The Mermaid Trials Page 6

  “I’m not leaving her to the wolves!”

  He smiled, but it looked pained.

  “I had a feeling you might say that. I can look after her.”

  “Don’t you want to win?”

  “Yes. But it doesn’t matter to me the same way.”

  I rubbed my forehead.

  “Tri. You have to stay ahead of them. You are a target. She isn’t.”

  “Me? I’m not remotely threatening.”

  “You look more competent than you know. Not to mention your familiar.”

  “This isn’t a familiar contest. We don’t even know if there will be one.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I’ve heard them talking about you.”

  “Who?”

  “Everybody.”

  “What if I win and then I come back?”

  He shook his head.

  “That’s crazy. And I’m pretty sure it isn’t allowed.”

  “Well then, it’s settled. I’m sticking with you.”

  “Your life’s dream is to be a Spark. You have to try. I’ve got her, I swear to you.”

  “Maybe I can tow her.”

  “That is definitely against the rules.”

  I crossed my arms, glaring at him.

  “Well, who made you the official word on that? Are you a Royal or something?”

  He made a choking sound, swiftly shaking his head ‘no.’

  “I want you to win.”

  We turned to see Starla floating just behind us. She had heard what we were saying. Triton help us.

  “Look, you have to finish. It sounds like it could be a blood bath. Dane is big. He can handle himself. I’m fast. What about you?” I asked.

  She shrugged.

  “I’m sneaky.”

  I laughed.

  “Good, but that might not be enough.”

  A horn blew in the distance. The race would be starting soon. I cursed and we all started swimming with the dregs of the crowd. I watched Dane carefully, wondering whether to trust him.

  In my gut, I knew I could. It was an unfamiliar feeling, truth be told. I knew he would protect Starla. We found a place in the back of the crowd and waited. None of this was going to plan. This event was mine to lose, and here I was already at a disadvantage.

  “If we get separated, just stay safe and get to the finish line. That goes for you too.”

  I stared hard at Dane. He nodded and Starla gave me a ‘thumbs up’ sign. I shook my head. This had disaster written all over it.

  “You are mad! I should tow you both the entire way.”

  Dane folded his arms over his chest, bringing into focus just how strong and muscular he was. I swallowed, looking away. I did not need to be thinking about how handsome he was right now. I should just be relieved that someone more physically powerful than me was an ally.

  Focus, Tri!

  The horn sounded again and everyone tensed. Then it rang out, loud and long. The race was on.

  Silt swirled up in all directions as a thousand young Mers shot forward. I held back, swimming forward without leaving my friends behind. Dane glared at me and grabbed Starla, veering to the left. I was knocked backward by a passing Mer as I turned to look for them.

  But they were gone.

  I knew Dane had veered off deliberately so I could try and win the race. I knew it. And after looking for them for several minutes, I realized it was futile. So I did the only thing I could.

  I swam.

  I took off at top speed, brushing past Mers of every size and shape. I saw a few minor altercations as I darted through the thickest part of the crowd. I wove through the throng, ceaselessly pressing forward. Then I was out in front and swimming in nearly open waters.

  Of course, I had started late from the back of the crowd, so I was still behind the fastest swimmers.

  I smiled to myself as I let myself really fly.

  Not for long.

  I passed the girl with the spikes and surprisingly, the smallish boy with the third eye. I swam past a few other fast-swimming Mers before the crowd thinned out to nothing.

  I was alone. It was blissful to just let myself go all out, even with the worries in the back of my mind. I couldn’t forget that I’d left behind my friends. And I could not forget the dangers ahead.

  Plus, I was pretty certain there had to be at least a few Mers ahead of me still to beat.

  I was proven right a few minutes later. I saw a Mer just ahead as I rounded a corner. I was shocked to see the Mer who had smiled at me there. He was a large male, and they usually didn’t swim as fast as the less bulky Mers. He really was a remarkable specimen. He gave me a startled look as I passed him, and I heard him shout something.

