Cheering and applause breaks out all around me. I don’t join in because I have nothing to celebrate. It’s the end-of-term assembly, and everyone else is leaving campus to enjoy their week off. Me?
Not that I want to party or have fun. I’m still processing, well, everything. My life has changed so drastically since arriving at Valora. And that’s putting it mildly. I have far more questions than answers.“You coming, Mila?” Isaac asks.I pull myself from my thoughts and realize everyone is clearing the auditorium. “Oh, yeah. Right.”He helps me up. “Everything okay?”“Sure.” I haven’t told him or Erica the latest news. It’s too much. I hardly believe it myself, but it’s true. Not only are my mom and Tobi planning on getting married, Tobi is actually my father. I thought I killed my dad, but it turns out Martine was my uncle. So, if I’m going to be forced to fulfill the Mrs Walker legend, now I have to kill Tiberias—the kind and loving twin. The king everyone adores.That entire mess isn’t something I can bring to words. Not even to those closest to me. Maybe it’s because I was given the news at my dad’s funeral. I mean, my uncle’s.Why is this my life?Couldn’t I have been born to boring parents? Being invisible was so much better than this.Isaac puts an arm around me as we exit. “You’ve been quiet lately. Anything you want to share?”I shake my head no.He kisses my cheek. “I lost my parents too, remember. If anyone knows how you feel, it’s me.”If only. “Thanks.”“It takes a while to process, but it does help to talk about it. Don’t keep it in too long. That’s what I did, and it wasn’t good.”“Wasn’t good how?” I meet his gaze.“That was the beginning of me getting in trouble all the time. I was carrying around so much hurt and anger, I blew up at the smallest offense. Let it out now. Don’t become me.”The corners of my mouth twitch as I take in his ridiculously good looks—his intense blue eyes and jet black hair, his sculpted features, and that crooked grin that always gets me.“Would that really be so bad?” I ask. “Becoming you?”“I’m not sure Valora could handle two of me.” He chuckles.“It wouldn’t be so bad, but I really should study. I have to take all three of my tests by Friday.”“That gives you a full week. Why not blow off some steam now? If anyone needs that, it’s you.”“I don’t know.”He gives me a sideways grin. “We could sing karaoke again.”My stomach knots. “I don’t ever want to sing again.”Isaac stops and stares at me. “What? Is that why you haven’t been practicing with the band?”“Don’t you remember what happened last time we sang? Every guy in the bar passed out because of my voice.”“Because you sound like a siren. That’s what they do.”I frown. “How would that help the band if half your fans lose consciousness?”“With practice, you’d get it under control. You’d only make mermen pass out when you wanted to.”How do you know so much?”“History class.”I should’ve known. “Why don’t you ever pass out at the sound of my voice?”He shrugs. “Because we’re singing together?”“Maybe I should study sirens before joining you guys. I don’t know what I don’t know. You know?”Isaac snickers. “I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Maybe it just had something to do with the alcohol consumed—either by you or the guys in question.”“Maybe.”Rudder comes over to us. “There’s a party over at Earwyn’s tonight. Want to join us?”My stomach knots.Isaac looks at me. “What do you think?”“Earwyn and her dogfish are the last people I want to see on spring break.”“Her parties are always the best,” Mary says. “Think about it.”I take a deep breath. “I still have exams to study for.”Mary smirks. “I could practice one of my new spells on them. Make them be nice to you. Or they could grow an extra head. It’s a new spell, and could go either way at this point.”I laugh. “I wouldn’t mind seeing them grow extra heads. That could actually be entertaining.”“Let me know.” He swims away.Isaac cups my chin. “You’d actually consider going?”“Maybe.” I shrug. “But then after that, I have to study. The last thing I need is to have to repeat the first year.”“Even if you do, Earwyn, Cove, and Vanya are all graduating. You’ll be free of them.”