Angel Magic, page 15
part #2 of Sirangel Series
How quickly they’d forgotten that I’d been one of them for all my life. I steeled myself for a chilly reception and zoomed forward.
Another blast of blue light soon rolled through the water, halting my progress and pushing me back several feet. I pressed forward with the entirety of my will and managed to hold my ground. Finally, the wave passed.
Did the scouts not recognize me? It wasn’t like every mermaid had my long purple hair. Even as a part of the tribe I’d been an oddity.
I continued to advance, now looking all around me, trying to spot the lookouts. Surely they wouldn’t attack me like this once they recognized me. I just needed to speak with them.
The Kunu Clan didn’t build large structures for housing, instead carving the equivalent of cave dwellings out of the network of rocks that dotted the ocean floor. But Mulunu had created a sort of power center for our gatherings, and I spotted the sparkling stones that adorned the large circular space. Dim orbs of light floated in the water, illuminating the gathering space night and day, giving me a clear target.
I moved toward it when another blast of blue zoomed straight at me through the water. I grimaced and hunkered down for impact. This time, the magic pushed at me and didn’t let go. It dragged me backward no matter how much I resisted. I lost sight of the bright gems that marked Mulunu’s gathering point, a likely place for her to be. It was where she held court.
The magic didn’t relent. It hauled me away with so much force that I tumbled, the shockwave of bright blue light illuminating the ocean depths. Again I felt like a giant had its hands around me, manhandling me as it forced me to do its will, magic pressing in on me on all sides, weighing on my head like a killer headache. I gasped as I feared it wouldn’t let me go, propelling me away from Mulunu and Quinn’s salvation.
“No,” I roared, and focused my own magic to move me in the direction I wanted. I pushed and channeled every bit of my power toward my home. As it met resistance, I managed only to maintain my position, not advance. I was no longer being pushed backward, but I wasn’t moving forward.
My limbs trembled from the effort, and panic grabbed hold of me. Mulunu was so close! But if I couldn’t get to her, proximity wouldn’t make a lick of difference.
The wave of magic pushing against me surged as I sensed another merman merge his power with that of the first. The inertia I’d managed to achieve broke like water shattering a dam. I tumbled violently, losing track of top and bottom, shooting in the wrong direction all too fast. There was no way I’d be able to resist the force of these warriors, not if they viewed me as an enemy. When Mulunu had sent me away from the clan, I hadn’t realized I’d be forbidden from returning. She hadn’t told me I was losing my home, only that she was sending me to land, where I’d find my purpose.
When had I become an enemy of the Kunu Clan?
I lost my bearings entirely as the glowing blue water pushed me away from Mulunu—from my mother and my best friend, from the community that had been my life for eighteen years. The water tore me away. I couldn’t fight it. I’d never been strong enough to be a warrior of the tribe.
The sparkling that identified Mulunu’s gathering point faded entirely, the darkness of the depths swallowing all signs that the Kunu Clan existed at all. In a few more moments, the water would push me too far out for anyone to hear me.
So I did the only thing I could think to do, the one thing I’d done all my life when I wasn’t strong enough to help myself. I called for help.
Mulunu! I screamed the one word through my mind, projecting the thought outward, reaching for the sea witch. In case the chieftess wasn’t inclined to help me, I cried out some more. Orelia! Liana! Help!
The blue glowing water whisked me far enough away from the tribe that my thoughts wouldn’t reach them. I stopped resisting the force of the water. I’d have to allow it to take me wherever it wanted and hope that it wouldn’t be too far. I hadn’t come all this way to fail Quinn now.
19
The wave of magic battered me so intently that I had a few frantic moments of wondering whether this was only a warning or an outright attack. I closed my eyes as I tumbled every which way like I was no more than a mollusk, helpless to combat the overpowering force. My heart squeezed with disappointment that I’d failed Quinn after I’d been the one to hurt him in the first place, that I’d somehow become an enemy of my people, who I’d always wished would accept me for the strange freak that I was. My mother and best friend were somewhere among the tribe, now inaccessible to me.
