It’s hard to sleep when it feels like there is a theatre full of people watching you just, lay there. In my dream, I had in fact been on a stage only I had been fighting for my life against some kind of demon that no one should be able to create with their imagination. Then again, we probably had crossed paths at one of the near apocalyptic moments I’ve gone through in recent years so I can forgive my mind for some of the stuff it comes up with.

Refusing to open my eyes and acknowledge the presence in the room, I instead elbow Logan; slowly sliding my hidden hand over to his hip and pinch the warm skin there. He grunts before rolling over with a snort of a snore, reminding me more of pig than my boyfriend. Logan doesn’t wake up.

Just as we had expected, the mermaids decided to attack again today. This time is was a nature photographer and despite how many beautiful images he had - some of which included those sea bitches; while Logan was giving him CPR and saving his life, I had the job of deleting his photos. Well, not all of them, just the few hundred that actually had the mermaids in them.

Apparently they’re not camera shy.

Because of all that, Logan was exhausted from all the swimming he had done trying to avoid any attacks from actually taking place. We had stopped a few locations were ‘sharks’ had been seen, hoping to come across them. That included Logan having a look under the water since I wasn’t allowed. Then there was the feeling we both got to head south from where the boat had taken us the night before and that ended with him jumping in to fight them off and actually save that guy.

All I got was the actually fun job of steering the boat and playing watcher. I also got to test my aim by shooting a few of them too, which did attract actual sharks so good thing I got Logan and the photo guy out of the water before they became fish food.

Downside of our eventful day was the mermaids got away - again, and I now had little to no chance of waking Logan to see what, if anything, was making me feel so damn paranoid.

“Come little Hunter, the time’s come to play, here in my world of shadows.”

My whole body tenses as it’s impossible for me to deny what I’m hearing. I have to still be dreaming or at least having another Dracula flashback - since I’m actually kind of positive having that vampire mess with my mind could have left some lasting damage. My nightmares are too real for that to not be the case.

“Follow sweet Hunter, I’ll show thee the way, through all of the pain and sorrows.”

I can’t be imagining this and opening my eyes our room isn’t dark despite it being past midnight. Lights that are permanently on in the living area filter through into our room since the door was left open and there is no one hovering above me like I kind of expected or anywhere around the bed.

“Weep not poor Hunter, for life is this way, murdering beauty and passions.”

The singing doesn’t stop; even now that I’m sitting up. Daring to look around there isn’t anyone here and glancing down at Logan, he is sound asleep. The song is enchanting, and leaving him alone, I get up. I’m not stupid; dream or not, I ignore the urge to let the voice guide me and keeping as quiet as possible I move over to where Logan’s pants were hung over a chair. The sheath of the hunting knife visible on top and I quickly grab it. Weapon in hand, I slowly go over to the doorway and looking out there is still no one to be seen.

Was I dreaming?

Walking past the desk and the TV unit, the light that shone up from the floor thanks to the glass window that gave us a constant view of the reef below our room, started to flicker. I doubt it was the lights playing up and crouching low behind the sofa, I moved closer.

Then I groaned.

The almost dolphin like shapes that moved around down there made me wish I had a harpoon to shoot them all with as the mermaids darted back and forth like a school of paranoid fish when a much larger predator was on the prowl. I really, really, hate mermaids.

Movement to my right had my hand gripping the handle that little bit tighter, and the singer silenced as we made eye contact. There on the top of the stairwell that led down to the water, the same mermaid from the cruise sat fiddling with the ends of that slimy mess she called hair. The smell hits me next; it's like old seaweed that's been stranded on the shore and left to dry out.

“Hello again, Hunter.” She sneered.

“So you were the one making that noise?” Circling around the glass panel, I move closer to her.

“Noise?”

Faking her innocence, she blinks slowly and the smirk is impossible to deny. It wasn’t exactly, noise, but I wasn’t about to compliment her on her wonderful vocals. I had heard of mermaids and their siren songs, but never expected it to be well, that.

“You heard that did you?” The mermaid asks since I refuse to answer. “Interesting.”

The creature is wheezing now, and for a second I get a kick out of imagining her suffocating since she is out of the water. How long can her kind last on dry land?

“Hard not too really.” I snap.

“The Tracker is still asleep.”

“Your attack today was your last, we warned you and now-” I try to stick to business.

What was she even thinking coming here like this, did she want to die?

“You don’t want to hurt me, I am not the enemy here and you know it!” She mumbles as if reading my thoughts before glancing away towards the water. “You know what life under the water is like, all it can give you and all it can take away. Join your fellow sisters and live a life void of your human troubles and pain.”

