Heads or Tails (16 page)

‘Ahh!’ Lincoln’s hands went to his ears, blocking out Marcus’s gasp, Bane’s cry of alarm, and Tristan’s continued laughter. For a moment, his fury with Tristan was lost to paranoia. Damn the Londeree’s and their embarrassing crushes!

‘Is this customary behavior among men friends in Australia?’ He asked of Adele, whom he’d sat beside during the ruckus.

Adele was too busy laughing to respond. In fact, she was doubled over, clutching at her ankles. Lincoln wanted to pinch her!

‘It was a full moon dream!’ Bane protested, turning to Marcus. ‘I can’t control those!’ He shot Lincoln a pleading look. ‘Seriously bro, I’d never..’

‘I can’t say I’m horrified.’ Marcus drawled. ‘In fact, it’s too bad that Lincoln seems to be so horrified, if I’m being honest..’

Bane froze. ‘Really?’

Lincoln gaped at the guy who’d taught him the ropes on the ocean. ‘Not you too!’

‘And Lincoln Grey adds to his payroll fan club!’ Tristan chortled.

Lincoln gave him a murderous look.

‘Enough!’ Garridan’s exclamation silenced them all. ‘Ivyanne, sit down or go inside where you won’t distract everyone! Bane-try to rub a few out before you go to sleep! Marcus, I wouldn’t hold your breath. Lincoln-take Bane cologne shopping. Buy the one he hates or roster him on different shifts to you and for the love of god, don’t keep him back late on a full moon.’ He paused, looking at his nephew sternly while everyone but Lincoln and Ivyanne continued to laugh. ‘Tristan….it’s lovely ink. But if taking your shirt off is going to piss everyone off then I suggest that you do it only when necessary. Sahori?
Go
.’

Garridan’s commands were immediately adhered too. Still looking as pissed off as Lincoln felt, Ivyanne sank back to the grass, giving Bane a sly shove as she did. Bane shoved back.

Lincoln crossed his arms across his chest, hoping that Sahori was about to do to Tristan what he’d seen ninja’s do to planks of wood. Smiling an uncertain smile, Sahori turned her back to Tristan once more.

‘Okay say you’re Ardhi and you’re coming up behind me-what are you going to do?’

Tristan stepped up and gripped Sahori’s forearms, pressing them aggressively down to her sides. ‘Get your hands out of the way first, and then try and bend your arms up behind your-’

Sahori bent in the middle and rolled, handsfree, tucking her down and pushing forward so the back of her shoulders hit the ground first. In the blink of an eye, Tristan was flat on his on the grass. And by the awkward angle at which he was flipped over, Lincoln could tell he’d hit his head and back pretty hard. He was gasping for breath and Sahori was on her knees, grinning.

‘See?’ Sahori glanced back at Lincoln. ‘Tristan was expecting me to wrench away or drive him backwards, or try to twist-but I did the unexpected and he wasn’t ready for it. Now-he’s hurt because I forced him to fall hard.’

There was a smattering of applause and Lincoln grinned, darting his eyes to Ivyanne and feeling smug due to her cautious smile.

‘I’ve still got your arms though.’ Tristan pointed out. He had a monkey grip around her olive-hued arms, even though his own were extended above his head.

‘Yes-you must have been focused not to break your grip on me. Most would have lost it. But because
I
anticipated that, when I flung you over my head, I made sure to bend my arms at the end, see Link?’ She smiled at him, a secret smile, expressing that they shared a common bond-the desire to see Ivyanne and Tristan ripped apart. ‘He’s not too far away for me to strike again.’ Sahori twisted her torso and feigned a strike to Tristan’s face with her elbow. To block it, Tristan released her grip. She stayed, leaning over Tristan and grinning. ‘Aha! Now you have a broken nose.’ She arched an eyebrow. ‘So what can you do? I believe I have you!’

Tristan cupped her face and yanked her lips down on his. Sahori fell forward, bracing herself on the grass on either side of his head as a moan escaped her throat. There were a few gasps of shock-one coming from Lincoln’s own lungs, but before he could fully register what was going on, Tristan had broken the kiss and flipped Sahori onto her back, holding her throat down against the ground with one hand and her knee down with the other.

‘What was that for?’ she choked, her eyes bewildered.