I belonged neither in the water nor on land. Apparently, I no longer belonged anywhere … but with Quinn. And he lay thousands of leagues away, struggling to hold on to his life, the one my magic threatened.
I allowed the push of the water to carry me without resistance. The moment it let me go, I’d head back to Quinn and … figure something out. Maybe I could take him to the Magical Creatures Academy—assuming I could find it. Though neither one of us had been invited to study there yet, its headmaster Sir Lancelot believed we might be at some point. The academy seemed as much a home as either one of us would get.
If I could somehow negate the effects of my angel magic enough to take Quinn to the Academy, then Sir Lancelot would surely know what to do. Even Egan might be able to help. After all, he was a hybrid like both of us too.
The water suddenly stopped pushing me, and the blue glow receded, fading in the darkness of the ocean’s depths. My limbs and tail floated, abruptly motionless.
I stared in the direction of the settlement that had once been my home. I could no longer make out anything but a pang in my gut to tell me where it lay. Would I ever see it again? And my mother and Liana?
Worries for another day.
I turned back toward Quinn, a long way away, and determined that I’d find the way to save him no matter what. So I’d failed in securing Mulunu’s help. I was a sirangel, for goodness’ sake. I’d figure it out.
I gathered my siren magic around me, preparing to launch myself at blurring speeds.
Selene!
My name echoed through the ocean, distorting across the distance. But I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
I spun to face it. Mama!
Selene?
I couldn’t make her out yet, but I swam in her general direction. The weight of every struggle I’d experienced since I last saw her left my shoulders, leaving behind a sagging child desperate to hand over her worries to her mother. Mama?
Then I saw her behind a small orb of glowing blue light that hovered around her, a simple form of magic all merpeople learned to do. Her face, always so radiant, was drawn and haunted beneath a halo of black hair with tinges of the violet of mine. Her lips were pursed into a tight line; her usually vibrant blue eyes were muted, scanning her surroundings in non-stop movements. Even her normally bright, shiny purple tail seemed somehow opaque.
Selene. She rushed toward me and I collapsed into her waiting arms. Honey, what’s happened? Why are you here?
My heart clenched in pain. I didn’t bother disguising my bitterness. I didn’t realize you wouldn’t want me here. I assumed I’d still be welcome. My mistake.
My mom stared at me. By a whale’s breath, what crazy talk are you spouting? Why wouldn’t I want you here?
My heart unclenched. Because I was attacked when I tried to approach the settlement.
Oh. That. She scowled. Those idiots Rore and Tago. Mulunu is dealing with them right now, and when she’s finished I’m going to show them exactly what I think of them hurting my baby girl. She narrowed her eyes as if already picturing the punishment she was going to mete out before scanning me up and down. Are you all right? Did they hurt you?
I’m fine, though I had given up on trying to reach you. I was about to leave.
Well, thank heavens you didn’t. I would’ve been crushed if I’d missed the chance to see you.
I smiled sadly. I’ve missed you so much. A lot has happened since Mulunu made me leave.
My mother sighed heavily. Yes, we have lots to talk about. I didn’t expect Mulunu to send you away. She and I haven’t exactly been on good terms since you left. That wily old witch had no right to send you away like that without discussing it with me first.
She is the chieftess of our, uh, I mean, the clan.
Chieftess, my tail. I’m your mother. That trumps her authority every damn time. She squeezed me against her and I melted into her embrace. Come on, honey, let’s go home and you can tell me all about it.
It’s not my home anymore, remember? Rore and Tago just finished making sure I knew it.
Rore and Tago can take a dive in a kelp forest. They shouldn’t have done what they did. They’re idiots, didn’t I just say that?
What about Mulunu?
What about her?
Well, she expelled me from the tribe…
She did no such thing. Now that she and I’ve had the chance to have some chats, she’ll welcome you with open arms.