I almost drop my knife. “What?”

She doesn’t respond, and instead pushes herself off the top step to disappear down the small staircase. That’s not all, she keeps singing. “Follow me dear Hunter, for soon we’ll away, into the calm and the quiet. Come with me young Hunter, I’ll show thee the way to be free of your pain.”

Moving after her, I stand on the top step to find her already back in the water and around her there are at least twenty more. My hand rests on the door, knowing I should shut it, wake up Logan and then go fishing, only I don’t. The main one smiles, her teeth not looking so deadly like they did last night and hold out her hand, while the others start to sing again until all the words seem come together in perfect harmony.

“You all need to get out of here unless you want-” Unless they want to what?

I vaguely hear the knife clunk against the wooden floors as it falls from my hand, and the cool night water feels so nice over my feet as I’m suddenly on the bottom step.

“Good girl.” The mermaid speaks like a whisper and I hesitate. “Now take a deep breath.”

My hand is entwined in hers, and I do as she says before diving in. Someone is calling my name, but it is gone as soon as it starts and the rush of the water filling my ears and blocking out all other senses takes over.

Something firm and strong wraps around my wrists, dragging me into the darkness. I can’t see anything and only then does what just happened hit me, but now it’s too late to stop it. The mermaids called, I answered and now I was at their mercy.

                                                                        ) O (

If I had a dollar for everytime I wake up in restraints and some kind of, weird, possibly ceromonial fashion disaster, I would be a few dollars richer. My eyes ached, my throat burned and opening my mouth, all I could do was throw up salty water.

“She has awoken.” Someone whispered from behind me.

My wet hair clung to the side of my face and neck, so as I was gasping for air I had a feeling I’d been missing, I tried to see who was there with no luck. Looking down, I caught sight of the hot pink shorts I’d been sleeping in through the wrapping of purple that I think was seaweed; well I hoped it was only seaweed.

“Are you sure this is her?” Another feminine voice asked.

Paying more attention to my surroundings, I miss the weeks of boredom and relaxation immediately. I’m on a rock in the middle of the water and looking up, it’s some kind of cave. Tiny clusters of glowing balls of light lit up the space around us; enough so I could see what was going on. Tugging on the restraints around my wrist, they only tighten whatever it is wrapped around me so obviously that’s all connected somehow.

“Oracle, if you do as we ask, we will set you free.” Rising up from the water, the main mermaid appears only now she has a headband of pearls on, and the scales on her face sparkle like glitter. It’s definitely an improvement.

“Oracle?” I croak.

“You do not trick us. It was a great power that caused our portal into this world to reopen. Cain has returned, and we sense his magic on you still.” She hissed.

“Cain returned from wh- Oh!” Was there anyone he didn’t do something to? “Your portal reopened?”

“Your magic is not what you thought!” A laugh left her, and the murmurs of the others doing the same thing echoed around us. “We served him well, and yet he betrayed us. Now we have something of value to him, even in this weak disguise. Shame on Cain for not protecting you better. Why don’t you reveal your true self to us Oracle?”

“How did your portal reopen?” I tried to avoid the rest since if they worked it out too soon, I was definitely gone. “I do not believe my magic failed!”

“The Warlocks are more powerful than you’ll ever be!” She hissed.

I almost laughed.

Almost.

“Shame they’re all dead.” I mumbled under my breath.

Apparently mermaids have good hearing as she roared in anger and that slimy hand of hers was against my throat in seconds. The webbing between her fingers felt like a thin flap of soft leather as it brushed against my skin, and the fishy stench that radiated from her scales was overwhelming so close.

“You. Lie!” She screamed.

“I, killed, them.” I stuttered, powerless to even try and fight her off me. “With. Cain.”

Glassy eyes bulged at that and she sprang away from back into the dark waters around me. One by one the mermaids heads all disappeared and I regretted pushing so much. Using the alone time I had, I quickly tried to get an idea about what was actually holding me in place. Sucking in a breath, the strands around my middle loosened slightly and looking back to my wrists, the seaweed was practically translucent.

Already regretting my decision before I even started, I leaned towards my right wrist and pulled it closer, taking another breath so it could tighten. The base of the body wrap came off in two ties that had put on my arms. Thanks to the wooden stakes either side of me, I was all kind of connected. Technically speaking, if cut the tie, the rest of me would then be free.