‘I win,’ Tristan whispered, smiling smugly. He then pushed off her and lightly bounced to the balls of his feet. ‘I told you I can always get a woman on her back-even if she
is
a ninja.’

There was some laughter following this. Sahori’s cheeks flushed pink and she took the hand Tristan extended to her, allowing him to pull her up.

‘So if you were Lincoln, getting attacked, you’d just turn around and
kiss
Ardhi?’

‘Nah. But when I got your face-I would have broken your neck like I said before.’ He punched her lightly in the arm. ‘If you weren’t so pretty, that is.’

Lincoln glanced back at the queen, noting that her smile had slipped once more. In fact, she had practically gone white  from bearing witness to the sickening display. Lincoln swallowed hard. He didn’t know if her indignation worked for him, or against him.

The only thing that was clear was that Tristan had just made her jealous, and upstaged Lincoln once more. 

Heads Or Tails Book #3 in The Fairytail Saga S.K Munt

Part Two

June 28th 1996

Ivyanne’s mother pressed her lips to her cheek and pulled back, her eyes alight with worry. ‘Now honey are you sure you don’t want to come along with us? I just don’t know how I feel about leaving you here alone until Saraya gets back from the mall.’

‘Mum it’s fine. I can’t handle one more nuclear testing protest.’ Ivyanne said, sliding the letter she’d been writing to Lincoln under the one she was supposed to be writing to Roan. ‘It’s depressing and Chirac isn’t listening. You take dad-I have study to do-I’ll be fine.’

‘Okay…’ Vana bit her lip. ‘Okay fine. You’re old enough now-I guess a few hours won’t kill you.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I have a guest coming by. I told him we wouldn’t be home until two, but in case he shows up early, just entertain him for awhile, will you?’

Ivyanne withheld a sigh. Ever since they’d arrived in California, they’d had a string of progressive mermaids sauntering through their door. She just wanted one day, to herself. ‘Fine. Is he staying for a while?’

‘No-he lives in Malibu. He’s just dropping in for a few hours to catch up.’

‘Now Ivyanne if this Loveridge boy does or says anything inappropriate, I expect to hear about it, okay?’ Her father suddenly said, shrugging into his windbreaker.

‘Honey!’ Vana snapped. ‘For god’s sakes-she’s thirteen!’

‘Yeah well... those boys can be slippery….’

Ivyanne glanced form one parent to the other. ‘Why? What would he do?’

‘Nothing!’ Vana said quickly, glowering at her husband. ‘He’s harmless. Just stay inside, okay? No swimming until we’re back.’

‘Fine.’ Ivyanne sighed. ‘Have fun.’

‘Bye.’ Her parents hurried back inside, stone-faced, but Ivyanne could hear them begin to bicker as soon as they were in the garage.

I wonder what that was all about?
She thought, glancing back down at her blank letter, chewing on her pencil. It was depressing, how little she had to say to Roan. The letter to Lincoln, that would never be posted considering she didn’t even know his Tasmanian address, was three pages long and filled with all of the things she wanted to say to him but never ever could. She told him how much she missed him, how human the Los Angeles mermaids were, how cold the water was, compared to the water in Seaview... how she wished he’d kissed her just once more before the summer had faded to Autumn... she touched her lips, craving something she didn’t understand, and smiled. Six more months, and she would see him again.

Ivyanne sighed and stood up, stretching her back. Down the crescent strip of golden sand, she could make out the colors and sounds emanating from the Santa Monica Pier and she leaned over the balcony, trying to imagine what it would be like to ride that Ferris Wheel, so high in the air in the bright sunlight. She’d begged her parents to take her down to the pier three times, but they always said no. Everything was always too dangerous-eyes were always on her.

Not right now they’re not
. A voice in her head said. Smiling, Ivyanne picked up the letter to Lincoln and shoved it deep into the pocket of her jeans.
So why don’t I just go?

Ivyanne poked a bit of cotton candy into her mouth with trepidation, but grinned when she felt the fluffy, sticky substance dissolve on her tongue.

That’s weird.
She thought, savoring the over-sugary taste.
Nice but weird. Am I supposed to eat the whole thing though?

‘Oh my god you have to go on the bumper cars with me!’ A girlish voice shrieked.

Ivyanne looked up from her position on the bench seat near the railing and watched a glamorous looking teenage girl slap a handsome blonde guy on the backside. He’d been leaning closely to a mousy blonde, pointing to something out over the water, but now he turned to the brunette and smiled. ‘Kind of in the middle of something here Charisse.’

