf, or maybe even a vampire.

* * * *

Sidon’s finger thrummed against the table as he argued with Oceanus, Chairman of the Dragon Council. The phone’s plastic handle creaked in his grip.

“But Sidon, that was only one attack. It may have been a random occurrence. Perhaps they were dolphin poachers who just happened accidentally across the mere.”

Isa would be upset about the Council’s involvement, but as Guardian he needed to alert them to threats of attack. Besides, he had a feeling this situation would get worse before it got better. “Be that as it may, they know it’s here.” He avoided mentioning the part about Isa leading the hunters. Without that piece of information he understood Oceanus’s reluctance, but he wouldn’t put her at risk.

“How could that be, son? You know the mere habitats emit a cloak. No human can find them.” Sidon hated when Oceanus used the familiar with him. Knocking up Sidon’s mother did not make the dragon his father.

“I have reason to believe they’re circling. They may not be able to see Sirena, but they certainly have a lock on its location. “

“Sidon, you know this shouldn’t be your concern any longer. Have you given any more thought to your future? “

“Key Sirena will always be my concern,” he ground out.

“Your allegiance is misplaced. You are a dragon, and the mere...” He paused. “We can’t always protect them. “

“This isn’t about dragon politics. I’m asking for assistance to investigate one boat.”

“And what then? Will you ask the Council to launch an attack on humans just to save one or two mere?”

Sidon clenched his teeth in frustration. It always came to this. The Council offered their protection only when it was in their best interest. Key Sirena was an investment, and the mere were a workforce.

“No. Once we determine their goals and have access to the boat, I’ll sink it myself.”

* * * *

Isa watched as Sidon bent over a huge stove, his spatula poised over two thick slabs of meat.

“I hope you like steak.”

Isa poured some wine, and soon he lifted the two juicy entrées off the fancy slats built into his state-of-the-art range. “So you like to cook, huh?”

“Well, I like to eat.” He was back to teasing her again, and she caught a hint of suggestiveness in his voice.

She ignored the invitation to giggle and move closer to him, though her body jerked in protest. “I suppose there’s not a lot of take-out here.”

“You mean like food to take home from a restaurant? All the places in town will box up food to-go if you want.”

“All three restaurants?” She couldn’t resist giving him a hard time.

“Yes, all three. Your point, princess?” He huffed a little now, defending his territory.

“Nothing.” She lowered her head and dug into her steak. In true dragon form, the meat was barely seared, still mooing, as most mere would say. Isa always liked her meat bloody, though, and she practically growled at the taste of it. She wiped a trail of slick juice off her chin and licked it off her finger, then started at Sidon’s eyes trained on her mouth.

Her throat went dry, and she cleared it before looking away. “Thanks for the food and everything.”

“You’re welcome, Ismaelda. I…” Sidon stopped himself short and gave her a sly grin. “I’m glad you decided to visit.”

The lie she’d told pinched in her gut, but she didn’t correct him. Instead she smiled back. “I am, too.”

The tide had pulled out, leaving the water outside low and the rocky cliff exposed. Cloud cover rolled in heavy and gray. As they finished eating, rain slapped playfully at the giant window, like an eager toddler begging for attention. Isa felt her pulse quicken and her body tingle with the rising winds. She needed to get away from Sidon. Now.

“I appreciate your hanging with me today, Si.” The sensitivity of her skin intensified. “It would have been hard to be alone after what happened last night.”

Sidon eyed her, his look saying that he knew perfectly well what was coming.

“I think I should go.” She stood from the table and started picking up plates. Pointing to the tracker on her arm, she added, “You’ll know how to find me.”

“Oh, come on, Isa! Where would you go? You going to stay with your mom?”

The idea made Isa flinch. Ashala would not be glad to see her only daughter back in the Key.

“I’ll head into town. Sirena Chalet is still open, right? I saw the sign on my way in. I could get a room there.” She opened the dishwasher and began loading while Sidon prowled toward her.

“Isa, I thought I made it clear I’m not letting you out of my sight until we eliminate this threat.”

“You’re not my keeper.”

“You’re not leaving.” He closed the distance between them, his broad form caging her against the counters.

“Don’t do this to me, Si.” Isa pulled to the side, her heart pounding now, trying to put some space between them. “I have to leave.”

“Why?” He didn’t raise his voice, but his tone demanded that she say it out loud.

Tears stung as she swiveled to face him. She felt so weak, so limited, so very mere. “You know why!”

Sidon pulled back an inch, enough so she felt less trapped. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Isa laughed bitterly. “Oh, please, when has a dragon ever cared what a mere wanted?”

A flash of pain crossed his features but disappeared as fast as it came. “You know me better than that.”

A fat tear rolled down her cheek. Sidon did care about her. He’d even tried to respect her choices back when they were younger, despite his teenage eagerness to get into her pants. The problem was her body wanted one thing, and her mind wanted another. Her heart was still undecided. “I know, Si.”