The Merworld Water Wars - Finned Part 17

Mrs. Waterberry nodded. "And there are parts I simply don't know the answers to. You are as much of a mystery as the deli-"

"The deliverer? Do you know anything about it?"

"I know enough to know I don't want to know about it...and, trust me, you want to stay far away from this topic."

"So I hear."

"Take this." She handed me what looked like a tiny, stuffed hermit crab.

"Um, thanks. But...why and what for?" I asked, rolling it in my hand.

"It's a key."

"Oh, so there's a key hidden inside its fluff?" I said, squeezing it.

"Nope. It is the key."

"Stuffed hermit crab key. Random. Okay, well, what does it open, and how the heck does it work?"

"No clue. You'll find out when he contacts you again."

"Trey! You've been helping him?"

"Sure have."

"He sent me a message-a circle with spikes at the top and an arrow pointing to the number seventeen. Here," I said, digging the note out of my bag and handing it to her. Knowing Trey, he would consider Mrs. Waterberry exempt from the 'Squiggle ONLY' clause of his note. "Do you know what he's talking about?"

"The circle with spikes at the top could be a sea creature...maybe a partially plucked puffer or a fixated fliptarr. Both will cause havoc. The seventeen could be any number of merp myths...the seventeen siren sagas, seventeenth serendipity of the Sandtalian calendar, squid sting murders from the seventeenth century...I just don't know. Best if you just keep this and the key with you," she said, handing the clue back to me. "Whenever Trey can make contact, you'll need to act. Until then, observe. Leave the clue chasing to Trey. He's the intuitionist and far better equipped than a reader to make improbable discoveries. You will only boggle your brain and probably put him in even more danger if you try and do his job. After all, you have a new occupation now...Savior. Remember, your ears and heart will only deceive you."

I'm sure the half-terrified, half-dumbfounded expression plastered on my face at that moment was hilarious. Sadly, I wasn't much for laughing.

"Sorry it took me so long. I couldn't figure out which blue velvet box you wanted, but then all the others suddenly disappeared," said Airianna, handing the box to Mrs. Waterberry.

"How very interesting," said Mrs. Waterberry, stealing a wink at me.

"You know, the dress is gorgeous, but, Marina, it's not red," said Airianna. "The rules say our dress must be red."

I could accept my fate and wear this dress, effectively announcing myself as a threat to the Ravenflames, or I could hide. Listening to my instincts, I made a decision.

"Don't care. It's a me dress."

"And you're not Cinderella, are you?" asked Mrs. Waterberry.

This old gal really understood me. "Nope, and I never will be."

"Although, these might make you feel a little like her, and what's so bad about that from time to time?" Mrs. Waterberry removed a pair of sparkling crystal heels from the blue velvet box. "Take them. They're yours now."

"Now those I approve of," said Airianna.

With my new dress and shoes in hand, I said goodbye to Airianna, thanked her for her help, and headed home to wait the long two days before I could slip on the ocean dress. I, Marina Valentine, enemy of dresses, rival of high-heels, friend of jeans and t-shirts alike, am giddy to put on a dress.

Chapter Twelve.

Ballerina Interrupted.

Valentine's Day. I was all ready for the ball and feeling shockingly whimsical. My hair was shiny and full, and my dress was elegant and flowing. Since slipping on the shoes, I've decided this whole dressing up thing wasn't so bad after all.

"Sweetie, the limo's here. Oh, Marina, you look so beautiful," said my mom when I walked into the living room. "I still can't believe how kind that old shopkeeper was to give you this outfit. You look like an angel."

"You really think so, Mom?"

"Breathtaking," she said, her eyes glistening.

"Uh, the one who has the breath-stealing power tonight is you."

"You don't think it's too red? You know how red can look hooker-bright on a blond," she said, twirling in her long gown.

"Mom, you're a total Kate," I said, putting a pack of gum in my purse.

"Well, now, which one? There are tons of Kate's in Hollywood."

"I mean, look at them. Does it matter?"

"Good point. Hope you won't mind walking in with your old mom."

