Tangled Tides (The Sea Monster Memoirs) (9 page)

"They ain't lying. In-freakin-credible."

"Glad I listened to the recommendations." He smirked while I shoveled more chocolaty goodness into my mouth.

I couldn't believe how fast I finished. I fought the urge to lick my plate clean. "May I have another slice?"

He pushed the box across the table. "Help yourself. And relax, would ya? You look like you're about to rush out the door."

Guilt is a funny thing. Uneasiness coated my stomach, totally killing my appetite. The remaining cake read
Happy Birth Yara
in pink icing. We had eaten the "
day
." Fitting, because a few short minutes were all I had left with my uncle.

"Uncle Lloyd, I have to go somewhere for a few days."

The wrinkles around his eyes deepened and multiplied as he slid his fork out of his mouth. A bit of frosting clung to his bottom lip. "The birthday getaway?"

"Kind of."

"Well, enjoy yourself, but be careful."

That was it? No more questions? "Don't you want details?"

"You're more responsible than most adults I know. I trust you."

"Wow. Okay." All that worrying for nothing. My allotted twenty minutes were almost up. "I hate to eat and run, but I have to get going."

"I understand." He pushed back his seat, chair legs squeaking across the tile floor. He didn't seem worried at all. "Both boats held up well during the storm. You're welcome to take either one."

The boats. Right. He would definitely question where I went if I didn't take a boat. Had Treygan considered that in his ridiculous plan? "Guess I'll take mine. Better gas mileage," I added nervously.

He kissed the top of my head and set our plates in the sink. "You've outgrown Eden's Hammock. It's a big, fantastic world out there, kiddo. Go explore it."

I didn't want to explore. I wanted to stay here and take care of him, but he seemed anxious for me to leave. How long had he felt this way? What if something happened to me? What if I never came back from Mermaid World? Wouldn't he miss me? The thought of never seeing Uncle Lloyd or Eden's Hammock again made my eyes burn as I fought back tears. "You're going to take good care of yourself while I'm gone, right?" He nodded. "Say you promise."

"I promise." His promises were worth more than gold.

My throat tightened and my new necklace felt like it was suffocating me. I reached up to adjust it, but the stone was so warm that I clenched it in my hand, pressing the heat into my palm.

Suddenly, another feeling rushed through me. Comfort or safety, followed by a flash of a forgotten childhood memory: Treygan's blue eyes staring into mine as I coughed up water from my burning lungs. The image was so clear.

How could I have forgotten?

He had cradled me in his arms while I stared up at a black, starry sky. He looked younger, unafraid, caring. His warm fingers wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. Then he swam so fast, carrying me through the cold water. He kept promising me everything would be okay, that I was safe. He was so … different.

I sprang up and gave Uncle Lloyd a quick hug. "I have to go! I love you."

"I love you too," he shouted as the front door slammed shut behind me.

I took off running toward my house. I couldn't get back to Treygan fast enough.

E
den's Hammock had seen its share of death and despair. It contained more secrets than the gorgon grotto. The ominous energy in Yara's house—though years old—made my head spin, so I retreated to the porch for fresh air.

We practically collided with each other. "Yara, what's wrong?"

Struggling to catch her breath, she managed to gasp out, "It was you." She bent forward, bracing her hands on her knees. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"That night …." More panting and bobbing her head. "You … saved my life."

I said nothing. Merfolk cannot lie, but we always have the option to remain silent. She couldn't be referring to
that
night. She couldn't remember. I had made sure of it.

When her breathing steadied, she stood straight. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"A million whys! Why didn't you say anything? Why did you let me call you all those names and be so mean to you? And why didn't I remember you saving my life until a few minutes ago?" She stepped closer and I held my breath. "The night my mother died, you saved me from drowning. It was you, wasn't it?"

I couldn't claim that I didn't know what she was referring to. Not one sunset had gone by when I didn't think of
that night
. How could she remember it? I froze that memory minutes after it happened.

"Answer me," she pleaded.

She seemed vulnerable, like the girl I rescued ten years ago, except now she looked even more fragile. What happened to that bratty know-it-all who stormed out of the house earlier? She had returned looking like an angel, begging me for answers I never thought I would have to give.

"Treygan?" Our eyes locked. As much as I wanted to look away from her, I couldn't. No one ever had such an emotional pull on me. I had never been more thankful that I wasn't underwater. If she could hear the thoughts running through my head about our past and her history, it would further complicate an already complex situation.

My voice came out hoarse. "We need to get back."

She grabbed my wrists. "Please, tell me the truth. It was you, right?"

Tears glistened in her eyes. The thought of her crying made my chest constrict with pain. Great gods, was I having a heart attack?

