Into the Deep Page 8

  The landscape continues to morph and shift, dominated by clear, crisp water. Colors surrounding me brighten and the magical world I pictured leaps into view. It’s very similar to the exhibits at the aquarium—dazzling, colorful, and teeming with life. Floating debris, algae and pieces of wood churn, buffeted by the motion of the waves.

  I’m surprised by how warm the water is, almost the temperature of a spa. If all the oceans are like this, it’s no wonder the ice caps are melting so fast. I wonder how it affects the sea animals. It’s got to be uncomfortable if they’re not used to it. Did it bother the mer?

  Far above us, night is falling. The light trickling from above fades, kicking my internal clock into gear. I’m starting to tire, but I don’t want to stop. I can’t believe an entire day has passed. I’ve been lost in a constant state of awe. The nonstop travel has caused my limbs to go from warm and fluid into the beginnings of lethargy.

  We pass beneath a huge cloud of jellyfish and I roll onto my back in amazement. They’re eerie yet peaceful. This species isn’t that big, but their soft colors shimmer in the water as they slowly drift past. I have the strongest urge to touch one, except I’m worried about the poisonous tentacles.

  “They won’t harm you,” Nerio says beside me, somehow reading my mind.

  I watch as he reaches out and carefully runs his fingertip along the top of a jelly. As he touches it, the creature pulses and the colors glow brighter. I laugh in delight and do the same. The thin membrane is tough, not delicate, and ridiculously soft. I trail my finger along the surface and the light coming from the creature grows and fades in rhythm with its movement. One of the tentacles grazes me and instead of a shock of pain, it’s pleasant.

  “It doesn’t hurt,” I whisper in wonder.

  “Your thicker skin protects from the sting. We’re a lot tougher than humans in that regard. We’ve had to adapt for years to survive here and prosper.” I’m rewarded with a smile, unguarded and cheerful.

  All of a sudden, I’m surrounded by jellyfish. Normally, I would have panicked or became frightened, but no threat emanates from these animals. Time slows and I exist only in this ethereal wonderland. Their occasional touches seem to draw my cares away, replacing them with tranquility.

  I wish I could stay here all day, but, eventually, the jellyfish move on.

  “It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Nerio continues to beam at me and reaches out. My pulse quickens, but all he does is pull a stray piece of algae from my hair. It’s an innocent and simple gesture, yet my cheeks burn in embarrassment. Once again, I trip into the deep pools of his eyes.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispers, “and incredibly brave. The way you’ve embraced this other side of you, I’m not sure I’d remain as positive as you have. It’s easy to appreciate this is who you’re meant to be.”

  My mouth gapes unattractively. No boy has ever said anything like that to me. Of course, he wouldn’t be calling me brave if he had met me before, on land, where I’m the complete opposite. Yet I’m caught in his gaze, a prisoner of this fascinating merman.

  A large shadow passes overhead, breaking our moment, and I immediately recognize it as a shark. The sight slams into me, imprisoning me with fear, and my body trembles and jerks uncontrollably.

  The predator circles closer, waiting to strike. Its movement is eerily similar to the ones at the aquarium and my attacker from years ago. Terrifying memories dig in, latching on like the razor sharp teeth I know are inside the monster’s mouth. Nerio darts in front of me, pulling a long serrated sword from his sheath. It’s only slightly reassuring because it doesn’t seem useful against a giant killing machine.

  “When I tell you to go, swim as fast as you can and find cover, preferably where he can’t reach.”

  “I c-can’t,” I manage to squeak.

  “Zoey, you need to hide,” he shouts.

  Frantically, I search in every direction. Is he serious? There’s nothing. Way down below is a tiny cave. The opening is small enough I should be able to wiggle into, which is good. If I have to struggle to fit inside, the enormous shark won’t get to me.

  Nerio shouts, “Go!”

  Catching a glimpse of the shark coming at us with disheartening speed, I dive straight down toward the cave with all I have, panic ripping at my sanity. The closer I swim, the smaller it looks. I won’t fit at all.

