ELEMENTS: Acquiesce Kathryn Andrews (guided reading books .TXT) 📖

this worry to herself.

“Awww, that’s so sweet,” said Nerissa.

Cordelia grimaced inside. She hated that she wasn’t being completely honest, but, as Wade said, some things are best unknown.

Cordelia glanced over to the teachers’ table. Morwen’s chair sat empty. “Still no sign of her then?”

Lana followed Cordelia’s gaze. “No. Nothing. Father was saying on the way to breakfast how strange it all is. He’s expecting Triton and Mazu to return by this time tomorrow.”

“Really?!” asked Cordelia, a little more enthusiastic than necessary.

“You sound pleased about that,” said Masika.

“Just surprised, that’s all.”

“Well, they’ve got to really haven’t they?” said Nerissa.

“Triton does like a good mystery to solve,” said Lana.

“Enough about that, it’s your birthday soon, we need to get planning,” said Masika.

“Planning?”

“It’s a landmark birthday,” said Nerissa, “we’ll need to plan a party.”

Cordelia sat quietly, listening to her friends discuss her birthday. Her rebirth, as they called it. She’d never had a party before. This birthday was going to be different to all the others in more ways than one.

“Are you alright?” asked Lana.

“Does it hurt?”

“Does what hurt?”

“The rebirth. Growing a tail.”

Her friends looked at each other, realising that nobody had ever given Cordelia the talk. They looked at her sympathetically and shook their heads.

“Sounds like we need a girls’ day!” said Nerissa excitedly.

“Everyone grab your bathers,” said Lana, “we’ll meet by the cove in ten minutes.”

“Where are we going?”

“Your favourite place,” said Lana, “we’re not going to let a few birds spoil our fun.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” said Cordelia, but her friends had already gone.

When Cordelia reached the cove, Nerissa and Masika were already there, waiting in the rowing boat wearing nothing but their bathers.

“Where’s your clothes?” asked Cordelia.

“Who needs clothes to go swimming?” asked Masika.

“No chance of Max and Rafe running off with them this way, and at least we have the boat if we run into any trouble,” explained Nerissa.

“Fair enough,” said Cordelia, climbing into the boat. “I see your leg’s healed Masika.”

“It’s grand. Amatheia worked wonders on it.”

Just then, Lana came sauntering down the path to the cove with her towel thrown over her shoulder.

“It’s a good job this place is well hidden,” said Cordelia. “You’d give the men of the town heart failure walking around like that.”

Lana smiled and climbed into the boat. Masika and Nerissa pushed the boat away from the shore with their oars and away they went. The weather was beautiful, the water calm and the sun gently warmed their shoulders as they rowed around the reef to the rock pools. Cordelia admired the bright pink sea thrift that adorned the cliff tops and inhaled the fresh sea air deep into her lungs.

Eventually their little rowing boat reached the rock pools. They tied the rope around a rock and clambered the short distance to the third pool which was now closer to them than the first. Cordelia never usually swam in the third pool.

“I like this pool,” said Lana, “it’s farthest away from prying eyes.”

“What about fishermen?” asked Nerissa.

“It’s the Sabbath day, they’ll all be at church.”

“Are you ready?” asked Masika.

“Ready,” replied Lana and Nerissa.

The three girls entered the water while Cordelia remained on the rocks, squinting in the direction of the peat bog. There was no sign of Breck or his horse.

“Cordelia, we want to show you something,” said Lana.

Cordelia appeared not to hear her friend.

“Cordelia,” called Lana.

Cordelia turned back to her friends. “Sorry, I was miles away.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll protect you,” said Nerissa.

Cordelia looked confused.

“From the ravens,” added Nerissa, “that’s if they show their faces at all.”

“Cordelia, please, this is important,” said Lana.

“Okay, you have my undivided attention.”

“We want you to see our tails,” said Nerissa.

Cordelia’s eyes lit up. “Okay, are you sure?”

“Of course,” said Lana, “we want you to know there’s nothing to be worried about.”

The three mermaids dived beneath the surface. Bright colours burst through the water and there they were, three colourful fishtails.

“How did you do it?” asked Cordelia excitedly, crouching down on the rocks by the water’s edge.

“There’s no secret,” said Lana, “you just think about wanting your tail and there it is.”

“So every time I think of my tail it will just appear?”

“No, you have to want to make use of it,” explained Lana.

“It’ll only work if you’re in the water,” said Nerissa.

“Can I touch it?”

“Sure,” said Lana.

Cordelia reached her hand out and touched the shimmering emerald scales of Lana’s tail. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“I’m sure yours will be just as pretty,” called Masika.

“Are you reading my thoughts?” asked Cordelia.

Masika stopped dead in the water, “Would you believe me if I said no?”

‘Stop thinking,’ thought Cordelia, ‘stop thinking, Breck, stop it, Breck, stop, Breck, she’s going to hear me. She’ll find out about Breck, stop it, stop it. Stop thinking. Not thinking. She’s looking at me. Someone make it stop. Please make it stop.’

Masika eyeballed Cordelia.

“Please Masika, stop reading my thoughts.”

“Only if you tell us who Breck is.”

All three mermaids were now still as statues in the water, listening intently for a response.

“He’s an old friend.”

“Does he know about us?” asked Lana.

Cordelia shook her head.

“Does he know about you?”

“No.” Tears filled Cordelia’s eyes.

“She’s lying,” said Masika. “Please say it’s not true Cordelia.”

“What?” asked Lana.

“She loves him.”

“Who?” asked Nerissa.

“Breck!” said Lana and Masika in sync.

“Did someone call my name?”

Breck was walking across the rocks towards the third pool. From where he was, he could only see Cordelia.

‘Oh no,’ thought Cordelia, ‘not now.’

“Get rid of him!” snapped Masika. “You can’t let him see us. Not like this.”

“You can’t fall for him,” said Lana, “it will never work.”

“Take him away from the rocks so we can leave,” said Nerissa. “Tell him you can’t see him anymore.”

“Tell him you were joking about being a mermaid,” said Lana. “It’ll be okay, it’s not like he’s seen your tail or anything.”

Cordelia took a deep breath.

“It’s too late,” said Masika, “he’s already seen her powers.”

Cordelia bit her lip and folded her arms. The warm air cooled and the wind blew stronger.

“What did you do that for?!” shouted Lana.