Water Rites Trilogy: The Complete Series: Water Rites

By J.R. Pearse Nelson

So many secrets, under the surface of the world you think you know.

***A series collection of the complete Water Rites fantasy trilogy, where there's more to sea storms and the ocean's depths than we mere mortals understand. Where the legends live on, some of them hiding in plain sight, in your town and mine.***

Between school, swim team, gossipy friends, and cleaning cages at her dad's veterinary clinic, Lorelei doesn't have time to worry too much about the odd dreams that haunt her sleep most nights. She considers herself about as normal as a girl can be, in her circumstances. Her mom left when she was six, but Dad did his best to make up for it with small-town stability. 

Her biggest worries are AP Calculus tests and whether her team will make the state swimming championships. Oh, and the boy who offered study help, with a certain expression in his eyes that said it wasn't about studying at all.

Life is good. 

Until she finds out what she is.

That revelation is thanks to the boy with the hungry eyes. The only one she can trust now.

And then there's the stranger, the shadow who seems to be everywhere Lorelei is. Even in her mind and dreams.

Her identity turned upside down, Lorelei must find the will and the way to understand herself, and her world, once again. But the surprises show no sign of slowing yet…

This is a complete series collection including three novels, Water Rites, Crestfallen, and Castle and Crown.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.R. Pearse Nelson
• Release date: Jun 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386172796

J.R. Pearse Nelson

J.R. Pearse Nelson is a fantasy and romance writer who has authored more than 20 novels. She hails from Oregon, USA, where she lives with her husband, two teens, and two dogs among the plentiful trees and clouds of the Pacific Northwest. J.R. weaves tales rooted in mythology, bringing legend to life in modern-day settings and fantasy realms. When not writing, you can find her making magic in the kitchen and enjoying long walks or "rambles" outdoors. J.R.'s books include the Moon Garden Mysteries paranormal cozy series, the Aeon Society fantasy romance series, and the Water Rites fantasy trilogy. You can connect with J.R. and learn more about her fiction at her website. Visit jrpearsenelson.com.

Book preview

Prologue

The waves sparkled as Lorelei’s head broke the surface of the bay, the droplets in her eyelashes twinkling in the soon-to-set sunlight. She spotted a fish leaping high, but it disappeared again, quick as a flash. She looked for Mama, and at first she didn’t see her. When her round, smooth head appeared to Lorelei’s left, the small girl let out a sound, half-squeal, half-bark, and swam for her.

Mama’s dark brown eyes seemed to laugh before she dove under, daring Lorelei to give chase.

Lorelei dove, too, keeping up with her mother – barely. She might be small, but she’d taken to the waters with all the alacrity of her ancestors. She slipped through the waves with ease, a crab bumping her tail as it fought for purchase in the tumbling surf off Orcas Island. She whipped her tail faster and shot ahead, catching her mother in time to bump her flank, then rise for a gasping breath of air.

A loud horn ripped through the air – too close – far too close.

Mama’s firm grip wrenched Lorelei under, and out of the ship’s deadly path. The craft stirred the water and shoved them further below. Lorelei’s lungs burned; she hadn’t had time to take a deep breath.

When they surfaced again, Mama held Lorelei to her. They were human again, their sealskins tied to them in the careful knots Lorelei already knew at the age of five.

The small girl’s back pressed to her mother’s front, as the wake of the ship rocked them. Even through her desperate gasps for air, Lorelei could make out her mother’s sobs.

She held Lorelei all the way to the steep, rocky shore. The tree line loomed just above, dense with shadow in the deepening dusk. For some reason, Lorelei felt sad, like she’d just lost something too precious to be put into words. They climbed the ladder to the dock, silent, and took the forty-seven stairs to the landing above.

Lorelei felt her mother’s eyes on her and lost her count of the stairs. Counting was her favorite thing to do, and she glared at Mama. But when she saw the look there, the look that said Mama was still one step away from tears, Lorelei dropped her eyes back to the weathered wood and continued to climb.

Mama cried often.

Those days weren’t fun.

Usually their swims were the most fun, except for counting. But today Mama had turned a swimming day into a crying day.

Inside, Mama handed her a towel warm from the dryer and unknotted her sealskin. When she took it, Lorelei felt lost for a moment, a piece of her carved away, leaving just a hole where her seal-self should have been. She’d grown accustomed to this feeling, though, and she let it pass.

Hot chocolate? Mama asked, knowing the answer.

Please. Lorelei smiled, and went to her room to get dressed.

She skipped back to the kitchen a few minutes later. She had to remind Mama about the marshmallows before the hot chocolate cooled off. Melted marshmallows were the best.

Did you see that boat? That was Daddy talking. Lorelei skipped faster. Daddy was home!

Yes. I saw it, Mama said.

Too close, Mel. I don’t like these chances you’re taking.

It’s what I am. You know that—

Lorelei realized they were fighting just before she came in. When her mother stopped talking, she wondered what they were mad about. They’d both been mad recently. It was boring. Once, Lorelei’s dad had told her that when she was mad, she should count to ten before she said anything she might regret. That was good advice. Counting was much more interesting than fighting, and she usually forgot she was mad and wanted to yell. Dad seemed to think that was good.

Lorelei scooted her chair out from the table, the loud scraping noise making her mother cringe. Her parents were still trying not to look at each other. Cups of hot chocolate sat steaming on the counter.