Biting down, it was slimey, harder than I expected and tasted worse than I thought it would. Gnawing on it was all I really had going for me, so I did and sure enough it snapped after a few goes. Instantly the body wrap weakened and using my free hand, got rid of the other one and started to unwrap myself.

Good thing I’m used to improvising, because now my plan to get free worked; what next was a mystery. Pulling out one of the wooden poles, the bulk of it was weak anyway, but the top was rather pointy. Looking around, I couldn’t actually see an exit, so swimming out was probably my only option.

Just, great.

“I told them they got it wrong the second they showed you to me.”

Spinning around, the rocky wall was void of any life and yet shadows started to move over all the surfaces; a sure sign I wasn’t alone.

“Sorry to disappoint.” I called out.

My senses were going crazy, a sure sign to get the hell out of there, but I was stuck. I had no doubt the mermaids didn’t lie under the surface waiting for the chance to pounce should I enter their domain.

“Why is it Cain’s magic taints you? I forgive Ceana for her error; of course the Oracle would not fall for her song and yet, you - Hunter, so obviously did?”

“How about you show yourself and we can continue with the girl talk?” Know your enemy and right now, I had no idea where or what I was actually talking to.

A light, almost musical sound follows; reaching up to the highest crevice is the room - she’s laughing. “How rude of me, but of course.”

I froze as the woman appeared in front of me, walking on water. Beautiful didn’t quite cover it. Long blonde hair, the colour of the warmest sand drifted down to her waist. Her skin was so pale it looked like it was actually glowing in the dim light that surrounded us, and now I knew where they got the whole shell bra idea from for Ariel. A skirt of seaweed, pearl rope and an assortment of shells hung from her hips giving her some modesty. It was actually kind of stunning in it’s own way.

“Who are you?” I asked without thinking.

Full, pink lips curved upwards as her almond shaped eyes sparkled with the same aqua colouring as the water around our hotel. I couldn’t stop staring; it was like Barbie found a perfect body to become human in minus the weird neck measurements and freakishly small waist.

“I am Merrow.” She nodded her head slightly; a bow of greeting offered.

“Elise.” I quickly answered in an effort not to be rude. Something wasn't right about this whole situation.

“You killed the Warlocks?” Merrow asked curiously, not coming any closer.

“Kind of, I got a couple of them.”

“Their return released the magic that kept me seperated from my people.” Her eyes narrowed on me slightly. “There has been a great deal of magic in this world; I can feel the trouble in the waters.”

“Well, the Warlocks returned and tried to destroy the treaty.”

“That was not Cain’s desire?” She asked.

“No, but he didn’t even show up until after it started.” Awkwardly, I dared to sit on the rock behind me. “But he put an end to it. Big fight. Lots of magic, stuff.”

“And you, Hunter. Why do you possess his magic?” If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was jealous.

“I don’t possess anything. He fixed up a few, injuries for me - that’s all.”

“He is your, friend? A lover perhaps?” Merrow pushed.

“Lover? Yeah, no! No, no, no!” I laugh. “I guess, friend?”

“Will he miss you if you’re gone?” Her tone darkened and I tightened my hold on my stick. “What if you became one of my people?”

“Became, a mermaid?” I swallowed nervously.

“Well, you are not worthy of becoming a Siren, friend of Cain.”

“Aren’t Sirens and Mermaids all the same?” Not for the first time I wish I paid more attention in certain classes. If only she’d give me a phone a friend option. I’d call Drew and he’d be able to fill me in.

“The merfolk serve me. Sirens are stronger than they are, possess magic of our own and can switch between the land and sea worlds. If I were to turn you into of my own, you would be no better than them, but with the added weakness of having it all taken away from you.” She snarled. “Their song worked on you, you’re not like the others of your kind. You are weak, you have suffered and for taking that away, you will worship me as they do!”

This just kept getting better and better.

“You’re right about one thing.” I met her gaze; challenging her. “I’m not like the other Hunters.”

I’d been hearing that a lot lately, and I’ve learnt to accept that fact. I was happy with it; comfortable even.

“I am not weak. I have stopped the Lord Alpha, Dracula and fought psychotic werewolves. I killed the Warlocks and stopped another friggin apocalypse. I’ve lost so much and gained even more, so if you think you stand a chance, you’re wrong!”

While I felt pretty damn good about my little accomplishments, Merrow only laughed. I braced myself, expecting her attack only it never came. At least not directly from her as a wave of water suddenly dumped itself over me and snake like arms of liquid pinned me against the cave wall on the other side of the room. Pain tore up my spine and there was no chance I could keep up my strong act as I’m pretty sure something was once again broken in my chest.