  I glance over my shoulder and the shark flashes past Nerio as he swipes at it with the sword. The beast doesn’t flinch. It also doesn’t lunge for Nerio, who, at such a close range, is the easier kill. Instead, it focuses on me with a chilling intensity I can feel, same as the others. For a couple seconds, I’m frozen again, watching it bear down on me with its torpedo-shaped body. Blood trails from the wound Nerio inflicted, clouding the water and pounding me with nightmares.

  Finally, I snap out of my trance and move. Panic sends me in the opposite direction of the cave. The shark follows, coming at me with open jaws, and I use every trick I’ve learned to maneuver out of its path. I flip, twist, dip, and, at the last minute, spin out of the way. The disturbance in the water is chilling as his mouth passes within inches of me.

  “Stay behind his head, as you are now. He can’t see in that direction. It’ll buy us time,” Nerio orders before jetting down above the shark.

  I understand what he needs and a warm flush of strength surges through me. The fish is focused on its prey and doesn’t detect the real danger above. Putting myself at risk, I swim under the giant and flick my tail hard under his jaw.

  It has the desired effect. The shark reacts violently to my smack and Nerio bites out a curse. I execute a quick turn and, again, miss the gnashing teeth by inches. Noticing Nerio only a few feet above us, I stop directly in front of the shark, facing it down like I didn’t have a chance to in the past. There’s a dark mark behind its gill, in the shape of a star. It’s a brand, but that can’t be possible. Weren’t the eels supposedly marked?

  It shoots forward, disrupting my observation, and I propel myself backward as fast as I can. Right as I’m convinced this will be the end of me, Nerio’s sword slashes through the skull, killing the great white instantly. The powerful body goes limp and Nerio yanks the sword out, darkening the water with more blood. His muscles flex with the movement and a fierce expression clenches his jaw tight.

  As the dead shark swirls down into the depths, Nerio draws alongside me and takes a moment to catch his breath, studying me. I’m still emitting unattractive half-sobs and choke down the embarrassing cries. He re-sheaths his sword then wraps a comforting arm around my shoulders.

  “That was very stupid,” he says. “But also very brave.” He kneads my shoulder and I find myself leaning into him for comfort.

  “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I babble. “W-when I was six I was attacked by a shark and then two sharks at the aquarium did the same thing.” I gasp. “It was so focused on me and I just reacted. I’m usually not so brave…or reckless. What are they after?”

  “You, I suspect. If you say it has happened before.” Please don’t let him ask about it, I pray silently. He doesn’t. Nerio releases me and scowls, putting distance between us. Instantly, I miss his close presence. “Sharks are unique, temperamental, always have been. Now they’re under the control of Calandra, a particularly nasty merwitch whose goal is to rule the oceans.”

  He breaks off and guilt clouds his expression.

  “How do you know this?”

  “From the way it was branded.”

  “She brands them?” A vision of the star on the shark resurfaces. I can’t help but feel pity for the creature, to be burned like that. “And this merwitch is causing all the problems lately?”

  Reluctantly, he begins talking. “We’ve gathered information from other fish and believe she’s responsible for the disturbances in the world’s oceans. Calandra’s an old mermaid, possibly the oldest. She’s managed to access and harness an old magic which she uses for evil. Every day she grows stronger. The sharks are her minions.
” He rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m sure the king can do a better job of explaining it than I can. All you need to know is if those sharks were after you, she must realize who you are. That increases the stakes, to use a human term.”

  A chill grips me. Was the attack when I was a child purely coincidence? Had they sensed who or what I was even then? I figure it can’t get any worse, until he continues.

  “I’ve heard rumors about her already controlling a couple of the other oceans. She plans to replace the current kings with ones who will do her bidding. To make matters worse, she wants to destroy humans. She desires it with a ferocity I cannot fathom. The oceans will rise until they wipe out a majority of your civilization.”

  My heart flutters in panic as a lump lodges in my throat, brought on by a sudden longing for home. “My mom?”

  “She should be safe if she’s far enough inland.”

  “And my mer family is in trouble, too?”

