The Equinox by K.K. Allen Read Free Book Online Page A

to try and explain because I really want
her to get it. “It was hard enough to get used to this new life with my
mom—gone.” I pause, but not long enough to let Rose interrupt me. “And
I’m not just talking about life as an Enchanter, but life here , in Apollo Beach, with you and Charlotte.
    I know my words are harsh but Rose has
got to see what I’m feeling. She’s got to understand that the secrets need to
stop.
    Rose raises an eyebrow at me.
    Charlotte looks as if she’s evaluating
everything I say with a measuring spoon.
    “I just want transparency. You did a
great job telling the entire community the story of the violence and destruction
that occurred a decade ago—but you never told me that. Not even after
what happened on Fourth of July. I don’t get it. Don’t you think it’s important
that I know these things?”
    Rose raises her eyebrows, challenged by
my question. “Yes, I do, but in that instance, I was only planning one speech
and it wasn’t ready until tonight. I’m sorry I didn’t give you that information
first, but it was important that the entire community heard what I had to say.”
    “I get it. That isn’t what bothers me the
most though. It’s all of the secrets. It’s your hushed conversations with
Arabella, and then me finding out from her that mermaids are real.” I let out a
laugh, though I’m not amused at all. “Do you know how ridiculous it all sounds
to someone who’s new to this life? I think you’re forgetting what it’s like to
be new.”
    Rose stares at me for a good long minute
before she responds, but I can tell that she’s processing every word I say.
    “Okay.” She scoots her chair in, facing
me directly, and folds her hands on the table. “You are right. I do forget what
it’s like. Thank you for reminding me.”
    It’s like someone’s just inflated me with
the best kind of oxygen. I feel like I can float to the nearest cloud. I want
to thank Rose for seeing things in a different light, even for a moment.
    “The daughters of the Sea…” Rose continues.
“They have always been close friends of our family. I grew up with their father,
Isaac, here in Apollo Beach. There are more of them, but he is their leader,
and Arabella is their messenger. She’s the youngest daughter but she’s also the
one that he confides in, making her a leader among her sisters. That is why
you’ll find me speaking directly to Isaac or relaying messages to Arabella. We
consort often while making important community decisions and solving problems
that arise.”
    As always, Rose has me hooked on her
story. “As an Enchanter we have ties to all earthly things. We seek out
protection of nature’s creatures on land, sea, and air. During the violence that
occurred a decade ago, such awful things were happening in the bay.”
    Rose visibly shudders and the sight reels
me back. My grandmother rarely shows weakness of any kind but she is obviously disturbed
by the past as it threatens our future.
    Then it dawns on me—I don’t know
why I didn’t think of it before. All of these warnings that Erebus is here and
ready to harm this town the same way it did a decade ago must remind Rose of my
grandfather’s death. I almost stop her to tell her that it’s okay if she
doesn’t want to go on, but she is already speaking.
    “Isaac and his daughters are from Apollo
Beach but they migrated during the destruction. Not because they were swimming
away from the threats, but because there was a bigger destruction occurring in
Weeki Wachee. The Equinox evaded them too and took out almost an entire
community. The Valli’s sought out to salvage whatever they could and rebuild that
community to what it is today. They’ve been there ever since but we meet from
time to time to unite powers—this is one of those times.”
    Rose stands. “Is that enough for now,
Kat? I will do my best to be honest with you from now on, keeping in mind that
you are a sixteen year old girl and my job is to