Mom? Lorelei asked quietly.

Yes?

Can you add the marshmallows?

Melty marshmallows coming right up, she said with forced lightness.

Thanks.

Dad smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Lorelei knew he’d like to talk to Mom without her hearing. But she wasn’t going to budge until after hot chocolate.

Mama brought Lorelei’s cup to her, but the other two sat on the counter, lonely, while Mom and Dad went to their room to talk.

The distance didn’t completely muffle their argument.

So Lorelei counted.

One.

Two.

Three little marshmallows.

Four.

Five.

Six...dunk the little marshmallows.

Seven.

Eight...how many little marshmallows?

Nine.

And that was it. So Lorelei counted again.

Chapter One

The dampness of the Washington coast in January did not agree with Lorelei’s hair. That was today’s excuse for being late. The hair.

She took the stairs two at a time, grabbing her backpack from the hook before she’d even reached the ground floor. As she whipped it around to put it on, it came into contact with something firm. Something that gave a loud grunt.

Dad! Crap. I’m sorry. Late! Lorelei tried to spin around him, but he blocked the exit. She blew her hair out of her face – again, the blasted stuff – and gave him the look.

Don’t give me that look. Breakfast. It’s on the table now, and I don’t want to hear another word.

No time for breakfast. I have math class.

You can’t do math on an empty stomach.

Rubbish. I can do math any time. See – four times seventy-six is...wait, let me think… Lorelei thought for a second as Dad’s eyes narrowed. She might be sixteen, but sometimes he still asserted his single-parent control over her every move. Like periodically he woke up and thought, I wonder how I can notice (i.e. torture) my daughter today?

He pointed to the dining room.

Three hundred and four! Lorelei exclaimed. Then, in a more sedate tone, Dad, I’ll be seventeen in less than two weeks. I think I know how to feed myself. Lying, of course. She had no plan for feeding herself.

His finger did not move. Eat breakfast. Now. He didn’t say it loud. He said it in that dangerously un-loud way.

Was that right? Yep, think it was right. Lorelei trudged to her seat. He hadn’t been home to make her eat well the last three days, so she hadn’t seen this spot much this week. She’d been heating stuff up and eating in front of the TV. So there, Dad.

He’d fixed eggs and bagels with cream cheese, his favorite breakfast. Strawberries on the side; those were for her, and she popped one in her mouth right away. Okay, a nice breakfast wasn’t so bad.

He sat across from her and read the news on his iPad while they ate. Lorelei wished she had an iPad, but then she’d be even later. Instead she hummed and scarfed her food, knowing she must leave for school or she was in serious trouble. She had to quit sleeping late and worrying about her hair. It could be a disaster, as long as she got a good grade in AP calculus.

See you later? she said to Dad as she took her plate into the kitchen for a quick rinse.

I’ll be at the clinic until seven. Order a pizza, okay? There’s cash in the jar. His dark eyes met hers as she swept back through, and this time the smile did reach his eyes. Have a good day, honey.

You too, Dad.

Hustling, Lorelei almost tripped over her boots that refused to go on correctly. Forcing herself to take a breath, she shoved her foot in, shoved the laces into the boot to deal with later, and clicked the unlock button on the remote to her silver Jetta.

She slid into the driver’s seat and backed up onto their small private road. School was three miles away, along nothing but windy country roads.

Stupid hair.

Lorelei didn’t drive fast. She wasn’t going to risk an accident or ticket just to shave off a few seconds. She turned on a song, and as she came around a bend and popped out of the trees, she caught sight of the pink and orange glow that marked sunrise. She whistled. The dawn was still so new that it didn’t offer any appreciable light, just the brilliant colors.

And then it was gone. She made a turn into greater Anacortes, Washington and left the sunrise behind her. Her belly tightened at the thought of math class, which was starting right now, as the houses grew denser along her route. Almost there.

This neighborhood was decades old, but the houses were nice two-stories with deep front porches and large, neat yards. Theirs was a decent, boring town. A good place, really.

Finally, the cluster of school buildings appeared up the road.

Lorelei turned into a parking space and ran. This was the second time she was late this week. What if Mr. Richards dropped her from his class? It was AP, so he could drop her if he didn’t think she’d perform.

Crap.

Lorelei’s toe caught on the curb, and too late she remembered she hadn’t even fastened her boots in her rush to get out the door. The impact sent her tumbling and ripped her shoe off, so it bounced along the curb and back into the parking lot.

Double crap.

With a twisted ankle and her scraped palms burning – not to mention a distinct roaring in her ears and the deep blush due to sheer embarrassment – Lorelei moved, a bit less swiftly, to Mr. Richards’ room. The stairs were tough, but so was she.

She cracked the door open and attempted to sidle to her seat without drawing notice, but it was not to be.

Ms. Dorian. That’s the second time this week. I’ll see you in detention this afternoon.

And, triple crap.

Ah well, at least he wasn’t dropping her from the class. Lorelei took her seat, surveying the damage to her palms and finding it wasn’t that bad. There wasn’t much blood.

What are you smiling about? You look like hell, Shea Carlson, the rudest girl on the planet, whispered harshly from the next row.

I made it. Lorelei shot her a big grin. In time for differential equations, right?

She snickered. "You’re always way too excited about math, hon."

You missed the intro...probably going to be hard to keep up today, said a voice to their left.

