Chapter 2

Evander opened his eyes and noticed that everyone was crowded around him. He shook his head a bit and sat up. Adeline, however, got really close to him and gave him a concerned look.

"Evander! What's going on?! You just fainted!" She said, now horrified.

"I am fine; I was just tired," he said, but he could tell she wasn't buying it. After a few moments, she got up and she placed her hands on her hips.

"Fine! If no one is going to speak to me…then I'm going to someone who can help me," Adeline said, now looking at the forest.

"You will do no such thing," Evander said, now standing and towering over her. Everyone gasped…for Evander was slowly changing.
His black hair was turning white, his green and white eyes were turning just white, and his ears were more pointed. His claws looked even more dangerous than before and his fangs were more noticeable.

"E-Evander?" Adeline asked, now warily pointing at his face.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Y-You're changing, Evander," Marina said, now pointing to the river. As Evander walked over to the river, he saw his face and he then turned to the group.

"Listen…what is happening to me is nothing to be concerned about; this is something that has happened before," Evander replied.

"But not this badly…," Colossus said under his breath. Evander shot him a look and gave him an arched eyebrow.

"Say nothing," Evander said to him telepathically.
"Evander…it's true this has happened before, but not to this extreme." Colossus replied.

"Do not speak of this to Adeline. In fact, you all need to keep it from her," Evander replied.

"What do you mean? She will need to know this eventually! Especially about what happens!" Colossus said pleadingly.

Adeline could tell the two were talking privately and she was not liking their expressions. They were looking at each other intently and they looked very, very agitated.

"Guys…please…what's going on?" She asked gently.

"Nothing," Evander replied, now vocally and turning to her. "There is nothing wrong. Now come on, guys…we need to practice for the Amazon realm that is coming next."

"The Amazons are not very keen on visitors," Storm said, now coming into view.

"We know, but they are throwing a celebration for the queen and they are willing to allow performers for this time," Evander replied.

Mya was just about to ask Adeline something when she saw Evander make a strange claw mark on the tree. He had a devious smile and seemed to be smirking as he did it. At that moment, a forest nymph appeared from the tree and gave Evander a horrified look!

"Enchanter Evander! Please! Do not do this!" The nymph said. "Trees feel pain!"

"You worry too much, mighty nymph…let me soothe your pain," Evander smirked, now letting his eyes glow red and he ran a claw under her chin. Mya let out a gasp and ran and grabbed Adeline to show her what was happening! When Adeline arrived, Adeline gasped at what she saw. The nymph looked shocked and horrified while Evander was running a claw under her chin. He was cooing to her and she looked uncertain, but falling for the charm.

"Evander!" Adeline called out. He turned to her and smirked as he left the nymph alone and began to walk nearer to her.

"What is it, little one? Do you want some affection as well?" He asked, his eyes still red.

"W-What's gotten into you, Evander?!" she gasped. But after a moment, he shook his head again and his eyes turned white once more. He then looked at her in surprise.

"Adeline? Why are you looking at me like that? What is it?" He asked.

"Evander do you remember anything that just happened? Anything at all?!" She asked.

"No. I know I stopped and rested by this tree," he said, now looking at it and his eyes narrowing. "I do not remember those claw marks being there though."

Mya looked positively confused. She and Adeline witnessed what happened, but Evander didn't remember anything! But after a moment, he looked at the moon and nodded.

"We need to get on the ship. We will head to the island of the Amazons in under an hour," Evander replied, now turning to get his show ready to go.

The nymph watched everything and waited until Evander was gone before she came closer into the light.

"Young ones. The golden night is when the Enchanters and Fairies are becoming even more powerful and strong around this time. The golden moon also…," she tried.

"It is simply a time when we all are a bit more 'recharged' as you humans call it," Evander said, now gently taking Adeline's arm. "Come…it is time to go, young one."

Mya and the nymph only stared in concern; something was happening but Evander was determined now to say anything about it right now. As Adeline walked with Evander, she felt a sense of power from him. A power that she hadn't felt before.

"Are you well?" He asked, now looking at her.

"Evander I'm concerned about you…you seem different. I wish you would tell me what's going on," she said.

"Adeline, you need to relax," Evander said, now putting a hand on her neck. "You need to focus on the fire stunt we are doing for the Amazon celebration."

"Evander, that is when I have to jump through five rings of fire; I'm scared," she said honestly.

"You'll be fine. Don't worry about it," Evander said softly, now ushering her back to the others. As they all packed their items and prepared to leave on the large ship, Mya and Storm went to see them off and to speak to Evander alone. Both knew about him because his circus was famous in the realms.

"Evander, please…take care of yourself," Mya said.