  Come to think of it, it sounded a lot like he said, “Look out!”

  I passed another Mer a few minutes later. The front-runner. He was a very tall but slender male. His face was sharp, with a needle nose and pointed chin. He sneered at me, his short, dark blue hair almost black. I kept my distance, well out of reach of his arms as he reached for me. But it didn’t stop him from throwing something at me. I felt it glance off my side with a grimace. I kept swimming, ignoring the pain in my flank.

  And then I was truly alone. I could feel it in my bones. I was ahead of the pack. Ahead of everyone and anyone. There were spectators along the route, but they were silent, their eyes wide as they watched me swim past.

  The ocean felt so big in that moment. So vast. So empty.

  I looked up and saw it just in time to swerve out of the way.

  The first obstacle.

  A fine mesh net was blocking the way. It shone dully in the light. Metal. The most brutal sort of net to get caught in. It looked sharp, like it could cut you to shreds. I swam up, figuring it wouldn’t reach the surface. That was a mistake.

  I wondered what Mers had dared to swim high enough to set the net. It was forbidden. Unless you were a Royal, of course. Then, literally nothing was.

  Except putting yourself in harm’s way. For a Royal, that was the ultimate sin. They were here to rule, not get themselves killed.

  Swimming to the surface was dangerous. Everyone knew that. Then again, so were the Trials.

  I saw the surface sparkling pale blue above me. I was nearly there. The net somehow seemed to extend beyond the surface. I saw where it broke the constantly shifting waves above. The metal net glimmered starkly in the bright sunlight.

  I realized abruptly what I would have to do. With a burst of speed, I swam straight up and out of the water. The air hit my skin, chilling me instantly. I arched my body, flying up and over the net. I felt my back fin drag against the very edge of it and cried out in pain. But then I was over it, plunging back into the sea and back into the race.

  I heard a Mer scream far below and behind me, piercing and shrill. I glanced back to see the dark-haired Mer clutching his arm. Dark red billowed out into the water.

  He hadn’t seen the net.

  I wanted to wait and warn Dane and Starla, but I was winning and I didn’t know how far behind they were. I saw Juno and the spike-covered Mer swimming forward, led by the handsome Mer whose name I did not yet know.

  They wouldn’t miss the net. They’d find a way around it, and fast. If Juno was that fast, there was no way I would be able to fight him off.

  My lead was rapidly diminishing. I figured it had taken me almost an hour to swim to the surface and down again. For all I knew, there was an easier way around or under the net.

  I have to go now.

  I turned and flipped my tail hard. I was in pain, and tired, but I was still fast. I dug deep and swam as if my life depended on it. But I kept my eyes open. I knew there were more obstacles to come.

  Chapter 9

  I was well ahead of the pack when I saw the shadow above me. I was in a mid-sized trench surrounded by sharp cliffs. Mer spectators lined the race track, staring down at me and cheering. For the first time, I was finally getting a reaction from the crowd!

  I looked up as something caught
my eyes. I screamed silently when I saw what it was. A huge boulder was barreling toward me, bouncing off the cliff face. It was big enough to crush me and three other Mers as it fell.

  I swam out of its path in the nick of time.

  Another rock glanced off my head, making me close my eyes as dizziness overwhelmed me. I touched my helmet, feeling a trace of blood. I would have to tell Dane his gift had saved me.

  Saved my life, most likely.

  That’s what I was thinking when I realized there were more rocks falling. Many more. I saw rocks of all shapes and sizes dropping rapidly along the cliff face. It was an avalanche. Somehow, I had triggered it.

  It had to be deliberate. It was a planned obstacle. I hissed through my teeth at the realization.

  The Royals were going above and beyond my expectations with this race. This wasn’t just an obstacle. It was far from simply dangerous.

  It’s deadly.

  Mers would die here before the day was out, I had no doubt. I hoped fervently that they would stop once the front-runners were through. Fear ran through my belly. Starla could never survive this. I wasn’t sure Dane would either.