Shea glared at Vardon Caster, just long enough to let him know he was beneath her, and not invited to chat. He was a loner, and as far as Lorelei knew, no one had really talked to him much since third grade or so.

Lorelei didn’t care about school-kid politics. She cared about her AP Calculus grade. Seriously? She sank lower in her seat. I missed the intro?

Yes, Ms. Dorian, you missed the intro. Maybe some poor soul will take pity on you, though you do not deserve it, and bring you up to speed. By Monday. Mr. Richards chimed into their conversation, drawing the attention of the whole class.

Lorelei was already the youngest student here – one of just two juniors in this advanced math class. The other being Vardon.

Stupid tardiness wasn’t doing her any favors. She frowned. Much of her plan for next year revolved around getting a great grade in calculus. She would do whatever it took to catch up.

I might have to drop swim team, Lorelei declared at lunch.

Six pairs of eyes, four of them teammates, swiveled her direction. Are you kidding? Haeley Schneider, Lorelei’s best friend, cried. You can’t quit swim!

A general shaking of heads around the table seemed to agree with Haeley. But Lorelei couldn’t let them make this call for her.

Haeley tried again, more gently this time. "Lori, you’ve been working to be captain of the swim team forever. And just before senior year, you’re going to quit? Why?"

She was right, of course. Lorelei had set her sights on leading the swim team starting freshman year. She was the best swimmer the team had ever seen, and they made state for the first time ever after she joined. It was considered almost a sure thing.

But was swimming distracting her from greater goals?

Swimming senior year would be wonderful...but where does it lead?

Why does it have to lead somewhere? asked another close friend and teammate, Emily.

If I’m going to sacrifice time on homework – and possibly sacrifice qualifying to go to my dream school – it has to lead somewhere.

You’re too serious, Emily grumbled. Here, have this chocolate chip cookie. She shoved Lorelei half of her cookie. You need chocolate to treat your incredibly uptight brain.

Lorelei was sure a need for chocolate had nothing to do with her over-achiever nature, but she took Em up on it.

You’re not quitting swim, Haeley stated.

Lorelei was done with the argument. She’d also noticed they had an audience.

Vardon Caster had stopped behind Haeley, who peered up at him and then turned a questioning look back on Lorelei.

Uh...hi, Vardon. Lorelei hadn’t spoken to Vardon outside of class since, once again, about the third grade. He didn’t go out of his way to talk to people, and she had no idea what he would want with her.

Hi, Lorelei. Can I talk to you?

She looked around, kind of mystified. Sure.

She followed Vardon until they stood a fair distance from her admittedly gossipy friends. Did he not think asking to speak with her privately would breed gossip? They were probably up to it right now.

Vardon was tall. He looked taller outside of class.

If you want, I could help you get caught up on what you missed this morning, he finally said.

It clicked into place. Thanks. I appreciate it. I totally screwed up being late today, and Mr. Richards is right, I don’t deserve the help.

Sure you do. Vardon’s eyes lit up with intensity, and Lorelei felt self-conscious all of a sudden. You’re brilliant at math.

She grinned. Do you compliment all the girls on their math skills? she joked.

He shook his head. I don’t really talk to girls, actually. Not much. He didn’t seem sad about it. Just thoughtful.

You should change that. Lorelei wasn’t sure why she said it. She thought maybe he was sad, and maybe he didn’t need to feel quite so alone.

He smiled, complete with dimples she hadn’t assumed existed. And changed the subject. So...the math help.

I have detention this afternoon, but I’m free later. I’d rather get caught up today, if possible.

So you can be back at the top of the class on Monday?

She shrugged. She didn’t have to answer; he already knew it was true. The whole class did.

Okay. I have to work at the bookstore for a few hours tonight. How’s eight?

Lorelei had forgotten his family owned the bookstore downtown. Maybe because it didn’t exactly cater to her generation...or her dad’s, for that matter. She nodded and told him her address as he typed it into his iPhone.

See you then. He smiled again and walked off.

Lorelei turned to see all of her friends with their eyes fastened on her exchange with Vardon. Oh, no. Had they just made plans for eight o’clock on a Friday night? Lorelei’s stomach sank. Her friends would call this a date no matter what she said.

Chapter Two

At ten to eight, Lorelei answered the door, flustered. It was the pizza guy.

Hello, Lorelei, Dean said. He was a couple of years older than her, and Lorelei suddenly felt self-conscious. She’d seen him a bunch of times at the pizza place, since Haeley’s folks owned it, and they hung out there a lot. But they’d never had a conversation. He’d always ignored her, rightly, as part of Haeley’s high-school crowd.

Hi...Dean, isn’t it? Lorelei wasn’t sure why she pretended not to know his name. He hadn’t ever looked at her like he was doing now. It was weird.

He nodded and gave her a little wave, and she was suddenly sure she wasn’t the only one feeling self-conscious. What in the world? After a final glance over his shoulder, Dean returned to his car. Lorelei was glad Haeley wasn’t working tonight – it was possible Dean was on some wicked drugs. She made a mental note to steer clear of him, and shut the door.

While she was happy to see the food, she sighed when she realized she’d have to repeat the awkwardness in a few minutes with Vardon when he arrived for their absolutely-not-a-date study session.

She had no reason to be nervous. She’d known Vardon since first grade, when she’d moved with her father to Anacortes, from tiny Orcas Island.

