Rarity by Haley Elizabeth (epub e ink reader txt) 📕

"Not tonight it's Starlas night to play lookout there is no way we will get in unseen!" 

"Dont underestimate me. Connie said confidently. Not only can I make myself invisable i can do it to all of us."

But for how long and when is the last time you turned five people at a time? It's to much of a risk tomorrow night the house idiot "Ox" will be on guard he's strong but alot easier to fool then any of the triplets. Connie started to Argue but Mr. Bayne shut her down.

"It is settled Luka has the most experience with the Unit 1 U.G.I's tomorrow  evening you will do a rescue mission and the only way its going to work is if you are getting along the fighting has to stop now as well as the secrets and Connie no more rougue missions. If anyone had something to say they bit their tougues and with Connie safe and home everyone returned to their rooms. Though for the rest of the night not one of them slept well.

(The ocean stretched out before Vannah her toes wiggled warm in  the sand she stepped forward ready and willing to be taken away from the shore, to become one with the tide and leave everything behind her. She closed her eyes the sun felt good but she new the water would be better. The water was at her knees now and someone was calling to her. She searched up and down the beach but no one was there. It wasn't until she focused back on the water that the saw her. "Leera!!!" she yelled rushing and diving under she swam fast wanting to reach Leera afraid that she might fade if she didnt get there soon enough. But now under the water She couldnt see the shimmer of her mothers tail so when she came up Leera was still there, still waving and waitng. Vannah swam toward her again but with every foot forward she went Leera seemed to move back. Vannah became frustrated she smacked the water causing her hands to sting but before she could register the pain her vision flashed white and her surroundings changed. She was still in the ocean only now there was no beach instead behind her was a deep dark cave surrounded by jagged rocks the sun was gone now hidden by dark clouds rain began to fall and Vannah didn't hesitate to enter the cave her legs had gotten there shape back when it happened. A figure stepped out of the shadows throwing a net over her she screamed and rolled away  from her captor whos face was no more then shadow its self she hit the water with a loud bang which woke up tangled in covers on the bedroom floor.

   The next day not just Vannah but everyone was restless and still on edge though for Mr. Bayne and the missions sake they pretended to be fine around lunch time Ele was complaining about the fact she hadnt seen or hardly heard from Joshua since his party disaster. She'd text him sorry a bunch off times but he'd only responded once telling her not to worry about it. That wasn't good enough for Ele so she dragged Connie and Vannah who was happy to not be condemmed to the cabin with her to the Pizzaria. A younger Josh look alike was working the counter "hi Ele" said when the girls entered the boy smiled widest at Connie.

"But it was the women giving them the mean eye from behind him that they noticed.

"Well look who it is the girl who ruined my sons big day!"

"It wasn't like that Miss Pina I came here to try  and appoligize again, is Josh here Ele rattled off her face was pink with embarassment.

"No he isn't, you would know why had you not started that fight before he made his big announcement. Well obviously the fact he hasn't been in touch isn't enough for you to get it so I'll relay the message for him. What ever you guys started is over he is with Unit 1 changing lives while you are wasting time thinking about a petty teen relationship move on!"

"He wouldn't say that!" Ele sobbed  

"Here want to read the text?" Miss. Pina offered coming around the counter her fat angry face jiggled with each step.

"No I dont!" Ele shreiked before running out breathless she stopped outside the boookstore. The fact that Miss. Pina had offered the text was enough evidence. Not only had Josh not taken the time to speak with her but he was with Unit 1 and all the craziness that came with them. "

This can't be true Con!" Ele said into her bestfriends shoulder both Connie and Vannah held her while she cried and they all thought the same thing that this can't be happening.                

Night couldn't have come fast enough everone had their reasons for wanting to get the mission started Connie and Mick just wanted to do the right thing Luka was still on his inner mission of redeeming himself and Ele who's intentions were good had let some selfishness sneak in hoping she somehow would get to see Josh while there she just knew there had to be a missing puzzle peice. Vannah sat silently observing the ansy U.G.I's. Feeling anxious and some what afraid  she really wished they weren't all mad at each other for one reason or another not only because she found comfort in the family like inviroment but because this being her first misssion she really would like for everyone to be at their best. For the third time Vannah caught Luka full on staring at her but this time he gestured with his head for her to follow him upstairs they had about an half hour before leaving. She waited a decent amount of time before going when she got upstairs she closed the bathroom door so no one would suspect her and Luka being together in one room. When she walked in Luka pushed the door closed and she braced her self prepared to deny any accusations. But her defense was nothing against what happened next.

