Mermaid Adrift

By Jenna Laslie and Jennifer Laslie

When disaster strikes, Meriya must decide whether to stay on land or return to the sea.

 

Washed ashore after a natural disaster, Meriya finds herself in the human world, injured and running out of time. Unsure whether her family survived, she must determine the better course: stay on land, and thus become human, or return to the sea calling to her. 

 

When young Rowan claimed a mermaid rescued him after a boating accident which took his father's life, no one believed him. Now, with Meriya recovering in his pool, he must do everything in his power to keep her a secret. 

 

Can Rowan convince Meriya to stay in his world or will her betrothed and the secrets swirling in the ocean's depths prove a stronger pull?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenna Laslie
• Release date: May 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781540110749

Book preview

Chapter

One

Five Years Ago

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Lightning crackled across the sky, illuminating Meriya’s home below the surface of the water. A storm brewed on the eastern horizon. Thunder shook the white-capped waves, sending them crashing down upon the tumultuous sea. A thrill shot up Meriya’s spine as adrenaline coursed through her body. She loved thunderstorms.

Her tail propelled her through the sea, cutting a path to the surface faster than a school of yellowfin tuna. She planned to watch the show. Breaking through the water, another bolt of lightning lit the sky and sent streaks dancing amongst the tips of the choppy waves. For a split second, the clouds were a brilliantly lit display against the pitch-black sky.

The wind whipped strands of her dark brown hair into her eyes, but she smoothed them back easily, holding them in place. Gills, located on the side of her neck, closed up to allow her to take in the salty air through her nose and mouth. Above the surface, she could breathe the air like any human.

Technically, children weren’t allowed to go to the surface without an adult present, but the weather would keep the humans and their ships away. Meriya didn’t see any problem with sneaking away for a few minutes. The fresh air would do her good before she suffocated from the confines of her parent's overbearing nature.

Leaning back, she floated atop the water, staring straight at the threatening sky. She had no fear as thunder sent vibrations through her body and for some reason, the storm brought her peace as the cradle of waves rocked her. With a heavy sigh, she righted herself and resolved to go back home.

A white blotch bobbing in the water suddenly caught her eye. Waves tossed it about as she soon realized the shape dotting the surface of the water was a boat. Two figures frantically attempted to keep themselves upright, but the swells pitched to and fro.

Swimming closer, she could barely make out their features, but she dared not approach the humans. One was a boy who appeared to be close to her age and the other was older, perhaps his father. Between the distance and the darkness, she wasn’t completely sure. Humans were an odd race after all.

Her fingers twitched at her side, trying to call forth any magic she could use to shield herself from the humans, but it was useless.

She was useless.

Most mer-children came into their own powers around the age of ten. At twelve summers old, she was still unable to find her magic, or what type she possessed if any, which made her feel like a failure. She wished it had come to her as easy as it did her two older sisters.

She watched a rogue wave curl around the boat like a lover’s caress, the vessel tilting dangerously on the edge before the ruthless ocean smashed it to pieces.

Indecision warred within her as her curiosity peaked. The rules of her Kingdom forbade them from having contact with humans, let alone rescuing them. They corrupted the waters surrounding them and destroyed the Earth without a second thought toward their actions, soiling the water Meriya and her people lived in.

Quickly, without regard for the consequences, Meriya jumped into action. Diving into the water, she thrust her tail to obtain optimum speed, heedless of the punishment she would face. Chunks of wood, along with human trinkets, sunk slowly to the depths beyond.

Shifting to the left, she avoided being caught under a large portion of the boat as it sunk to the sea floor, but a piece of splintered wood managed to snag her fin, slicing a rift in a part of it. She winced, giving the injury a glance, then noticed the father. He was too large for her small frame to save. The son though, while not a simple matter, she thought she could rescue.

Frantically searching the waters, she spotted him slowly drifting toward the bottom, the ocean taking Her payment. The ocean always provided. She gave, but She also demanded sacrifice. Meriya hoped She would forgive her this slight.

Wrapping her arms around the boy, she raced to the surface. When she reached air, she struggled to keep his head above water. He appeared to be breathing after coughing up water once his head was out of the ocean. Without worrying about the distance she’d have to haul him, she set out in the direction of the nearest land.