And this was absolutely not a date, no matter how Haeley and Em had pestered her as soon as she returned to the lunch table. Have you noticed how tall he is? If he wasn’t so quiet and weird, he’d be super cute, Lori.

Lorelei rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed in her life was a cute boy.

She set the pepperoni and mushroom pizza on the dining room table, next to her calculus textbook and pencils and such.

The doorbell rang as soon as she’d grabbed a plate and a slice.

She left her steaming pizza to answer the door, pulling it open with a smile plastered in place. Greeting committee. Hello, person I never expected to have in my house.

Hi, she said lamely.

Hi, he answered stiffly. He held up his textbook. Are you ready?

Yeah. My pizza just got here, but I can eat while we work.

He sniffed the air, and stopped in his tracks, two steps inside the front door, his shoulders hunched uncomfortably.

Maybe he didn’t like mushrooms.

He recovered and followed her to the dining room table.

You want some?

Sure. Thanks.

Lorelei fled for the kitchen to grab another plate and a couple of cans of soda. This was too weird. But she needed the help with homework. Mr. Richards had been watching her in detention today. She knew if she screwed up again, it wasn’t just her place at the top of the class she was risking. She could still get kicked out. And then she wouldn’t be able to complete AP calculus until senior year.

When she returned to the living room, Lorelei caught Vardon snapping a picture.

Something interesting? she asked from behind his shoulder.

He jumped, obviously feeling guilty.

She tilted her head to the side. She was nervous, but what was going on with Vardon? Selfies in her living room? Did he have it that bad?

She pointed to the plates, reminding herself of her father. Who…should be home by now.

Lorelei and Vardon sat across from each other, and Lorelei discovered he was not, in fact, concerned about the mushrooms. He inhaled three slices of pizza seemingly without a breath, before taking his plate to the kitchen and cracking his calculus book.

Lorelei finished up, too, and heard the front door open while she was in the kitchen adding their plates to the dishwasher. Dad was talking to someone as he came in. An answering giggle sent a trickle of alarm through Lorelei. Who had her father brought home?

They met in the dining room. Peter Dorian’s eyes lit on Vardon as soon as he came through the door. Lorelei, you know you aren’t supposed to have boys over when I’m not here.

Wow, Dad...I didn’t even think of it that way. Lorelei gestured to the textbooks while checking out the blond, forty-something woman who had just entered her home. Dad didn’t date, so what was this? We were just about to study.

Dad still wore a scowl. He reached out a hand to shake Vardon’s.

Lorelei must have been mistaken, but she could have sworn Vardon flinched as though he expected her father to hit him. The thought was funny. Dad wouldn’t hit anyone, at least not in any circumstance Lorelei could imagine. Then they shook, and the tense moment passed.

Lorelei extended her hand to her dad’s guest. I’m Lorelei.

Yes, I’ve heard so much about you. The blond had a firm, but cold, handshake. I’m Amy – I just started working at the veterinary clinic with your dad.

My car broke down, Dad explained. I’ll need you to take me over there in the morning, honey.

Okay. I can take you on the way to swim practice. Lorelei caught Vardon fidgeting. Now, do you think I can get to studying?

Sure. We’ll be in the kitchen. Dad gave Vardon a long stare before he left the room.

How humiliating. The typical fatherly reaction was ridiculous in this situation.

Sorry about that.

No, Vardon said, watching Dad’s retreating back. Don’t worry about it. Let’s start with chapter ten.

Vardon tried for silence as he entered through the sliding glass door abutting the breakfast nook. He needed some time to think before...

Vardon? Is that you?

No such luck. Yeah, Mom. I’m home.

How’d it go? Mom popped around the corner holding a yogurt, and wagged her eyebrows at him.

Just studying, Mom. He shuffled into the kitchen. Good. It was good.

What’s the matter?

It’s just...I thought she was one of us. Now I’m just confused.

She’s not a selkie?

I could swear she was. He was seriously blowing it. Mom had been so excited when he said he met a selkie girl at school. It was important to her that he know his own kind, but the selkie community was spread thinly across the globe. The San Juan Islands had a decently sized community of about thirty selkies, many of them ancient.

What made you change your mind?

Her dad, actually. He does not smell selkie at all. I don’t think he’s human, either. But more like human than selkie.

Mom frowned. Maybe the girl is mixed blood. That would be a shame.

Vardon frowned back. Lorelei is great – no matter what she is. Don’t talk like that.

Mom shrugged. Their family had remained pure despite the dispersion of their people over time. But they couldn’t continue to do so if other selkies mixed blood with humans.

Yeah, yeah.

What mattered to Vardon was knowing another seal shifter, one his own age. He had a good friend among the selkies, another guy his age, Rory, who came to visit with his parents sometimes, and there were a few other local selkies in their twenties, one of them female. Most selkies were older. Other than that local community, it was swimming with the family, often all three generations of them. Swimming with Mom and Dad and the grandparents was fine, had always been fine...but it grated on him these days. Every time they were in the sea he wanted to swim off on his own. That wasn’t allowed, of course. So he’d taken to stealing out at night with his skin, down the steep sand of the beach and into the surf.

He’d do it tonight, after Mom went to bed. He had to. Only the sea could strip the visions of Lorelei from his mind so he could sleep.

Lorelei.

Math whiz, swim team star, sweet but spitfire Lorelei.

She had to be his girl.

He grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and spun a chair around to sit backwards while he ate it.

Rolling her eyes, Mom sat with exaggerated elegance in a chair close by.

Look at this. Vardon pulled out his cell and opened the photos. The picture he’d taken in Lorelei’s living room stared back at him. A seascape complete with mermaids, seaweed tangled in their flowing hair, and an underwater castle that shone in the darkness of the underwater world. The colors in the painting almost seemed to move, as if in the drifting tides. He handed the phone to Mom.

She stared long and hard, and when she turned startled eyes on him, he leaned forward to hear what she’d say...too far forward. He almost crashed to the ground, but caught himself at the last second, shoving his heels back so the chair rested on all four legs again.

Mom hadn’t stopped staring. No eye roll at his clumsiness.

This painting. You saw it at the girl’s house?

Her name is Lorelei. And yes. That’s the living room mantle, at the bottom of the picture.

Vardon, you can’t see this girl again. At least not until I figure out what’s going on.

He stilled. What is it?

She looked at the picture again. "Vardon...this is Finfolkaheem. The finfolk are not to be trifled with. You must let me find out what this girl is. I would not restrict you without cause."

She spoke so formally that Vardon knew any argument was lost. She wouldn’t change her mind.

What are finfolk?

They’re a dark sort – sorcerers. Physically similar to modern culture’s take on mermaids, but they can shift; they can take your shape, or mine, or even our seal shapes. Our people have never mingled. Any they find they take away. Forever.

Where?

It is said they have a mystical island, where they keep their human – and other – spouses, to work for them. She met his eyes again, pulling her gaze from the allure of the painting. But they can spell you to breathe underwater, too, and take you to their ancestral home, on the ocean floor. Finfolkaheem.

He was silent.

We stay away from the finfolk, Vardon.

He still didn’t answer. He finished his yogurt without looking at her.

If you disobey me, I will know.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Chapter Three

Lorelei thrashed awake in the deep of night, her sheets tangled around her sweaty limbs, despite the January chill.

The dream stayed with her.

The lulling rock of the sea, a seal bobbing its head at her before it dove, a sparkling fish flipping out of the water, the blaring horn of a ship, strong hands and stronger waves, the cold of the water on her fragile, human flesh...Mama holding her.

This same dream had been haunting her nights for weeks. Lorelei rubbed her eyes and checked the clock. It was only three, but she was determined to stay awake now, so as not to slip back into the dream. It wasn’t a nightmare, but it pulled at her heart enough that she didn’t want to be there. She’d dreamed it enough times now that she could see the picture in her mind, almost as clear as if she’d lived it.

Swimming with seals shouldn’t make her sad. It was the part at the end. The part with her mother never failed to leave her heartsick.

Mama had left Dad when Lorelei was six. She’d never seen her again. She didn’t even know where her mother lived. And she’d never understood why.

Dad didn’t talk about it, besides to say it wasn’t her fault. Mama loved her, but she wasn’t built to be a mom, and other nonsense evasions. Lorelei had stopped asking about her years ago. But she still thought of her every day...and wondered.

Now this sea dream insisted on waking these feelings every single night.

Lorelei went down to the kitchen to make herself some tea, the long hours of early morning stretching out in front of her. Up at three in the morning on a Saturday? What was she thinking?

As she set the water to boil, she noticed a purse on the countertop and did a double take.

Oh, gross.

She crept to the front door and opened it, cringing at the squeaky hinge that marked her movements. Sure enough, Amy’s car was still in the driveway.

Gross!

Dad had an overnight guest.

If she were in bed, she’d put the pillow over her face and scream into it. As it was, she bit a knuckle and let out a rather startling moan of disbelief.

Ew, ew, ew.

Not okay.

Feeling queasy, Lorelei went back to fixing her tea. She paced to the living room and flipped on the gas fireplace. Then she grabbed a thick fleece throw off the back of the couch, cuddling in.

Grandma’s painting drew her eye, the firelight making the colors seem to undulate, as if she were truly looking at an underwater scene. The glowing castle surrounded by a rainbow of seaweed. The eerie mermaids with their floating, glistening hair and fierce eyes that seemed to watch her now.

Dad’s mom had been a great painter. She was also mentally unstable, and abandoned the family when Dad was small. Lorelei and her father had that in common.

Of course, it made Dad assume he knew what she felt over her mother leaving. He’d never listened, or wanted to know, how she truly felt. He didn’t want to know how much she missed her mother. Just the smell of her, her warmth, the sounds of her breathing, her steady heartbeat. Her laugh. Lorelei barely remembered her mother’s laugh.

But she couldn’t sit here all morning, going over what had gone wrong in her life. She finished her tea and padded over to the dining room table to retrieve her calculus book. Time for studying. She’d be back at the top of the class in no time.

A note from Dad rested on top of her book, like this was exactly where he expected her to come first thing.

Lorelei,

I have a guest over. Sorry I didn’t have a chance to warn you ahead of time. I don’t need a ride to the clinic after all. Have a good morning.

Love you,

Dad

Okay. Most awkward note ever. But at least he’d tried.

All motivation to study having fled, Lorelei shut off the fire and retreated up the stairs, closing her door softly behind her and flipping the lock. She put her hands over her mouth, the urge to scream almost too much to ignore. She vaulted into her bed and beneath the covers, where she finally let out some version of that animalistic scream. Not the powerful one she wanted to, but she wasn’t about to wake the two of them up.