"You know that the Golden Moon is almost here. It's going to change the course of everything if you don't tell her now," Storm said gently. Evander looked at them and hung his head sadly.

"I know that you all want me to be open now, but the truth is going to terrify Adeline. She has just become a part of Cirque Mystique and I won't let any harm come to her. I promise," Evander said calmly.

"But, Evander…you can't handle everything by yourself; you will need some help…especially when…," Storm stopped as Adeline was heading their way.

Evander's pointed ear turned in her direction and then he faced her.
"I am coming, Adeline. Please inform the others we sail in a few minutes," he said calmly. Adeline nodded, but noticed he appeared tense. He then turned back to Mya and Storm and gave them a gentle bow.

"Do not be concerned; I can handle whatever is to come. Thank you for having us," Evander replied, now turning and walking away. Mya turned and looked at Storm pleadingly.

"What do we do, Storm?" She asked in concern. He pulled her into a hug and nuzzled her.

"Relax, Mya. Evander is one of the strongest people I know. And he has a lot of people to assist him; everything will be fine," Storm said, now watching Evander and the others begin to set sail over the large sea.

On the open sea…

Adeline sniffed the sea air as it began to roll in her nostrils and she stretched and let the sound of the sea fill her ears.

"This place is beautiful," she said, now seeing the dark, blue sea surround them.

"We will probably go to Atlantis after we visit the Amazons!" Marina giggled, now looking at the sea. "I can't wait to see my family again!"

"Were they happy when you said you wanted to join the circus?" Adeline asked.

"Not really, but they respect my decisions. But…," Marina paused.

"But what?" She asked.

"I left my love behind. I know he loved me…I just know it," Marina said gently.

"Really? Your love?" Adeline asked in surprise.

"Yes, he was my love and we were together for a bit. He said that there was no other mermaid for him but me. And he said he'd wait for me!" Marina smiled. "That's why I'm happy to be going back to Atlantis! Oh! Let me run and get us some punch and I'll tell you more!"

And with that, Marina ran off to get them some punch. As she walked below deck, Adeline noticed something shimmering in the water. It was as if scales were shimmering blue and gold in the sea.

"W-What is that?" She said out loud, now leaning over the edge. At that moment, a head popped out of the water and Adeline let out a shout of surprise! It was a young merman!

He said nothing to her. He simply waved at her and began gently flailing his tail at her. Adeline was somewhat startled; she had never seen a merman before.

"Hello human~," he finally said in a singsong voice.

Adeline didn't answer. She was too afraid of this new creature! For he looked handsome, but very strong and mighty.

"Do not fear me, young human~. I simply want to meet you. Come…come swim with me," the merman crooned. Adeline moved back and hid behind a large pole, hoping to encourage him to leave. But all she heard was a chuckle. "Oh, come now~, do not hide from me."

"L-Leave me alone!" She spluttered out.

"But I don't want to leave you alone, human~. I like meeting humans. You all are very interesting creatures," the merman responded. As he was speaking, Marina returned and she looked over the edge. The merman's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. "M-Marina!"

"Tide?! Tide, is that you!" She smiled happily! "How are you?! How is everyone?!"

"We are fine. How are you?" Tide said, now looking somewhat sad.

"Tide? What's wrong? How's…well…,"

"Kai?" Tide asked gently. She shook her head happily, but her smile faded as she saw Tide give her a very saddened look.

"Kai is…engaged to be married. His engagement party will take place a few nights from now," Tide said. Marina's eyes widened in horror and a sob got caught in her throat.

"W-What?" she asked softly. Adeline's heart was breaking for her friend.

"He…He is going to be married to the daughter of the…," Tide started, but stopped as Marina ran to the back of the ship! She was hyperventilating! "Marina?!"

"MARINA!" Adeline said in horror, now running to her friend. Hearing the commotion, Evander ran on deck and saw Marina's eyes full of tears and her gripping her chest hard! She was gripping so hard she was tearing her clothes!

"Down to the lower deck. NOW!" he ordered, now picking her up bridal style and carrying her down below. Adeline followed and Tide swam around the boat, worrying about her.

"What have I done?" He whispered sadly. He then dove under the water and into the kingdom to tell Cove that she was back.

Meanwhile…

Marina was sobbing hard into her bed and Evander was making her sit still! But her squirming and anger was getting the better of her!

"GET OFF ME!" She shouted in pure anguish.

"You need to calm down," Evander said, now trying to keep a grip on her. But her clawing and struggling made him pin her down! He then gripped her chin to make her look at him. "Marina…,"

As she looked at him through tear-strained eyes, she saw his eyes begin to swirl green and white.

