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

“What if they fly around it?” whispered Nerissa.

The awful sound of the ravens drew nearer and without a second thought, Cordelia sent the wall of water hurtling back onto the ravens and as she did so, Lana and the twins began turning the ravens into frozen poultry. Some of them fell from the sky and hit the water like lead weights, others were frozen in mid air, suspended from the frozen wall of water, and others flew closer still, with even more determination than before. The mermaids had eyes everywhere, fighting off the ravens as fast as they could but still they kept coming.

Zamira observed in anger from her perch on Slate Island as her army perished one by one. From the lighthouse, Triton and Mazu kept watch with Irvin Seymour in the lookout.

“Why aren’t we doing anything?” cried Irvin, waving his arms in the air. “That’s my daughter out there!”

“You know the rules,” replied Triton. “Besides which, these girls need to know they can manage on their own. Imagine the confidence this will give them when they come out of this alive.”

“It’s our duty to protect Meren,” said Irvin. “Cordelia is from Meren, is she not?”

“Indeed, it is our duty and that’s why we’ve trained these girls. They’re doing a grand job. Let’s not take this victory from them,” said Triton.

Irvin paced the floor of the lookout before stopping and biting his fist. Mazu put her arm around him.

“As a father, it’s only natural that you feel anxious,” she said, “but think how proud you’ll be when she comes home a hero. Let her do what she’s been training for.”

Out at sea the ravens kept coming though there were fewer now.

“Swim!” cried Cordelia as she continued to force the ocean into the air.

“We’re not leaving you!” said Nerissa.

“Get Flynn out of here!” ordered Cordelia, “I’ll hold off the ravens.”

“You two go,” said Lana, “I’ll stay.”

Nerissa and Masika swam with Flynn towards the safety of the lighthouse while Cordelia and Lana held off the ravens. When Flynn was far enough away, Lana suggested they retreat.

“Come on Cordelia, we need to go,” said Lana.

Cordelia ignored the urgency in Lana’s voice. “Not yet, I’m not leaving without Breck.”

“Breck?!” exclaimed Lana. “There’s no sign of him. We can’t stay here.”

“I can’t leave.”

While the girls were busy disagreeing, Zamira had left her perch and was swooping straight towards Cordelia. The mermaids disappeared below the surface as Zamira flew over their heads. In the dim light beneath the waves, frozen ravens lingered. Suspended in the water at various stages of flight, their wings spread wide, their beaks open, their beady eyes seemingly staring at Cordelia and Lana. It was a most surreal and terrifying sight. There were ravens everywhere but there was no sign of Breck.

“We need to leave,” said Lana. “Now.”

Cordelia glanced over her shoulder one more time, then turned to Lana and nodded. The mermaids swam swiftly along the sea bed on their journey back to the cove leaving the ravens behind them.

By the time they reached the cove, night had fallen on this curious town and the stars sparkled like the rocks at Ross Bay. Cordelia and Lana stumbled out of the water and up to the lighthouse where lockdown was in progress. Every entry point was being barricaded in case of attack. No later than Cordelia and Lana walked into the lighthouse, the door was bolted shut behind them. The girls ran upstairs to the lookout where Triton and Irvin were keeping watch.

“Father,” said Lana, hurrying towards him.

Irvin flung his arms around Lana. “I was so worried about you,” he said.

“Where’s Flynn?” asked Cordelia.

“He’s being cared for by Amatheia,” said Triton. “I’ll take you.”

Triton and Cordelia walked promptly to Amatheia’s medical chamber. When they approached the door, Cordelia stood back and inhaled deeply.

“Are you ready?” asked Triton.

Cordelia’s anxious eyes looked up at Triton as she exhaled through pursed lips and nodded. Triton knocked three times on the door which made a clunking sound as Mazu opened it. She stepped back, allowing room for Cordelia and Triton to enter. Flynn was laying on the bed in dry clothes with a blanket over him, his hands wrapped in bandages. He looked so weary. Filled with worry, Cordelia felt her chest tighten. Panicked thoughts raced through her mind. Was he badly injured? Was he sad? Would he still love her? Would he be the same Flynn that she had grown to know and love? Before Cordelia got too carried away with her thoughts, Flynn reached out his hand and smiled. Happy tears rolled down Cordelia’s cheeks and she moved closer. Taking his hand in hers, Cordelia leaned over the bed and squeezed Flynn tightly as she sobbed with relief.

“Let’s give them some space,” said Mazu.

Triton, Amatheia and Mazu quietly left the chamber.

“I’ve missed you so much,” said Cordelia, still holding onto Flynn for fear that if she let go she might lose him again.

“I’ve missed you too,” said Flynn, hugging Cordelia back. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you safe and well.”

Cordelia pulled away and looked into Flynn’s eyes. “Are you hurt?”

“I’ll be fine,” said Flynn, putting on a brave face.

“I thought I’d lost you.”

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

Cordelia smiled with relief. “There’s something… a lot has changed… I’m not…”

“It’s alright. I already know,” said Flynn.

“You do?”

Flynn nodded.

“How long have you known?” asked Cordelia.

“I’ve always known you were special, but officially, about two hours.”

“And you don’t mind?”

“Mind? Why would I mind? There is nothing about you that would stop me loving you.”

“You know what people say about mermaids, and, well, you’re a sailor.”

“I was a sailor. I’m not anymore.”

“It’s not true what they say. We’re not the ones who…”

“I know. It’s those crazy bird women, they need shooting, the lot of ‘em.”

“If it wasn’t for Breck you’d still be their prisoner,” said Cordelia.

“Breck?”

“The man who got you off the island. He put you in the bubble to keep you safe.”

Flynn