Merrow glided across the water, and the glass like surface was broken with the mounds of mermaid heads as they all appeared to see what was happening.

“Cain took away my crown. Perhaps he will come looking for his, friend, and when he does, I will take his life!” She snapped, her breath fanning across my face as she got up close and personal. It was nearly as bad as the smell from the mermaids. “Now, Ceana is going to teach you how to hold your breath. Try not to die before those serpents can turn you into one of them.”

I silently prayed that Logan had woken up in time to see me disappear under the sea. That he had got hold of Ailin and any second now, she was going to poof into existence and save me or at least send someone else, maybe Alfie, to rip these creatures apart and get me the hell out of here.

Ceana appeared beside Merrow, grinning wickedly as a chorus of, ‘join us’ was whispered amongst the others. I wiggled and tried to get out of whatever was holding me up, but nothing worked and as the water began to flow back down to the ocean, I was taken with it to a waiting mob of mermaids.

“What if I can get Cain to give you back your crown?” It was a long shot, but I had to try. The water was up to my waist and already I could feel something tugging on my foot - eager to drag me further in.

“He destroyed it, leaving me trapped in this cursed form and without my voice!” She hissed, like my suggestion was an insult to her. I guess it kind of was.

“Why?”

Apart from knowing how much of a jerk he was, well still kind of is, torturing a Siren like that would have had to have a purpose. Cain did a lot of bad stuff. He caused wars, created the evil that was Dracula and was the one to turn the Warlocks against the gods so they’d use their powers for bad instead of good. That wasn’t even half of it and if he hadn’t gotten bored with it all, who knows what the world might be like now with his bad influences.

“As if I would tell you!” And then she disappeared as quickly as she arrived. Not that it really mattered either as I was once again underwater, being dragged further down so the waters hold on me began to constrict around me.

Stupidly I opened my mouth; instincts to breath leaving me gasping for air that didn’t exist down here. The salty water filled my stomach, now that it had started I couldn’t stop it. Shutting my mouth didn’t help - more poured in through my nose while what air was left in me ran for the surface in a flurry of bubbles.

I kicked until the pressure of the water had moving my legs impossible; the mermaids grip keeping me down not weakening and no matter how many times I strived to reach the surface, I didn’t get an inch closer to my goal.

The second all thoughts of escaping left me, an eerie calm settled in its place. I floated in the water, just hanging there as my arms felt detached - two limbs attached to a sinking ship. Was I sinking? I closed my eyes, welcoming the water that now not only surrounded me, but filled me too while the fear of being in the dark left me as Ceana’s face appeared out of no where.

There was a light, not like the light I was now thinking of. That glorious white room where Reece had come from, where he was now. Happy. Free. All that hard work of recovery, all the pain and trouble of being brought back to life was for nothing, because here I am.

Again.

Maybe you can’t cheat death. Maybe it just gets delayed, but like Ceana told me last night - death follows me and was this what it was waiting for? Another chance to claim me as it’s own?

The light barely registers as Ceana brings my arm up to her mouth and bites. There isn’t pain or any discomfort, there is just - nothing. At least until my stomach is clenching and instinctively my mouth opens to rid the acid that is making its way up my throat.

“Give her the holiday she said. It will be fine she said, a chance to recover and- that’s it Elise, get it all out.”

I reach out to hold onto something, anything and find my hands burying into wet sand. Rocky, wet sand. The water leaves my body far more brutally than it did going into. My eyes feel like they’re on fire, my nose and sinuses are aching. Despite trying to breath again, all I can do is throw up more water and god knows what else, while coughing at the same time.

My vision is blurry and yet the faint glimpse of who is with me now has me crying with pure relief. There is a soft, comfortable pat by my shoulder; my hair is pulled back. I’m safe.

“Good girl, that’s it.” Cain, Darius, Leo - what ever the hell he wants to be called now is crouched beside me on the rock platform in the middle of all the water. “You’re okay now.”

I believe him.

“Me-r-ow!” I stutter, falling over onto my back.

“Merrow?” He repeats confused, and managing to look up at him, my vision is useless. What I can vaguely see isn’t a face of his that I recognize. For starters, he has no hair and has aged about forty years. His voice is the same though.

“Really Cain, you’ve forgotten me already?”

I don’t need to see her to know Merrow has reappeared, but those few minutes of comfort vanish as his mouth drops slightly and she obviously surprised him. Things only get better when he finally talks too.

“Oh Shit.”