  I wasn’t even sure that I would make it through.

  I dove low, swerving around the falling rocks with ease. I only survived the next twenty minutes because I was fast.

  Any other Mer would have been crushed.

  Maybe that was the point. Maybe they matched the test to the competitor. I almost hoped so. That meant other, less physically-adept Mers would have an easier time.

  I didn’t want to think of anyone dying like that. Crushed for no reason. Especially not an innocent Mer.

  I dove and dodged, getting bumped a few times but mostly escaping a direct hit. I paused just beyond the field of falling stone to look back. It was silent and would remain so until another Mer entered the trench. I realized that it must be spelled, as many of the Trials were.

  I swallowed nervously.

  I saw shadows approaching and knew they were catching up. I was in the lead. I had to move if I wanted to win. I shook off my fear and took off, praying there would not be anything quite so deadly to come.

  Chapter 10

  A forest of kelp lay ahead. I kept going, taking in my surroundings warily. From the thickness of the crowd along the sidelines, I knew I must be near the end.

  The crowd had grown thick and unruly. Drunk on fizzy beverages, no doubt, Sea wine and the two-legger variety for the very rich. I had been craving the roar of the crowd, but now it felt hollow and empty.

  They didn’t care about me. They only wanted to cheer the winner. And I wanted the same thing.

  I swam quickly, tasting victory in my grasp. Of course, I was still afraid for my friends, particularly Starla. She was rapidly becoming the sister I had always wanted but never had.

  And Dane, well, he could probably take care of himself. That didn’t mean I wasn’t tempted to help him. Or at least show off a little bit.

  I might not be beautiful, or wealthy, or possess magic, but I was good at this. I would go back for them and guide them through the obstacles. But rationally, I knew I had to win first.

  So I swam.

  Straight into the largest kelp I had ever seen. They were twenty feet high, at least, if not higher. You could hide a small city inside kelp of that height. I knew without a doubt that there was danger inside.

  The light disappeared almost completely. I was guided by my inner compass, as my father called it. He’d even shown me a human-made compass, though I had no idea where it had gone. He carried the old brass device, salvaged from a wreck but exceptionally preserved. It was finely made, with a dull gleaming brass back engraved with an ornate design. The face of it was simple, with neatly drawn letters and a white porcelain backing. I’d been fascinated by the delicate line that vibrated with power as it aligned itself.

  My father had kissed me and promised to leave it in my keeping so that I could always find him. Promised, and failed to deliver, as he had on so many things. He’d promised I would be safe. A lie. He’d promised I would be cared for and taught and fed. Another lie. He’d promised I would be loved. That was the most grievous lie of all.

  Wretched sadness rose up in my belly, threatening to choke me. I missed him so. I didn’t blame him for getting killed and leaving me. I only wanted to make him proud and honor his memory. I felt weak in the face of all those insurmountable goals. But I dared not stop to compose myself. Instead, I rose up to the tops of the wide bands of kelp, glancing around as I swam at a more sedate pace, trying not to even stir the wide bands of green as I passed.

  I dove into the dark shadows just as quickly.

  There was a reason they wanted us in the kelp. The edges of the forest were patrolled by giant stingrays and bad-tempered sharks to make sure we obeyed.

  If not the top, head to the bottom.

  I decided to skim the sea floor instead and picked up speed again, weaving through the base of billowing dark green ribbons. It went well. So well, in fact, that I was grinning to myself as I sensed I was nearly through, my earlier sadness fading.

  I was jerked to a stop, my head whipping backward from the force of it. It was so sudden that I didn’t know what had happened for a moment. Not until I felt the tentacle tighten around my waist. I pushed against it, feeling the strength beneath the rubbery surface.

  An octopus had me. A big one, from the width of the tentacle. I screamed in panic as I was dragged backward into the depths of the kelp. Not only was I going to lose the race, but I was most likely going to be eaten as well. And they didn’t eat you quickly, either.

