A Mermaid's Curse

Chapter 11

Stella's words echoed in my nightmares, following me wherever I went. "'They were already dead when I found them. This is all her fault!'" With a chill, I realized she was talking about her parents and brother. But why was she mad at Mom?

From what I'd heard, Stella had always loved and respected Mom, especially when she'd been one of her ladies-in-waiting. After what had happened with Claudia, Stella and Rochelle had stayed by her side through all of it.

I'm sure Mom had been aware that Stella had been in Pelathas, but I wonder if she'd managed to figure out the real reason. Yes, her first objective had been finding her parents and brother. But I think after she'd found them, her goal had changed.

When I woke up the following morning, my head was impossibly heavy, an unseen object weighing it down. Getting dressed took an abnormal amount of energy, as if my very bones were protesting at the movement. My first thought was to go check on Mom, but I hated to wake her if she was still sleeping.

I finally decided to just head down to the dining room and see if anyone else was awake yet. If she was there.... I shook my head, not even letting myself get that far. When I got to the dining room entrance, however, I froze in the doorway. Memories of the previous day washed over me, bringing with them the fear and panic that had overwhelmed me.

Chaos. Shouting. The sound of a crossbow being loaded and firing. The bolt whizzing past me and embedding itself into the wall. Stella's voice, playing over and over in my head. "'They were already dead when I found them. This is all her fault!'"

A hand in mine pulled me out of my thoughts and back into the present, where a pair of worried eyes was studying me. Are you okay? Mom asked.

I exhaled heavily. I should be asking you that question. How are you doing?

She kept pace with me as we swam to the table. Still trying to come to terms with... everything. I just can't believe Stella would do something like that. I'd thought that after Claudia... Mom trailed off, but the unspoken words were reflected in her gaze. I'd thought we'd put an end to any more betrayal.

I squeezed her hand as we sat down. From his seat on my left, Kai was staring at me, his eyes locked on mine. He didn't say anything, but I knew he was thinking the same thing I was—that I needed to tell Mom about what Stella had said. It was all I'd been able to think about.

I gave him an uncertain nod, turning back to Mom. I have to tell you something. To my horror, I realized my hands were shaking.

A warm hand settled on the small of my back, steadying me. Her eyes were full of concern as she looked at me. I took a deep breath before signing. During the attack, when you, me, Dad, and Kai were hiding behind the table, I could hear Stella speaking from where she floated in the center of the room. Her voice was cold and cruel as she spoke, asking where you and I were. Apparently, we were the ones she'd come to see. When I got out from behind the table and met her gaze.... I trailed off.

Her eyes had never left my face. A lump had formed in my throat, preventing me from opening my mouth. Kai squeezed my hand, the sensation giving me the courage to continue. I looked back at Mom, blinking furiously to try and prevent the tears in my eyes from falling.

She was in tears, rage like I'd never seen pouring off her body in waves. I told her that we could help her if she just let us know what was wrong. Apparently, Stella thought that you had something to do with the attack on Pelathas. Her parents and brother were among those killed, and that's why she'd come back. To get revenge. As I lowered my hands, the tears spilled from my eyes, dripping onto my dress.