Her grip tightened. "Please, tell me I'm not crazy. The night my mother died, I remember putting her in the boat, jumping in the water and swimming for what felt like forever, but then everything goes gray. I've never been able to remember what happened after that. But a few minutes ago it all came back to me. I remember.
You
were the one who saved me. Right?"

My heart pounded so hard that the floorboards under us should have been vibrating. "You said it out loud. That means it's true."

She let go of me, but didn't move away. "Why didn't you say anything?"

My wrists tingled where her fingers had been. I rubbed at them, trying to get the sensation to go away. "It didn't seem important."

"Didn't seem important? I almost died! You saved me and carried me back to shore." Her eyes darted out over the yard as if watching the memory play out in front of her. "You carried me here, took me in the house and wrapped me in blankets. Uncle Lloyd came in and—wait, do you know my uncle?"

My head throbbed again. I turned away and unzipped my armband, desperately needing to smoke.

Yara stood so close to me I could feel her body heat against my back. "I remember the two of you talking," she half whispered. "You told him I shouldn't remember anything about you."

I couldn't turn around. I couldn't face her. I knew how intrusive it felt to have someone steal a song from you. Freezing one was a similar violation of the soul. It had seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but if she remembered what I had done, she would see me as the worst kind of thief.

Yara's fingers tugged at the bottom of my shirt. "You held my face in your hands, your eyes turned silver and …."

Somehow I found the courage to turn around. She had gone pale. Her legs wobbled, so I held onto her. "Yara, you're getting too weak. We need to get you back underwater."

"You were inside my head. My veins felt like they were filling with ice, and then you … oh, my God." She barely got her last words out before fainting in my arms.

"Forgive me," I whispered into her hair, carrying her limp body down the steps and into the water—to her new home.

T
he Violets had educated me on what needed to be done, but never once had they advised me on what to do if she passed out and didn't wake up once we were in the water. I had waited too long. I should have known better. Why hadn't I insisted we go back sooner?

Regardless of how fast I swam to Paragon Castle, it felt like an eternity. Yara's eyes weren't opening. Her pulse was weak. What if she never woke up? I would never forgive myself. I had vowed to keep her safe. Everything we worked so hard for, gone because of my carelessness.

The guards saw me approaching and moved to the side. My tail couldn't propel me forward fast enough. Each turn and climb through the sea-glass corridors felt longer than ever before. Turning at full speed into the gathering hall, a rush of water blew past me as I halted in front of the Violets.

I bowed my head and extended my sight so they could both hear me.
She fainted on land. She was out of the water for over twelve hours. A memory I froze ten years ago returned to her and—

Treygan,
Caspian interrupted calmly. Indrea smiled and laid her hand on top of his.

Yes, elders?

Caspian swam toward me, placed his hand on Yara's forehead and closed his eyes. When he opened them I heard the faint murmur of his secondary thoughts being pushed away.
She will be fine. A bit more rest is all she requires.

I nodded with relief.

We will have another guardian take Yara to Koraline's,
Indrea said.
She needs to be in a resting pool.

I can take her.

Caspian gingerly took her from my arms.
You have other essential matters to attend to. Go harvest the Catacombs.

It's daytime,
I argued.

You will have to ask for an exception. Many are in desperate need of C-weed.

I stared at Yara, unconscious in Caspian's arms, then closed my eyes so they couldn't hear my thoughts. The pain in my chest, the tingling in my wrists when she touched me, they were warning signs. I could not become emotionally involved with Yara. More importantly, she couldn't grow fond of me. That would be a catastrophe.

Caspian touched my shoulder.
Do not worry yourself with Yara's health.

I beg your pardon, Caspian, but Yara's wellbeing is my responsibility.

Indrea's eyes flashed purple as she sent tranquil waves over me. For the first time in days, my muscles relaxed.
You've done well, Treygan,
she said.
Let the rest of us do what we can to help ease the burden placed upon you. You are only one merman—and a fine one at that. Do as Caspian said. Return when the weed supply is back in balance.

As you wish, Indrea. Thank you, Caspian.

They both nodded.

I glanced at Yara one more time before swimming out of the hall. She was in the hands of merfolk who would take exceptional care of her. No matter how badly I wanted to stay, I had to leave her. My unexpected feelings for her meant I needed to stay away from her until the Triple Eighteen.

I
n the Catacombs, almost no life existed. A few plants grew out of concrete statues. That was it. No fish or sea creatures swam through the labyrinth, no coral flourished, not one snail crept across the ocean floor. Nada.

For the first few years, the eerie tombs and lack of color creeped me out. I had the same reoccurring nightmare about being trapped in a deserted blue and gray void. Massive concrete eyes stared at me, never blinking. Their screams and cries for help made the ocean boil until my skin and tail fur melted off. Several times I woke up screaming. Back then the fear of dying—or worse, being alone forever—overwhelmed me.