All these years, and Dad had never had a woman stay overnight.

Is this how it was going to be now? Tiptoeing around so as not to wake up her dad’s girlfriend?

Knowing all hope of leaving the house was off for hours yet, Lorelei pictured her grandmother’s painting and drifted off to sleep counting mermaids.

Lorelei was the first patron in the library later that morning. When she’d gotten up again, Amy’s car was gone, and so was her dad. She had to get out of there. Besides, she had studying to occupy her before swim practice later this morning. It was practically a weekend tradition.

Davey, the elderly man who opened the place on Saturday mornings, gave her a smile. Good morning, Lorelei. Fancy seeing you here on a Saturday.

She returned the smile and held up her bulging backpack. Calculus.

Lorelei took a seat at her favorite table, by a window that looked out on a tree-filled park next door, and heaved her textbook out of her bag. Notepad in hand, she started to work through the example problems, testing the theory Vardon had provided last night.

The problems absorbed all of her attention, and a half an hour later, Lorelei stretched her fingers and looked at her worksheet. Not bad. She almost had this stuff.

Thanks to Vardon.

He’d been polite last night, but after Dad came through he seemed to be thinking of something else. Lorelei wished she could go back and apologize for the strange meeting between them. Why they wouldn’t get along was beyond her, unless it was some macho thing. And that wasn’t necessary. She wasn’t dating Vardon. He had just been helping her study.

Would she date him if she had the chance?

She doubted it would come up after last night, and that was too bad. And if she felt that way, then probably...yes. She’d probably date Vardon if he asked.

Her friends would freak out.

Lorelei didn’t really date. She’d never met a guy who seemed worth her time, which was filled with a hectic mishmash of sports, friends and...well, math.

As if thinking of him had brought him here, Lorelei raised her head to realize Vardon was walking right toward her, beside a serious looking woman with long, wavy brown hair.

Hi, Lorelei.

Hi. You come to the library on Saturdays, too? Or was he here because she was here? The woman was looking at her oddly, like she was trying to place her. But Lorelei didn’t think they knew each other.

I needed to return some books. This is my mom, Crystal.

Lorelei rose from her seat and offered Crystal Caster a hand. His mother. Great. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Caster.

And you, Lorelei. I heard you were helping Vardon study last night.

He was helping me, actually.

Teaching is the best way to learn.

Lorelei gave her an uncertain smile, restraining the impulse to shuffle her feet like an awkward kid. Mrs. Caster’s words were harmless, but there was a tension in her posture that set Lorelei on edge. Yes, I guess that’s true.

Mrs. Caster stepped closer, and took a long breath...smelling her? Lorelei took a step back.

Tell me of your family. I know of none other here that is like us.

Mom— Vardon tried to break in, but his mom held up a hand and he shut his mouth, reduced to glaring behind her back while Lorelei dealt with the mysterious question.

I’m Lorelei Dorian. My dad is the veterinarian at the Burrows Bay Veterinary Clinic. Lorelei stopped talking. Is that what she wanted to know?

A veterinarian named Dorian. Thank you.

Was she going to check in on Dad? Why do you care? Did you track me down at the library to ask who my dad is?

Lorelei remembered how strange Vardon had acted after he met Dad last night. She pinned him with a glare. Did you run home and tell your mother something about my family? What?

Mrs. Caster moved between Lorelei and her son. My dear, you almost act as if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Show some respect for an elder selkie.

Lorelei didn’t bother to step back this time. Was this woman unstable? She tried to meet Vardon’s eyes, but he wouldn’t return the favor.

I’m going now, Lorelei stated firmly, expecting an argument.

Yes. Run to your father. Tell him I know your family is here, without leave of the Council, and I will be in touch. Soon.

What Council? What in the world are you talking about? Lorelei couldn’t help the questions once they finally burst forth – none of what this woman said made any sense. Vardon hadn’t seemed like the descendant of a crazy, but maybe her judgment had just been off because she’d known him for so long.

Something changed in Crystal Caster’s eyes. She realized something; maybe the truth of what Lorelei had said.

They’ve hidden it from you? It isn’t possible. Her eyes bored into Lorelei. A selkie without her skin?

More obscure questions. It was enough to drive Lorelei up the wall. What is a selkie?

Oh, you will know. I doubt anything can stop you from discovering the truth now.

Mother, Vardon said, putting one hand on her elbow, as if to guide her away. No. You can’t.

Mrs. Caster shook him off, her expression resolute as she regarded Lorelei. A seal shifter. You are of the sea, my girl. I can smell it all over you.

Chapter Four

Of the sea.

Of the sea, of the sea, of the sea.

The words churned all through Lorelei, ringing in her ears as she drove the three miles between the library and her father’s clinic. That woman, Vardon’s mother, would probably drive straight there to confront him.

Lorelei wasn’t sure if she was going to the veterinary clinic to warn her father, or to confront him herself. She didn’t know what to think.

Maybe Crystal Caster was, in fact, delusional. Maybe she was full of complete nonsense.

Grandmother’s painting popped into Lorelei’s mind. All of the colorful mermaids, their hair buoyant, free, drifting…

Nothing of seals.

Nothing except for the dream that had been haunting Lorelei for weeks.

A lazy evening in the ocean, belly full of fish, trying to spot Mama. The seal bobbing its head at her before it dove. Her mirthful chuckle, inhuman, just before she gave chase.

