A hunter is only as good as their training. It's one thing to have the raw capabilities and talents. It's another to train and prepare for the different types of creatures you might face. Without training, you're dead. — Hunter Eugene Wilks

***

Zale hands me a napkin to wipe my hands as we finish the last of our chicken. In the distance, birds circle a small island off the coast.

"Oh my gosh," I sigh. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."

He smirks at my empty container. "I can tell." I stick my tongue out at him. "Here, let me get those for you."

"Thanks," I hand them to him, rising from my chair with him. "I think I will start wandering towards the red sands."

He nods at my hand motion towards the left of the tents and grills, which are turning out chicken for locals and tourists. I wave off whatever he yells back at me, most of the words lost in the wind, and head towards the beach.

I follow the little slice of beach around until it ends and then walk up the hill, through the dirt parking lot, and over to where the stairs will lead me down to the red sands. Calm waters lap onto the sand as a row of lava rocks break the ocean waves behind them.

I take off my sandals. Koa demanded we change out of our muddy hiking boots before we dared to step into the car earlier and place them on a safe part of the sand, with my shirt and shorts quickly following. The water is cool upon my skin causing me to take a quick inhale of breath.

"Just need to duck your head," I remind myself, moving further out.

As I move further into the crisp water, the tall wall of red rock to my left and the black rocks blocking the waves before me are my only company.

"Ack," I hiss as cold water hits my exposed waist. "Oh, fu—" The rest of the word emerges in bubbles as I dunk my head under the water.

It takes my body a few moments to adjust to the temperature, but then I'm swimming around. I glance towards the shore to see Zale walking to the wall of solid red rock. The edges of my mind ease as I see we are alone, and I let myself relax.

I've never been much of a singer, but warmth forms in my chest as a song forms on my lips. The melody leaves my lips in varying vowel sounds that rise and lower in pitch. I dunk back under the water, letting the song fill my bones as air bubbles leave my mouth.

The water calls to me and leads me closer to the wall of rocks protecting the cove. As I move closer to the edge, sprays of white and bubbles meet my eyes. The edges of the volcanic rock dig into my hands as I try to raise myself onto the rocks.

The beautiful song becomes stronger, warming my bones as I push upwards and raise my legs from the water. I slip slightly but refuse to give up. I need to get closer to that song, that call.

Come sing with us, Paige. We're waiting. The ocean seems to call. Beckoning me.

"Paige," a male voice calls through the song. He doesn't belong here.

"Paige!" He calls again.

My hands slip again, causing me to fall back into the water. Two arms pull me against a hard chest.

"Paige," Zale turns me to look into his eyes. "Pull down your shields, Paige."

"But, the song," I whisper.

He rubs his thumbs along my cheeks and shakes his head. "Trust me," Zale whispers, his blue eyes swirling.

I nod my head and let the silver veil close around me. The song immediately stops, and my heart rate increases. I begin to shake as my eyes widen.

"Sirens," I whisper.

Zale nods and hugs me as he guides us back to shore. "I'm sorry," he whispers.

I shake my head, pushing off Zale to swim beside him. "No, I'm the idiot letting my shields drop. Koa warned me the mermaids here aren't kind."

"I'll feel better when we're out of the water," Zale whispers.

I snort and shake my head. "I do have some Hunter training, remember?"

"I remember you saying you dropped out during your fourth semester because you didn't like their policies."

I left my chin a little higher while wading in the water. "So, you remember I'm a lady of principle and with an ability to protect myself."

He snorts and shakes his head before scanning along the rock wall.

"Whoever it was isn't going to just climb over the wall," I snort. "It's done. Let's just swim."

Zale's eyes narrow on me. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'm not!"

"You almost—"

A splash behind me has us both turning towards the sound. Sitting on the edge of the rock, a blue-haired mermaid with green eyes stares at us. Her wet hair clings to the naked upper half of her body, covered in light blue-covered scales that glisten in the sun. She tilts her head to the side, letting a slow smile spread across her beautiful face before waving a webbed hand at us.

"She's the one I keep seeing in the waves," I whisper.

"Leave!" Zale yells.

The mermaid pouts at him, opening her mouth to speak.

"I don't care, Ondine! Leave!" Zale yells again, splashing a wave towards her. "You know the law doesn't allow this!"

He knows this mermaid, Ondine. I glance between the two of them in growing realization. His ex, the stalker. She's a mermaid.

