Rose shudders, and the sight reels me back. My grandmother rarely shows weakness of any kind, but she is obviously disturbed by the past since it threatens our future.
“Isaac commanded all sea descendants to migrate from Apollo Beach during the destruction. Not because they were swimming away from the threats, but because there was a bigger destruction occurring in Weeki Wachee. The Equinox invaded the community there, too. The Vallis sought out to salvage whatever they could and rebuild that community to what it is today. They’ve been there ever since, but we meet from time to time to unite powers—this is one of those times.”
Rose puts the car in park. I didn’t even realize we were home.
“Is that enough for now, Katrina? I will do my best to be honest with you, keeping in mind that you are new to all of this and my job is to protect you, not put a burden on you.”
I reach over her seat to squeeze her shoulder. The tensing of her muscles tells me that the hug is unexpected, but the release of her tension tells me that it is also welcome. I linger for just a moment before pulling away. “Thank you, Rose.”
A hint of a smile appears on her face, and for the first time since moving here, I feel like we might actually be getting somewhere.
My doorbell rings the next morning, and I race down the stairs at a speed that still surprises me. Alec’s smiling face is the first thing I see when I swing open the door.
“Hey, Summer Girl.”
One look at him makes my heart flutter. He’s already managed to score a tan, and the contrast of his bronzed skin with his light-blue tank top illuminates his heartbreakingly good looks. His hazel-green eyes appear more golden when backlit in the sunlight. And I didn’t notice yesterday, but his wavy hair is longer than it was at his beach party. Even his arms and neck seem to have thickened with muscle, and I can’t help but wonder if he’s had some crazy growth spurt over the last week.
“Hey, yourself, Birthday Boy.”
He narrows his eyes, a playful smile tipping up the corners of his mouth. “I half expected you to suddenly be in bed sick. This is a pleasant surprise.”
I raise my brows. “You know, now that you mention it, I am starting to feel a little sick.”
Alec’s eyes grow wide for a second before he laughs. “No, you don’t. You are coming with us, even if I have to drag you to the Springs myself.” He picks me up by the waist and tosses me over his shoulder like I’m the lightest thing in the world. “Let’s go.”
I shriek with laughter as he carries me upside down the entire way to his lifted truck, not stopping until we’re at the passenger door. He sets me down and grins with a flirtatious glare. “I want to warn you—once you get in this truck, there’s no turning back. You’ll be my prisoner until I return you. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
With a quick debate about how I want to play this, I bite down on my bottom lip and reach for the door handle behind me. After a quick tug, I step up into the passenger seat and pull the door shut.
He leans in through the open window so our faces are inches apart. “Looks like you’re mine now, Summer Girl.”
I smile and inch closer to him. “Prove it.”
With a flash of his golden-green eyes, he meets my challenging stare then brushes his lips with mine. “Oh, I plan to.”
He pulls away, leaving me disappointed as I suck in a deep breath so that I can get my head straight.
“Holy shit, that was hot.”
I swivel around to find Trisha, Ava, and Brett all grinning at me from the backseat. Well, Ava’s smile looks more like sneer. While I would have chosen to go without her today, I know she’s Alec’s friend, and I need to deal with it.
“Hey, Summer Girl,” Brett teases. “You ready to see some hot mermaids?”
“I didn’t realize mythological creatures were your style,” I tease back just as Alec is hopping into the driver’s seat.
“Are you kidding me? Hot girls who live in bikinis? What’s not to love?”
Ava rolls her eyes and jabs him in the ribs. “Oh my god. Shut up already. You’re fishing in the wrong pond.”
Despite Ava’s harsh demeanor we all burst into laughter, including Brett.
“That’s right, Brett,” Alec joins in. “But don’t worry. If the mermaids don’t work out, there are plenty of fish in the sea.”
“Okay, okay.” Brett waves everyone off with his hands.
Trisha wraps her arm over his shoulder and coos in his ear. “No matter what happens, just keep swimming, Brett.”
“Okay, I get it!” he shouts.
We all laugh, Alec catches my eye, and we smile. A mutual understanding floats between us now. In a strange way, it’s like we’re getting a new start. When I feel his fingers slip through mine, I’m confident he feels the same way.
We pass a sign that tells us we’re getting close to Weeki Wachee Springs. I take in the bright sun, yellowing trees, and flat landscape in front of us. Florida’s dry and colorless setting is a bit of a hidden beauty in my eyes. Despite its scorched trees and tortured earth, the golden rays, gentle breeze, and sparkling blue water make up the difference in spades.
Trisha is giggling at something Brett said, and I can’t help but see how adorable they would be together. They’re both bubbly, outgoing, and talkative, so there’s never a dull moment. At the same time, I wonder how Trisha will take to Solstice life. Hopefully, she’ll be more prepared than I was since her parents will be around to help her adjust. It’s a comfort to know that I’ll finally have a friend to confide in about life as an Enchanter.
Alec pulls to a stop at the end of a line of cars all waiting to enter the parking lot. Up ahead near the guard gate, a man in a security uniform shakes his head and waves the front car around toward the exit. Alec, Ava, Trisha, and Brett all groan loudly.
“Is he turning people away?”
“Yup.” Alec’s words come out with a hint of annoyance as he blows out a breath.
“We drove all this way!” Ava says. “Don’t tell me they’re going to turn us around.”
A different guard walks toward the front of the entrance. He’s holding a large A-frame sign that reads Park Closed in large letters. One by one, the cars in front of us turn from the entrance.
“Sorry, guys. I guess we should have left earlier.” Alec’s voice is filled with disappointment.
We follow the line of cars that are forced to turn around just as they reach the guards. The line is excruciatingly slow because everyone seems to be pleading to be let in.
“We’ll get in,” I say confidently. “Let me talk to him.”
The guard doesn’t even make eye contact as Alec rolls down his window. I’m sure he’s been through this routine plenty of times. “Park’s full, folks. Come back in a few hours, and you might have some luck.”
I lean over Alec and smile at the man who still doesn’t look back. “Sir?”
He finally focuses on me, his irritation apparent.
“Hi, sir. My friends work here. They’re expecting me.”
Not hiding his amusement, he tips his chin up at me. “Who are your friends?”