IT WAS QUITE THE FEAT GETTING ME IN here unnoticed, but we did it. The long trip under the blanket left me panicked – I had never been so confined. I had a whole rant prepared for Vince, but as soon as the cover came off, I was struck by the beauty of my surroundings.
My eyes widened as I strained to take in every detail. The exquisite cavernous rooms housed sleek architecture that rivaled the most elaborate coral-encrusted fragments in the depths. We traveled through white marble hallways past large idyllic pictures. Though beautiful, there was a cold edge to everything, as if life was merely imitated in this place.
Vince sent all of the caretakers home for the day, leaving us alone and free to wander. It wasn't exactly ideal, but at least I didn't have to worry about being exposed to more humans.
"You're gonna stay in the pool."
I crossed my arms. If I had to be trapped here for the rest of my life, then it would be on my terms.
"It's like that, is it?" Vince sighed. "I know this isn't perfect, but I hope one day you'll learn to appreciate what I've done."
A low growl escaped, my eyes narrowing. I wouldn't be changing my mind.
High ceilings and more white marble walls greeted me as we entered the pool room. Light filtered through large windows, lush vegetation blocking any hope of a view. The moist air carried an acrid scent that I couldn't quite place.
Vince walked to the front of my tank. "Put your arms around my neck and I'll get you into the pool. I'm sure you're dying to stretch that tail out."
I glared at him, then sat on the rim of the tank. Balancing on the edge, I swung my tail around. The pool was several inches away from my tank. If I jumped, would I make it.
"Here, let me help you."
Vince lunged, but I was quicker. I pushed off, which scooted the tank backward. Just shy of my mark, my back grazed the hard pool edge before I slid into the water. Pain throbbed where I had landed, but I wasn't about to let Vince see that.
"Are you okay?" Vince asked.
I dove, escaping his voice. Looking around, the decorative blue tiling caught my eye. Something didn't feel right. I took one gulp and surfaced again, sputtering.
"Vince, what is this?"
Vince's eyebrows creased. "What do you mean?"
"The water! What do you have in the water?" I began thrashing as a burning sensation spread.
"Nothing. It's just normal water."
"Vince!" My voice went shrill. "Get me out! Get me out now!"
Vince jumped into the pool, wrapping his arms around me. Lifting me high, he carried me to the shallow end and up the steps. I clung to him, crying and coughing.
"What happened?" Vince asked as he slid me back into my tank.
I sank, taking a big gulp of the seawater, and surfaced again. "The water," I gasped. "It burns. What's wrong with it?"
"I don't know . . . I– Oh, no. Skye, I'm so sorry. Everything here is chlorinated."
"Why would you do that?"
"It's for humans. It cleans the water."
"More like kills it. I can't stay in there." I started itching, my skin turning an unnatural pink color.
"Let me make a few calls. You just stay there. I'll get this fixed as soon as I can."
"What about food?" I called out, stopping Vince in his tracks.
YOU ARE READING
Skye's Lure
FantasyI should've let him drown. That's what any normal Mer would have done. Of course, if I was like the rest, I wouldn't have been lurking around that party yacht, trying to catch a glimpse of the humans. My people will kill me if they find out--literal...
