Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

96.) The Next level

What came next was a frenzy of activity. I woke up to the sound of shuffling. We were still tucked away in the lower chamber. The air was breathable but saturated with the smell of people. The everpresent humb lived in the background almost forgetable.

My family members were rising from their sleep. Babys fussing and others trying to tidy themselves for the day. Pyros was here i noticed he had snuck in at somepoint in the night. It bothered me to have not woken to the sound of someones entry. Sitting up off my side i realized that only Jen was with me.

My gaze spanned the area in a panick only for me to realize that my other three were being held by Cerastes. When we made eye contact he nodded. I sighed, relieving the tension. Before i came back, the thought of my kids in his clutches was terrifying but know he is like a bear without claws or fangs. He can be large and intimadating but now only capable of grumbling his frustrations.

The light in the room was slowly getting brighter. As if we were not deep in a catacomb but experiencing the sun rise outside. The members who were awake looked at the changes in color with quiet awe. The must have been knew to them.

Pyros raised off his place on the floor with slow movements opening his mouth in a too wide yawn. Exposing all of the sharp teeth.

"Good morning my offspring." Pyros called drowzily.

"Good morning our Sire." My family responded back standing up straight with legs apart. It was like Cerastes and his brothers infront of the high lord. That same posture. I looked around not sure what to do before standing and copying them.

"Sit sit." He waved us back down. He bent a leg and crossed the other beneth it. Leaning on his knee in a relaxed way. "Todays plans are very important. So i want to explain it to you well."

Most looked at him with rapt attention but many of the children were still groggy and bobbing side to side with sleepiness.

"By now many of the clans will have come to a decision. Whether it be for us or against us, their minds will be set. None of you. Under any circumstances are to leave the protection of my wing without my permission." He explained. "A war is coming but one that was long over due. All those so called great clans will be clawing eachother to pieces to have my favor, but some may try to pry you away. Either as leverage or a trophy. Do not let that happen." Pyros eyes squinted looking at each face seriously.

War was coming then? I heard about war. Seen some of the blankets lining the walls depicting it. Bloody scenes of ferocity. I looked at my kids. Cerastes had clenched them a little tighter to his chest. He was anxious, it spilled over into me.

"There is no need for you to worry." Pyros soothed. You are all perfectly safe here. Once the outlying group leaves, you can go about the mountain without concern."

I felt a warm surg of calm vibrate from Pyros. It moved through the room like a ripple through water. Soft and calming. I felt some tightness release but it was still present.

"Cerastes and I will make sure the morning meal is ready and the staff departed, then we will bring you up to eat." Pyros said getting to his feet.

Cerastes stood up sitting the children on the floor before following Pyros.
Since everyone was awake that chatter only became louder. I found it pleasant although dodging the occasional tail was new it felt good to be surrounded by familiar faces. Yet, at the same time i oddly felt like an imposter. All the sudden negative feeling came creeping in. These were the people that loved and raised me my whole life but the person I am now is unrecognizable to who I used to be.

There was a fear, however small. That they would look at me and find a stranger where the previous version of me used to be. I am not the young woman who lazed around with goats in the fields and snuck snacks before meals.

I was taller than all of the women and most of the men. I stood up next to laurel who was closest to me and shuffled akwardly. I felt my tail swishing behind me. She was still short despite the change.

"Will you stop hitting me." She grumbled at me.

My face scrunched up. "Im not even touching you?"

"You just did it again!" She scolded me.

I waved my hands in front of me. "My hands are way over here!" I argued back.

She reached behind me a pulled my tail up. "You keep wacking my ankles with this shit."

"I cant control it, it does what it wants." I said grabbing it from her.

"Well point your wild ass in a different direction." She said pouting her lips to my left.

I started hearing laughing around me and felt myself laughing with them. All the tension in me started to melt. Yeah this felt like it should.

"Hey aunty why dont you flap them leafs on your back I could use a light breeze." One of my nephews say. Followed by the sound of a swift slap. Which got more laughs from the group.

I heard Cyprus reply. " dont mind him Rowan hes just jealous we wont be using the air coming from the gap in his teeth to keep cool now." He laughed.

"Why dont you play me a song with them 3 chin wiskers uncle." He striked back. The sound of another smack echoed. "Whaaat hit him not me." He said trying to get away from Elm.

Clove came up to me with a kid on her back. "Dont mind him."

"I dont." I assured her with a smile. "Brambles still a kid. Most of them are." I added looking at the group.

"I think he grew scales on his arms from all the hits Elms dolled out."

"Hes a boy. Arient they more difficult at that age?" I asked her.

"My girls were both more difficult at that age but boys arient easy either." She said putting her hand on her hip watching him Bramble continue to dodge Elms chase.

"Ehhh I dont envy him. My son is also hard to catch." I added.

"Thats right i hadnt got to meet yours yet. With everything..." she trailed off.

"Oh yeah. Let me get them." I said turning around but of course when i turned around they were also being hellions.