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

the doorway he stepped into the moonlight his dark curly hair was no longer in a ponytail but had fallen softly to his shoulders. He offered them a boyish smile that made Mick snort and Vannah drool. She stood returning Lukas smile and she whispered for Mick to"stay calm". Then she strolled back into the cabin.

"That was a warm welcome, Connie said from the couch where she was sitting indian style. "Vannah shook her head. "Boys!" They said this at the same time and started to laugh. There laughter echoed in the large room.

"Where is everyone?" Vannah asked. "Ele's up stairs that girl could sleep through a rock concert and Warren's probably buried in a book. "And Mr. Bayne?" Vannah asked looking at the fist hole in the wall. "He's out having a late night with Caroline she has the power to heal and she owns the town flower shop Mr Bayne's so into her." "You go Mr. Bayne", Vannah joked. Hey what's Warrens gift anyway?" She asked. "Warren's a boy genius, but he is 100% human. Vannah was surprised but simply said "lucky him!" Connie half nodded then went on to ask, "What all comes with being a mermaid? Besides a tail I mean!" "I put Tucker to sleep by humming Vannah said feeling like it had happened so long ago and not just days ago.

"Really?"

"Ummhmm and when ever I screamed the water reacted to my voice!"

"What do you mean?"

"Well I was restrained and when I got angry it was like the water was.... ready to defend me. But that's crazy right?"

"Yeah completely". Connie said sarcastically, but her focus was on the boys coming back into the room. They weren't bromancing or anything but the hostility was gone from Micks stance.

"So little mermaid I here you got my old room, I dont mind sharing if you don't!" Coming from someone else it would have seemed sleazy but Lukas voice oozed with charm. Vannah blushed and Connie interjected.
 "I'm sure Ele and I can make room for Vannah. We have an extra mattress if Ele's willing to give one up, she Has them pushed together!" Vannah liked the idea but not as much as Mick who was nodding to him self.
 "If that's what you want to do, I'm not going to force ya." Luka continued to flirt and Micks chest was rising with every word. Connie cleared her throat.
"Word of advice Luka if you want to be on Micks good side, stop flirting with his girl!" "Ex girl!" The words left Vannahs mouth quick and she knew right away they had stung Mick. Had he actually flinched? "Mick, I didn't...
"It's fine", he held a hand up to her his body once again tense. He started away from them. Calling over his shoulder, "and by the way Luka welcome back!" Lukas perfect mouth dropped open he actually looked like he felt bad.
"If I knew, I wouldn't have!
"Sure", Vannah mumbled debating on chasing after Mick.
"No honestly I know how I come off but I wouldn't intentionally hurt Mick. Again his voice moved through her like silk and Vannah believed him.

Connie stood abruptly. "I'm going to bed I've had my share of drama for today." The truth was Vannah had been exhausted since her time at the mess and no amount of sleep seemed to be helping.. On que she yawned. Luka plopped down onto the couch

"I'll crash here tonight! I really don't want to put you out of the room, but seeing as Mick hates me and Warrens room is so small I don't know what else to do."
"Mick doesn't hate you Luka I think it's the opposite and that's why he's so hurt." Vannah left Luka to think about that while she tried to not think about him.

Up stairs Vannah was alone in her room it wasn't easy to forget about cute boys and relationship drama. but she tried by instead  imagining faces she had never seen a mother and a father missing her, longing for what was stolen from them. From her! Then those images faded and were replaced by Trish's cold scowl. Vannah actually shivered. Trish had never been cruel to her but at the same time when was the last time Trish had kissed her on forehead or told her she was proud or that she loved her. Once maybe that she could remember. They lived good in a beautiful house always with every essential but that wasn't for her that's just the way Trish lived. 18 years of the life she knew had ended. How was she supposed to begin again living as something she knew nothing about? And how could she begin at all with no where to start. Who was she? She had no leads not one single detail of where she came from, where she belonged.

Muffled voices jarred her from her thought's. It was coming from the living room Mr Bayne was home and he was angry! Vannah listened only able to make a few words coming from Mr. Bayne. "Why.......back.......trust.........change...................'She wondered how Luka had expected his homecoming to be. Home! That's where Vannah so wanted to be. But they would welcome her with an open fish tank not opened arms. Home! Could this be it. Could this be apart of who she was now a kick ass U.G.I. Society member? Yes! That's is exactly what she would be! But how? Her powers only worked in water at least that's whats she thought. Restless she got of bed and crept back downstairs.