Bermuda was the only land close enough for him to have come from, to live on, just a small dot of land amidst a vast sea. The waves jostled her around, almost forcing her to lose her grip on the human.

Rain pelted down in tiny pinpricks against her skin as the wind picked up speed, lashing about angrily. She squinted against the onslaught. Her passenger groaned making her wonder how lucid he was.

Meriya wasn’t sure how many miles she swam and she’d lost count of the times he’d almost slipped from her grasp. Twice, she had to stop to catch her breath. She wasn’t used to exerting herself above the water and she knew the human couldn’t breathe below the surface.

Finally reaching land, she lugged his limp form up onto the beach, then checked his breathing again. Meriya had shown no promise when it came to the healing arts during her tests. If the boy was injured, she wouldn’t have the power to help him.

The rain had died down to a gentle sprinkle, and the sun began to edge through the clouds, which gave her just enough light to see her charge. She’d been right when she estimated him to be around her age. His sandy blonde hair curled around his ears and a trail of freckles draped across the bridge of his nose.

Above his eyebrow, she found a cut which appeared to have stopped bleeding, which was good considering she had not the time nor skills to fix it. Already, a bruise formed around the gash.

A corner of her mouth lifted into a half smile; he was cute for a human, but she wondered why they cut their hair. The males in her kingdom let their hair grow as long as the females. Yet this boy mesmerized her as she swept a lock of hair from his eyes, studying his features.

Her fingers wandered over the contours of his face, brushing against his cheek, nose, and bottom lip. He was beautiful for a human. Resisting the urge to trace each freckle into a pattern, she withdrew her hand and pushed her fingers into the sand, thus avoiding temptation.

Trouble would soon follow her like it always did, if she didn’t get home soon. If her dad discovered her actions, he’d be furious. She’d pushed her luck with coming into contact with a human, let along coming onto dry land where she could be seen by more. At least this one was unconscious and wouldn’t remember this misadventure.

Shifting her body down the pink, sandy beach, she slipped back into the water, gritty sand working its way into the cut on her fin. Her body hummed with the pleasure of having the cool, salty liquid glide over her skin and scales and the Ocean welcomed her back into its arms. The ocean would forever be her home.

When Meriya arrived back at her original spot, the clouds were still present, but the storm had moved too far away for her to enjoy. Her amethyst eyes gazed at the minuscule flashes of lightning in the distance, wishing to be in the center of the destructive winds. Her life below the surface was too calm, too planned out. She yearned for adventure, danger, and her own free will.

Someone broke the surface of the water next to her and Meriya cried out in alarm, her hand fluttering to her chest, lungs heaving.

Tandy! You scared the scales right off me! Meriya gave Tandy her best angry face, but she couldn’t stay mad at her sister for long.

A smile tugged at Tandy’s lips as she circled around her. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You’re on the surface again. She stopped in front of Meriya once she’d made a full lap. I’d wondered where you’d swam off to. Mom and Dad are going to kill you.

Not if they don’t find out. Meriya’s words laced with threatening intent. Tandy was hard to read sometimes. Meriya knew her oldest sister loved her, even when she tattled on her, but she could never tell if she told the truth about whether she’d keep Meriya’s trips to the surface a secret.

I can’t understand why you love lightning so much. It’s dangerous. What if you were struck?

Meriya’s eyes rolled back so far into her head they almost hit her brain. Like that’ll ever happen.

Who would I tease if you were roasted, toasted, and burnt to a crisp? Her fingers grasped a strand of brown hair and moved it out of Meriya’s eyes. Tandy teased her a lot, but she knew how to get a rise from Meriya.

Dark blue eyes peered lovingly at Meriya, who had no features in common with her two sisters. Her mother always said she took after her grandmother. Tandy and Jovie were both graced with blond hair like their parents, though Jovie’s was a shade darker than Tandy’s.

Tandy loved Meriya unconditionally. Their parents both worked at the palace, which took up most of their time, so Tandy had practically raised Meriya.

Sliding her arms around Meriya’s shoulders, Tandy pulled her into a hug. Let’s get back home before your absence is noted.