The brunette pouted. ‘I thought we came here as a group-you two keep ignoring the rest of us.’

Ivyanne looked-sure enough there was a group of nine or ten high schoolers gathered around a hot dog stand chatting, while the blonde boy and the mousy girl stood off to the side, having a private conversation.

‘Sorry,’ the guy said, not looking sorry at all. ‘Yeah I’ll ride the bumper cars with you later.’

Charisse threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Beside them, the mousy blonde sighed and stepped to the side, staring out at the water by herself.

She’s jealous.
Ivyanne realized.
They’re both after the one guy.
Ivyanne’s heart went out to the less polished girl-her friend was clearly out to bamboozle the boy’s affections.

When the boy disentangled himself from the brunettes arms, he glanced at Ivyanne, and paused, staring at her with open curiosity.

Oh my goodness!
Ivyanne ducked her head, letting her shoulder length curls fall around her like a curtain.
He saw me staring!
Ivyanne felt her cheeks heat up and she shoved another mouthful of cotton candy to her lips, seeing the boy’s face in her mind like a billboard featuring a handsome actor. He was beautiful! More beautiful than any human she’d ever seen before. His blonde curls were pulled back into a short ponytail, and his skin glistened under the sunlight. Even from twenty feet away she could see that his skin was unblemished, his features strong under a fashionable pair of shades.

Ivyanne found herself once again longing to be a regular teenager out on the pier for the afternoon, flirting with a bunch of cute high school guys who would win her a stuffed animal and ask her to go in the tunnel of love. But she’d never get to do anything fun like that, never.

The only time she ever truly felt like a teenager was at The Seaview back in Australia for six blissful weeks a year that passed as though time sought to hurry her happiness along back to misery where she belonged.

Ivyanne risked another peek up at the cute guy again but to her horror, discovered that he was still staring at her. He cocked his head to the side and lifted an eyebrow, mouthing the word ‘Hi.’

Alarm bloomed inside her. She couldn’t risk catching attention of a boy like that, surrounded by so many. In packs, girls could be so mean, and boys could be downright dangerous. Pretending she hadn’t seen him address her, Ivyanne stood up quickly and began to retrace her footsteps the way she had come, back towards where the rides were.

Just don’t look back!
She told herself.
This is why mum and dad don’t want you down here!

Ivyanne stepped into a shadow and looked up, seeing the Ferris Wheel towering above her. She caught her breath, thinking of how cool it would be to see everything from above instead of below for once. Also, she’d be safely removed from everyone who might pose a threat.

‘Hey.’ The soft voice came from her right. ‘Do you need a ride partner?’

Ivyanne flinched and turned, seeing the gorgeous boy standing at her elbow. Up close, he was absolutely glorious-making the alarm bells sound louder. How could she handle herself, when his face robbed her of thought?‘Huh?’

He jerked his thumb upwards, towards the Ferris Wheel. ‘For that. You have to go two at a time, and I see you’re alone.’ He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ten dollar bill, handing into the concessionaire in the booth. ‘Two please bud.’

‘Sure.’ The man ripped two tickets off and handed them to the boy as Ivyanne stood, frozen to the spot, trying to work out if she should flee or just make up some excuse and back away politely.

But when she opened her mouth, a soft: ‘Okay,’ came out, stunning her.

The boy grinned and extended his hand. ‘Trent.’

‘Ivanna.’ Ivyanne swallowed, allowing Trent to take her hand and lead her up to the swinging booth. Her heart felt like it had developed an arrhythmia. Trent’s hand was warm, his grip on hers gentle.

What am I thinking, going on a ride with a strange older boy?
She thought in panic as the cab jerked and swung away from the ground.
Mum will kill me if she ever hears about this!

‘So... Ivanna…?’ Trent leaned forward and pushed his sunglasses up onto his head, rendering her brainless again as he studied her with warm, honey colored eyes ‘What is a sensational looking girl like yourself doing down at the pier all alone on a day like this?’ His mouth curved into an alluring smile. ‘And why haven’t I seen you here before?’

Ivyanne blushed.‘It wasn’t planned. I snuck out, just to see…’ She fiddled with her braid, noticing that Trent’s friends were below, staring up at them as they ascended. The brunette did not look happy.‘I have to leave in half an hour though. My parents will be home at two.’

