Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

38.) Free Range

***Hey all, its back to school time. I also recently bought a tablet to learn how to create a cover myself. Sorry its a bit time consuming***

"Pearl why are we attacking the wall?" Roka asked. I felt a shuddergo up my spine. When I turned around his face was less than happy.

"You cant keep me here." I told him.

"I never intended to." He answered.

"I am trapped in a rock dome with guards." I stated, gritting my teeth.

"The dome is to protect the queen and the remaining crystallines of the Sea Dragons Pearl. This is not a prison to keep you in. You're free to leave if thats what you want." He said holding up his hands.

"Then let me leave now." I told him.

"Follow me." He said turning away.

We swam out of the nesting caves, up and over the seaweed forests. Rising to the top of the dome where the guards hovered. This was the way we came in. Roka began his exit through the tunnel. I wavered, it couldn't be this easy. Yet the sentries didn't make a move to stop me. When the last of his tail fin disappeared I sped after him. Rather than swimming through,i propelled forward with my hands. It was dark in the tunnel but the distance it was only my height three times. When we came out on the other side it was dim. I felt the familiar sensation of Roka taking my hand.

"You are home with us, but if you want to migrate you are welcome to it. If you want the savage green ones I'll take you back to them in a couple days, as promised. If you want to live in the sea palace for the rest of your time you can." He explained.

"But all that stuff you said about waiting for the Pearl..." I began.

"What about it?" Roka asked.

"You only wanted me because I was a way to get closer to your Pearl." I said angrily. "Pearl. Thats why you call me that, not a name but a thing."

"I call you Pearl because your existence is precious and you should remember that you didn't offer me a name." He remarked. "If you have a name you would prefer I'll use it, whatever you want."

He wasn't angry. Maybe disapointed but understanding as well. Had I misunderstood him? There was a part of me that felt a terrible guilt. I knew what it felt to be trapped in a place and feel helpless. It was an experience I never wanted to feel again. Roka and Cerastes were not the same person.

"I want to go back to the surface." I told him.

"Hold on to me then." He said.

I took a breath of air and felt it burn in my lungs. Our swim back to the cove was a quiet one, full of akwardness.

"Are you feeling better now? Roka asked laying by my side.

"Yes." I agreed. I could breath easier here. That place was to new, to different, and worst enclosed.

"I can't help you I'f you won't tell me whats bothering you." He paused. "Did you not like Nori?"

"Nori was kind. It was alot to take in at once." I tried to explain.

"You can take your time meeting them one by one. Or if you don't want to socialize you could find a nice quiet place in the dome." He offered.

"Thank you Roka." I sighed.

"Hmm?" He asked.

"For a moment there I thought you would be just like him, Cerastes I mean. but your not." I continued.

"Im undoubtedly more handsome." He agreed.

"Can you say that so confidently about someone you never met?" I asked.

"Im the best looking out of everyone." He shrugged. I laughed. It must be fun to live in Rokas head.

"Your personality is better to." I added. He smiled widely.

"I need to finish my task but I'll be back soon. We missed our chance to mate under water." Roka insinuated. "I'll finish up at the vents and bring a meal back before dark."

I sat up and nodded in agreement and watched him swim away. Cerastes would have been angry with me if he saw me trying to leave but even when I put cracks in the wall Roka wasn't angry and brought me out himself. I should have given the Sirenaide more trust. 

Now that I was on shore I took the opportunity to releave myself. It was a question I hadn't wanted to ask Roka. Stretching ny legs I walked along the coast in my damp dress and messy hair. The sand was lightly warm under my feet and the warm breeze dried my dress as I walked. The terrain looked familiar. That outcrop of rock and the way the beach turned.

In the distance I spotted two people popping out from an opening in a cliff. I hid beside a tall grassy sand dune, crouching to hide behind the viney foliage. At this distance i could see them clearly but they couldn't see me. Two men. One pulled something from around his neck. I recognized it immediatly a single pearl necklace. Identical to the one I found in the boat. Shouldnt I give them the benefit of doubt any one could own a similiar piece of jewelry. The mermaids had lots of pearls to decorate their bodies. The man in the dark cloak dropped down to sit and dipped the necklace into the water swishing it and swirling it around. These people could be dangerous.

What is he doing?

I waited patiently and quietly like a beast stalking its prey. My eyes scanned the area for a sharp rock or pebble, but I only found sand.

Then there was Roka and a couple more heads emerging from the water. I felt a brief worry for Roka. He and the others moved closer to the waters edge and the second man moved forward as well. I saw him unsheath his sword at his waist. Glittering shining metal. How could I not recognize it. Even though it was slightly damaged I knew how strong those weapons were, it was not the first or even second time I had the misfortune of experiencing them.

Before something terrible happened I need to warn Roka. What can i do?! What can I do!? In a panic stood up. The sword was coming down and Roka was to distracted by the first man. He was going to die. They would kill him!

But then the oddest thing happened. Roka grabbed the sword and dropped it into the water. One of the Sirenaide heads dropped into the depths after it. Roka gestured for the other to come forward and a soaking wet sack was deposited on the ground. Roka pulled himself out of the water sitting next to the man on the damp rock. In the bag I could see several weapons with the same shine, poking out here and there.Rokas fake metal scales also glittered with that same shine. Why had I not realized that before.

The second man picked up the bag without even going through the contents. I sat down. This wasn't right. He couldn't be friendly with them. I couldn't get closer. I wasn't able to hear what they said. Maybe its a missunderstanding.