Hi: The title will give you a hint.
Chapter 73
Betrayal, be my allies name.
Fifty miles west of Bristol Cove an intense meeting is taking place. Its location, deep under the surface of the sea.
A score of figures thread water off the bottom to see the movements from two members of the undersea world.
Cami's intense stare underlines the communication with the others, all leaders of different tribes aligned under a new Queen, Ryn.
Though there is no vocalization the hand and facial expressions augment her feelings.
Our Queen has deserted us. She has embraced the world of the human.
Yura, the leader of the Northern tribes contorts her body sending a mini wave toward Cami. A sign of not only rejection of her words, but a challenge.
Yura is the only male present. This is allowed due to the gender-switching quality found in their tribe.
As selected by Ryn, I assume reign over her former realm. As she continues to put forth numerous infractions of their present Queen. One member of the group will not be silent.
Yura becomes incensed. Spreading her arms out, it is a symbol of defiance.
The other leaders move back forming a circle.
I refuse to meet you as an equal. A sneer crosses the usurper's face. Black eyes glisten as the sparse light from the surface appears to be drawn to Cami's iris.
You cannot ignore me. Yuri's hand motions express more than a request.
You are male and have no rights. Your existence is to serve and obey.
In a flash, a figure cuts through the water spearing Yuri in the mid-section. Bloods seeps into the area around the leader of the Northern tribes as a gasp travels through those watching this up until now, peaceful quarrel.
Removing the lance-like object from Yuri's stomach, Brother moves to Cami's side. Raising the weapon, he lifts it over his head demanding the others to pay homage to their new queen.
Yuri chose to be a male, and thus has no right to offer an opinion. Certainly not to dare challenge me.
Brother moves behind her, bowing his head. The two of them seem to be ignited by harpoons of sunlight fighting to enter the depths of the ocean.
Ebony skin shines as they both become encircled by the tribal leaders.
With heads bowed, Cami has been christened, their Queen.
As the leaders prepare to individually swear allegiance to Cami, she turns to Brother.
Her right hand moves toward the merman's face. Subtle gestures of her fingers appear to hypnotize him as Brother's eyes stretch.
She has ordered him to meet with a potential ally, not in attendance.
Brother bows forward, turns and speeds through the deep.
After midnight in Bristol Cove
In the older Pownall home, a similar conversation begins to form.
"The time has come to get rid of that sea monster once and for all."
Elaine's words are strong and fill the dining room.
Xander keeps his large hands folded on the glass top of the mahogany table.
Deputy Brennan is forced to swallow hoping the older woman will not look at her.
"Annie, may I call you Annie?" Mrs. Pownall asks.
"Ah…I…ok." Red tinged tightly woven braids shuffle around her face as she looks to Xander.
"Mrs. Pownall, I don't know. I mean…" Xander's thoughts match his fumbling words.
"I asked both of you to come when you were off-duty."
"Yes, why," Again he struggles to finish his sentence. "We could have been over at a decent time. This must be inconvenient for you."
"Oh, don't worry about me Xander. I am glad you can come after dark." She takes a breath. "We have equipment that stop any snooping by the Navy, but the dark is our ally."
Xander and Annie stare at her chest. Inhaling air floods her muscular structure. Breasts grow as pectoral muscles overflow with blood. Triceps peak stretching the form fitting black top.
"It's just that…" Xander's words are cut off.
"It's just that that bitch got my son," she leans across the tabletop pushing her face toward his. "Your best friend," Elaine leans back. "Ever since she showed up here. Her and that weird sex triangle she created, my son has been in danger."
Annie brings manicured fingers to her neck. The suspicious nature of Ben's relationship to Maddie is now understood.
Placing hands on her stretch jeans, the female police officer hopes to become invisible.
She fails.
"Yes, sweetie. It seems that bitch used the stem cells. The stem cells that saved me to turn my boy into some steed studding the local population." Elaine grits her teeth. "She's not turning my grandson into the same thing."
"But Mrs. Pownall." Xander pauses as the woman's sly grin grows on her expression.
"What is it Xander? I respect your opinion."
He inches forward from his chair.
"Mrs. Pownall, Ben will never agree."
"Ben!" The word carries with it a force plus a hint of a high pitched squeal. Both guests hold their ears.
"My son lies in a hospital bed. Her, she…sea beast put him there. He was shot cause of his relationship with her. Or I'll call her...it!" Elaine springs upward. "I told Maddie, I would give up my legs if we could go back in time and just harpoon this bitch when she first was sighted."
"Elaine," Ted can no longer be silent as he has been ease-dropping from the living room. "I'm sorry to creep around…but…"
"Wait, Ted I knew you were there." She lets out a smug laugh. "It is immaterial if you are here or not. You will agree with me. My decision is your command."
Annie again puts her slender fingers to the sweatshirt's neckline. This time she uses her first finger to tug downward on the navy blue top.
"But Elaine, how could we do it. Even if we all agreed?" Ted forces the words through his lips. He has slowly grown to fear Elaine. Her power appears to be growing with no sign of any control.
"He's right." Xander adds. "Even if Ben has had enough."
"Xander, what are you holding back?" She asks.
The police officer and best friend bites a lower lip.
"That day when the Russians," he inhales. "You know. That day, he was going away."
"What?" Ted asks.
"I can't say it was permanent or just to blow off some steam, but…" Though Xander is having a difficult time speaking, no one is prepared to interrupt him. Especially Mrs. Pownall, "Xander please tell us why. I am surprised."
"I know." He nods his head. "We had a conversation about how Ryn acts. How threatening she can be." The young man's chest expands as he prepares to say something that will add fuel to the fire.
"She slapped him. I mean, the orders she gives, the way she talks down to him sometimes." He stops hoping someone will interject. "We talked about what people think. He just seemed…well hurt and confused."
"She slapped him?" Ted's tone has gained strength.
"She's done more than that. If there is going to be a powerful," Elaine snorts out a chuckle. "If there is going to be a leader of this surface matriarchal family, it might as well be me. I can control this power."
Both Xander and Annie give each other side-glances.
"Mrs. Pownall, there is Hope and little Ted and even her tribe or the other tribes in the ocean." Xander replies. "She is their queen."
"I wouldn't worry about that." The sly smirk grows wider.
"My new friend, please come in." The older woman calls to the kitchen, causing a man to enter.
She puts her hand on Brother's shoulder.
"I think you youngsters know him," directed at the two sitting transfixed at the dining room table.
"Speak, my new friend." She says.
"I represent Cami. Our new Queen."
A sudden silence reigns in the Pownall home.
Note to reader:
It may take a while for Chapter 74. Betrayal adds a lot of detail to a story.
Thanks for reading
GJ