Chapter

Two

Rowan’s face felt a light caress, bringing him back to awareness. Sand scratched against his back and legs as he shifted, a moment of panic overtaking him before he realized where he was. Had he fallen asleep on the beach again?

Fluttering his eyes open, he took in the dark, gray storm clouds circling overhead. He pushed up on his elbows, wincing in pain. As his vision cleared, he was stunned to find a girl sliding back into the ocean. This girl, however, wasn’t graced with legs, but scales. She was a mermaid.

Mermaid? His head ached, but he was sure she wasn't a figment of his imagination.

A gasp lodged itself in his throat. She possessed beautiful, long, brown hair braided all over. Even with a lack of light from the clouds above, her purple scales still had a sheen to them. Rowan noticed a large split in one of her fins, a trail of blood left behind her on the sand before the ocean raced up the beach to swallow her whole and erase her existence.

Wait! Rowan thrust a hand out, begging her to come back. He was too late. A cough wracked his battered body making him sit up, spitting out the salty brine choking him. Bleh. That’s nasty.

The dreamlike quality of the moment passed when he realized his father wasn’t on the beach. His memory of the previous events returned in pieces flashing before him. He’d been out on the boat with his dad, attempting to fish. There was a difference between fishing and catching. They’d only managed to appear to be doing the former before the storm clouds rolled in.

Rowan shot to his feet, ignorant of the pain in that moment, and walked back and forth along the water’s edge. Dad, he screamed, cupping his hands around his mouth. Met by only the sounds of crashing waves, Rowan was undeterred.

Hey! Mermaid, bring him back, Rowan demanded, shouting so loud his voice became hoarse from the effort and his throat burned. Could she hear him? He knew she was out there somewhere.

He fell to his knees on the wet sand, sinking his fingers in, and then balled them into fists squishing the sand between the gaps. His eyes burned with unshed tears.

The storm was unexpected, coming out of nowhere. The waves leapt above them for what felt like miles, making their vessel tip over. If the mermaid saved him, why didn’t she also save his father? More questions continued to race through his mind.

His body tugged him toward the water, while his mind said it was useless to look any longer. His dad was gone, forever. They’d never go fishing again. Father’s grand tales and wondrous stories were gone. Rowan loved hearing about the trouble his father always managed to get into with his brother.

His Uncle Terrance was all he had left now. His mom had died during childbirth. Would he be able to live with his uncle? He tucked his chin to his chest, fighting in vain to keep the tears at bay.

Footsteps pounded on the wet sand behind him and a woman slid to a stop next to him, kneeling down.

Are you okay? She inquired in a calm voice despite her wide eyes.

When Rowan didn’t answer, she began to look him over, brushing his hair out of his face to find a cut on his forehead. She found no blood on his arms or legs, but he had several bruises blossoming to the surface. I’m going to get you help. Everything’s going to be okay.

Rummaging through her purse, she produced a cell phone, punching in a number and pressing it between her head and shoulder as she continued her exam.

Rowan zoned out, not paying attention to the one-sided conversation between her and the phone.

His dad was gone. His young mind didn’t understand how to process this information.

There was no way his dad survived the waves out there. He remembered the mayday call his dad sent through the radio moments before the boat tipped and plunged them into the roiling waves.

The kind woman placed a hand on his shoulder, snapping him out of his stupor.

Help is on the way. I’ll stay with you until they get here. Does anything hurt?

He shook his head, unable to speak as tears blurred his vision.

Sirens called out in the distance, heralding their arrival. Rowan made to stand, but the woman pressed a hand once again on his shoulder.

Stay here and they’ll come check you out.

Rowan glanced back watching several police cars and an ambulance pull up, parking haphazardly.

Uncle Terrance threw open the car door and ran to scoop Rowan up in his arms. Oh, thank God, you’re alive! The air in Rowan’s lungs left on a gasp as his uncle squeezed him tight.

I. Can’t. Breath. Rowan managed to choke out.

Oh, sorry, his uncle apologized as he dropped Rowan to the sand.