  “It’s all connected.” He motions at the sea. “The merwitch’s location is unknown. Trust me, if the rumors turn out to be true and we discover where she is, the king will lead the attack himself. But she keeps her whereabouts tightly controlled.”

  After hearing that, the ocean no longer seems safe or exciting, and I question my hasty decision to thrust myself into an unknown place.

  Nerio senses my discomfort. “Come on, we’re getting closer to the palace. Other sharks in the area will smell the blood and show up to feed. And I’m not confident that Calandra herself won’t make an appearance. Not for someone as important and special as you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  We travel at breakneck speed and I hardly have a chance to notice our surroundings. Nerio has definitely picked up the pace from his normally brisk one. Exhaustion is beginning to be a factor, turning my mind groggy. Luckily, my swimming has remained steady. I’m not even sure if it’s night or day anymore.

  It’s impossible not to constantly scan, searching for menacing shadows. A heavy ball of anxiety sits in my stomach, giving me second and third thoughts about what the heck I’m doing here. I rushed off into the unknown with a stranger, too desperate for answers to stop and really consider the hazards. The ocean hasn’t exactly welcomed me with open arms. I can only hope things get better once we reach Stavros.

  Soon, the waters grow turbulent and dark. The strong, earthy scent of sediment disturbed by the frantic motion of sea is rich on my tongue.

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  He glances at me glumly. “It’s another storm, a big one. We’ll have to move slower. These are shallow waters and if the waves are too big, they’ll pound us.”

  “Can’t we go a different direction?” I hadn’t expected the journey to the palace to be easy, but this is ridiculous.

  “No, my priority is to get you to safety as soon as possible. It’s normally a three-day trip, but we’ve lost the luxury of time.” His firm expression relaxes slightly. “We’ll be fine, just keep an eye on the surface.”

  Surrounded by reefs, I begin to understand why Nerio wants to be cautious. The troughs between waves are invading almost to our depth. Above me, the breaking waves throttle the nearest reef with ferocity. Pieces of the coral break off, clouding the water. It reminds me of a carnival ride. The current rocks me and most of my remaining strength goes into swimming straight.

  Occasionally, a flicker of lightning illuminates from the sky. The chaos is disconcerting and terror begins to build, filling me from top to bottom. I wish we could hunker down and wait it out like the other sea life seeking shelter in the every available crevice. At the moment, they’re the ones with common sense.

  Nerio tenses next to me, his wariness traveling across the water. I follow his gaze and gasp. Two giant shadows swish through the undulating waves.

  “Is that what I think it is?” I whisper fiercely, my voice cracking.

  “More sharks.” He focuses his glare on me. “Move as fast as you can. They’re searching and haven’t caught our scent yet. The storm may work to our advantage and keep it from them. Let’s go.”

  My entire body is limp with fatigue, but I strive to keep up with him, driven by fear. With quick glances over my shoulder, I keep a constant vigil for the sharks. Nothing is there, but it doesn’t calm my nerves. Once we’ve returned to clearer water and I’m fairly certain there are no shadows nearby, I distract myself by asking Nerio questions.

  “Tell me about the palace. Keep my mind occupied. Do all mer in the Pacific live there?”

  “You’re doing great.” He tosses me a sympathetic look. “Anyway, a large number do, but some live in other settlements. Smaller groups populate the outposts at the edges of the ocean. Many aren’t cut out for the palace.”

  Condescension laces his tone. “Sounds as if you’re one of them.”

  “I grew up in a small settlement to the north. It’s a dangerous area, being so close to the northern fishing grounds. I wanted adventure,” he shrugs his strong shoulders, “so I volunteered for the guard. Palace life is different. Lots of drama, intrigue, and rules, the same as kingdoms on land.”

  I imagine it is. Royals covet their lives of entitlement regardless of where they live. And I’ll be thrust into it head on. I hope my father isn’t a snooty king. “Is anyone aware I’m coming?”

  We crest a rise and he explains, “Galina was going to warn Stavros, but otherwise keep it quiet until your arrival. Word has probably traveled. Fish are great at spreading news, especially if it’s about a royal.”