Lorelei shook off the images from the dream – she couldn’t afford to think about this right now.

Dad would be Dad. He’d know what to do.

What Mrs. Caster had said couldn’t be right.

Why had Vardon just stood there and let her say those things? Why had he looked so afraid, and why hadn’t he dismissed the ridiculous ideas his mother had spouted?

Lorelei pulled into the parking lot of the veterinary clinic, relieved to see it wasn’t full of cars. Dad might even have a second to talk to her.

The woman at the desk, Melissa, greeted her. Hi, Lorelei! It’s a slow Saturday. What are you doing here?

I’m on the way back from the library. I need to talk to Dad, when he’s available.

He’s in an appointment now, but I’ll get you when he’s out.

Cages to clean?

Sure! Melissa welcomed the help with the least favorite of the clinic chores. Lorelei usually logged a few hours a week at the clinic, doing odd jobs and cleaning. It was decent money for college – better than she could make flipping burgers at the downtown Dairy Queen – and if she had a busy week, she just didn’t show up, and no one cared.

She got right to work, relieved to have something to do with her hands while she waited to talk with Dad. There were three cages in need of cleaning from overnight guests, and she was through two of them when her father spoke up from the doorway.

Lori. I thought you had swim practice.

Oh, no! Lorelei’s shout made a cat in the cage on the end yowl. She spoke a few soft curses under her breath. I forgot.

How did you end up here?

Can we go in your office?

Sure. He led the way, hanging up his lab coat on the hook behind the door before settling into the leather chair behind his desk.

Lorelei took the seat across from him and bit her lip. She didn’t have a clue how to start this conversation.

Lori, I’m sorry about this morning. If I’d had a moment to talk to you about it ahead of time, that would have been a much better approach. It was kind of sudden, you know, this thing with Amy—

Oh, that is not why I’m here. But thanks. Lorelei avoided his eyes. She wasn’t ready to handle this topic yet.

Okay. He grimaced, like he’d expected even that exchange to go smoother and he wasn’t quite sure what to say to her. What’s going on?

Dad, do you know the Casters? she asked.

He thought for a second. The ones who own the book store? Not really. Should I?

I go to school with Vardon Caster. He’s kind of...a dork. Lorelei felt bad about using the term – she was impressed by original personalities and didn’t much care what everyone else thought – but it summed up the outcast scenario she was trying to explain. He was the one helping me study last night.

Lorelei, what’s going on? Did that boy do something?

No! Nothing like that. He and his mom were at the library earlier, and she was saying all sorts of weird stuff.

Dad clenched his hands together in a motion of impatience Lorelei was used to, and then smoothed them into a steeple. Like what?

She said I’m like them...whatever that means. That I’m ‘of the sea.’ She mentioned the term selkie a couple of times. I meant to look it up, but she freaked me out, and I just wanted to talk to you… Lorelei caught her father’s expression, and her words faded into a silence that deepened as they stared at each other.

After the longest time, when Lorelei’s brain insisted on inserting all sorts of random, heinous alternatives, she finally said, What? Dad, what is it?

He swallowed. I’m so sorry, Lori.

She frowned. That was no answer. Her brain registered the thought as her limbs seemed to go numb with dread. Just tell me.

Your mother is a selkie. You are a selkie.

Lorelei finally met his eyes. The fury boiled over. I don’t understand what that means!

Your mother shifts into a seal. That’s where she went. She lives with another of her kind, someone who can live as she wants to live.

Aahhh! Lorelei yelled. Don’t talk about her! I don’t know what’s true, but I can’t take this right now.

That’s fair, her father said, his tone encouraging calm.

Lorelei made a connection. Grandma and Grandpa Shaye? Are they this selkie thing – is it passed down like that?

He nodded. He rose from his chair and came around the desk, leaning against it.

She was a seal shifter?

No. Ridiculous.

But the dreams; swimming with Mama in bodies that resisted the cold, until they shifted back into humans.

No. It couldn’t be.

It can’t be. Right?

No, Lorelei. I don’t know why Mrs. Caster told you this...but she wasn’t lying to you.

She said she could smell it.

I didn’t know there were any others in Anacortes. I never would have stayed here.

Lorelei shook her head. I don’t understand.

Honey, I have one more appointment, and then we can go home. We can talk more there.

She’s coming here. Crystal Caster. I’d bet she’s here now, waiting out there to talk to you.

His eyes glinted, the touch of malice not lost on his daughter. How would you like to go out there, and if she’s there, send her in to see me.

She did as he asked. She couldn’t think much at the moment. A large part of her knew she was in public, and if she considered all of the information she’d received today, she risked breaking down right here.

Instead, she walked to the waiting room.

And there stood Crystal Caster.

She was facing a display of premium dog food, and Lorelei took the opportunity to evaluate her more thoroughly than had been possible in the library. She wore three-inch heels and black nylons, with a long charcoal gray skirt and red top. Her brown hair was long, falling to the middle of her back. She stood with a regal elegance. It reminded Lorelei of someone, but she couldn’t place the similarity.

Lorelei cleared her throat.

Crystal Caster turned. She didn’t do it fast, but moved serenely, like she had all the time in the world.

Her eyes were cold, even when she smiled. Lorelei. You came straight here, did you?

My father will see you now. The words were stupidly formal, but Lorelei enjoyed saying them.

