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She’d come too far into the Center’s maze of deception to believe anything so optimistic now. The false claims about drying out had the scent of fear-mongering all over them.
“I know it’s a lot to get your head around,” she told the others, all of whom were staring at her with unnatural expressions. “It changes literally everything we’ve been taught. I don’t even know if I believe the story of how the triple kingdoms came to be anymore. If our origins are three brothers from the deepest ocean, how could it be that our bodies are designed to survive above the surface? And clearly land sickness is a blatant lie, although we all knew that already.”
Andre nodded slowly, still looking dazed. “I’m glad I didn’t bring Indigo,” he said. “She is definitely not ready for this.”
“There’s no way I would have told you this if she was here,” Merletta said, amused. “This isn’t entry level information, shall we say.” She sobered, her eyes finding Sage in particular. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Her friend gave her a weak smile. “I don’t know whether to be angry you didn’t tell me immediately, or to wish you still hadn’t told me.” She reached out suddenly and grabbed Merletta’s arm. “No, I didn’t mean that. I’m glad you told me. We don’t have any need for secrets between us.”
Merletta exhaled a long stream of water, a burden lifting from her shoulders. She had no idea how to put into words what Sage’s assurance meant to her, so she didn’t try. She just smiled back at her friend, and hoped the other mermaid would understand.
“So what’s your plan?” Emil asked briskly. It was no surprise that he was the first to pull himself together. “It sounds like you want it to be visible. Are you thinking of the Founders’ Day celebrations coming up?”
“Plan is a little generous,” Merletta admitted. “And I hadn’t even thought as far ahead as Founders’ Day, to be honest. I know for a fact that someone has gone to the effort of specifically excluding me from joining one of the patrols responding to the Tilssted situation. So clearly that’s where I need to be. And if someone asks a reasonable question to which I know a reliable answer, I’m going to give them the truth.”
“As simple as that,” Sage said.
“As simple as that,” Merletta agreed.
“Well, we should all go,” said Andre staunchly, squaring his shoulders.
Merletta shook her head. “No. You all have real futures to think about. No one’s trying to block your progress. You really can have greater influence from inside the Center. It would just be suspicious if all four of us tried to follow a guard patrol. I doubt they’d let us. Plus it might be useful to have you all monitoring the internal reaction to whatever happens.”
“I agree,” Emil said. Merletta noticed that his gaze once again flicked to Sage. “It’s not wise to put all your pearls inside one oyster.”
Merletta nodded approvingly. “Precisely.”
* * *
The following morning, while she floated in wait outside the training yard, Merletta surprised herself by not feeling especially nervous. If anything, she felt a sense of relief. The cautious, even deceptive role she’d played for the past two and a half years had never been natural to her. It felt good to be doing something, to have the promise of some action.
When Freja appeared, Merletta swam forward confidently.
“Good morning, Freja!”
“Merletta.” Freja sounded mildly surprised. “What brings you here this morning? Isn’t this a day of boring classes for you?”
Merletta laughed. “That’s one way to put it,” she acknowledged. “But there’s a change of plan today. I’m coming with you on your patrol. I assume you’re being sent back to Tilssted?”
Freja nodded, looking wary. “We are, but those aren’t my orders, Merletta, as you already know.”
“I can follow behind if you prefer,” Merletta said cheerfully. “But I’d much rather swim with the patrol.”
Freja’s stiffness fell from her frame, real concern lighting her eyes. “Don’t you remember my advice, Merletta?”
“I do remember it,” Merletta assured her. “I considered it carefully, and I know what I’m doing.”
Freja studied her for a moment in silence, then gave a curt nod. “We’re always glad to have you on the squad,” she said gruffly.
Merletta said nothing, but she was touched—as casually as she’d spoken, she understood how big an ask it was to expect Freja to disregard her orders. Merletta hoped no trouble would come to the older mermaid because of it.
None of the others in the group questioned Merletta’s inclusion, just greeting her cheerfully. In no time at all, they were swimming toward Tilssted. For the first half an hour, Merletta hung back as the squad patrolled the streets not far from the barrier. She spared barely a thought for what Ibsen would think when she didn’t show up for her class that morning. He’d probably think she’d finally had enough of his obstructive tactics and decided to quit.
Well, he’d be right, in a sense. But he’d soon find out that shutting her out was just as dangerous as letting her in.
Chapter Nineteen
The patrol reached Tilssted quickly. Merletta watched silently as the guards interacted with the residents, noting that Freja’s squad, at least, handled any recalcitrant locals with patience rather than aggression. It was no surprise to her—she’d worked with the patrol for a year and a half, and she knew each member quite well. But in some ways it troubled her even more. The Center had successfully created a system where even its well-meaning, good-hearted members were fully committed to furthering a cause based on lies and control.
