Read Emerge for Free Online Page A

the twins with an endless list of questions. I hate to admit it, but Melusine’s determination to try things out on her own is kind of … brave.
    “Wasn’t that difficult? How have you even been able to maintain your legs for so long so quickly?”
    “Nothing’s quite as … inspiring as a challenge. I practiced for months before we surfaced.”
    “You mean you can keep your legs in water?” Awe creeps into my voice.
    “Here you go, ladies,” Caspian says, returning with our drinks.
    “We were just talking about why Melusine didn’t tell me she was Mer before tonight,” I fill him in.
    “Isn’t it such a fun surprise?” she asks.
    I’m not really the type who likes surprises. Okay, surprise presents or baked goods are welcome, but I’m a make-a-plan-and-stick-to-it type of girl, so I don’t like to be caught off guard. Still, it’s not like Melusine could have known that. Maybe it’s time I stop hating her on principle and try to get to know her. After all, she’s left everything she knows and moved to a foreign place. It’s gotta be really hard for her.
    “So, Melusine, Lia tells me you have a boyfriend at your school,” Caspian says, concern evident in his rich baritone. Leave it to Caspian to face the seriousness of a situation head on.
    “His name’s Clay. We instantly connected.”
    And just like that, I hate her again. I haven’t spent a year keeping Clay at tail’s length just so he could date another Mer. I’ve put my duty to the Community first, and she needs to, too.
    “You know how dangerous that is, right? For all of us?” This time, I don’t care if I sound accusatory.
    “Relax,” Melusine says, sounding far too calm for my taste. “I’m not putting anyone in danger.”
    “Lia’s worry is understandable,” Caspian says. “There are reasons the parents up here don’t let their kids date humans. I’ve only just met you, and I’m sorry if I’m overswimming here, but if this guy … What’s his name? Ray?”
    “Clay,” Melusine and I both correct at the same moment.
    “Clay. If Clay ever finds out what you are—”
    “Not a chance. Maybe some people have trouble maintaining their legs,” she shoots me an appraising look and I don’t like how self-conscious it makes me, “but I have excellent self-control.”
    “And your father hasn’t found out?” Caspian hedges.
    “Daddy knows!”
    “He knows you’re with a human?” I sputter.
    “Are you kidding? He’s thrilled. I guess he thinks it’ll help people realize we’re not udell like the rest of our family. Daddy trusts me.”
    Her dad approves? My life is so totally unfair. My parents are all for assimilation, but they’d never let me be in a relationship with a human. Even if you forget the risk of exposure, the emotional risk is astronomical.
    I mean, talk about heartbreak. It’s not like we could ever be married—try hiding a tail from someone you live with. No matter how much self-control I had, that would be impossible. It’s not like any of us can maintain legs while we sleep. See, that’s the real reason the Little Mermaid went to the Sea Sorceress. Humans have this part of the story so wrong. She didn’t go to the sorceress to get legs; she went to permanently banish her tail so she could ensure her precious prince never found out what she really was.
    “You can’t possibly have a future with him. What’s the point?” I ask Mel.
    “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those neo-romantic Mermaids who believes I should get married before I even go to college? I thought one of the reasons we moved up here was to learn how humans make the best of these pathetically short lives. A lot of humans don’t even think about marriage until their thirties.”
    “I’m not talking about marriage. I just mean, if there’s not even the possibility you could stay with someone, be yourself with them, what kind of a relationship is that?”
    “Gosh, Lia, how old are you? You do know we’re in high