He wrapped his arms around her and turned her towards him. The kiss wasn't soft but instead ruff and trembling. It tasted of jealousy.  He nibbled at her lips it hurt but in way that Vannah liked his skin felt so warm until he backed away breathing heavy and looking dark and angrry and undeniably handsome. 

"Did he ever kiss you like that?" He asked and Vannah hated that the growl in his voice made her want to skip this conversation and go back to kissing.

"No!" Vannah told him honestly. Now that she thought about it Mick had always been so gentle with her probably because he had to hide his strength.

"Did you want him to kiss you?"
  

"Ofcourse not!" Vannah couldn't beleive him didn't he know no matter what had happened between her and Mick in the past that what they had was more it was beyond lust or a teen romance it was magic.

"You would tell me if there was anything left between you and Mick right?"

"I will always be honest with you Luka, thats why I don't understand how you could keep the truth about Unit 1 from me.

"Vannah you need to come see this!!!"  Connie was yelling up the steps

They had forgotten all about the others waiting for them down stairs. "Vannah hurry!" Vannah didn't want to hurry and see whatever it was she had a hunch it wouldnt be good. Besides she wasnt' done speaking to Luka. But Luka was curious and already opening th door. 

They were surprised to find Caroline in the living room. She was holding a wooden box with intricate designs on it Vannah made out the the shape of a mermaid in the center with emeralds for eyes that actually glowed.

"What is that?" Vannah asked over her own heart beat that was pounding in her ears.

A friend of mine who owns the bookstore saw you in town today and insisted I get this box to you!" 

Caroline handed it to her.

"He recognized me from the news?" Vannah asked

"No Harris is more into his books then media, I doubt he has any idea about whats going on todays tv."

"Then does he have a gift for knowing other U.G.I's powers?" Vannah asked.

"No!"  But this is not him about, its the box that matters! He said that the eyes only glow when it recognizes a certain bloodline. Vannah has Arwin told you how rare even in the world of U.G.I's you are? It's why I didn't hesitate telling you about Leera the odds of you not being from the same family line is well almost impossible. Do you see the intials?"

Vannah hadn't taken her eyes off the box.( L.A.R.)

"You think it belonged to Leera?" Vannah asked wanting to hold the box close and cherish it.

"Don't you?" Caroline asked her. 

Vannah looked down at the empty box stunned by how familiar it seemed though it was impossible she had ever seen or touched it before.

"We have to get going V." Mick said resting his hand on her shoulder. I know Vannah said before turning back to Caroline. 

"Did Harris say anything else?"

"Only that its been sitting in his store for years and his wife picked it up at a yard sell sell here in Rarity."

"Vannah I know this is really important but...." Connie started to say.

"Sorry Con, just one more question Caroline. "How does Harris know about the eye's?

"his wife "Florence" told him that the man who sold it to her told her! but before you can ask his wife "Florence passed away not long ago.

Vannah thanked Caroline though just like the imformation from Miss Ruba's that had basically fallen right into her lap that this didn't seem to get her anywhere at all. It was strange to feel so far yet so close, to be holding something her mother may have touched she held the box close to her heart before placing it back up stairs in the girls room. She had to see this as a positive thing and she had to except that her journey to finding out about her past had just begun.

(Mick's POV)

Another one of the mission cars was back from the shop Unit 1 hadnt seen it and the windows were tented which made it a good choice. The ride was silent not even the radio was on. Mick guessed it was better than the sound of everyone arguing. He wanted to speak to Vannah, tell her he'd help find out more about the box but he didnt want to make promises he wasnt sure he could keep. He hated how let down Vannah was but none of them could deny that if she was going to find out about her past then Rarity was the right place for her. When Caroline had told Vannah how rare she was Mick hadn't been surprised not only because he had never met another mermaid but because he had known she was special even before he knew who or what she was. She was powerful and sexy and he wasnt the only one who noticed. It seemed every time