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slanting, sibilant quality of a Mermese speaker who’s not used to speaking English. “Who is your young man?” he asks with perfect, studied grammar, his eyes shifting to Caspian.
    “This is my friend ,” I emphasize the word, “Caspian Zayle.”
    “Pleased to meet you, sir,” Caspian says as he shakes Mr. Havelock’s hand. “I hope you’re finding everything to your liking here on the surface.”
    “Zayle? As in Adrianna Zayle? Yes, I had heard your family was living here now.”
    “Filius, you must understand … ” my father begins, his tone full of censure. Then, Mel’s father surprises me.
    “No need, Edmar. I fully support what you are doing here. A fresh start for everyone. I respect that. Without it, I would not have come, not with my family’s reputation. I almost didn’t, but after my wife died … ” He’s quiet for a moment, then continues, “I wanted better for my Melusine.”
    “I won’t lie to you,” my father says, shaking his nearly bald head, “there were people who petitioned against your request for refuge. Up here in the human world, we all view humans as equals, and we bring up our children to do the same. Not surprisingly, some members of our Community thought you must share your family’s udell predilections.” My eyes widen. Udell is an ancient word for human hater. Melusine’s an udell ? Then why is she with Clay?
    “Never. I have never understood their hatred of mortals, and I have raised Melusine according to my own moral standards, not my family’s.”
    “Well, now that you’re here, you can show everyone through your actions that your family’s udell history does not extend to the two of you,” my mother says. “Of course, we’ll help in any way we can.”
    Mr. Havelock looks gratified and lifts his head even higher. “Just knowing that we have your illustrious family on our side will help fortify us,” he says grandiosely. “And knowing my Melusine has new friends makes me feel that I made the right decision in coming here.” He looks at Caspian and me, and I get the feeling I’m being manipulated.
    “Melusine, why don’t you go get to know Aurelia and Caspian better while my husband and I show your father around? I’m sure that will be more enjoyable for you than endless introductions to Merfolk twice your age.” My mother’s eyes twinkle with sincerity, and I surge with the familiar sense of pride I get watching her handle social situations with so much grace. Did it skip a generation?
    After some brief, “Pleasure to meet yous” all around, Caspian and I lead Melusine to a side room that’s less crowded and up to an empty table. Most of the Mer our age have found their way here, and the atmosphere is more relaxed.
    “I’ll go get us all some seaberry punch,” Caspian says. I want to think of an excuse to go with him, but that would be crazy rude. So, here I am. Alone with Melusine.
    “I can’t believe I didn’t know you were a Mermaid,” I say, voicing the thought that’s been racing in repeated laps around my mind.
    “I know. You looked floored,” she replies in a syrupy sweet voice. She doesn’t have a trace of her father’s Mermese accent. She must have worked hard to get rid of it before coming on land.
    “Did you know? About me, I mean? Because it’s been like, weeks since you started school, and you never said anything.” I keep my tone light, non-accusatory, but I can’t help thinking how strange it is. Had she been purposely trying to trick me? And, if she had, why?
    “I wanted time to explore on my own. I’ve heard so many conflicting ideas about humans and their world. I knew the moment I revealed myself to you, you’d go out of your way to be my welcoming committee—show me things and explain things. I wanted to draw my own conclusions first, without anyone else’s influence.”
    If I had been in Melusine’s place, I’d have wanted any help I could get. In fact, when I started at Malibu Hills Prep, I bombarded