Trent raised his eyebrows.‘You have an accent.’

‘Do I?’ Ivyanne twirled her cotton candy stick between her palms. ‘Well, I travel a lot, I suppose.’

‘Me too.’ Trent appraised her, making Ivyanne feel incredibly self-conscious. He reached out and pinched some of the cotton candy between his fingers before sliding it between his lips and closing his eyes briefly, as though savoring it. Ivyanne shivered for some reason, taken aback by how sensual everything he did was. He opened his eyes lazily.

‘Mmm...yummy.’ He rested his elbows on the thighs of his ripped jeans.‘You know, I had some plans for two as well, but I can get out of mine, if
you
can stay out a little longer.’

Ivyanne’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Why would I do that?’

He moved to the seat beside her and threw his arm across the back of the rail. Behind him, the Pacific ocean twinkled like the stars had fallen in the night and were trapped until sunset. He cupped her chin and stared deeply into her eyes.

‘Because since I saw you, I’ve lost interest in everything else. You look like the kind of girl I’d like to get to know.’

Ivyanne laughed nervously and pulled her face away, shaking her head. It was weird but this was the first time she’d spoken to a human boy who wasn’t Lincoln, and it felt like she was being disloyal to both him and Roan by being there, especially given how her heart was racing.

But there was also a chance that her racing heart had nothing to do with Trent. Her parents had been watching her for about six months by that point, convinced that her developing chest and growth spurt were signs that their sweet teenager was about to morph into the evil, hormonal variety. And maybe it was finally happening. After all, she’d gotten her first period the month before. In fact, she was still traumatized by it, and dreading the next, which was due any day. Was that why she’d been feeling so restless?

‘Sorry,’ she said, realizing she hadn’t responded for quite a few beats.‘But no. I really can’t. I possibly have the worlds strictest parents and we’re expecting a visitor soon, who I might have to be there to greet.’ She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye.‘Besides, I think you’re a little too old for me to uh, get to know.’

‘Oh? How old are you?’ He asked, cocking his head, looking genuinely intrigued. ‘Sixteen? Seventeen?’ He leaned forward and grinned. ‘Though eighteen would be preferable…’

Ivyanne was almost embarrassed to mumble: ‘Uh... fourteen in November.’

‘Thirteen?!’ Trent’s cocky demeanor slipped away entirely. In a heartbeat, he’d shifted to the other side of the car, so abruptly in fact, that the mental hinges groaned in protested, rocking once or twice for good measure, causing Ivyanne to grip the railing in fright.

‘Geez! You don’t look thirteen!’

Ivyanne knew that-mermaids developed earlier than most humans, and then stopped developing once they’d hit their ideal child-bearing physicality for decades. But she was relieved that he’d backed away, allowing her pulse to decelerate somewhat, a process aided by the fact that the car had ceased swinging. ‘Yeah I know...sorry if you thought otherwise.’

‘There’s no if!’ His face went from white to red. ‘Thirteen!’ He shook his head and rubbed his temples.‘Bloody hell I’m pretty sure just siting with you is breaking a law of some kind!’  He eyed her. ‘You need to wear a sign or something to keep predators like myself at bay.’

‘Well you don’t need a sign,’ she joked. ‘First word that came to my mind when I saw you was predator.’

‘And yet you got on the ride with me….’

‘Well...I don’t get out much. I was curious to see if predatory company was preferable to none.’

He laughed. ‘And your verdict?’

She shrugged, looking out at the ocean. ‘Eh..’

‘Ouch.’ He said. But then, he chuckled.‘Man, I’m so sorry. Promise you won’t think I’m a creep, okay kiddo?’

Kiddo. Ivyanne wrinkled her nose. ‘Nah. If you’d been excited to learn my age however, I may have leapt over the railing.’ She ducked her head. ‘But thanks... for the ride. I love it up here.’

‘Don’t mention it.’ Trent eyed her reproachfully. ‘You really are too young to be down here by yourself, though. Where do you live? I’ll walk you back-I’m going over to Ocean Avenue soon, which is close to every other place around here. I can show you an I.D or get someone to vouch for my non-creepiness first if you’d like.’

‘Ocean Avenue?’ Ivyanne repeated in surprise. ‘That’s where I’m going! I mean, that’s where I live.’