Skye's Lure

Chapter 4: Lured

Every day I rushed through my chores, my ability to concentrate dwindling with each passing evening. The other Mer started to notice. How much longer would they tolerate my behavior before they asked questions?

My parents had both died, and I had no siblings, leaving me the odd fish out. The pod cared for me, but no one was directly responsible for me for quite some time. They let me do as I pleased, as long as I helped out and didn't get into trouble.

Unfortunately, trouble floated above our heads.

"Have you finished cleaning the fish?" Pearl asked, startling me. Cleaning happened in isolation, since the stink from the blood attracted sharks.

"Not yet," I replied, my gaze on the fish in my hand. How long had I been cleaning it?

"Well, you need to pick up speed. You keep dragging your fins and you might just end up shark bait." Pearl was one of the more protective Mer in the pod and the closest thing to a mother since mine had passed. "Are you okay? You don't quite seem yourself lately."

"Oh, I'm fine," I said, smiling at Pearl. "I've just been missing my parents a little more than usual." Would that be enough of an explanation? They had been gone so long.

"I'm sorry honey, but you have to be strong. Let me know if you need to talk."

"Thanks, but I'll be okay. Cleaning today has really helped clear my head."

"Okay, small fry." Pearl smiled as she swam away. She was kind, but her patience wouldn't last much longer. Time was running out.

Rushing to finish my task, I raked the bone blade across the scales. The blade grazed my hand instead.

"Ouch!" I let go of the fish. The silver body floated in place before sinking to the seabed. I picked it up again, blood drifting from my hand. It looked like a little red cloud. The soft current dispersed the splash of color, like it did with the fish blood.

I hoped that tank would be finished soon. I was losing too much sleep, and Pearl was right—if I wasn't careful, then I would end up shark bait.

Night couldn't come quick enough. I was like a guppy drawn to the glowing lure of an anglerfish, and that anglerfish was Vince.

* * *

Vince sat on the edge of the deck when I arrived. His feet first came into view first, swishing in the water. A mischievous grin crossed my face as my fingers grazed along the bottom of his foot. It disappeared. I popped out of the water to see Vince was hopping around the deck, eyes wild. He made the strangest panting and yipping noises, and I burst out laughing.

Spotting me, Vince stopped and gave a wry smile. "There you are. I thought you weren't coming. Actually, I thought you were a shark coming to bite my foot off."

"A shark wouldn't want one little foot," I teased, splashing him. "Besides, the sharks are far away right now."

"How do you know that?"

"The dolphins help us keep tabs on them. Plus, I had to clean fish today. We always take our cleaning far from where we rest because it attracts the sharks. Anyway, tonight has to be the last night. I nearly lost a fin trying to clean those fish." I held my hand up, showing him the wound.

"Ouch. Looks painful."

"Not too bad, really. It looks worse than it feels."

"Do you want anything for it? A bandage or Neosporin or something?"

I laughed. "Not sure what those are, but no thanks. I'll heal on my own."

"So . . . you wanna come on board?"

I nodded.

"You're sure? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"Of course I want to! Why do you think I keep coming back?"

"You mean it's not because of the stimulating conversation with a handsome human?" Vince laughed.

I blushed, scrunching my face up.

"If you're absolutely sure, stay right there." Vince grinned from ear to ear. He made his way to the back of the deck where there was a large, square item covered by a tarp. He pushed it near me, and with a flourish, pulled the tarp off, revealing a wheeled tank. "Tada!" Vince sang. The water in the tank sloshed, a big, sparkly green bow taped to the front. Vince's smile was wide, chest swelling.

I squealed and clapped my hands together. "Oh, my King. It's perfect!"

Vince held out his hand, and I swam to the edge. He helped me onto the deck, then scooped me up and transferred me to the tank. I clung to his sinewy shoulders as he carried me, staring at his laughing eyes.

There was no going back now. I was completely at his mercy. A flush of heat swam over my body, my pulse reaching a fever pitch. This was it. Land was closer than ever, and my escort was a handsome human. Could this get any better?