Between the Land and the Sea - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,99

“I’ve been doing my best.” Cruz looked at me sadly, “Why didn’t you tell me about your mother? Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not like that,” I said gently, “At first I didn’t know for sure... and then I was too freaked out to talk about it. I’m sorry.” I limped over and gave him a hug, “Forgive me?” He sighed and hugged me back, “This explains a lot.” He turned towards Ethan, “Megan and I couldn’t understand why she was so dead set on meeting with them. We’ve been trying to talk her out of it all along.”

“There’s nothing you could have said or done,” I said.

“She’s crazy that way,” Ethan said, looking at me sideways.

“You better go hide,” Cruz said, looking out the window, “Mom’s home.” Ethan picked me up and carried me to my room. Cruz followed behind us with our bags. “I’ll tell her you’re asleep

– we can talk after she goes to work in the morning.”

Alone in my room with Ethan, I was suddenly shy. I moved around in the tiny space, straightening up the clutter. We weren’t talking so Abby wouldn’t hear us, but I watched him look around, taking everything in. It felt a little too personal, as if I were an open book he was reading. He sat down on the little chair in the corner.

“Sit down!” he whispered, pointing to the bed, “You need to stay off your feet.” He looked down and his eyes widened. I realized I had shoved the gruesome bloody towels aside and forgotten them. They were ruined, so I gathered them up and threw them in the garbage. I’d have to remember to get Abby some new ones. I sat on the bed and put my feet up. The anesthetic was wearing off and they were beginning to throb.

Ethan came over and sat down next to me, “Do you think you have enough shoes?” He whispered in my ear, his dark blue eyes lit with humor. I shot him a dirty look.

“Mind your own business,” I looked down and smiled. He chuckled. There was a scratching sound at the door and Ethan looked at me, alarmed. I reached over and cracked the door open.

Charlie the cat came barreling in and planted himself between us on the bed, purring loudly. I was glad he arrived when he did. He broke up the tension between us. I yawned.

“You need some sleep,” he said.

I got up, “I’m gonna go brush my teeth.” I put some socks on over my bandages and grabbed a pair of sweatpants to change into, limping out of the room and down the hall. When I got back Ethan was moving the chair, which he took to position over by the door.

“I’m sitting right here tonight,” he said quietly, “Just go to sleep.”

“But–”

“Get in bed,” he said, pointing sternly.

I was too tired to argue, so I slid into bed and Charlie snuggled up to me. Overcome with exhaustion, I fell asleep before I even had a chance to thank him.

CHAPTER TWENTYTWO

BODYGUARD

A ring of mermaids surrounded me, hovering in the deep black water. Their bodies glowed, casting an eerie light on the rock walls that encircled us. Their long hair waved from side to side in the water, reminding me of grass blowing in the breeze. I knew I could never live without the sun and the wind, without things growing in dirt. I thought of Ethan and I started to fight them, kicking and thrashing furiously as I screamed at them to release me.

“Sssh, Marina, wake up. You’re dreaming.”

I was standing in my room, struggling to free myself. Ethan had me in a bear hug, arms pinned to my sides. I was heaving with exertion, caught up in the in the heat of the battle, sweating with fury. By the time I came fully awake I was spent, and I went limp, slumping onto him. He set me on the edge of the bed and turned the lights on.

“I’m awake,” I said weakly. He brushed the hair out of my face, looking closely into my eyes.

“Hey,” he said, smiling encouragingly, “You’re strong when you’re asleep.”

“What did I do?” I panted.

“You tried to get out… you tried hard.”

“I’m sorry,” I gasped, “I’m sorry.”

His blue eyes studied mine, “You were talking to them. You sounded angry. I couldn’t understand...”

I covered my face with my hands, “Why is this happening to me?” He embraced me, “Don’t worry, we’ll find out,” he said grimly. He tucked me into bed and