"N-NO! No hypnosis! Stop it!" She bellowed, now trying to break free. But Evander had a grip on her face and he used his magic to make her open her eyes when she tried to close them. As she looked at him, his swirls got stronger and faster!

"I said…sleep…," Evander ordered. He heard her whimper and try to struggle but his power and strength made her succumb in under four minutes. Once Marina was out cold, Evander turned and saw Adeline looking at him.

"That was incredible, Evander," she said gently.

"She is part of my team; I wanted to help her. Especially after what Cove has done," Evander said lowly.

"Cove? You mean…you heard that?" Adeline asked.

"Yes. Adeline there is little that I do not know when it comes to my performers," Evander replied calmly.

"But what will we do? We were going to do a water and fire show during the Amazon celebration and how can we without Marina?" Adeline asked.

"She will be fine. She just needs a few nights to rest," he said calmly.

"Now what do we do?" She asked calmly.

"We practice at dawn; right now it's time for sleep," Evander said, now motioning Adeline towards her room. As she walked towards her door, she paused and turned around.

"Evander…do we have to go to Atlantis?" She asked quietly.

"Yes. They are having a celebration for one of the princes," Evander replied calmly. "What is bothering you?"

"I-I don't know. I'm okay with Marina…but the others just scare me a bit," she said calmly.

"The merpeople won't hurt you…they are more curious than anything else. Some are mischievous, but they are nothing to fear," Evander said, now walking over to her and getting closer to her. Adeline's face flushed as his shirt was open a bit from helping Marina earlier. He arched an eyebrow as he saw her face turn red. "Is something wrong?"

"No…I…just…uh…I gotta go!" She said, now hurrying and running into her room. Evander only shook his head fondly and then turned towards his room. He had to prepare for the next morning.

Meanwhile, Adeline was walking into her room when she looked out of the golden underwater window. She was mesmerized by all of the beautiful fish and coral they were flowing through.

"This is EEEEEEEK!" She shouted out loud, now seeing Tide swimming at her window. Adeline was somewhat creeped out by mermen. If anything, she still remembered the tales of mermaids and mermen wanting to drown people. As silly as it was, she still believed it.

"Wait! Calm down!" Tide tried to say, but it appeared to be nothing but air bubbles escaping from his mouth. Adeline hurried and opened her door and ran out. As she ran, she ran into Evander's room! The shocked ringmaster had just taken off his shirt and he turned and saw Adeline burst in!

"Evander! There's…," she paused as she saw him look at her over his shoulder. His hair was now completely white and down his back.

"Adeline? What's going on?" he asked. But Adeline's face turned even more red and she ran back out! Now confused, Evander gently jogged after her and saw her running towards the top of the ship.

"Oh my gosh! Mermans and…and…Evander with no shirt! What am I doing?!" She gasped.

"That's what I want to know. Whatever is the matter with you?" He asked calmly.

"I-I don't know I just feel…strange…," Adeline said, now turning away.

"Adeline…easy…," he said calmly.

"I-I just can't help it; there's so much going on." Adeline said.

"You need to sleep…," he said, his voice lowering. Adeline turned away from him, now thoroughly embarrassed.

"I-I will be back down in a second," she said calmly.

"It's getting windy up here. Come…the entire team is resting. You should be too," he said, now coming up behind her. Adeline let out a short squeak as she felt his bare chest behind her.

"E-Evander, I'm fine!" She protested, now feeling him turn her and make her look at him.

"Adeline~,rest…," he said, now wrapping his arms around her. Adeline's eyes were in pure shock as she was now pressed against his bare chest. But for some reason, she could feel herself getting sleepy. And it was no wonder…Evander was absorbing some of her energy.

"E-Evander…," she said sleepily. But he only ran a hand through her hair.

"You need rest." He said, now picking her up and carrying her inside. She curled into his chest as he carefully went down the stairs, into her room, and placed her down on the bed.

"Rest. My entire team needs to rest…," he said calmly, now walking back to the top deck. He then began to dig his claws into the floor, his eyes turned blood red, and he let out a dark chuckle. "Yes…I can feel the power."

As the moon beams beat down on his back, he began to soak up the energy and he let out a deep chuckle and laugh. His powers were intensifying and becoming stronger and stronger! But once the moon was covered by the clouds, he shook his head and stood.

"No matter what happens…I will protect my clan," he said seriously, now staring at the moon from the clouds that covered it. He then returned to the bottom of the ship; Themyscira was only a horizon away.

guestsurprise's words: Oh my…what do you all think will happen next?

To guestsurprise: It's going to be intense for sure. Hope Evander's team can help him out with whatever's going to happen. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I'm on the edge of my seat and looking forward to the next chapter. :)

To everyone else: Please leave guestsurprise a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418