I stare at him as he yells at Ondine, pulling me to the shore.

"Oh, Zale," Ondine calls over to us. "You really are no fun. I wouldn't have hurt the little thing."

Zale's eyes turn stormy blue as he walks out of the water, pulling me by the hand. "You little—"

"No need to be rude," Ondine yells. "I'll talk to you when you're more calm."

Then, with a flutter of her webbed fingers and wink towards me, she is gone.

Zale picks up a rock and throws it into the water. "That—she must have been swimming through the night to make it here so soon from LA."

I walk over to where he is pacing and place a hand on his shoulder. "You didn't expect your stalker-mermaid-ex-girlfriend to find you on an island?"

He looks at me and scowls, shrugging off my hand. "I knew it was possible. I just thought that I'd have more time before she decided to make an appearance." He glares out at the sea. "And I definitely didn't expect her to be this bold."

I press my lips together and cross my arms. "Anything else you'd like to tell me?"

His hands clench and release before he walks towards our clothes. "I'm not sure what else you'd need to know."

"You aren't sure—what a load of bullshit!" I scream, stomping behind me. "What about telling me the truth? What's your connection to the sea? Because we both know this little mermaid situation doesn't usually happen for fae and human mixes. We know about some rules on the land, and—" Zale exhales a frustrated breath while throwing on his shirt. "Don't act like this isn't something I should know. You brought me into this, and now Ondine—"

"I get it," he snaps. "I get it." Zale takes a deep breath, and his tone changes to something softer. "Just give me a second to gather my thoughts."

I nod my head before putting my clothes back on. Zale sits down on the sand and begins to dig his toes. I stand beside him and wait. He glances at me and pats the sand beside him. Zale waits until I'm sitting before speaking.

"My mother is a mermaid who fell in love with a fae. They got married against my grandparent's wishes and had me," he sighs, now picking up the sand before dropping it. "My whole life became planned by them. Fall and Winter to learn my fae magic. Spring and Summer to learn the ways of the ocean." I clutch my legs closer to my chest, waiting for him to continue. "Ondine is someone my grandparents and parents both approved of. This was a compromise of sorts for my mother not listening when she was younger. They betrothed us when I was 10 and she was 8."

"How—"

"I'm 75 now," he smirks at my shocked face. "I know. I look pretty good for an old guy. Ondine and I started as friends, but I never felt anything romantic towards her. But I was too afraid to break things off. So, like an idiot, I ran off to become an actor. She gave me a few years before coming to find me, urging me to come home for us to get married. I told her that wasn't what I wanted and broke the betrothal. Then, sent word to my grandparents and parents, who, took it relatively well."

I smirk, "I'm sure."

Zale laughs lightly. "Once they saw Ondine acting crazy by trashing my mainland home and other things, they agreed."

"Which upset her more."

He nods his head, sighing. "I came here, hoping to gain more sea creatures to my side if it comes to that."

I tilt my head to rest on my knees, staring at him. "Side?"

"The politics of the sea aren't for the faint of heart, even if you are a Hunter Academy dropout."

"I'm also a consultant who can help you," I shrug. "These types of situations are things that I deal with."

He shakes his head. "You can't help me in the sea."

"But, I can on land." I counter, pushing on before he can refuse. "Let's start by warding your room for when her scales become legs. Then, we can also file a restraining order on her mainland form to keep her from you here."

Zale presses his lips together and shuts his eyes. "It would shame her family to have the restraining order. Just ward our rooms."

"Our?"

"You aren't safe either, and I couldn't stand it if something happens to you because of me." Zale reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers. "I'm sorry you didn't have a choice and almost got her because of me."

I squeeze his hand. "I forgive you. Just know that this is all being added onto the bill."

Zale throws his head back, laughing. "I wouldn't doubt it."

We sit on the sand for a few more minutes before Zale helps me to my feet. Our hands don't part until we are back at our hotel rooms. Zale watches me ward my room and then his. I glance around his room to ensure everything is satisfactory before heading towards the door, waving off his thanks.

"I'll see you in a bit for dinner. I need a shower and a nap," I say as I turn the handle on the door.

Zale nods, "Sounds good."

His steady steps follow mine to the door. I can feel his eyes as I walk down the steps towards my door.

"You don't need to do that," I call up to him while opening my door.

Zale doesn't say anything. Instead, I close and lock my door, and then I hear him do the same.

Word Count: 1,855

Total Word Count: 15,079