  I grabbed frantically at the kelp, desperately trying to find purchase. But it was no use. My fingers slipped helplessly over the rocks and sand. I reached for the dagger at my waist. I couldn’t budge it, nor could I tell from the handle which way the wickedly sharp cutting side faced. I took a risk, twisting it, knowing there was a very good chance I would cut myself instead of my attacker.

  Thank Triton, my luck won out.

  I was being roughly dragged backward into a dark cave when I twisted the blade. It scraped my skin where the pink flesh met blue-green scales, but it did not cut me.

  It did cut the octopus, however.

  A mighty roar came from the monstrous sea creature behind me. I was released, and though I wanted to flee, instead, I turned to face my attacker.

  The octopus was even larger than I’d imagined. Huge, with bulging eyes that reflected the faintest bit of light that found its way to the hidden cave. A beast, but magically enhanced to increase its ferocity, I had no doubt. It was injured, yes, but only that one tentacle was coiled up under its bulbous body.

  Its seven uninjured arms uncoiled, rolling toward me.

  I slashed at the tentacles with my dagger, pulling the other one out from the belt around my waist. Now I had two blades, and I used them, cutting and slicing as best I could. I darted this way and that, avoiding the flailing tentacles.

  With an audible thud, one caught me against the chest, sending me flying against the jagged cave walls. I was stunned for a moment, unable to move. I felt the pressure leave my chest in a whoosh, my gills working overtime to supply me with oxygen.

  I opened my eyes just in time to dodge another blow. A tentacle reached for me, and I slashed at it, swimming faster than I ever had for the cave’s entrance.

  I felt a tentacle slither searchingly over my tail, but it failed to grasp me. Then I was out, swimming rapidly through the dark green. It was impossible to tell which way I had been going, so I had to use my instincts.

  I had never been so grateful to see kelp in my life.

  I heard cheers erupt as I broke free from the kelp. I blinked at the suddenly bright light around me. The past hour had felt like the dead of night. Yet it was barely even midday, though it felt as if I had been swimming for days.

  The truth was, it had only been a few hours.

  I darted forward. I saw the finish line, marked by an archway of ornate
ly carved stone. The crowd was packed here, and they were screaming something that sounded like my name.

  How they knew my name was beyond me, but apparently, they did.

  I picked up my speed, not daring to look behind me. I couldn’t spare a second.

  I swam through the archway, finally sparing a glance back. No one was behind me. I had been racing myself.

  I exhaled, closing my eyes before I was surrounded by cheering Mers. I struggled to be free of them. I had to help Starla and Dane. If they were killed by the octopus or the falling rocks—or even the net—I would never be able to forgive myself.

  “Let me go! I have to go back!”

  Strong arms closed over my shoulders as I fought my way back to the finish line. I thrashed until I heard the familiar voice shouting my name.

  “Stop fighting me, Tri!”

  Dane?

  I turned and saw him, his handsome face obscured by his helmet.

  “Tri! Tri! You can’t go back!” He shook me slightly. “It’s over. We’re here.”

  “What? How?”

  “Only the first hundred made it through to the obstacles. The rest of us were told to return to camp. They didn’t disqualify anyone. Only the first hundred are in the running to be Messengers.”

  “And Sparks?”

  “I’m not sure. I think the race was to weed out the fastest and most wily. And you won.”

  I had won. It wasn’t a dream or a wish. It was real. It was just sinking in. I had won and my friends were safe.

  The crowd cheered as another Mer crossed the finish line. It was someone I hadn’t seen before. Dane led me away, through and then finally out of the crowd. I saw Starla waiting for us on the tiered seating that flanked the finish line. Most of the crowd had rushed forward when I crossed the finish line, so it was empty at the very back.

  She waved as we swam closer.

  “How did you get here so fast?”

  Dane laughed, his white teeth gleaming in the sun. He guided me to sit on the bleachers with Starla.

  “The race was a large circle. We just cut across the middle.”

  “So you guys are all right?”