“I’m sure someone would rise in their place. There are plenty of people who resent me.”He rakes his fingers through my hair. “You forget that your uncle gave the edict for everyone to treat you as if they were dealing with him personally. Any harsh word to you is taken as a direct insult to him, and everyone loves him.”I sigh. “I wish people would just see me as me. They hated me from the start because of Martine. Now they’re being forced to be nice to me because of Tobi.”He kisses my palm. “The only way they’re going to form opinions of you is if they spend time with you—like at the party tonight. If you keep hiding away from everyone, they’re going to keep believing you think you’re better than them.”“That’s what everybody thinks?”He doesn’t deny it.“Awesome.”Isaac pulls me close and stares into my eyes, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’ll win them over. Once they get to know the real you, they’ll have no other choice but to love you. Just like you won me over despite my preconceived notion that you were like your dad.”“That’s what you thought of me?”He looks away for a moment before meeting my gaze and nodding. “Yes, and once people figure out how amazing you are, I’ll have to beat other guys off with a stick. Actually, maybe I should keep you to myself. Let’s not go to the party.”I smile. “Stop!”He winks. “You’ll go?”“Fine.” I sigh dramatically.“You will? You won’t regret it!”“That’s yet to be seen,” I mumble.“Let’s change out of these uniforms, then I’ll meet you in the dorm lounge. Tell Erica to join us.”“Can’t. Her parents picked her up before the assembly. They’re vacationing somewhere in the Atlantic and wanted to get an early start.”“Then it’s just you and me. We’ll take my motorcycle.”I snuggle close to him. “I like that idea.”He laces his fingers through mine. “I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I was really starting to worry about you.”“I appreciate that. And you’re right. It’s time to stop moping and start enjoying life. And really, what’s not to enjoy? I’ve got you as my boyfriend, and Earwyn will be out of my hair for a whole week.”He snorts. “Except we’re heading over to her house.”“I hope Mary gives her a second head. Although that would be two mouths instead of one.” I shudder. “Maybe that wouldn’t be such a good idea.”Isaac chuckles. “Probably not.
Isaac parks his bike by a bunch of other ones and removes his helmet before helping me off. I hand him mine and shake out my hair, then take in the sight before me. Earwyn’s house is enormous. Obviously, it doesn’t compare to the castle or the academy, but it’s a mansion. Way bigger than the house I lived in on land. The perfectly manicured front yard is bigger than our entire property had been.“Over the top, isn’t it?” Isaac puts our helmets away. “But it does make for good parties.”“Let’s see.” I hurry toward theIsaac takes my hand. “Did I tell you how amazing you look?”I fight a smile. “Only about five times since we met in the lounge.”He pulls me close and kisses me deeply. “I haven’t said it enough then.”When we pull apart, I’m dazed. He whistles.I have no idea how he whistles underwater. I’ve tried but only manage to blow bubbles.Halfway to the house, I hear music and laughter from inside. Then glass shattering.“The party’s already started.” Isaac laughs.I reach for th
After the third one, a guy who’s rumored to be on his third time as a fourth-year reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bag of something purple and shimmery. “I brought the good stuff.”Isaac catches my eye and nods his head toward the house.Intrigued, I turn my attention back to the shimmery stuff. “What’s that?”A few people chuckle and giggle.“I grew up on land, remember?” I cross my arms. “I’m sure there’s plenty I know that you don’t.”The dude shrugs. “It’s tristle.”Isaac gestures toward the house again. “Come on, Marra.”One girl leans closer to the baggie. “How’d you get so much?”“I have my ways.” He turns to me. “Want to try some, land princess?”“I’m not princess of the land.”“Whatever. Want it or not?”“What does it do?”He smirks. “It’ll make you forget all your problems.”“Hand it over.” I reach for it.Isaac rises. “Sorry, but we’re leaving.”“Doesn’t look like she wants to,” someone says.I lean closer to the bag.“Mila, you don’t know what that stuff does.” Isaa
