Fins(56)

“Take him home to his wife,” he said, motioning to Tiesa’s father, David. “She’ll be able to take care of him.”

“My Mom’s been hurt!” I told Sam and he shook his head.

“She’s fine, Morgan.”

“I’ll take care of them, Morgan,” David said, gently taking Tammer from Thayde. “Don’t worry.”

As I watched him swim away, I felt a giant lump form in my throat. I needed to go with them.

“Sam,” I began and he stopped me, taking my hand in his.

“Morgan, I need you to stay for a few minutes.” He turned to the crowd of merpeople who still hanging about in disbelief.

“You’ve all forgotten what it means to be merfolk,” he said in a commanding voice, addressing everyone. “You’re caught up in avarice and violence. I cannot allow this to continue. I’ve returned because you are all acting like children and the time has come to finish this.”

Sam continued to hold onto my hand. “You all know of the legend of The Link. You all know the time is approaching when I will be replaced. It is clear to me that you’ve all been able to figure out The Link is Morgandy, and not a merman, who will take my position. It is reprehensible you have tried to stop this.” He looked at Limus. “Who are you to change our histories?” His gaze fell on Akin and Herra. “Who are you to bring such violence? Shame on all of you. You will be dealt with.”

Sam turned to me, squeezing my hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Troen, and you, Morgandy, are The Link.” His eyes twinkled.

Stunned, I stammered to find my words. “I can’t be,” I stuttered, “I’m not old enough, I don’t know how.”

“You will,” he said.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were Troen?” I asked.

“I knew you seemed familiar, sir,” Thayde said with his head bowed.

“Please call me Troen, my friend.” Troen reached forward and shook Thayde’s hand. “I’m glad I was able to meet you both before this happened. I knew my time was coming to an end and I was returning to find the merman who would replace me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was you, Morgan.”

My head spun.

“I’m too young,” I said and Troen smiled.

“It’s okay, you will know what to do.” He placed a heavy hand on my head and closed his eyes.



“I bless you with the knowing.

I bless you with the right.

I bless you and bestow you.

I bless you with the sight.”



The red light encased me in its warmth and a heaviness came over me. When I opened my eyes, the heaviness lifted and the light was gone.

“All of you have witnessed this,” Troen announced. “It shall be done.” He patted my shoulder and turned to leave.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“There are a few matters I must take care of before I leave. This will be my last act.”

I swam to him and hugged him tightly.

“Are you going back to Jamaica?” I asked.

“Maybe,” he answered. “They do make one heck of a coconut drink.”

Pulling away, he pointed to Limus, Akin, and Herra and they followed him into the blackness.

The battle was over. I watched merpeople from both sides melt away into the blackness of the ocean as they made their way home. Thayde pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply.

“Morgan,” he said sternly when we pulled apart. “How am I supposed to be your protector if you won’t let me protect you?”

“I don’t think I need protecting,” I realized out loud.

“You do,” he disagreed. “More than you know.”

We made our way home in no time, as Thayde swam for the both of us. When we reached the stairs, we phased and without missing a beat, pulled on our swimsuit bottoms and ran into the house.

Vitahl, David, Tiesa, and Ezen sat on the couch. Naira was curled up in Vitahl’s arms. They looked uneasy as we walked in.

“Geiruna’s in there with them.” David pointed to Mom and Tammer’s bedroom.

I opened the doors to the bedroom, expecting a catastrophe, but instead, it was as if I’d opened into another dimension – one of peace and love. The room seemed to twinkle as if someone had thrown glitter into the air. Both Mom and Tammer lay on the bed and Geiruna stood at the foot, arms outstretched. She was mumbling a song and when she moved her hands, the glitter sparkled even brighter.

Quietly, I inched to her side. With her eyes closed, she seemed even more haggard than the last time I’d seen her. I continued to watch and when she finished, she dropped her arms and the glitter faded away.

“Hello, Morgan,” she croaked.