The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,65
later, I walked through the Academy doors and headed for the pool bathroom. I’d managed to arrive early enough that there weren’t many cars in the parking lot yet. There were still a few mermaids in the pool who hissed at me, though.
Ignoring them, I let myself into the bathroom and found the druids facing off with Miranda.
“You’re done using our bathroom. Get out now or I’ll let Adira know what you’ve been doing.”
Lauv laughed.
“Do you honestly think she doesn’t know? She has eyes everywhere. Why do you think the Council’s keeping Megan away? They know half of Uttira is doing shit that would piss the newest fury off. But the Council continues to let us use this room. Do you know why? It’s better to make mistakes here, where they can cover up for any missing humans, than it is to make mistakes out there where it could cost us more than our lives.
“What do you think the humans would do if they found out that a lake full of mermaids existed? They’d shock your asses, collect your unconscious floating bodies without resistance, and make a Lake World exhibit where you’d be jumping through hoops all day for a fish head and applause. Is that what you want?”
Miranda hissed and took a step toward the three druids.
Meg lifted her hand and blew some powder in the mermaid’s face at the same time the other two murmured a chant. All the aggression visibly left Miranda’s body.
“We argued with you, but you made your point clear,” Lauv said. “We aren’t welcome here. However, we were able to negotiate a deal, which you loved. In exchange for the continued use of this bathroom, we agreed to leave a packet of fish food at the pool door every morning. You understand that you spoke on behalf of all the mermaids at the Academy when you agreed and will defend your deal so you don’t look like an idiot in their eyes.”
Meg blew some more dust at Miranda.
“Thank you for agreeing to work with us,” Lauv said.
Miranda narrowed her eyes and reluctantly reached for Lauv’s proffered hand. Just as they shook, the door behind me swung open and knocked me aside.
Janette hissed at me before noticing Miranda and Lauv.
“What are you doing, Miranda? Mark them. Mark them all. There’s no way Adira will miraculously show up before the poison kicks in again.”
“No.” Miranda released Lauv’s hand and grabbed Janette by the arm. “Plans changed.”
“River’s not going to be happy.”
“River’s going to need to learn to deal with it.” Miranda glanced back at Lauv. “Payment starts today.”
“We just made the deal. We’ll bring two packets tomorrow morning to make up for today and to pay for tomorrow.” Lauv crossed her arms, looking angry.
“Fine. First thing.”
The mermaids left, and I looked at the druids.
“What was that about?”
The three girls started snickering.
“They think they’re so smart with their journals to remind themselves if they get memory wiped. So we upped our game and implanted a reason why she changed her mind. They’re going to be so busy fighting amongst themselves this week that they should leave us alone for a while.”
“Does Adira really know what we did?” I asked.
Lauv snorted.
“No. Fish are gullible. Come sit down. We have everything ready.”
I exhaled and moved to the circle. Before they joined me, I sent a quick text to Fenris.
Me: If I go missing, it was the druids.
“An unnecessary precaution,” Anne said with a roll of her eyes. “Ashlyn was a one-time fluke.”
“I don’t care if it was a fluke or not. It needs to be undone. Have you figured out how to do that yet?”
The three exchanged looks.
“We spoke during the spell when we shouldn’t have,” Anne said. “That’s what messed up the spell, but we’re unsure how.”
“So we used a spell to view the past last night,” Meg said. “It took more supplies than we could afford to use. Thankfully, with our barrier spell done, we can get more once we leave. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just come with us and stay out there? Considering the banshees’ warnings, it’s the safer option.”
The door burst open behind us, and we all turned to look at Fenris.
He was barefoot and shirtless, steam once again rolling off his torso.
“Damn,” Anne whispered. The scent of her lust clouded the air.
“Tone it down, Anne,” Meg said. “You know what she did to your brother.”
I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at Anne, and blushed.