The Ocean's Call: Part One | ✔

Part Twenty

He nods, pulling his phone from his pocket. He taps the phone a few times before handing it over to me. I type my number in and send myself a text message, so I have his. My phone vibrates in my pocket.

"All done. I'll see you tomorrow then." I start walking backwards to my home.

"Isla, I'm not letting you walk home alone in the dark." He starts walking towards me.

My feet stop moving as I watch him. "You don't have to, it's right there." I point behind me; my home is like a three-minute walk from here. It's not that far and I highly doubt anyone has ventured this far without us realising. We've been sitting on the beach here for a few hours now.

"You're not walking in the dark by yourself." He walks pass me, stopping a few feet away waiting for me to join him.

I don't bother arguing any more, if he wants to, he can. I doubt I could persuade him anyway. We walk in the direction of my home. "Thank you."

"Just to be on the safe side, we don't know if that mermaid is a half-blood."

I blink, absorbing the words. Shit, I didn't think of that. what if she is a half-blood? She could just waltz onto land and hurt me like that too. I look out at the water. I was only worried about swimming in the water, now I'm worried about being on land. She could be anywhere. I really hope Anya might know who she is, help relieve some of the now impending doom I'm feeling.

"I didn't think of that." I whisper, opting to stand on the other side of Austin so he's closer to the water than I am. It's a cowardly move but he doesn't say anything.

"Have you had any other interactions with her? Other than the day on the boat."

I shake my head. "it's only ever been in the water."

Well, there was that one night I felt like someone was watching me. There was a splash in the water that really could've been anything but now I'm beginning to think it could've been her.

"Ah...actually..." I trail off, replaying the moment in my head.

I'd just found the first silver piece in the water after having that bad dream where I was lifeless on the bottom of the ocean floor. It had been awful feeling, feeling like someone was watching me from who only knows where. I recall seeing something break the water's surface just before a wave crashed. I couldn't shake the awful feeling of someone watching me, I remember running back to the house like someone was chasing me.

"There was a night a while ago where I felt someone watching me from the water...maybe it was her." I shrug. Honestly the odds of it being her are very high, who else would be sitting in the water watching me. At the time, not a clue, now though I'm acutely aware it was most likely a mermaid. That blonde mermaid.

"And she didn't come out of the water? Maybe she's a pure blood."

I would like it if she was. Her being a pure blood would offer me some peace knowing she can only be in the water and not on land. I mean I can't spend the rest of my life never going in the water, but I can long enough to find out who she is.

"I hope she is I can rest easier at night."

We walk the rest of the way in silence. I try to focus on tomorrows plans of meeting up with him, and meeting Anya. It will be nice to meet another mermaid, at least one who doesn't want to kill me. Ugh, there I go again thinking negatively.

We pass the rock marking the boundary of my family's property and continue walking to where the grass meets the sand. Austin stops just in front of the grass as I step over, turning my back to the house. I can't mistake the back deck light illuminating nana sitting on her loveseat, probably waiting up for me.

"Thanks for walking me home. I'll see you tomorrow."

He nods. "I'll call you."

"Text me, it'll be safer beside no body calls anyone these days." I suggest, a ball of nerves hitting my stomach. Imagine if he calls me while I'm with my family.

He raises a brow. "I'd prefer to actually hear your voice but if you insist on texting." He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

I watch the strands fold back with his hand before springing back, sticking up haphazardly. "Definitely texting...for now."

He nods. "See you tomorrow. Night, Isla."

"Night."

He doesn't move. I realise he must be waiting for me to go to the house. I smile once more before I turn, heading to the house. I wave again from the top of the steps before I head over to sit with nana who has her book sitting on her lap.

"Eventful evening?" nana asks.

I sink into the loveseat, watching Austin disappear into the darkness just over the railing. "Informative. You didn't have to wait up for me, it's late."

She puts her bookmark in her book, putting it down on the coffee table. "I've been doing some thinking tonight and firstly I want to apologise. I have been acting out of sorts today, it was a lot to take in."

I rest my head on her shoulder. "I know, nana. It is a lot to take in. my entire world has changed which includes you guys too. At some point I have to fill the family in too."

"And I will be with you the entire time. I can only imagine your father's reaction. Oh, and your mother, oh my gosh. Maybe don't tell them." She jokes.

I snicker. "I don't think I could keep such a big secret from everyone."

She sighs, squeezing my hand. "I'd like to officially meet the boy; I'm assuming he's going to be apart of your life now. Correct?"

I snort. Well considering he's my mate, I would say so. "Yeah, we're mates. Destined to be together so yeah, I think he's going to be around."

"Mates? What do you mean destined to be together?"

I look up at her. "We are destined to be together; we have a bond that's why I was dreaming of him and seeing him. except I can only feel him without this bracelet." I lift my hand to show her.

She fiddles with the bracelet. "Did he give this to you?"

I shake my head. "I don't know who gave it to me. Austin says it dulls my senses and he can't feel me. He came to me that day on the boat, told me to put the bracelet back on so the mermaid couldn't find me."

Nana makes a noise. "So that's what you were screaming about that day. I was so puzzled, wondering why you were yelling at me like that."

I laugh lightly. "Sorry."

"It's alright baby..." she sighs, her smile turning into a wide grin. "Guess your father's dooms day has come around then."

I frown. "Dad's dooms day?"

She nods. "His baby is bringing a guy home; you know your brothers and him are going to eat him alive."

I snort. "You make it sound like I've never dated before."

"Well, you've never brought a guy home before and I mean if you're destined to be with this guy, surely you'll be introducing him to your family."

"Not anytime soon. I haven't had time to get used to the idea." I explain.

She pats my leg. "No need to rush then, take your time but I would like to meet him. I'd like to know more about merfolk and what my granddaughter can do."

I smile. "I'll tell him tomorrow."

I have no doubt that nana will get along with Austin. I'm sure she'll drill him with a million questions, Emily too. Perhaps I should arrange for both of them to meet him at the same time, they can drill him for answers. I'll have to give him a head up too.

**