I raised my eyebrows. Mulunu is going to welcome me with open arms? Really?
You just wait and see. She grinned triumphantly, meaning she must have given the old witch hell since I’d been gone. Come on. She grabbed me by the hand and swam in the direction of the settlement.
I pulled my hand free. I can’t go with you. I need help.
Selene! Another shout vibrated into my brain, announcing the arrival of my best friend. Where the hell are you, girl?
I’m over here, I called back, searching the dark water for the first signs of Liana’s orange tail, as bright as Garibaldi fish. Her long blond hair, though shiny and bright, paled in comparison to the shade of her tail.
There you are, she called, coming into view casting her own orb of blue light. I’ve been frantic looking for you. What the hell’s going on? I heard you yelling for me, for your mom, and the old hag—
What old hag might that be, Liana dear? asked a voice that carved away pretenses as it rattled through my brain. Mulunu. I swam out of my mother’s arms, unwilling to appear any weaker than necessary in front of the crone.
Liana turned to face Mulunu and froze, her face paling under the dim blue light of the orbs that hovered among us. Liana was never speechless … unless Mulunu was staring her down.
The crone had gray hair that trailed down past her knees when it wasn’t spread out around her head in a cloud as it was right then. Her features were tight and menacing even when she wasn’t trying to intimidate anyone, but it was her eyes that had Liana gaping. Mulunu’s eyes glowed like an opal, milky white like storm clouds. Staring into her pupil-less eyes could sear the courage right out of the heartiest of warriors.
Mulunu, Liana croaked, her voice sounding funny in my mind.
The old crone smirked wickedly. I see you weren’t expecting me.
Liana shook her head, sending blond strands floating all around her, and shot me a nervous glance. Oh how I’d missed Liana and her unerring ability to end up on Mulunu’s shit list.
Mulunu, I said, I need your help … please.
Oh? I thought I’d sent you to Irving. You shouldn’t need my help at all anymore.
I bit my tongue against the many responses that rolled through my mind, none of them pleasant. After all the sea witch had put me through, she owed me. But I knew from experience that the crone didn’t respond well to emotional outbursts.
I straightened my shoulders and backed up another half stroke from my mother. I stared the chieftess of the Kunu Clan straight in those unnerving eyes. Irving is dead and his nephew might be dying after my magic did something to him. I’d very much appreciate it if you’d come with me to help him. I’ll figure out the rest of it myself. I just need to save him.
Hmm, I see. And you can’t save him yourself?
I swallowed down my retort and smiled tightly. No, or I wouldn’t have left him to come here.
I wasn’t aware that Irving had a nephew.
Well, he does. Or he did.
Mulunu stared at me so hard that I wondered if the witch might actually be able to see all the way through my head. Tell me, child, what is the boy’s name?
He isn’t a boy, he’s my age. And his name is Quinn.
The witch jerked as if I’d struck her. That’s not possible.
Well, I don’t know what to tell you. Quinn is—was—Irving’s nephew. And now Quinn might be dying and I need your help to save him. Please.
I wasn’t beyond pleading if it’d save his life.
Quinn died ten years ago, she said.
No, he’s very much alive. Or so I had to hope. Please help me. I don’t know how long he’ll survive in the state I left him in. I left him someplace exposed. We need to go back right now. Please come with me.
I expected her to argue about her responsibility to her tribe and how the matters of land people weren’t her problem. I anticipated at the very least that she’d complain about having to travel away from home, but the sea witch always surprised me.
We’ll leave right now. Orelia, I leave you in charge of the clan during my absence.
But … but I should come too. This is my daughter who needs help.
She’s not the one who needs the help, or haven’t you been listening? It’s the boy who’s supposed to be dead.
I can help in the situation, Mother insisted.
You can help more by keeping our clan safe.
Mulunu, we haven’t been attacked since you took control of the Kunus. Surely I can join you.