Mrs. Caster sauntered into the hall of the veterinary clinic.

Lorelei had no way of knowing what would be said. She knew from her minutes-long conversation with her father that he knew far more than he’d ever told her. But she wasn’t about to learn it in the presence of that harpy.

Then there was Vardon.

She might never speak to him again.

Lorelei got into her car. Her hands were shaking, and she took a moment to count to ten, pulling in what started as gaspy breaths and ended as deep, serene breaths. And, ten.

She started the car, hands no longer shaking, and drove to the school despite the time. Practice would be over within twenty minutes; she’d barely have her suit on by then.

Add coach to the list of people she needed to explain herself to this week. If her luck didn’t change soon, there was going to be no one left on her side.

Chapter Five

Vardon paced the foyer at his house, waiting for his mother to finally get back after ruining his life.

He’d been so embarrassed when she insisted on going to the veterinary clinic and confronting Mr. Dorian, of all things. He hadn’t done anything to them. Vardon had just smelled him; that was it. An accidental meeting due to his daughter being Vardon’s classmate. He didn’t get why Mom was so worried about it.

Now Lorelei was probably never going to speak to him again.

He’d stayed in the car when his mom went into the clinic to talk to Mr. Dorian. Lorelei had stalked out a couple of minutes later and gotten into a silver Jetta. It was a couple of minutes before she whipped out of her parking place and lit off down the road toward town.

He wondered where she’d gone. Was she okay?

His mother hadn’t spoken a word when she returned, but she’d dropped him at home and left again. Her eyes held that glint they got when she was determined to get her way.

When Mom’s key clicked into the lock, Vardon turned his glare on the door, bracing his feet wide apart in an alpha stance.

She whistled when she saw him, and turned her back to close and lock the door. When she spun to face him again, spite lit her eyes and her teeth were bared.

"What is it you want, son?"

This. Confrontation. Yes. This was exactly what he wanted. Why couldn’t you just leave her alone? he ground out between clenched teeth.

There’s plenty you don’t understand about our world, Vardon. Plenty I’ve protected you from. That makes you lucky. Don’t blame me—

And don’t try to sell me that pity party, Mom! he growled. You always do that, as soon as I disagree with you. Like I’m the most ungrateful son to ever walk the earth.

She softened, but the worry and the anger still played around her eyes. Vardon, she sighed. You know that isn’t true. We’re a lucky family. Truly blessed. She met his eyes, her gaze fierce and unflinching. "I am blessed to have you, Vardon."

He ducked his head. I still don’t understand why I can’t see Lorelei.

She came closer, placing her hand on his arm, a light touch. You were right about her. She’s selkie. In part.

Am I supposed to be comforted?

Mom chuckled. Oh, no. It isn’t comforting. It’s scary as hell. She’s part selkie, and she’s part finfolk. What it means I don’t know, but it can’t be anything good.

She. Mom meant that she, Lorelei, couldn’t be any good.

His stare hardened, and his mom caught it. She was excellent with body language. He guessed it was so with all shifters.

I finally met a girl who is like me—

"No! Not like you. She isn’t like you, Vardon. That’s what I’m trying to say. I don’t know what Lorelei is, or what she can do, but she isn’t limited to seal-shifting. Her people are magicians."

Something clicked. Her father. Is her father a magician? That’s why she’d been so determined to see him right away. To see what they were dealing with firsthand.

Because she was always taking care of him. Even when he turned only anger back on her.

Could she be right about Lorelei?

Mom walked to the window, staring out into the afternoon squall that had sprung up out of the sound. Rain that hadn’t been falling ten minutes ago was now battering the shingles in a funky, almost musical rhythm.

I don’t know about her father. He is definitely finfolk, but he does not seem like one of them should seem. Why does he run a veterinary practice? It’s as if he’s hell bent on living like a human.

So she didn’t have all the answers after all.

Vardon backed down, hunching his shoulders to show the fight had gone out of him.

He didn’t think she was right about Lorelei. As far as he knew, Lorelei was sweet – she had a mouth on her, and maybe she was more self-confident than any teenager had a right to be...but she wasn’t a magician. And she wasn’t evil.

And what Mom didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

Lorelei sat on the edge of the beach, where sand met grass still wet with this afternoon’s storm. She didn’t even mind the cold and wet. She just wanted to stare out at the waves for a while, to lose herself in their endless pattern.

Saturday evening was fading away into night. Tomorrow she’d wake to a new life, one full of mysteries she’d never asked for. Strange tales and even stranger friends.

Vardon was one of them. He was a selkie, like her.

Sort of like her. She was only a half-selkie. He might have two selkie parents, must have, if his mother was so worried about her.

Lorelei lifted one arm up over her head, giving the muscles a good stretch. Her body ached from the laps coach had demanded. He’d been frustrated, and no wonder. Their performance in the next two matches determined their ranking in state.

She was important to the team, both in freestyle and the relay. She had to keep her head in the game.

Did she even care about swimming?

Lorelei dropped her head into her hands, a shaking sob ripping loose. This wasn’t her life. It wasn’t fair!

But then she stilled, a needle of shame working its way in. She had no right to pity herself. At least she finally understood more about why her mom had left. It did nothing to abate the hollow feeling when she thought about her, but maybe over time it would.

Lorelei lifted her gaze to the horizon, to the sun dipping beyond the sea, the shining