Part 7 (1/2)
”Because the Sea King is getting old, and he needs an heir,” Thalia says finally. ”If there is not a new king by the summer solstice, that which binds us to the island, which allows us to live apart in secret, will disappear. And not all of our kind want to share a world with humans.”
”I don't understand. What does this have to do with me? I've grown up human. I don't know your world.”
”I'm supposed to teach you.” Kurt says. He looks at me from the corner of his eye and clears his throat. ”I was supposed to find you before the storm hit. I didn't take into account the beastly number of people who crowd that beach.”
”That was you!” I smack the table. I remember Layla peering down at him from our post and Kurt looking lost on the sh.o.r.e. ”The ripped pants? Not a good look for you.”
Kurt shakes his head at me and says, ”Besides, the king wants to keep the throne in the family.”
And that's when it hits me. A giant Duh smacking me on the face. The Sea King. My mother.
”I'm guessing 'My Lady' isn't something you say just because you've got that polite British thing going, is it?”
Kurt looks pleased with himself. ”The Sea King is your grandfather. Because Lady Maia, the king's eldest, has been stripped of her tail and the king has no sons, this makes you the rightful heir-”
Before he can finish, I run out to the boardwalk, jump the metal bars, and land on the sand. My gills itch with expectancy. If the tattoo weren't binding them, they'd open right now so that I could jump into the waves.
And just like that, everything inside me changes. Just like the mist rising, the tide pulling in and out, the easy shuffle of my bare feet on the sand. The hard surf crashes around my ankles-hugging, embracing, welcoming me back-and I swear it whispers my name.
Teach me to hear the mermaids singing, Or to keep off envy's stinging.
-John Donne So this is the famed Thorne Hill Academy,” Kurt says.
”It's a high school, bro, not an academy. We don't have any famous students. Unless you count the athletics department. Lots of Triborough champs. If we win the next swim meet, my team will be too.”
Thorne Hill High School is not your average high school. They make you take a specialized test to get in if you don't live in the proper zoning. In the 1800s, the building was a church. The tall Gothic kind with gargoyles and sharp pillars that would make anyone think twice before going on the roof for a smoke break. The stones have faded over the years from what must've been white to a dirty gray.
The tall wooden doors that lead into the school are crowned by two angel statues. I'm not talking typical angels praying and glowing with light. These guys are tilted toward each other, like they were frozen in the middle of their fight. Their carved swords form the peak of the archway into the school.
”What I mean is I've heard of it,” Kurt says. ”And remember, you cannot tell anyone about us. At a time like this it would be extremely dangerous for anyone in our court to get caught. Your parents are safe. But anyone else could get killed.”
I nod and lead the way up to the entrance. The steps themselves are too high for sea level. My first day here, I felt like a less glorious Rocky climbing the museum steps. Now it's not much different. It's only been a few days of not working out, and I'm already out of shape.
”Why couldn't Mom just let us stay home?” I grunt.
Kurt glances around, bored at the way girls trip on account of staring at him. ”She wants you to resume something familiar. Once we're at Toliss, you'll never see things the same way.”
”How many days did you say before we have to go to the island?”
”Two. Until the wall is completely down.” Kurt stops halfway up the steps. First, I hope he doesn't get into another rant about how real mermaids don't wear sh.e.l.l bras. Second, I think he's just attracting too much attention. His skin is still too slick and tan, his eyes too violet. Third, he's staring at the angel archway like he doesn't know whether he's remembering something he forgot. Then I realize he's actually staring at Thalia, who reached the top steps before us.
She looks at the other kids with a kind of wonder I've only shown to the roller coasters at Cedar Point. The kids let themselves linger for too long, because they just can't help it. They've never seen someone like her. Full peach lips, sharp cheekbones, and eyes so bright green they teeter on yellow. Her hair falls long and dark over her shoulders. And there, finally, you notice her ears. Still a bit too pointy.
s.h.i.+t, it's already started.
Wonder Ryan walks up to her. His hands are in his pockets. He lifts his chin at her in h.e.l.lo. I can practically hear this conversation. I've taught him this conversation. ”I'm sorry. You've got to be a transfer. I would've remembered seeing your face.”
Kurt and I look at each other, and as quick as a snap, we race up the second half of the steps.
”Tristan! Where the h.e.l.l have you been, man?” Ryan says. ”You missed yesterday's practice. Coach is scared we're not going to have you for the champions.h.i.+p.” We slap hands side to side, fists up and down, then knuckle to knuckle in a h.e.l.lo. ”Who's your friend, man? Don't be rude.”
”My cousins,” I correct. ”Thalia and Kurt.”
Even Ryan stares at Kurt in a way that's uncool for dudes to look at other dudes. What if this is the worst idea in the history of mankind, including the time I entered the Nathan's hot-dog-eating contest and the time I let Layla give me highlights combined?
”Cousins from where?” Ryan goes. No one has ever heard me mention any family.
”Italy.”
”Florida.”
”Ireland.”
Part of me is kicking myself for not having planned this out smoother. The other part is mentally kicking Kurt just because doing it for real would make me feel better.
”They travel a lot.”
Ryan nods with this face that screams, OMG! I'm so interested as long as I can talk to the new girl some more. ”Are you guys going to, like, go here?” If he had a tail, it'd be wagging right now.
”No, we're just visiting,” Kurt says.
”Oh. Well, you should bring them to the after-school practices. I'm the best archer in this city,” he says, tapping Kurt on the shoulder. ”Could teach you a thing or two.”
”Archery?” Kurt's voice softens to something similar to a sound Layla might make if she found a CD she'd been looking for on sale. ”I'm pretty good with a bow and arrow.”
”He's more than good!” Thalia chimes in. ”He's the best on the gua-”
”Team,” I say quickly. ”He's the best on his team.”
”Good. Great. Awesome-possum.” I don't think even he believes he just said that. And there goes Wonder Ryan running into the building, because no matter how cool and interesting we are, he has never been late to cla.s.s.
I stare at the ancient clock above the angels. The Roman numerals are rusty. The arms are getting closer to 8 a.m. when the bell will ring. Layla usually waits for me inside by my locker, even though hers is on the other end of the hall.
”Are we waiting for another one of your comrades?”
”Kurt, do me a favor,” I go. ”Chill. Relax. Take it easy. You're in Brooklyn, not at the bottom of the sea.”
He shakes his head a bit, all I don't know what you want me to do.
”You're standing like you're ready to whip out your sword and go all Revenge of the Merman on them.”
”Ryan is handsome,” Thalia says with a smirk.
”And you, missy. Calm the siren allure. I don't want any of my teammates following you off the pier.”
”Sirens aren't mermaids,” Thalia laughs. ”They're bird women.”
”Whatever. I'm just saying.”
”Come now, Tristan. Maybe you and Kurt should, how is it you said? Chill.” The bells chime long and hard. Pigeons fly. Kids run up the steps holding on to their pants and hats.