Harpy Rising by Lacey Carter Andersen

 

ONE

Celaeno

I dress quietly and chance a look back at Journey, Ender, and Grey. My three overprotective gargoyles are tangled together, fast asleep. It still feels unreal… being loved, being pregnant, being all the things I never imagined. It feels like one of the Fates finally got tired of all my misery and blessed me with the things that have been absent from my world for so many lifetimes.

Tears prickle my eyes, and I wipe at them, feeling silly. Damn pregnancy hormones!

I give myself one more minute to stare at my gargoyles before I will myself to leave our bedroom. Already I can feel time slipping away. If they wake up before I get back… I’m in big trouble.

Padding down the hall, I pause at the doorway to our baby’s room. I’m only a few months pregnant, but already the walls of our nursery are painted, decorated, and the crib is sitting ready for the little one. Little dark birds adorn the blanket and the material of the fluffy chair in one corner. Everything is perfect… we just need our baby. When she’s ready to come out.

I smile. I never imagined the fathers of my child would be so excited. But they’re an absolute mess of excitement, worry, and happiness.

My smile fades. The three of them together—mothering me—can get a little exhausting. Hence my desire to sneak out like a teenager looking for trouble.

So, I'd better get my pregnant ass out the door instead of standing around like an idiot! At the front door, I slip out, locking it behind me.

Outside our apartment, the air is chilly. I gather my sweater tight and walk until I reach the little shops of the town near the pier. Every window is decorated with little hearts and cupids, ready for Valentine’s Day.

Ready for procrastinators who didn’t get a gift until the last second. Idiots like me.

I know my guys have something special planned, but with them watching my every move, scared about my dangerous pregnancy, I haven’t been able to get them anything. I’m determined to get the perfect gift… a gift I already have planned.

It takes me an hour of walking to find what I’m looking for: T-shirts that say, Daddy of a Princess with a little pink crown. This is the perfect way to tell them, I think, ridiculously thrilled and thinking about the ultrasound image I have tucked in my drawer. I buy the shirts in the largest size, and a weight lifts from my shoulders.

Today’s going to be an awesome Valentine’s Day!

I have to go back. I know that. But the pier is calling to me, begging me to enjoy the sight of the early morning waves. I don't hesitate long before I go with my gut. I’ll only stay a few minutes, then hustle back home.

I walk along the wooden planks of the pier, and let my dark hair blow in the breeze. The salt in the wind is always pleasant. I hadn’t known where we’d end up when I met my gargoyles, but I'm glad we chose a home by the beach. Something about it just refreshes me.

When I reach the end, I’m surprised that no one is out. Usually there are at least fishermen and joggers, but I find I'm glad for the peace and quiet.

The waves swell higher and higher with each moment. I watch them curiously. Something tickles the back of my thoughts as the water seems to swell nearly to the top of the pier. I gasp and move back, but from out of the waves Keto appears. She’s a beautiful mermaid with flaming red hair and a pink scaled tail. She’s also a friend, and fellow “monster.”

It isn’t like we have an official club, but most of us women who are hated by everyone, and live forever, have a way of crossing paths.

“Maybe next time warn a girl when you’re coming.”

She smiles, but it’s not her familiar sad smile. Instead she practically beams with pleasure. “Sorry. When I sensed you near I thought I’d say hello.”

I return her smile as my heartbeat returns to normal. “I’m actually glad you did. How’s life? How’s the dickweed brother?”

She laughs. “I don’t have a clue. And you know what, I’m glad I don’t.”

Our powers should be a blessing, and yet they always end up being such a burden. I’m so glad that the ‘mother’ of all sea monsters was able to get free of her brother and find happiness. Just like me.

I can’t help myself. I reach out and touch her hand. Our eyes meet, and I can practically feel her pleasure.

“There’s also something else,” she tells me, and I don’t like the tone of her voice.

“When I was in the bay a few days ago, someone tried to capture me.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “Capture you?”

She nods, and wraps her arms around her waist. “At first I thought it might be those damn crazy mermaid hunters, and it might have been, but something felt off. I thought I’d warn you, just in case they’re coming after our kind.” Then she lowers her voice. “But don’t tell my guys, they’ll lose their minds.”

My thoughts begin to spin. Maybe it was dumber than I thought to come out alone and pregnant, without even telling my gargoyles. It’s just—most monster hunters are gargoyles, so I figured I’d be pretty safe. I should hurry home and be more cautious in the future. Maybe my worry-wort men aren’t so crazy after all.

“Thanks for the heads up,” I tell her.

She nods, then meets my gaze with her pale blue eyes. “Are you happy?”

Maybe it’s the pregnancy hormones, but tears swell in my eyes. “My life is better than I could ever explain. It’s like for the first time in thousands of years, life is worth living.”

She smiles, and her words come rushing out. “Mine is too. Our baby is… amazing, and the guys are incredible fathers. I just… I never imagined life could be this good.”

“You deserve it,” I say, and my heart seems to swell.

For one minute she seems as if she might say more, but then she gasps, looking behind me.

I turn and come face-to-face with four men. Every man has dark stripes of paint across his face, and long hair tied back. They wear leather armor, as if from another time. Their expressions spell certain doom.

We’re in trouble.

“Jump in the water,” Keto whispers. “Fast.”

I turn to jump, but a rope with a metal hook wraps around me, and I’m hauled backwards, straight into them. I crash into the body of a man. Instantly, an arm wraps around my chest, and cold metal presses against my throat.

My terrified gaze meets Keto’s.

She looks angry. The waves churn around her, and the sky overhead darkens. Lightning explodes from the clouds, and thunder roars. She rises up higher on the waves, her arms lifting to the sky. From out of the sea, one of her monsters comes, its tentacles lifting above the water on both sides of the pier.

“Kill us, and she dies too,” one of the men says, his tone harsh.

My emotions are taking over. Fear and anger rush through me. It’s not just me anymore; I have a child counting on me! I must keep this baby safe, no matter what.

Keto looks uncertain. I can see how badly she wants to unleash her powers to save me. But she’s scared I’ll be hurt in the process.

It’s okay. I can handle this. I want to tell her.

But in reality, I’m not sure. If Keto can’t use her powers, will mine be enough?

The blade at my throat cuts, and I gasp. For a second all I can hear is my heartbeat, and then I realize that the wound isn’t deep. Just a flesh-wound.

“Submit to us!” The man growls behind me.

My hands clench. Did these assholes really just hurt me? Do they honestly think that Keto will be caught this easily?

An angry smile curls my lips. Oh, this is going to be fun…