Our group was getting plenty of attention, something I definitely didn't like. It almost felt like the hair on the back of my neck was standing on end.
"Miss, your nails are digging into my skin.” Callum said through his teeth.
Whoops. I loosened my grip. ”Sorry, I don't do well being the center of attention."
"I had guessed that. We're almost there."
We turned down several streets before our little caravan came to a halt up ahead. In front of us was one of those extremely large coral buildings. Red and blue, wider than two football fields, and at least fifty stories tall by human standards. The door looked to be made from two giant clam shells, laden with gold. There were words in another language carved into the archway.
Up ahead, I could see Calder and Theseus talking to the men who were stationed in front of the door, decked out in armor. After a few moments, the two men bowed deeply before opening the doors, gesturing for us to be ushered though.
"I think it's okay for you to get off my back."
"Oh, yeah." I hesitated. There was something about Callum that was comforting, like a big brother vibe.
A hand touched my shoulder, pulling my attention. Hip floated next to me in his silvery half naked glory. His eyes were dark thunderclouds in that moment, and his expression told me that he needed me. Needed my support for what lay ahead, just like I needed his.
Sliding off Callum’s back, I took Hip’s hand. Percy and Ajax joined us, crowding me in a protective circle.
I noticed how they were glaring daggers at Callum, who just winked and said, "Told you,” before he swam into the building ahead of us.
"Let's go." I said, kicking my legs forward.
Following the rest of our group into the building, I got my first glimpse of the inside of Mer architecture. It was lit up with a warm golden glow emitted by two lanterns, which were affixed to the walls, and a giant hunk of crystal that was placed in the center of the room. The walls looked like the inside of a smoothed out stone cavern, the only hint to its coral outer structure being the blue and red swirl of colors. The ceiling pitched up all the way to the top where I could actually see a small hole leading outside.
There was actually furniture! Couches, tables, and chairs were scattered about. Looking closer I could see where the legs melded with the floor as if the stone floor had been carved down around the furniture itself. I imagine it would be helpful when keeping the furniture from flooring away but a nightmare when I considered that stuff like the chairs could never be moved.
"Wow," Hip and I whispered in awe at the same time.
I met his eyes and we both giggled.
Swimming around the giant crystal, I could see a desk at the far end of what was essentially a hotel lobby. There was a Mer waiting behind the desk, speaking to Calder and Theseus.
"Your rooms will be on level twelve. Rooms 2 to 8." The clerk passed over something to Calder.
"Thank you." Turning to us, Calder said. "You'll be staying here. Tomorrow, you are to meet with the council. I suggest resting up."
"What about Jason?” Percy said, “You said he would be transferred here once he was stable.”
"My guards have orders to bring him here."
The clerk lit up. "I can send someone up to tell you when your companion has arrived."
"Thank you very much,” I said.
The clerks eyes landed on me and widened. "My goodness."
"That will be all," Calder shifted in front of me, as did the other guys.
Theseus usurped me away from the desk. I took a glimpse back at the clerk, who was watching my every movement. What was his problem? I thought made Mer were normal here.
Calder handed over small slates of rock. Taking mine, I noticed more Mer language etched onto it. Was it some sort of room key? I turned the stone over to study it, but it was bare.
"Callum, you will be posted here along with Trevor. Make sure none of them leave the hotel.” Calder slowly met each of our eyes, his gaze full of threat.
Callum stood up straight. “Yes, sir.”
Calder nodded at us before leaving, taking a huge, oppressive weight with him.
I sighed. “Well, this has been an interesting night. And since I can’t leave the hotel, I think I'll be going to bed."
Looking around, I tried to find an elevator, or perhaps a staircase that I could use to get to my room.
Callum laughed. "I love mades, they're such newbies."
Between Ajax, Percy, and Hip’s combination of growls and death glares, Callum stopped laughing. Clearing his throat, he pointed upward. "There is no need for stairs or…wait, what's an elevator?"
I blinked, my tired brain taking a moment to process what he was saying. Then Theseus grabbed my free hand and tugged me upward, our feet leaving the stone ground.
Oh.
Hip let go of my hand and darted up ahead of us before flipping upside down and staring down at me. "What is gravity, am I right?"
I laughed, a childish joy bubbling up in my chest. I had finally reached that point in exhaustion where you just feel bubbly and everything is funny. I had nothing to giggle at. Nothing about this situation was funny. Yet once I started, it was hard to stop.
Hip extended his hand. "Come on, Speedy."
I looked at Theseus, who had been so quiet. He smiled and let go of my hand.
"You know, astronauts use water to train for space. So if you really think about it, we are totally in space right now."
I snorted. "That's pretty silly."
"You could use some silly right now. Come on, sleepy girl.” He moved back the hair that was floating at the side of my face, obstructing my vision. I think it had grown another inch since he had cut it the other day.
Theseus shoved me forward up into the cone shaped ceiling of the building, towards Hip, who caught me in his arms and flipped us into a tumble. We were weightless, floating in the water untethered.
Hip grabbed my hands and swung me around several times before letting go, using the momentum to push me upward, rocketing me up. I now realized the purpose of the open ceiling.
I did a back flip and nearly hit the wall, but was caught by large, tan arms. Ajax.
“Having fun?”
“I’m what some might called ‘tired loopy’. So…yes.”
Ajax guided me over to one of the open floors and to the door with the symbol that matched the slate in my hand. Taking the slate, Ajax held it up to the door, causing the symbol on the door to glow for a moment before swinging open.
The room inside wasn't very large, but it didn't need to be. There wasn't a bed, or a desk, or even some sort of side table. The only things in the room were a mirror hanging on the wall, a stone-looking cabinet, and what appeared to be a hammock.
I stared at the room for a few more moments before looking back up a Theseus. “So…this is the life of luxury in this great Mer city?”
"I have a feeling you were given one of the servant's quarters.” He replied.
"Well, make the best of it, right?” I said, attempting to be positive.
I drifted further into the room and studied the hammock, which looked like a giant, rolled up leaf. I guess I should…unroll it? Looking over to the others, who were right outside the door, I asked, "Do I get a pillow?"
"Mer don't need pillows, but trust me, this will be the most comfortable “bed" you have ever slept in." Theseus replied, coming into the room and brushing his hand across the leaf hammock.
Where his fingers touched, the leaf shimmered and the tight roll bloomed open like a flower. "It's a leaf of the Kalkapta flower. A deep sea carnivorous plant which lures fish in with a sweet smell, and once in range, its leaves wrap around its meal."
I scowled. "That sounds…nice."
Percy chuckled. “It's not dangerous once it’s separated from its flower, but it will still cocoon you. Morph to your body and prevent you from floating away in your sleep."