Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,85

said morosely.

“I have no idea… it depends where his next project takes him,” I said, realizing that I probably wouldn’t be traveling with him anymore when I started college.

“Why not stay here?” he asked.

“I used to live here,” I said, “I found out that I lived in that house with Abby for the first nine months of my life. Maybe that’s why I feel so at home there.” I told him about the day Cruz found out about his father, and my conversation with Abby.

He was surprised to hear the story of Cruz’s father, and sorry to hear what happened to my mother. Talking about it made me uncomfortable, so I didn’t go into much detail.

“Poor Abby,” said Ethan, “She’s always been so nice to everybody.”

“I think your dad likes her,” I said.

“You noticed,” he said with a smile.

“Abby said she thought he was cute,” I grinned. I probably shouldn’t have betrayed her confidence but I had a feeling Dutch might like hearing that.

“Really, ” Ethan said, “I don’t think Dad’s even gone on a date since my mom took off.” It was the first time he mentioned his mom to me and I didn’t know what to say. He didn’t elaborate.

“Um, excuse me.” I headed towards the ladies room and paid the bill on the way to keep Ethan from trying to get it. He could have the next one. I hoped there would be a next one. When we got up to leave Ethan protested that he owed me for my hair cutting services, and we both found that equally funny. He looked drawn and tired, so I drove him home.

“Are you going to take some time off school?” I asked.

“I probably shouldn’t,” he said. “I need to keep my grades up for my scholarship. Besides, I always enjoy seeing what you come up with in art class.” I snorted, casting a cynical look at him.

“My turn to walk you to your door,” I said. I got out with him and when we got to the top of the stairs he hugged me first, pulling me close.

“Marina,” he whispered in my ear, “Promise me you’ll stay away from them...” I reached up and stroked the back of his fuzzy head, “If I can.”

“No!” he said hoarsely, “Promise me!” he gripped me a little too tightly.

“Look,” I said soothingly, “I’ll tell you before I do anything... okay?” I owed him that much after everything he’d done for me.

“Swear to me,” he insisted.

“I swear,” I said.

The door opened and I think Dutch was surprised to see us there.

“You’re back,” he said, and we awkwardly parted.

“Hello,” I said to Dutch.

“Nice haircut,” he said, looking at Ethan with a smile.

“Bye guys, get some sleep,” I hurried down the stairs to the Jag.

I drove home slowly, thinking about what I should do. Nobody wanted me to have any contact with the mermaids. I could understand their point of view, but no one could see mine. I needed resolution; I was compelled by forces I couldn’t explain. I knew in my heart that Lue and Fatima were right, and that I needed to settle some unknown issue.

Evie always said that we possess the power to decide whether to simply be victims of fate or masters of our own destiny. I wondered how much control I really had, since I sensed that it was inevitable– I was going to be forced to make a choice. I could feel a confrontation coming, looming just offshore like a tempest blowing in from the sea. It was steadily advancing, and I knew it would be visited upon me whether I liked it or not.

I was happy after spending the day with Ethan, hopeful that things would work out okay one way or the other. I pulled up to Abby’s cozy little house and a whisper of tranquility passed through me.

I smiled, even though I pretty much knew it was only the calm before the storm.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

SLEEPWALKING

No sunlight could penetrate this deep. There was only a black void surrounding a circle of glowing mermaids. The eerie light they cast illuminated the grotesquely formed deep sea fish that occasionally swam lazily past us. My feet were tingling and I looked down, relieved to see they were still there.

I opened my eyes to a blackness so complete I thought I was still dreaming. The damp and chill of the night air brought me fully awake, and I almost lost my balance, waving my hands in the pitch black void. I took