Page 8 of The Scent of Salt & Sand

Isn’t it?

“Ugh. Stop it, Melody,” she scolded. “Think about something else.” Finished reorganizing the souvenir magnets for the hundredth time, Melody lazily shuffled to the checkout counter at the back of the store. Framed pictures of happy tourists waving and giving thumbs-ups hung from the exposed-brick walls around a poster-sized image of a gaggle of sightseers leaning over a Siren Tours boat, pointing at a fat, speckled sea lion poking its head out of the water curiously. It looked a lot like the one she’d seen yesterday, right before that man scared it away.

“Mel. Ugh. Why would I ever tell anyone to call me Mel? It’s not even an entire name.” The frantic, panicked feeling returned to her chest. Her stomach clenched, and she heaved forward over the countertop. Puffs of fog invaded the outer rim of her vision before taking over completely.

Mel, you are the most amazing person I’ve ever known.

Red petals flickered on the floor; there, then gone and back again just as quickly. She gripped the lip of the counter, forcing herself to hold on to what she knew was real.

I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you.

The specter of a kneeling man flashed with the rose petals. She squinted. His features were blurry, but she could make out a small black box resting in his open palm.

Marry me. Make me the happiest man in the world.

Joy flooded her chest, shining through the dark cloud of fear stifling her breath.

She laughed, immediately clapping her hand over her mouth. That sound didn’t belong to her. Neither did the excitement, or the flowers, or the ghost of a man.

What was happening?

“You know, friendliness is one of the amazing qualities Siren Tours is famous for possessing,” Harmony chided, emerging from the tiny office tucked back in the corner behind the front desk.

Melody exhaled a forceful, quivering breath.

“Didn’t mean to scare you.” Harmony’s sun-streaked curls brushed against Melody’s bare shoulder as she came to stand beside her. “Everything okay?”

No! Help me! The terrified exclamations rested on her tongue. “I’m fine.” She peered down at the darkened screen of the iPad used to make sales and book tours. The mask of foundation, bronzer, and blush startled her, and she did a quick double take. The makeup she had to wear to hide the effects of rapid aging her kind was cursed with made her skin hot and itchy.

“No, you’re not fine. Sometimes I think you forget I practically raised you. Also, you’re not a very good liar.” Harmony smiled her persuasive smile. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Melody averted her eyes from Harmony’s probing stare and looked out the store’s giant picture window and over the ocean. Goose bumps popped up on her tingling flesh as she fought the urge to race to the beach, strip off her street clothes, and dive into the nurturing waves. “My voice—it’s…part of me is broken.” She didn’t dare mention the strange, flickering images or the fearful voice she’d heard in the water. Not until she knew more.

Harmony placed her hand on Melody’s shoulder and patted it gently. “Coming to the Mortal Realm is always difficult. More so for you because of what happened to Melisma.” She paused. “But that doesn’t mean you’re broken.”

“I met someone yesterday. A man,” she blurted, unsure of how best to fill Harmony in on her awkward exchange. “Well, kind of met. I more just tried to get away.” She shook her head. “Anyway, when I told him he didn’t want to be there, he didn’t hear me.”

Confusion furrowed Harmony’s brow.

“I mean, he heard me, but he didn’t hear me hear me.”

Harmony’s eyes widened. “Oh! Well, you hadn’t used the ability before. What you need is practice.” She trotted out the front of the store and stood on the sun-soaked sidewalk. Her snug top was tucked into a pair of stonewashed bellbottoms that brushed against the top of her pointed heels as she moved. She spotted someone and flapped her hands, motioning for Melody to come over.

She grimaced and stared down at her bare feet. Sparkling lime nail polish winked up at her, and she wiggled her toes before slipping them into her flats.

“Sam, this is Melody, one of the many beautiful tour guides who work with us.”

He nodded politely, the freckles speckling his forehead shifting as he lifted his brow.

“I was just telling Sam that we have the best tour boats around, and the most fantastic group of ladies onboard. Maybe you can tell him a little bit more about the packages we offer, and see if you can talk him into joining a group this afternoon.” She nudged Melody with her elbow and winked.

“Oh, yes. Let’s see. A boat leaves every thirty minutes from Pier 33, and—”

“Wait, I’m sorry to stop you, but I really don’t have any time today and I leave town tomorrow.” A soft breeze blew in from the bay, puffing his mop of dark curls. “How about I grab one of your brochures, and next time I’m in the area, I’ll come by and set something up?” He stepped up to the carousel of tour information and plucked a pamphlet off the rack.

“Yeah, okay. Sure. That sounds good.” Melody feigned enthusiasm.

Harmony leaned into Melody, her voice a gravelly whisper. “Try harder. Do not let him leave without doing what you ask.”