The Fate of the Muse - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,106

knows how long he’d been staying here, watching, lying in wait. I realized that Yuri had been stalking me too, right along with the Edwards family.

The thought made me even more scared, and when my tear streaked face met his eyes, his brow knit together, and he looked at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. I could tell that this was not going at all the way he had hoped, and I laid it on even thicker, shivering and putting on the saddest face I could imagine. I had to get away– I had to get to Cruz, and I was going to have to trick him into letting his guard down again. I slumped onto the ground with a moan, crying softly and clutching my stomach.

He knelt by my side, pulling a filthy blanket over me and tucking me in tenderly. I watched through half closed eyes as he sat back on his haunches and contemplated me, no doubt wondering exactly what he’d gotten himself into.

My mind started racing as the numbing effect of the drugs wore off and I thought about what Barbara had told me about Nixie. It was sickening to think that her own father would want to use her as some sort of laboratory rat in his quest for immortality. I wondered what Nathan Edwards would think of the fact that I had turned down my own chance for eternal life.

I had to survive this, and get away to find Cruz in time. I vowed I’d never let myself be fooled again. I would find a way to protect my family, both human and mermaid. I would stop Barbara and her brother if it was the last thing I ever did. The familiar surge of anger I felt strengthened me, and I pretended to fall asleep. I watched Yuri hover over me as I forced my breathing to grow steady and even.

A faint, faraway siren broke the quiet of the foggy evening and he turned his head to listen.

The siren grew louder, and was joined by another one. My heart leapt with the hope that help was on the way, and I struggled to keep still. I watched as he turned and left, standing outside of the lean-to in a protective stance. I tensed up, preparing to run. Once he was out of my line of sight I scrambled to my hands and knees, gathering myself and taking a few deep breaths.

The sirens grew louder and more numerous, and it was starting to sound like the whole police force was converging upon us. Yuri paced outside nervously, producing a backpack and stowing away some things from the campsite into it. I realized he was planning on leaving, and I knew he wouldn’t leave me behind. I was going to have to make my move now or never.

I waited, poised at the edge of the tent until he moved away again, and bolted. I fled the campsite, tottering out of the bushes and down the narrow dirt path that led back towards the house. I must have looked like a crazy person, flapping my arms at my sides as I struggled to keep my balance. I nearly fell several times, but with each step I took the drug’s grip on me lessened.

For a moment, I thought I might just make it, when suddenly Yuri appeared directly in my path, his enormous arms stretched out to stop me.

“No, Marina,” he said beseechingly, “No good!”

“Please…” I whimpered, “I have to get to my cousin…”

He shook his head no, pointing back towards the house, “Is wery bad,” he said seriously.

I wheeled around, running back the way I came; looking for a way around him. I turned onto a narrow deer path that branched off and wound through some thick underbrush. I could smell smoke, and my throat burned as I ran through the dark misty fog. I struggled on, coughing and gasping, and my mind flashed on the vision I’d had on my surfboard. I screeched to a halt with a sharp intake of breath, barely making it in time. I’d stopped mere inches from running straight off the cliff.

I turned to see Yuri’s huge form bearing down on me, hot on my heels. He grabbed me, his eyes bulging with fear as he looked down to the rocky beach, far, far, below. His arms locked around me tightly and he took a step back, but it was too late. All at once, the