Haven’t you learned how power works yet, Orelia? Those who seek power are always looking to take advantage of weakness. I don’t know how long I might be gone dealing with this … situation. We can’t afford to appear weak even for a moment, or all those tribes who’ve stayed away might change their minds and swoop in while I’m gone. They’ve been eyeing our home for centuries. You know they want the easy food sources and the jewels beneath our sand.
Mother opened her mouth to complain again, looked between the sea witch and me, and finally nodded with evident resignation. Very well. We can’t leave the tribe in the hands of idiots like Rore and Tago.
Agreed, Mulunu said with a curt nod before turning to me. How far is it, Selene?
The coast of Western Europe. A long way away.
Then we’d better get moving. You can fill me in along the way. The chieftess swam ahead of me, preparing to imbue her magic into her swimming to achieve blurring speed.
Can I come? Liana asked.
No, child. Your role is to teach the children. You have no place on a mission such as this.
Liana tilted her chin upward. I’m more familiar with the ways of land people than anyone else in our tribe.
Surely not more than Selene, who’s lived on land for several moons now.
No, she probably still knows more than me, I interjected.
See! Liana said. If I go with you, I can bring back whatever I learn to share with the children.
Mulunu stared at my friend with those eerie, milky eyes, and I couldn’t fathom all the factors she was considering.
Please, Mulunu. I’ll find the way to help. I know I will.
When Mulunu appeared to be deliberating, I said, I don’t know how long Quinn can hold on like he was. We need to leave now.
Very well, then. Liana, you may come, Mulunu said, and Liana squealed, sending bubbles scattering throughout the water.
I hadn’t figured it’d be this easy to secure Mulunu’s agreement. I didn’t want to give her the chance to change her mind. I leaned in to give my mother a quick kiss on the cheek.
You’d better come back to visit me soon, she said.
I will, just as soon as I can, I promised. I love you.
I love you too, my little angel. Now go save the man you love.
I whipped my head up to look at her face. How’d you know I love him?
You’re my daughter, aren’t you? Now go. Save him and bring him to meet me.
I’d break the news that the man I loved was a land dweller later. For now I nodded, and faced the direction that would deliver me to him.
Lead the way, Mulunu said, clutching her ever-present staff tightly against her body to prevent drag, its crowning opal the size of my fist glowing eerily in a perfect match to her eyes.
I reached within myself for the thread of magic that allowed for top speed, and wove it around myself. My body glowed blue and I zoomed away toward Quinn. Mulunu and Liana settled directly behind me, dodging obstacles and racing across the ocean just as I did.
Though we traveled quickly, the many hours became monotonous as sea life blurred into a single dark stretch of ocean. I filled the time by recounting all that had happened since I’d arrived on land, sharing my thoughts with Mulunu and Liana as I formed them. I could tell my best friend was holding back a string of comments and questions, which would no doubt come later, as soon as Mulunu was out of earshot.
But the normally recalcitrant Mulunu asked a slew of questions that made my stomach churn. How long had Quinn been in Irving’s life? Where had Irving kept him? What kind of shifter was Quinn? What was the extent of our connection? On and on the questions went, my nerves ratcheting with each one.
When I shared that Quinn and I had been about to make love when my angel magic did whatever it did to him, Mulunu grew frantic. I’d never experienced the sea witch as anything but calm, fierce, ferocious, or a deadly combination of all three. Never had I witnessed her frantic.
The connection between you two … it holds both of your lives in the balance. I thought Quinn was dead. With him alive … everything changes. Neither one of you is safe. No one is safe. We have to hurry. Go faster, Selene.
I was already going as fast as I could, but I willed my magic to do the impossible and propel me along faster than I’d ever traveled before. I no longer spoke and channeled all my focus on reaching Quinn.
When the bluff finally came into view, I scrambled onto an outcropping of rocks, cast in the silver glow of the half moon. I’d burned through my entire reserve of adrenaline, leaving my limbs wobbly with exhaustion. But I couldn’t stop.
