Of Fangs & Fins

Twenty Eight

SR: Timmies - Drift My Way

twenty-eight

Marina

"Where's Eryn?" I asked, this time not letting her run away again. Lance was in the kitchen, sipping on what seemed to be a steaming mug of coffee. I knew better and assumed blood was in there. He was reading something on his laptop and I caught that he was wearing glasses. "Uh?"

"Eryn is outside talking to Ally. Do your best not to disturb them. And the glasses, well, before I was turned I needed glasses. I still do now, unless I drink up," Lance winked and tipped up the mug to his lips.

"She's... outside?" I walked towards the window and was relieved when I saw Ally standing in front of Eryn. 

Eryn's hair was growing in a bit and she managed to pull the longer strands in a tight bun. She was only in a sports bra even though I'm sure it was really cold outside. Ally stood in front of her, her dreads cut to her shoulders. I watched them as they talked about something. It seemed as if Eryn was teaching her how to listen. 

I pulled back from the window and turned to Lance. "I wanted to thank you again for helping me out."

He nodded. "I presume they're leaving today?"

I half-smiled. "Knowing how Flynn is, I wouldn't be surprised. I'll be staying here with Ally, you know so she's more comfortable."

Lance gave me a look, but it quickly left as it came. "Usually when a human is turned they forget about their mortal relationships."

"Well, she isn't a human. She's a mermaid and she's more than just a relationship to me," I counted, sitting up straight as I saw Eryn and Ally open the front door.

Ally laughed lightly and then abruptly stopped the moment she saw me. I inhaled, trying to ignore the fact that her eyes were red with dark circles under them. "Ally, I-"

"I'm trying really hard to be near you right now," she cut me off, looking away from me, "if you don't mind, Eryn I'm going upstairs to my room."

Eryn glanced at me for a moment, her piercing eyes scrutinizing me my head to toe. "You may."

Ally briskly walked passed me, heading to the main stairway. I narrowed my eyes in annoyance. "She has to ask you permission? Should I ask you permission to speak to you?"

Eryn's stone gaze hardened, her eyes looking more icy blue than grey. "Marina that's not what I meant."

I didn't turn my eyes away, instead, I matched her cold expression. There was a sliver of anguish that appeared in her aura as she looked at me. Her face softened up and she approached slowly, sliding her hands on my hips. 

I stiffened, not daring to make any sudden moments. Eryn shoved me into her chest, hugging me firmly. Out of the corner of my eye, her aura faded into a brown hue. Guilt.

Good, she felt bad about walking out on me last night.

I pulled back as I heard footsteps descend down the steps. I peered upwards at the doorway and saw Sydney and Flynn hesitantly step inside. They looked all around the room in suspicion. Sydney's face changed into an expression of relief as she took me in. She grasped my arms and pulled me into a tight hug. I stiffened and then sagged into her hug, returning one back. "I've missed you."

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking in her appearance, particularly looking at a scar near her eye. 

"Yes, what about you?" 

Flynn stepped in-between Sydney and I, taking me into his arms. "Glad you're alive. Come, we need to get back home."

I tensed, backing up. "I'm not going with you guys."

Flynn's brows shot up and he darted his gaze to Eryn. "After what the f**k we've just been through? Your King would want you back, now."

I could feel the tension in the air as I glared at Flynn. 

Eryn sounded as if she was choking on something. 

I closed my eyes, cringing internally. This wasn't how I wanted her to find out. "On land, I am myself. I will come back when I know Ally is situated and okay. She could still have her mermaid powers. Shouldn't I be here to confirm that?"

"She lost her connection to Aqueria the second she turned into one of them!" Flynn seethed, "If you choose to stay here you are to be defying the laws your father put into place!"

Sydney grabbed his arm, "Flynn this isn't the time for this." She stepped in front of him and grabbed my hands, "I believe in what you're doing. That's okay, we'll go back and tell them that not all vampires are monstrous. When you're ready you can show him."

I knew how hard it was to try and convince my father that not every vampire was an enemy of ours. He could never get passed the death of my sister. She was his favorite. It was my duty to go back home and debrief my father on what happened. I was blatantly ignoring my royal obligation. Father would be disappointed. "I will come back soon."

