Chapter 18- Cole

I watched Cora leave with a feeling of despair. I'm stuck in a room with an adult male Syrena that I've never met before. Great. Just great. I looked at Galen nervously. "What is it you want to talk about?"

"Well first of all, happy birthday."

I blinked, surprised that he knew it was my birthday. "Um, thanks. How did you know?"

"That will come later. Cora told me you shifted for the first time today." I just nodded. "And you had no idea what you are prior to this?" I shook my head. He nodded like he was just confirming facts. He sighed and looked a little nervous. "I honestly don't really know how to put this Cole. Cora told you that your mom is a half breed?" I nodded again. "Do you know anything about your father other than that he's Syrena?"

I shook my head. "He left us when I was seven with my twin sister and we haven't heard from him since." I blinked, just now remembering my twin sister. "Is my sister Syrena too then?"

He nodded. "Yes, your sister is Syrena. But unlike you, she was raised in the sea from that point on and didn't know that her brother and mother lived on land."

"Do you know her? Could I meet her?" I've always wanted to meet my twin sister, always wondered what she's like. Her being Syrena didn't change that.

"Yes I know her. And you've already unknowingly met her."

I was confused by this. How could I have met her? I would have remembered meeting a Syrena. Unless she was in human form which in that case it could be anyone. But why would she be on land? I don't understand… "I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."

Galen sighed. "Would you like to know how your father met your mother and why he left?" I nodded. Galen took a deep breath, seemingly preparing himself. "Your mother didn't know that she was a half breed when she met your father. Your father showed her what she is and taught her things about Syrena. There are two kingdoms, Poseidon and Triton. Your father was a Triton prince. Your mother is a Poseidon princess. There was turmoil between the kingdoms and your mother ended it and brought them back together, saving both kingdoms. They went through many other things together before finally getting married and settling down, having children years later. Your father had to give up the kingdom in order to be with your mother. Everything was fine for several years but your father was becoming miserable on the land. He continuously tried to convince your mother to come live in the sea but she refused since she couldn't shift. Eventually your father couldn't take it anymore. He got into a fight with your mother and she told him to leave and take your sister with him so he did." By the time he finished he was very forlorn.

I was stunned by all of this information and took a minute to process it all. "How do you know all of this is true?"

"Because I was there Cole." He lifted his shirt, revealing a tattoo of a trident on his stomach. "This is the mark of a Triton royal, marking the Triton princes and princesses."

I blinked and lifted my shirt, looking at my own mark and also remembering that I saw it on Cora earlier. "You mean…?" He's my father? But then Cora…

Galen sighed. "Cole, I'm your father. Cora is your sister."

I blinked very slowly and looked at him. "You...you left us…"

"Only because she told me to Cole. I love you and your mother very much and would never have left of my own accord no matter how miserable I was. I didn't want to leave."

I slowly nodded. "I...I understand. I don't hold it against you anymore." I sighed. "I used to hate you. I hated you for leaving us and taking my sister from me. But I understand."

He sighed in relief. "Thank you Cole."

I nodded. "Is that all?"

He nodded. "Yes." He stood and I stood with him. He opened the door and stepped aside for me to get through. I stepped out and saw Cora coming out of Sam's room.

Cora saw me and came over somewhat hesitantly. "Hey…"

I couldn't help but hug her. "Hey." She was shocked but hugged me back. I pulled away after a moment. "I think we should go to my house and talk to Mom."

She nodded. "So he told you everything?" I nodded. "You're handling this really well."

I chuckled. "I partially wondering if this is a dream and when I'm going to wake up. But I've always wondered about my lost family and the strange little things that I never put together until now that prove I'm Syrena. By the way, can Syrena talk to fish? Cause I swear I talked to fish once. Is that normal?"

Galen came up behind me. "Only for the princes and princesses of Poseidon. It's the gift of Poseidon. You, Cora, and Emma can do it since you're Poseidon royals. I can't since I'm of Tridon." He looked at Cora. "Why don't you let Sam know we're leaving?"

She nodded and went to Sam's room, coming back a moment later. "Alright, let's go." She led the way downstairs and I led the way to my house.

When we got there I looked at them. "Let me go in first." They both nodded and I went in. "Mom, I'm home!" I didn't hear a response. "Mom?" I looked around the house but didn't see her. Her stuff was here though so she wasn't still at work. I went back outside. "She's not home."

Cora frowned. "Still at work maybe?"

I shook my head. "Her stuff is here."

Galen sighed. "She's probably at the beach. You two go inside, I'll get her."

Cora and I nodded and went inside as Galen jogged towards the beach.