Earwyn and her dogfish are laughing in the kitchen. They stop as soon as they see me. She arches a brow at me. “Look who’s here.”“Yes, I am. What’s it to you?”Cove and Vanya giggle while Earwyn straightens her back. “Pardon“I said, what’s it to you? You going to kick me out? Rub it in my face that you got what you wanted with my dad’s death? At my own hand, nonetheless.” I try to glare at her, but I’m not sure it works.She waves me off. “You’re high.”I ignore the comment and move closer to her. “Everyone knows you have a problem with me. But here’s the thing—I didn’t do anything against you. Ever. All the slights you feel, they weren’t my fault. I didn’t ask for the suite! I had no clue my dad tried to kill Tobi. He set all his decrees on his own. None of it had anything to do with me! You should just give me a break. All I’m trying to do is make the best of the situation. You think it’s easy to adjust to life in Valora after living on land most of my life?”She starts to say som
Her nostrils flare and her face reddens. “Who else? You’re the one who knocked out a bar full of mermen!”I open my mouth but don’t say anything. She has a point. But I didn’t do any of it on purpose. I glare at her. “You’re the one who insisted I sing with you! The only person you have to blame is yourself!”“Get out!” She raises a fist at me.“I didn’t do this on purpose!”“Like I care! Just go!” She points toward the front door.“I didn’t want this to happen.”“Leave!”Without another word, I replace the mic on its stand and head out, apologizing to everyone along the way. Nobody seems to care, and none of the guys are even stirring.I hope I didn’t kill anyone. My stomach knots. What if I did? I don’t know anything about any of these siren-like powers. The creatures are just as shrouded in mystery as the pink-haired queen herself.And nobody wants an out-of-control siren freak like me.Not like I asked for any of this.Once outside, I close the door behind me and take a deep breat
The suite door flings open. Erica drops a load of suitcases and sighs dramatically. She swims over the pile and throws her arms around me. “I missed you! Did you have fun? I’ve got to fill you in on everything that happened!”I return the embrace but don’t answer her question. I don’t want to talk about anything. The longest spring break of my life is finally over. I spent the majority of my waking hours studying before taking my exams. I’m not sure what the results are, but I sailed through each test.Isaac didn’t call or stop by once. Not that I have a shell phone, but he could’ve left a message or asked me to take the call from theErica doesn’t seem to notice my mood and goes on to tell me about her trip to the Atlantic. They explored a city and she met a cute guy who promised to keep in touch.She plops onto my bed breathless and smiles. “Now tell me all about your break. Tell me you didn’t study the whole time!”“That’s about it, really.”“What aren’t you telling me?” She tilts
He shakes his head and swallows. “He and Mary stayed at Gill’s house last night. They’re having breakfast there.”“You didn’t join them?”“No. I had to do something here.”“Okay. See you around.”He nods before going back to his food, then I sit next to Erica. She gives me a questioning glance, and I shake my head no before digging in. It’s a good thing I don’t have much of an appetite, because with weapons class first I don’t want too full of a stomach in case Mr. Brant makes us spar.Whose bright idea was it to have that class right after breakfast?Earwyn and her dogfish arrive, laughing loudly. They each glare at me before sitting and talking with their friends.Lumen turns to me. “Did you see that?”I grab a roll. “I think everyone did.”Halen glances over at them. “I wish I could’ve been there for the party.”“Me too,” I mumble. Maybe she could’ve talked some sense into me.Luckily, the conversation quickly moves away from Earwyn’s party. Everybody discusses the rest of their sp
“Whatever.”Want me to zap her dead?“No!”Everyone turns and stares at me. Earwyn looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I probably have. Any sane person would’ve said yes.So, you want me to?I shake my head no.Earwyn holds up her blade and rushes at me, her eyes full of fury. I block the move, and my trident sparks. She swings at me around the side. I block that move too.Mr. Brant blows his whistle. “I haven’t called for you to begin!”Earwyn swings at me again. I move out of the way and aim my weapon at her. It heats up even more.I can still zap her. Don’t have to kill her.“Let me do this.” I lunge for her, slam into her, and pin her against the wall, holding the trident with all my strength. She struggles then swipes her blade against me, cutting my arm. I cry out and back up, covering my wound. My trident glows and tiny bolts of lightning spark from the tips. They band together and something tells me they’re going straight for my opponent. I pull the weapon to the side just bef