Lance stood up, placing his hand on the small of my back. "Shall we go and see them off?"

I gratefully looked up at him and smiled. I didn't have any older brothers, but Lance seemed like one to me. It made me teary-eyed thinking about how kind he and Chris were to me. I turned my head around to meet my gaze with Eryn, but she was nowhere to be found. 

I guess I would have to find her again once I returned, I thought.

The drive to the beach was silent and I cursed myself for leaving it so awkward between my friends. I never liked being upset at Flynn. His heart was in the right place, but his mind needed to accept the fact that not all vampires hurt people. He was curled in the corner Lance's jeep and from where I was sitting I could see the crescent moon scars cover his wrists.  

I glanced at Sydney who sat next to him in the backseat. She gave me a forced smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. I hated that I put both of them through this. I should've been more vigilant. It was my duty as a princess. Why couldn't Neri be here with me? She would be able to convince dad better than me.

Lance parked the car and turned to me. "Ready?"

I nodded and we all climbed out of the car, heading to shore. I looked around, relieved that there was no one around at this time. Lance stood next to me at the edge of the tide, watching as Sydney and Flynn swam farther out into the water.

I narrowed my eyes and stared at the tide. It was much closer to the beach that it was usually. I looked up at Sydney, watching as the area around her darkened. The hairs on my arms stood up on end as I felt the air around me charge with electricity. 

"Something's wrong," I murmured, nearing closer to the water.

Lance peered into the water, "What's that?"

I followed his gaze and saw something bubbling near Flynn and Sydney. In an instant, the water erupted, raging a wave far above my head. I grabbed Lance's hand and tightened my grip, praying that I would shift fast enough.

The bite of the wave rocked us backward, pulling me into its current easily. I felt my legs merge together and tighten. My fin snapped forward, reaching for Lance's hand. The current was too strong and he wasn't strong enough to fight it. I fought harder against it, my fin smacking against the water. Lance slipped from my grip, causing me to tumble into the water. 

Hands pulled at me, yanking me above the surface. I whirled around, collided with a tan muscled arm. I widened my eyes as I took in the familiar person in front of me. "Jasper," I breathed, grabbing his arm.

He turned to me briefly before diving under the water, pulling up Lance.

Lance was coughing up water, but he was okay. I breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Jasper, this is--"

The sound of screeching out in agony ripped me from my relief. I howled in despair as Jasper's trident impaled Lance in his chest. The sound of bone cracking and flesh-tearing was loud enough to hear over the roar of the waves. 

I slammed my fin against the water, swimming as fast as I can towards Jasper.

I could see Lance's weakly struggling under the water as the trident pulled him deeper under. I swam faster, gaining some speed. Lance was just out of reach and I held my hand out, my webbed fingers grazing his jacket sleeve.

A burst of red exploded in front of me, the bubbles of red surrounding me. I was unable to see and I whirled around, screeching into the water as I realized what happened. 

"Marina!"> Sydney's voice rang out in my head, 

Hands were suddenly on my shoulder and something sharp was pricking my fin. I stared down and saw a net tangled around it. I wriggled my fin, trying to snap the net fabric. Black squid dyed fins were in front of me, shoving me deeper into the ocean. I looked around, trying to spot where Lance could be. He had to be okay. I didn't seem him explode it was probably just his arm...

He could heal from that right?

 The velvety sound of Jasper's voice weaseled its way to my mind.

He swam over and wrapped his hand around my hair, dragging me deeper into the sea. I fought against his grip, my skull screaming in protest as I yanked my hair. I could feel the strands ripping, so desperate to get to Lance.

After a while, the familiar colors of coral reef appeared in my vision and I struggled harder to get out of the nets. I'm home. Dread formed a lump in my throat and I was glad that tears weren't able to be seen in the water. I didn't cry in grief yet, I cried for something different entirely.

A sinking feeling crawled its way to my stomach, knowing what being back here meant. 

I wouldn't be able to go back to land.