"You're hardly old, and I wouldn't want to walk in with anyone else." Well, except for Troy Tombolo, but that was unlikely to happen in this lifetime.

On a glorious February night, my mom and I crawled into the back of a black limousine and enjoyed the ride to the ball.

"Aren't you excited to see Hambury House? I've been looking forward to it all week!"

"The ball isn't being held in town?" Only now did I notice the limo driving away from downtown-reckon I was too preoccupied playing with the crystal dolphin, mermaid, and seahorse charms adorning my dress.

"I told you this week about Hambury House. Don't you ever listen to me?"

"Of course...just not that day, apparently."

My mom sighed and rolled her eyes. "Hambury House opens its doors once a year for the annual Valentine's Ball. Its owner is a mysterious recluse. Yet, the house is somehow ready for the ball practically overnight with no help from any townsfolk."

"n.o.body knows who owns the house?"

"Not a soul. Fascinating, isn't it?"

"That's one word for it."

Twenty minutes later, the limo pulled up in front of a magnificent manor. Giant cupid balloons towered over the brightly lit, peach-colored estate. My mom and I filed in with the rest of the guests as heart-shaped fireworks illuminated the sky above.

Mom hugged me before prancing over to join a rather dashing Mr. Gibbs. I watched him kiss her hand and escort her into the ballroom.

Well, I'm alone in a dress and heels. Not my ideal scenario on Vomit Valenyuck Day, but I guess it could be worse...can't think of how at the moment, but I'm sure it could be. Can't put off the inevitable any longer, I suppose. Ballroom, here I come.

Ah, well, this was interesting. Everybody stopped to stare at me. The fact that I'm the only one not wearing red probably aggravated the situation. I wondered how many of the awed faces knew the legend of the dress. I forged ahead, determined not to let any of them intimidate me.

"You look lovely, Marina, truly," whispered Airianna when I pa.s.sed. She didn't dare speak to me outright in front of so many Ravenflames.

Hmm. I'll take post at the dessert table. After all, my b.u.t.t is always looking to expand, and I do love pastries. Ooh, a King Cake!

"At least you actually dressed appropriately for the ball." The slimy voice ruining my King Cake could only belong to one person: Katrina Zale.

Dear G.o.d. Her dress was hideous. It was bright red, strapless, backless, and ridiculously short.

"Practicing for your centerfold debut, Kat?" I never fail to p.i.s.s her off royally. It was surprisingly gratifying.

"Well, it is what guys have drooled over for years."

"And now they drool over the new Ned Dam Fourth and Inches video game. Things change."

"Where did you find that dress?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

She knows about the legend. "Why do you want to know?" I asked.

"Curious." Her attempt at a genuine smile unnerved me.

"Memory lapse, sorry," I said.

"No matter. Shame such a dress is wasted on the flat form of a Normal. Have to get back to my s.e.xy date. Enjoy your pastries." She walked off, slinking across the room.

Wretch. I will not let her spoil my King Cake, by darn. Although the vision of Troy Tombolo in a tuxedo might cause me to choke on a bite, the sight of a trashy merb.i.t.c.h hanging all over him would effectively ruin my appet.i.te. Such was the case, I'm afraid. Just look at her, draped over him like a limp piece of seaweed!

As the night progressed, I continued to stake my claim to the King Cake...and other cakes...and cookies...while couples danced closely to icky-love songs. I'm happy for them, really. Very happy. Truly. Yeah.

"Ladies and gentlemen, soon we will retreat to the balcony for the annual Valentine's Day fireworks extravaganza," Mr. Anderson announced. "It's time for the last dance of the night, everyone. Make it worthwhile."

Only one more dance to watch Katrina wrap her noodle arms all over Troy. I think I've done relatively well, given the circ.u.mstances. I haven't wanted to crawl under the table and hide, and I haven't puked.

The band started playing the final song, only to stop moments into the toe-tapping tune. An audible groan filled the room. Initially, I found the group of peeved Merpeople absolutely hilarious-by the looks on their faces, you'd think Mr. Deep Blue Sea decided to cut back on its salt intake. Yes, I found it all terribly amusing...until I noticed Troy Tombolo whispering in the conductor's ear. Katrina smugly looked around at everyone; I considered hurling a football-shaped cake at her head. When Troy finished talking to the conductor, he slowly turned and walked towards one girl-me.

