LITMIR.BIZ

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back human suitors when she’s visiting on land. But all Merfolk are blessed with good looks.” He jerked his head toward Shayla. “You all know that.”

      “I’m sorry.” Shayla sounded genuinely regretful. And, he thought, a tiny bit relieved. “But it’s something we had to ask.”

      Not we. She. Did she really think so low of him to even consider the possibility that he and his baby sister were having an illicit love affair?

      “I can see from the look on your face that the idea repulses you.” Carmen again, detached and observant. “So we’ll put that possibility to rest. Please, go ahead and fill out the rest of the questionnaire. We’re especially interested in knowing about any boyfriends Nantha might have or have had. Past ones would be of special interest.”

      Boyfriends. Question sixteen. He paused, taking a moment to think. Nantha always had a crush on someone, but it seemed to change every couple of weeks. He knew she dated, but she’d never mentioned anything serious.

      All three women nodded when he passed this information on. “I’ll look into it when I go back to Coral,” Shayla said. The low thrum of her voice reached deep inside of him, sparking arousal. To hide this, he swallowed hard and focused on the questionnaire.

      Once he’d answered all the questions to the best of his ability, he slid the paper across the table. Shayla took it and began reading. She asked for clarification on one of two things—he’d listed a few odd jobs where Nantha had worked, but only a couple of places where he thought she might hang out. As for hobbies, the only one that came to mind was reading.

      “Surely there must be more,” Shayla pressed. “What about exercise, working out? Or fishing? Does she like any sports?”

      “No. She’s actually pretty quiet.” He thought for a moment, then sat up straighter. “Music. She loves to sing and dance.”

      Nodding, Shayla scribbled that down on the form. “Most Mermaids do,” she commented. Picking up her glass, she drained her wine. He realized both Carmen and Maddie had already finished their drinks, as well.

      Eyeing his still mostly full beer, he took a sip. Briefly, he considered slugging it all down, but decided against it, especially since Shayla didn’t seem nearly as affected by him as he was by her.

      He slid his own folder across the table. “I had some fliers printed up. I spent the day going around the island having them put up. They’re laminated, so they should do well under water. Feel free to take them with you if you think they might help.”

      “Perfect!” Shayla beamed at him, which made his heart skip a beat. “I can definitely use them. I think they’ll really help.”

      “I hope someone who knows where she is sees them,” he said, his chest suddenly tight.

      Shayla slapped some money on the table. “Drinks are on me,” she said. “I don’t know about ya’ll, but I need to go. It’s been a long day for me.”

      The other women stood, as well. Relieved he didn’t feel obligated to sit and make small talk with the others, he pushed back his chair and did the same.

      Below, the band played a steady stream of eighties hits. He knew once they got downstairs, it would be damn near impossible to hear anything.

      Apparently, Shayla realized this, too.

      “We’ll get to work immediately,” she said, holding out her hand. He reached out, and again, the instant their fingers connected he felt a jolt straight to his core. From the way her eyes widened, he had to think she felt it, too.

      “You’ve got my cell number.”

      “Yes.” After she released him, he shook hands with the other two women, keeping his face expressionless when he touched the Vampire. He knew his feelings were irrational, and while he didn’t completely understand them—after all, he even had a couple of Vampire friends—he didn’t have time to indulge in self-analysis. Getting his sister back was all that mattered.

      Leaving his unfinished beer on the table, he followed the women downstairs and out of the bar. Once they reached the end of the alley, the three women went in the opposite direction. At a slight loss, he stood and watched until they disappeared from sight.

      Now what? He could get in his car and head home to his place in Texas City, but he knew his mother would still be awake and frantic. Keeping her company would be the best thing to do. Plus, he needed to fill her in on what he’d accomplished today with the fliers, as well as tell her about hiring the Shadow Agency. He also needed to know if his mom had heard anything from Ion.

      When Zach arrived back at his mother’s house, she met him at the door. “Don’t you ever check your messages?” she asked, her voice shaking. “I sent texts, too.”

      This was so unusual it worried him. Eyeing her, he realized she looked unusually pale. Her blue eyes were red and puffy, as if she’d been crying. And more than her voice shook. Tiny tremors rocked her slender frame.

      “I’m sorry,” he said, pulling her close for a quick hug. “I didn’t hear my phone. It’s been a crazy kind of day.” He pulled his cell from his pocket and checked. Four missed calls, an equal number of messages and texts from his mother saying simply, “Call me immediately.”

      Dammit. When he raised his gaze to meet his mother’s, he saw tears now streamed down her cheeks.

      Dread momentarily paralyzed him. “Nantha?” he asked, hardly able to force the words out past the lump in his throat. “Do you have news? Is she...” He swallowed hard, unable to finish the sentence.

      “Oh, no. Not that.” His mom gave him a quick, fierce hug. “It’s okay, honey. She’s still alive,” June said. “Sorry, I should have realized you’d think the worst. Come with me.” And she turned and went toward the kitchen, knowing he’d follow.

      Which he did, right on her heels. Oddly enough, his horrified assumption of the worst appeared to have calmed her. Hand steady, she reached for a folded piece of white paper on the counter, and handed it to him. “Take a look. This is crazy.”

      “What is this?” he asked, accepting it. “Who’s it from?”

      “Read it,” she managed, before turning away. Despite that, he could see that she covered her mouth with one hand in order to muffle her sobs.

      Dread coiling low in his gut, he opened the single sheet of paper, noting the way it had been precisely folded into three exact, equal sections. He also noted the high-quality paper; not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill copier paper. Interesting. And then he began to read.

      TO THE FAMILY OF THE MERMAID KNOWN AS NANTHA, it began. Typed, not handwritten. All in caps. Swallowing hard, he forced himself to continue reading.

      SHE IS ALIVE, the missive continued. AND OF NO USE TO US. IF YOU WANT HER BACK, YOU WILL DO WHAT WE SAY. WE ARE WILLING TO EXCHANGE HER FOR TWO OTHER MERMAIDS. BUT THEY MUST BE VIRGINS. MORE INSTRUCTIONS WILL FOLLOW.

      And that was all. No way to contact the letter writer, no instructions, other than asking for two virgin Mermaids.

      “What the hell?” He read it again to be sure he’d gotten it right. “Is this someone’s idea of a joke?”

      But now his mother was crying so hard she couldn’t answer. He hugged her, wondering what kind of son of a bitch would even think of writing such a thing. “Have you told Ion?” he asked gently.

      “I’ve asked him to come immediately,” she managed. Communicating with those under the sea could be touch-and-go. Apparently, she’d actually managed to make contact.

      A knock on the patio door made him freeze. Zach spun around, ready to do battle. When he realized who it was, relief flooded him. “It’s Ion,” he said, releasing his mother so he could unlock and open the door. “He must have gotten your message.”

      “Zach.” Though he only had eyes for his weeping wife, Ion jerked his chin in a quick

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