  Great, the fish are gossiping about me. An amusing image comes to mind. Then, the scene in front of me silences my thoughts.

  Turquoise waters spread out in every direction. We venture down the side of what can only be described as a mountain range. In front of us, a towering volcano rises up off the sea floor, reminding me of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, a large and perfect cone dominating everything around it.

  Nerio stops and points. “There it is.”

  I’m not sure what exactly he’s pointing at. “The volcano? What about it?”

  “It’s the palace, built into the hollowed mountain to avoid detection from the surface. It might not look too impressive, but it’s a wonderful engineering feat. The structure itself is free standing with some of the homes built into the mountain itself. I can tell you’re dying to explore it, but we have to go in the back entrance.” He smirks. “Avoid the gossip.”

  The closer we get, the bigger the mountain looms. Wonder replaces my nerves. “And you don’t worry it will be investigated by scientists?”

  “So far it hasn’t been an issue. This region of the Pacific Ocean is very isolated and has little human traffic. It works to our advantage.”

  He leads me to a crude opening cut into the side of the far slope. Once I pass through it’s as if I’ve entered into wonderland.

  Soft light emanates from the stone structure towering above me, giving it a pink glow. The palace is foreign and imposing, so exotic in its weirdness. This one seems to take its cues from the surrounding environment. It also resembles the old Mayan pyramids, with its stepped edges. Round towers rise out of each side, adorned with massive sculptures of sea animals. It’s an imposing building.

  If this is the rear, I can’t wait to see the front.

  Nerio motions me through a heavy door.

  “Marble?” I ask.

  “Yes, it’s easier to work with down here because of buoyancy, and it’s used in a lot of structures. It holds the weight efficiently. Most of the exterior is composed of stone slabs, like it would be on land. You’ll notice a lot of similarities. We did learn from the Greeks, after all.”

  The hallways are plain, but pretty, smooth and painted with various designs. Nerio ends up having to pull me along whenever I become distracted. Finally, we arrive at a small, empty room. Before I notice Galina, I wonder about the absence of any mer and if it’s good or bad.

  When I catch sight of my grandmother, I have no hesitation in rushing forward int
o her arms. From our first meeting I treasured her acceptance, and her embrace is welcoming after the stressful yet amazing trip here.

  She wraps me tight, smoothes my hair, and then releases me. “News has spread of the shark attack. I’m grateful for your actions, Nerio.”

  He places his fist to his chest and bows. “To be honest, my lady, I couldn’t have done it without your brave granddaughter. You should be proud of her.”

  Warmth travels across my cheeks as Galina studies me. “Is this true?” I nod shyly. “You’re full of surprises. Word is out. Everyone has heard about a mysterious royal in our waters. We can no longer hope to keep your identity a secret. In fact, your father’s waiting for you. I told him immediately when I returned yesterday.”

  I swallow hard and my insides twist in anticipation. “I’m going now?”

  A sprig of vanity sprouts inside me. I’ve been traveling for who knows how long at a very hard pace and I’m starving. There weren’t a lot of opportunities to stop and eat. All I’ve had is some kelp, which Nerio said would give me energy. Plus, I still have on my pink-starred bikini. Not what I want to wear when meeting a king, let alone my dad.

  Galina notices my distress and reaches for me. “Stavros will not care what you’re wearing. He already loves you. After, you can clean up and prepare for a dinner tonight in your honor. We figured it is better to introduce you to the people right away, and in grand form, to put a stop to the speculation.”

  She pulls me along and I barely manage a goodbye to Nerio. My thoughts drift to her idea of “cleaning up.” Surely they don’t have showers. From this moment on, I’m truly going to be lost in this strange new world.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I follow Galina through passageways I can only compare to staircases, except they don’t have stairs. Each one takes us up into what I hope are the more populated areas of the palace. The lower levels are dark and very plain, eliciting a strange disappointment. I had built up all kinds of images of how the palace would look, but this is a bit of a letdown. It’s stark, impersonal, and far from inviting. And still, I don’t see anyone.