I couldn't breathe. My heavy senses drowned under a thin veil of hope-hope I tried to ignore because it had always let me down.

"May I, Savior?" he asked, holding my pua sh.e.l.l necklace before me, ready to place it around my neck.

I simply nodded and lifted my hair as he gently secured the necklace around my neck. There was no denying how complete I felt with it against my skin. Facing me once more, he clicked his heels together, bowed slightly, and held his hand out for mine.

"Will you dance with me, Marina Valentine?"

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm taking the ballerina out of her music box, if she'll let me."

Smiling, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me to the dance floor. The band began playing one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs ever written. He pulled me so close to him that not a sliver of light could pa.s.s between us. We glided around the lonely dance floor, not as two, but as one, in front of every single merperson in town. He has made his choice. Though surrounded by disapproving glares, I could see nothing but him.

"I am forever yours," he sang in my ear.

Please, G.o.d, don't ever let this song end-I was too afraid to know what might happen when it did. I snuggled into his chest and allowed his arms to envelop me. He kissed the top of my head several times before the song ended much too soon.

"To the balcony for fireworks," said Mr. Anderson, forcing a light tone. "We will talk later, Tombolo."

Mr. Smarmy's words acted like a dagger to my conscious mind. While everyone silently gravitated for the balcony, I ran out the front doors and headed for the beach.

Once outside, I gulped at the cool sea air, trying to replenish the breaths that so easily escaped me while in Troy's arms.

"Marina," said Troy, joining me on the beach.

"What are we doing? This can't happen. As much as I might want it to, it can't. It's selfish. I'm selfish. You'll be in danger, Troy. I know you're a prince of the sea. I know your father, on behalf of the Fairhairs, entered into a water pact with Katrina's father, giving Zale authority over these waters. You can't break the pact, Troy, and being with me would annihilate it."

"It would go against the pact, yes, but it will not break it. There are other actions I could take...or fail to take...that would break the pact. Being with you will not put me in danger. If anything, it will bring me to life. But the pact isn't the only reason you're scared to be with me, is it? It's me, my kind."

I shook my head. "It's just a lot to take in. I'm on serious emotional overload here. So much exists that's not supposed to exist. There's so much bad...so many big, evil baddies."

"True, but where there's bad, there's good, just like in the human world."

"Like a good vampire or a cuddly werewolf?"

"Well, sometimes, yes," he said, smiling. "But I meant things like fairies, angels, flying horses, unicorns, and Santa Claus."

Cool air flooded my mouth, stinging my teeth. I stared at him, hardly believing what I just heard.

"I a.s.sure you, they're all very real. For every evil, there is pure goodness. The good ones are harder to see, but they're there when you need them," he said gently.

"Santa Claus? Seriously?"

"Seriously," he laughed. "I'll take you to see him one day." He moved closer to me.

"Stay back, please. I...can't. I've been foolish to think we could be together. And here I've been so frustrated with you for how you've handled things with us, for the things you've said...when all along...you were right."

"No, I wasn't. I talked to you like a heartless a.s.s, and I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to let my heart talk. It's something I'm learning to do, because of you. Marina, your fear will keep you from ever living, from ever loving."

"You don't understand," I shouted. "I want to live, and I want to learn to love, but I don't know how. When I'm around you, when I'm not around you, I feel like I'm falling, like something is pulling me down, some force I can't seem to resist. Everyday is another new feeling, another test I have to pa.s.s in order to make sense of my heart, but I never seem to get any closer to understanding how I feel whenever you look at me, whenever you touch me. It's like I'm losing myself to you."

"Maybe you're not losing yourself, Marina. Maybe you're finding yourself with me. I've found myself with you. You are the only girl I have ever met who has the guts to stand her ground, and I respect that about you more than you know. I never saw true beauty until I saw you standing in front of the cla.s.s, reading your poem."