CHAPTER 10

Will, Shyann, Tia, and Larissa (who was still unconscious) were at the shoreline, and in the water a few feet away were the three sirens, Thalassa, Naida, and Neri, and a 25-year-old looking woman- which Tia said was the queen. She had dark hair as black as night and pale skin as white as snow, and she had piercing hazel eyes like storm clouds, ready to flash lightning at any moment. She wore a crown made up of white coral and tear-drop blue stones, a simple one-armed blue bikini top (at least that's what it looked like to them).

"She is the one?" asked Queen Diana.

"Yes, your Majesty." replied Thalassa, with her chin touching the water.

"Very well... I am terribly sorry for my sirens, ah, overreaction... They tend to be very protective of Nereyda, our home. But, the wave they described this girl to me, it seems she is out of place..." explained Queen Diana.

"What do you mean, 'out of place?'" demanded Will, protectively.

"I see you are protective of this girl... She is a prize, indeed." said Queen Diana, ignoring his question.

"She isn't a trophy. She's a person."

"Will." warned Shyann.

Even Shyann, knew better that to make her- Diana -angry. She felt the power when she was Queen Dara, and she knew better than to make a queen with great power, angry, especially on her home turf.

"Will, that is you name? Will, let me ask you this... If a girl with the powers of the ocean, is on land, do you think she will fit in?" asked Queen Diana.

"Yes. Yes, I do. If this girl is happy, has friends, and a home, then yes, I think that girl will fit in."

"Interesting... Still... Not the answer I was hoping for. This girl belongs with us... She is of the ocean, she needs to learn her how to control her powers."

"No, she doesn't."

"Will... Let the nice lady speak..." cautioned Shyann, yet again.

"My Queen!" exclaimed a familiar voice.

"Nixie?" called Will.

As the mermaid drifted closer, she looked distinctly like Nixie. Outside of when she was glowing.

She looked different. She had dark blue hair, that almost looked black, and a bit of a tanned skin, with ice blue eyes.

"Hello, again, Will. My Queen... I have heard of your trip, and I confess I was intrigued." said Nixie.

"Nixie, you have met these people?" asked Queen Diana.

"Yes. They are good people."

"Well, then. Tell them to hand over the girl."

"Larissa? My Queen... I am... Terribly sorry... But, no."

"You dare deny your ruler!?" exclaimed Thalassa.

"Peace, Thalassa... Nixie, you are my most faithful servant, adviser, and subject. I trust you more than anyone... I know you have a reason for denying me. What is it?"

"I do. She belongs with her friends. Please... Do not take her. She is destined for something great. It does involve, Nereyda, but it does not involve living there..." explained Nixie, respectfully.

"Wow. She's tactful..." whispered Tia, who had an admiring look about her.

Larissa stirred peacefully in Will's arms.

"Hmm... I will think on this answer, Nixie... But be warned, if I decide against this advise, you know the price... Sirens... Return home, you are not to return to your night posts till I give the word." ordered Queen Diana.

Neri, Naida, and Thalassa bowed and dove under the sea.

"You have swayed the obedience of my most faithful trustworthy subject, which means you must be in her high regards... I hope someday, I will know this as well." observed Queen Diana, before diving as well.

As soon as she left, the air seemed kinder and less tense.

"I have only delayed her... She will come back for Larissa." sighed Nixie.

"Why? And what prince was she talking about?" asked Tia.

"All the lost queens have a connection stronger now, then ever before since you have all been together." explained Nixie.

"And the price?" questioned Shyann.

"If... If someone denies the Queen she will pass judgement. Most of the time it's cut and dry, but every once in a while she will think on why they denied her, and either pass the punishment or let them go. The price is exile."

Shyann and Tia looked startled. Will just looked grim.

"We should head back to camp." interjected Will.

"Agreed. Do not come in the water until I say so, stay on the land, and do not leave Larissa alone!" declared Nixie.

"Got it." replied Shyann, nodding seriously.

"It's nice to see you again, Nixie." added Will, before she smiled and dove, leaving them alone.

Viola had the best time with Malcolm! The watched Jurassic World then went for some later night pizza and soda (which Viola was completely dying for!). Then they just walked around the park, talking and laughing.

"Soo... What was it like where you lived? I mean... Besides cold and snowy." asked Malcolm, as Viola swung around a tree.

"Well... It was... Umm... Cold and snowy!" laughed Viola.

"Come on... What was it really like? You've seen my home, what's your's like?" insisted Malcolm, as Viola breathed deeply.

"Um. I guess it was, OK. I mean besides cold and snowy... Lonely. I mean I had my sister, but she was busy trying to beautiful and get ready for suitors." admitted Viola.

"Suitors?"

"You have to remember... We were cut off from the world a loooong time ago, and all we had was our past."

Malcolm nodded, as she swung around another tree.

"What else?"

"Hmm... It was hard living there. Survival was forced. And no girl could really do anything but stay at home and be pretty. So, girls had it the hardest..."

"I would never let you be someone you're not, or be lonely." promised Malcolm as he took her hand.

Viola smiled as they continued to walk through the park.

"You know... I've never really had someone to talk to about this..." whispered Viola.

"And I've never met anyone like you." whispered back Malcolm.

Viola giggled.

Time of my life... thought Viola.

"Let's play 20 Questions. You start." said Malcolm.

"20 Questions?" questioned Viola, confused.

"Oh. Umm... I ask a question you answer, then you ask a question and I answer. Truthfully. And it goes like, that for 20 questions." explained Malcolm.

"Oh. Ok... Well... Umm... Have you ever had a girlfriend before?"

"Honestly, no. So, I think it's going kinda good right now." laughed Malcolm, with Viola joining in.

"My turn. Have youever had a boyfriend or a crush?" asked Malcolm.

"No. Never. No one ever seemed right. I know I seem a bit shy, but really I wanted to go out on my own, doing my own thing... I was restless." answered Viola.

"Hmmm... Interesting... Mental note, take you riding."

"My turn now... Hmmm... Favorite thing to do?"

"Oooh... Tough... Capture the Flag, reading or studying, and training with weapons."

"Interesting... Mental note, never get on your bad side." copied Viola.

"You could never get on my bad side."

"Your turn." said Viola, blushing deeply.

"Let's see... Favorite color?"

"Green."

"Really?" replied Malcolm, surprised.

"Yeah. Most people find that strange... I mean I've never seen true pure green except for when I left my "home."

"Hmm, never pegged you for a green lover... Sure you're not a daughter of Demeter?"

"Positive. My turn. How-"

"Shh."

"What's wrong?"

"Do you hear something?" asked Malcolm, tensing up.

Viola stopped to listen. She closed her eyes, not trusting them, and listened intently... At first, she heard nothing but crickets and a small quiet breeze blowing. But then she heard it. A snort and a rustling, as well as big feet pounding on the ground.

Viola opened her eyes and nodded to Malcolm. He nodded back to her signaling to walk slowly and quietly away.

They got about three feet away, before Viola stepped on a twig and heard it snap! and winced and bit her lip along with it.

Everything was quiet. No noise for several seconds before, out pounding on the ground came along a hellhound. It looked smaller than a grizzly bear, and had piercing bloodthirsty red eyes, razor sharp teeth, and giant paws.

Viola stood frozen, not sure what to do, unable to think. She just shut down, in terror. She faintly hear Malcolm screaming her name, but it was distorted and muffled.

Finally, the hellhound charged, straight at Viola.