Vannah found herself standing in the thresh hold between the kitchen and living room. She watched Luka whose face was cupped in his palms. She decided then she would momentarily put him out of his misery, she would sing to him. She would bring him sleep. The song had never left the back of her mind ,easily she summoned it forward. The first soft note reached Luka like a breeze, his eyes stayed shut but he tilted his head back and listened. The song caressed him like the softest of angel wings soothing him he excepted it and the sleepy haze that it brought. Vannah didn't stop when the melody changed becoming more seductive more inviting almost like a musical moan. She herself was being affected as well, feeding off of the control his reaction he was all hers. She sighed when he slumped over fast asleep that hadnt been her intention in the end. She turned to go back upstairs, but first she whispered. "Good night Luka and welcome back".

Surveillance Ch 4.

She awoke to Connie towering over her. Vannah yelped! "Don't do that, she said her voice raspy. "Sorry." Connie said blowing on her freshly gold painted finger nails. "Come on its breakfast then training, Mick and I have a mission tonight. "To the mess?" Vannah asked. No that's to risky this soon. Vannah waited for her to elaborate. But Connie moved on. "So you should come see us in action!" Vannah yawned I'm still so tired. Ummmhmm Connie said her brown/red eyebrow raised. "Ummmhmm! What's that supposed to mean?" Vannah asked. "Ohhhh I don't know Maybe it could have something to do with your late night chorus session!" Vannah wanted to hide under her pillow. "I was just experimenting with my powers. So that's what you call It? Connie grinned. "Hurry up! She added before leaving Vannah to get dressed."

Downstairs Vannah ate her breakfast sandwich alone and then joined the others. She watched as a very refreshed Luka made the entire ex-ray machine rise of the ground. "So he's a telepath?" Vannah asked Mr. Bayne who was sitting at a desk rapidly taking notes.

"Yes as well as a technopath!" He answered not looking up. Mick was leaning against the wall farthest away from every one. He brightened when Vannah looked his way. She blushed had he heard her sing too. That song was for Luka and only Luka! Her stomach clenched.

"Now Luka a much more simple task unlock that door!" Mr Bayne twirled in his computer chair. Very gently Luka lowered the Machine and started toward a large metal door in the corner of the room. "Crack the code." Mr. Bayne said. And a moment past between the two as if they both remembered something. In moments there was a tiny beep followed by clicking and more beeps then the door creaked open. Excellent! Mr. Bayne proclaimed and jotted down more notes. "Now Vannah I'd like a word with you, please step into my office the line was classic and Vannah was dreading what he was about to say! Most likely about her using her seductive gift on Luka.

How embarrassing!

She followed him into what seemed to be a laundry room at some point. She took a seat across from his smaller desk.

"Here's the thing Vannah, normally when we take in UGIs they  stay a few days then we reconnect them with their families and relocate them. But Mick and the others like you dont have... he hesitated searching!

"Anyone!" she finished and the truth burned her throat. Mr. Bayne fidgeted awkwardly, then continued. "I would like to offer you a permanent place here with us. If that's something you would want!

"Is it?" His kind brown eyes blinked at her. Vannah held back tears.

"Yes that is what I want, I want to be apart of this!" She said feeling a little suprised at her self and how desperately she really did want to stay.

"Very well then its settled, welcome home Vannah!" The tears disobeyed Vannah forced there way out then, but it was okay they were happy tears.

Mick was practicing now, squaring of with Warren who had the advantage of being small and quick.

"He Better have all his teeth when your done!" Mr. Bayne warned playfully. Suddenly another figure came into View poking mick Right in the eye. "Ahhh Mick said stumbling backward. Connie had turned invisible and was completely forgotten and she got Mick right in one of his only weak spots. At first there was silence with Mick clutching his eye. Then Luka started laughing, hard! And then Mick was bent over laughing too. For that moment the room was light as air.

ELe high fived Connie ,"so much for invincible they teased.

 "Yeah yeah you wont catch me of guard again Mick said pretending to charge Connie .

"Serious time now Mr. Bayne announced I've chosen mission leader for tonight, and its Luka! What? both boys asked. "Yes luka your Skills our most needed for this assignment so you are mission leader." "But he just got here Mick protested.

"What does it matter where going too Connie said sounding reasonable. Vannah knew what the problem was, Mick wasn't ready to trust Luka on any mission.

"I'ts fine Mick I decline. Everyone stared at Luka. "I don't deserve to be mission leader, not yet! Mick didn't hesitate to nod in agreement.

"Fine Connie your up Mr. Bayne said snatching up his notes preparing to leave the room.

"That's it?" Vannah asked.

"Yes that's all I have to get going I umm have a lunch date!" With that Mr. Bayne was gone.

Everyone else filed out of the room except for Mick who had turned to the hanging punching bags.

"Vannah?" alone time with Mick here