ELEMENTS: Acquiesce by Kathryn Andrews (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

Cordelia hesitated for a moment before speaking. There was so much she wanted to talk about but she decided to keep it brief.

“I seem to have developed early.”

The two seconds it took for Amatheia to respond seemed like forever.

“In what way?”

“I’ve grown my tail. I didn’t think it was supposed to happen until my sixteenth birthday.”

“I see,” said Amatheia, peering over her reading glasses. “When do you turn sixteen?”

“Not until May.”

“Well that’s only a few weeks away,” said Amatheia, leaning back in her chair.

Cordelia paused. “So there’s nothing to worry about? It’s just that everyone says it doesn’t happen until you turn sixteen.”

“That’s true, I’ve never heard of it happening before then, but we’re only a few weeks off so I wouldn’t worry. Was there anything else you’d like to talk about?”

“Um, well, I’m just curious about the colour.”

Amatheia raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Are merfolk tails supposed to be brightly coloured?”

“Usually they are. Colours often run in families. Why do you ask?”

“Mine is silver, well, mostly silver.”

“Mostly silver?”

“Yes, well, silver and black with a thin blue stripe on each side. I just thought it should be brighter, pink or blue or green. Prettier I suppose.”

Amatheia retrieved a book from the shelf above her desk. The title read, ‘The Book of Tails’. Amatheia ran her finger along the contents page and then flicked through the book.

“Does it look like this?” she asked, showing Cordelia a picture.

Cordelia looked at the coloured illustration and nodded.

“Will this give me a clue about who my parents might be?”

Amatheia nodded and looked at Cordelia with astonishment.

“I need to speak with Triton,” said Amatheia, rising from her chair.

“Why? What is it? Have I done something wrong?”

“No dear, not at all. Growing your tail can be a big change to get used to. Why don’t you take the day off from lessons? Nurses orders.”

Amatheia held the door open and Cordelia left feeling more confused than before she went in, although she was relieved to be excused from lessons considering she wasn’t on speaking terms with her friends.

Cordelia rushed to the library.

“Wade? Are you here?” she called breathlessly.

Wade emerged from a back room, his hair perfectly coifed as usual.

“Cordelia, what a pleasure. What can I help you with today?”

“Do you have a copy of The Book of Tails?” she asked, her eyes filled with hope.

Wade smiled. “This way.”

“This one isn’t off limits then?” asked Cordelia as she followed him along the aisle.

Wade retrieved The Book of Tails from the shelf. “Books are only restricted for novices, Cordelia, which you are no longer.”

“How do you know that?”

Wade winked. “Now, will you be reading this book in or out?”

“Out, please.”

Wade took the book to the desk and stamped it before handing it over to Cordelia who looked like she’d received something very important indeed. She grasped the book with both hands and held it close to her chest.

“Thank you,” she said, backing out of the library.

Cordelia didn’t dare open the book until she was alone in her chamber. Finding out where she was from suddenly seemed more important than ever before and not knowing what to expect, she slowly lifted the cover. The contents page listed different families of merfolk but Cordelia had no idea which family she belonged to and she wasn’t sure how Amatheia had turned to the correct page so quickly. Her only hope was to flick through the pages until she found the image that matched her own tail. Cordelia flicked through the book three times and couldn’t find the image that Amatheia had shown her earlier. It was only on the fourth attempt that she scanned the book more slowly and noticed that page one hundred and forty six was missing. Cordelia had just turned back to the contents page when Nixie reappeared.

“Whatever happens, you’ll always have Flynn.”

Taken aback, Cordelia asked, “Will I? Do you know where he is? You have to tell me.”

“I just meant that you shouldn’t forget the person who raised you, no matter who your real parents are.”

“I would never forget Flynn, but something tells me you know where he is.”

“I was just trying to comfort you. To tell you that if things don’t work out, you have Flynn.”

“But I don’t have Flynn, do I?”

Nixie didn’t respond.

“I saw a vision of him in the mirror pool,” said Cordelia. “He’s alive isn’t he?”

Nixie nodded.

“Where is he?” Cordelia asked, sternly.

“It’s too dangerous,” replied Nixie.

“Tell me!” ordered Cordelia, jumping up from the bed.

“You’re not ready.”

“Tell me!” Cordelia charged at Nixie with her arms raised, ready to grab her but she fell right through Nixie who watched as Cordelia sat sobbing on the floor.

Nixie crouched down beside Cordelia and reached out her hand. “Don’t touch me!” snapped Cordelia.

“I want to help you but you’re not ready,” said Nixie.

A loud rumble interrupted their argument and rain started to pour inside the chamber. So heavy was the rain that the chamber began to flood. Rising to their feet, the girls looked down at the water swirling around their legs. Cordelia stepped back, pressing her hands against the wet, bumpy wall. Soaked to the skin, her breathing quickened and water trickled over the contours of her face. Cordelia didn’t know why the rain had started. She didn’t understand any of it. Another rumble came, louder this time and lightening followed. Nixie had never witnessed a storm inside a mermaid’s chamber before. Worried that Cordelia might do something dangerous, she decided to stay. When the water was waist high, the few items of furniture that Cordelia was able to call her own were swept around the chamber. Explosions of fire burst from the candles, burning Cordelia’s hair as water mixed with fire and wax. Nixie watched in horror as Cordelia submerged herself beneath the water.

“Cordelia, you need to stop this!” shouted Nixie when Cordelia resurfaced.

“Where is he?!” cried Cordelia, wiping water from her face.

“I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t or won’t?” shouted Cordelia, slamming her hands down