Derrolyn Anderson - [Marinas Tales #1] - Between The Land And The Sea by Derrolyn Anderson Page A

mistook me for her sister or something, because that’s what she called me... at first,” I said, “At least we know each other’s names now.”
    “How’s that?” Cruz asked.
    “You heard her,” I said.
    “What are you talking about? All she did was make weird sounds.” I was stunned, “Megan, you heard her, right?”
    Megan slowly shook her head no, “It sounded like she was gargling or something.”
    “No way! You didn’t hear anything she said?” I asked, shocked.
    “No, we just saw her hand you your bag.” Cruz said, reaching out for the damp leather tote.
    He looked at the label, “Oh my God! It’s a Gucci!” Megan and I laughed at him, but Cruz cocked his head at me with questioning eyes.
    “How did she sound to you?” he asked.
    “She was definitely talking, but it sounded like singing,” I said, “Like bells ringing.”
    “That’s hella weird! How come you hear that and we don’t?” Cruz looked at me skeptically and I just shrugged, as mystified about it as he was.
    “Marina, what did she say to you?” asked Megan gravely.
    “Well, she asked my name, and she said her name was Lorelei. She asked if Cruz was my mate.”
    Megan’s eyes met mine and we cracked up, rolling on the couch laughing.
    “Also, she said that your hair is beautiful,” I added, as I sat up wiping my eyes. Clearly pleased, Megan smiled shyly and raised her hand to her curls.
    “Then she gave me my bag and I told her to keep the binoculars.”
    “We could hear you talk, Marina,” said Cruz, shaking his head in wonder.
    “Whoa,” said Megan, suddenly somber as she considered the implications, “This is really huge...”
    “That’s what she said!” Cruz retorted, sending them both into spasms of laughter.
    “Who’s she?” I asked, causing them renewed hilarity.
    “I’m serious,” said Megan after she composed herself, “Marina must have some sort of psychic connection with her.”
    “Maybe it’s because she rescued you!” Cruz speculated.
    “Or because she touched you,” Megan said, making Cruz shudder.

    We all sat and thought about that for a minute but no one could come up with a better explanation.
    “You’re just lucky you got your bag back,” said Cruz gravely.
    Megan snorted, “Cruz is more impressed with Gucci than he is with a supernatural being!”
    “Honey,” Cruz snapped, “Gucci is supernatural!”
    The three of us burst into cathartic laughter, all of us forced to accept the fact that there were mysteries in the world that were inconceivable to us until today. Now anything was possible, and knowing that was wonderful, exciting and more than a little scary.
    That night I tossed and turned in bed, replaying my conversation with Lorelei in an endless loop. My mind was flooded with mermaid legends and lore. They were said to be the sirens of ancient mythology, and in the stories the siren’s song was dangerous, more often than not resulting in disaster. One of the recurring themes was of their seductive voices making them irresistible. I thought about how the mermaid sounded to me, and I was reminded of a man I once heard playing hand bells on a street in San Francisco.
    Evie and I had stopped, transfixed by the glorious resonant tones that seemed to vibrate right through your chest and into your soul. We both stood rooted to the ground until the last ringing note reverberated off the buildings all around us. I could still remember the look on the bell ringer’s face when Evie tipped him lavishly, took me by the hand, and walked away without a word.
    Lorelei, I thought, remembering her beautiful voice. How on earth was it that I could hear it when my friends couldn’t? I resolved to find out more as I drifted off to sleep, lulled by the rumble of the surf, dreaming of distant chimes ringing out a beautiful tune.

CHAPTER SIX
HYPOTHERMIA
    Over the next few days Megan, Cruz and I became mermaid experts. We spent hours speculating about Lorelei and her possible story. We walked