Are you okay? Are you hurt? Is anything broken? Uncle Terrance fluttered around Rowan like a mother hen, checking him over. Once he was assured Rowan was okay, he went to the next order of business. Where is my… your father. Did he wash up on shore with you? He shuffled toward the water and looked around for his brother.

I didn’t see anyone else, sir. The woman spoke up, garnering Uncle Terrance’s attention.

Ma’am? Uncle Terrance’s forehead wrinkled up.

Sorry. She extended a hand. I’m Molly. I called nine-one-one for the boy. He seemed in shock and had some injuries.

Uncle Terrance shook her hand. Thank you. He let out a breath. Thank you so much for looking out for him, but there wasn’t anyone else?

No, no one I noticed. Just the boy. Brows pulled in as she fidgeted with her hands.

Uncle Terrance pinned Rowan with his stare, the same question in his eyes.

I… I don’t know. She didn’t bring anyone else to the beach, Rowan answered as he looked past his uncle to the water.

She? What are you talking about? Uncle Terrance turned to the ocean, the storm clouds before him nothing but a thin line on the horizon. The sun played peek-a-boo through what haze remained.

Hesitating, Rowan wondered if he should have mentioned who rescued him.

When he didn’t elaborate, Uncle pressed for information once again. Rowan, answer me. Who are you talking about? He used his stern voice, making Rowan’s shoulders tense. Uncle Terrance didn’t have any kids of his own, but he often filled in the role as Mom whenever he could.

There… there was a mermaid. Uncle lifted a single brow, but Rowan forged ahead. I s-swear there was a mermaid. Rowan stuttered as he tried to convey the truth in his words. She… she touched my face after she pulled me onto the beach. I opened my eyes in time to see her go back into the ocean. She was injured, too!

Rowan, I… His face fell, shaking his head. Did he think Rowan was a liar, or worse, crazy?

I’ll leave you all be, Molly interjected, and Uncle’s gaze swept to the lady as she floundered. I… I’ll just leave my info with one of the officers. She dashed up the beach to one of the patrol cars.

Uncle turned back to Rowan.

You have to believe me! Rowan huffed before turning his back on him, crossing his arms. The look on his uncle’s face told him everything he needed to know. He didn’t believe him. Even before he spoke again, he knew what Uncle Terrance was going to say.

People see strange things when they have near death experiences, Rowan. What you saw could be anything. Maybe you swallowed too much seawater.

Rowan tuned him out as the EMS ushered him into their truck. Everything blurred after that as medical instruments, questions, and shiny lights flew by. He checked out okay, a bandage patched over his head injury, but they still wanted to run a few more tests at the hospital.

Rowan’s mind shut down, unable to process the grief of losing his father. Everyone he told about the mermaid either argued with him or smiled to appease his fragile state. Eventually, he would break down. They’d search the ocean and either find his dad or not. In his heart, Rowan knew he was dead.

Chapter

Three

W here in Poseidon’s name have you been? Dad’s nostrils flared. Meriya could see the wispy, white hairs within and her body shuddered.

Gross!

She shifted uncomfortably, the stone chair in her father’s room scraping into the tender flesh of her back as she leaned far away, trying to escape her father’s wrath. Her sisters never needed to tattle on her. When Dad couldn’t find her, he knew exactly where she’d went.

Lowering her head to avoid her dad's angry stare, she noticed the split in one of her fins. The injury only served as a reminder of her many faults.

Ever since, she’d been on the receiving end of one lecture after another from her father. He never found out she rescued a human, only that she went up to enjoy the lightning. Now, it seemed any time she sought a small taste of freedom, her father criticized her for her poor choices.

Her silence condemned her.

You know the surface is dangerous. Humans are treacherous creatures. They take more than they can eat, they dump their trash in our waters, and they care nothing for the earth they walk on. His face flushed; he waved his arms through the water to drive his lecture home.

She twisted her hands in her lap, not really seeing them, but seeing the boy as she pulled him onto the beach, remembering that day in vivid detail. Did he survive? Did he wonder how he wound up on the beach?

Meriya! Are you even listening to me? Her dad's voice snapped her out of her daydream, his brows were drawn together, his mouth in a hard, thin line.

Yes. I’m sorry, Daddy, but…

"No buts! You know the rules, yet you continue