“So you ran,” said Moth. Raphael’s story wasn’t so different from his own. “When was that?”
“Oh, a long time ago. So long I can’t even remember. Mermaids make a man forget a lot of things. I ran from the noose right into those tender arms. Didn’t make much sense to think about going back.”
“She’s the one that told you about us, right? That mermaid we saw?”
“Serana’s her name,” said Raphael. “Yeah, she told me. Humans aren’t supposed to come through the Reach. Been a long time since the last one. And there’s never been children come across.”
“So there’s others? Where are they?”
Raphael’s face darkened. “It’s not safe for humans here, and it’s not safe for you. That’s why I’m helping you, because you’re just kids. And because you know Merceron’s name.” Seeing Moth about to speak, he put up a hand. “No, don’t tell me how you know it. Don’t tell me anything. Let’s just get you to that forest.”
Frustrated, Moth leaned forward. “Raphael, what are you scared of? What are we hiding from?”
Raphael shook his head, rowing deliberately. “Find Merceron. He’ll be able to answer your questions.” At the front of the boat, Fiona started to stir. Raphael smiled. “She’s the one with the temper, eh? Not you, though. You’re easygoing.”
“She’s my friend,” said Moth.
“Older than you, I’m guessing. Tall girl.”
“Careful,” warned Moth. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”
“Too late,” groaned Fiona. She sat up, blinking and scratching her red head, searching the river. “We almost there?”
“Hold tight, little gal,” said Raphael. “We’ll be there soon.”
The sun was over the top of the trees when the little boat coasted into the bay. Raphael stored his oars, letting the craft drift toward shore as his passengers marveled at the forest. Sugar-white sand pushed up against the trees, forming a gleaming beach, but the trees themselves were like nothing Moth had ever seen. He and Fiona crowded the prow for a better look.
“The sunken forest,” Raphael announced. “The end.” In fact the river did seem to end here, spilling out into a broad lagoon that broke past the sand in spots to flood the forest. Enormous tangles of roots erupted out of the sand like the gnarled hands of giants. There were places where the sand had gathered in ribbons through the forest, making little pathways. In other spots the roots were submerged. The sight of it made Moth shrink.
“How are we supposed to get through that?” he groaned. Lady Esme hopped onto his shoulder with a cry of distress.
The boat drifted to shore, beaching itself on the brilliant sand.
“Is Merceron far?” asked Fiona.
“Don’t know,” said Raphael. “Maybe.”
With little comfort from their guide, Moth and Fiona glanced at each other.
“I can take you back, if you want,” said Raphael. “But you can’t stay with the mermaids. You’ll have to head home through the Reach.”
“No,” said Fiona. Determined, she hopped over the gunwale to splash ashore. “We’ve come too far. We’ll find Merceron. I know we will.”
Moth made to follow her, pausing to consider his strange new friend. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
Raphael smiled sadly. “Yeah,” he said. “Move fast.” He pointed to the top of the forest, which was so thick it formed a roof of leaves and branches. “That’ll hide you,” he said. “Just keep your mind clear. Forget about me. Don’t even think about me. Don’t think of home, don’t think of anything. Just keep on moving.”
Moth nodded, as confused as ever. “Thanks,” he said, and reached out to shake Raphael’s hand. “And don’t worry—I’ll keep my promise. I won’t tell anyone about you.”
“Does that go for you too, little gal?” Raphael asked Fiona.
“Promise,” said Fiona. She added wistfully, “I wish you could stay with us.”
“Can’t,” said Raphael. “But you don’t need me. You got each other, and you got each other this far. Just remember what I told you—keep moving and don’t think about anything.”
Moth grabbed his coat, felt the bulge of the star machine in its pocket, and leaped out of the boat. Together he and Fiona trudged to shore with Lady Esme, then watched as Raphael Ciroyan shoved off with his oars, heading back to his mermaids.
THE BLACK HERON
SERANA RETURNED TO HER ROCK the next day, happy to be alone once again. She was worried about Raphael but not too worried; he would find his way back to the lagoon, she was sure. And they had done the right thing, helping the human children. Serana was sure of that, too. She reclined lazily on her rock, her tail gently swishing the water, and closed her eyes against the hot sun. The warmth felt good on her skin and scales. Her family’s waters extended only a few miles, but they were wonderfully quiet waters, and except for Raphael Ciroyan no other humans had ever disturbed them until the children arrived.
Forget them, Serana told herself.
It wasn’t helpful to think about them. Thoughts like that could only bring trouble. And it was such a beautiful day…
Serana wasn’t like her sisters, who preferred the deep waters of their caves and never went exploring. They were musical, while she was quiet. They were sound, but she was dreamy. Someday, she would even explore the sunken forest itself.
“Someday,” she vowed softly.
A group of egrets floated nearby, picking at insects with their long beaks. Serana watched them with mild interest, until she noticed another bird near them, wading close to shore. Her lips pursed with surprise. Slowly, silently, she slid down the rock into the water.
The black heron was the first she’d seen all season. A rare bird for Shelian waters, they were omens of good fortune— particularly to the first maid who saw one. Serana moved toward the creature, her finned tail turning slowly, propelling her forward. Sharklike, her eyes just above the surface, she watched the bird track the marshy shore. Black herons were easily startled, she knew, and impossible to catch. Her sister Danre had tried to catch one once, bounding after it like a seal and coming home with her hair in tangles. Serana didn’t want to catch it, though. All she wanted was a really close look. Close, so that she could remember it.
But it was easy to get too close. In a sudden, feathery splash, the heron leaped and flew over Serana’s head.
“Oh, wait!” she cried, darting up from the water and watching the heron flap down on the other side of the lagoon, where it floated near a shallow tributary filled with cattails. Determined, Serana swam for it, pushing swiftly through the emerald water. The sandy bottom of the lagoon brushed her belly. When she peeked up her head, the heron was just a few yards away.
“Beautiful bird,” she crooned. “Look at you—a treasure.”
The bird ignored her, as if it knew a mermaid could never catch a heron. Floating away, it followed the narrow rivulet into the grass and disappeared. Serana smiled, suddenly enjoying the chase. The powerful muscles of her tail could propel her easily in the shallow waters. Arms outstretched, she swam after the heron, pushing aside the reeds to reveal the long, thin waterway snaking through the forest.
“Where are you?” she asked sweetly. “Just let Serana see you.”
She spied the trees as she swam, watching them for movement. The water continued to get more shallow, forcing her to use her arms more.
“Treasure?” she called.
She went a few more yards, but all she saw were another pair of egrets. Dragonflies buzzed through the reeds. The sun burning her naked skin, Serana decided to turn back.
“Looking for this?”
Serena spun at the voice. A figure stood in the stream, its boots covered in mud and bits of grass, its body concealed within a dark, dragging cloak. A shadowy hood hid its unseen face. Serana froze, amazed and terrified. Despite its shape, the thing wasn’t human. It held the heron in its bone-white hands, spidery fingers clutched around the bird’s neck.