our hair and makeup and joking around about some of the couples at the prom. I started feeling more like my old self.
Returning to the table, I sat down, scooting close to Ethan and taking his hand again. We endured an uncomfortable dinner, listening to Cruz chatter on and on about the dresses at the prom, design school, and his relocation to the city. He was set to move into my empty apartment in San Francisco after the upcoming finals week, and Evie was almost as excited as he was about having him as a neighbor.
“That reminds me,” said Evie, turning towards Shayla, “An agent friend of mine saw your pictures and would like some more test shots and an interview… How about we schedule a meeting for directly after we get Cruz settled in?”
“OK,” said Shayla, looking a little nervous, “An interview?”
“He’s booking runway girls for the Paris shows and he’ll need to see your walk,” said Evie.
Shayla swallowed hard, “My walk?”
“Yes silly,” Cruz interjected, “Like I showed you!” Cruz had been trying to teach Shayla the classic runway strut but she was still having trouble with the heels. If she could only wear flip-flops on the catwalk she’d be fine.
Shayla looked across the table at me, fear in her eyes.
“Will you go with me?” she pleaded.
“Sure,” I nodded.
Ethan sat quietly, and when we finally got up to leave he couldn’t get out the door fast enough. Evie kept us waiting a few minutes while she spoke with Omar, giggling coquettishly and touching her hair. He pressed his card into her hand and kissed it again, clearly enraptured with her. When she met our group out by the limousine I was surprised to see Evie looking a little flushed.
As we drove away she regained her composure, finalizing plans with Cruz and pumping Megan for details about Mr. Samadi. We pulled up to the high school parking lot and stopped.
Evie turned to address Ethan, “It was lovely seeing you again, and if you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take Marina home myself. We have some important business to discuss.”
She cast me a meaningful look. I’d known this day was coming, and it was what I’d been dreading– it was the thing that kept waking me up at night. It was time for my first meeting with the hybrid council.
“I’m sure it can wait,” Ethan said, his dark blue eyes blazing at her.
“No, I’m afraid it’s very urgent,” Evie returned his gaze, a challenge in her icy blue ones.
I looked at the two of them locked in combat and wanted to scream. I knew that they both had my best interests at heart, but I couldn’t help and wonder if each of them simply wanted to control me for their own reasons. Cruz and Megan exchanged a nervous glance and said their goodbyes, taking Shayla and beating a hasty retreat.
Evie turned to me, “I’m leaving town for a week tomorrow morning… I’m afraid we can’t do this over the phone.”
I nodded, taking Ethan’s hand and climbing out of the limo, “Come on, let’s talk.” I walked him over to his truck and took him in my arms, “I think I should hear what she has to say. I need to find out what’s going on.”
He looked glumly across the lot at Boris standing by the giant limo, watching us.
“Yeah,” he sighed, “I know.”
“I’ll come see you first thing tomorrow at the farmer’s market… okay?”
He nodded and looked down at me. I stretched up to kiss him.
“It’ll all be over soon,” I said, even though I didn’t really believe it.
I walked slowly back towards Evie, feeling the laces of my mental corset cinching back in, constricting more tightly with each exhale, once again, making it almost impossible to breathe.
CHAPTER TWO
SUMMONED
“I suppose I should have been ready for this,” I said, trying unsuccessfully to keep the shake out of my voice.
Evie outlined the plans that had already been made for me, and the reality of the situation came crashing down upon me all at once. I was scheduled to be in Paris in two weeks, and it wouldn’t be a pleasure trip. A council meeting had been arranged, and I’d been summoned to meet with the association of half-mermaid hybrids. I was always going to have to join this exclusive little group once I came of age, but because of my exposure and the kidnapping that followed, my indoctrination had been scheduled a little early.
“I’m sorry sweetheart,” Evie said, scooting closer and putting