Read Siren Rock for Free Online

that she too, was holding tiny gems.
    “Oh no. The tears of a mermaid.” She pushed the stones in the front pockets of her linen jacket, as if to do so would erase the sight of them from his mind.
    Case knelt in front of her as he placed a hand on her knee. “Please what’s going on? Tell me this isn’t a trick.”
    She wiped her tears. “No trick. I’m a freak of nature.”
    “Don’t say that.”
    “You sound like my father,” she said with a muffled chuckle.
    “Does he know? Of course he knows. That was a dumb question.”
    “I think you’re entitled to ask anything at this point.” She managed a smile.
    He placed the stones in his jeans pocket. “Do you always cry little rocks?”
    “No. I never have before. I’m so embarrassed. Maybe it’s because my whole world is falling apart.”
    “Why is your world falling apart? Maybe I can help. I’ll do whatever I can.”
    She opened her mouth wide. “Or…”
    “Or what? What is it?”
    “Or… I’ve found true love. Mermaids cry aquamarine stones when they acknowledge true love.”
    “True love? With me?”
    “Yes. But, you see, this is why I couldn’t be with you.”
    “Really! Because you cry little rocks?” He put his head back. “What a relief.”
    “This is a relief to you?” she asked as she turned to face him.
    “Well, sure. I often thought you just despised me. This means I have a chance.”
    Case tenderly lifted her face with his fingers. “Can I hold you?”
    She blushed as she parted her lips. “Yes.”
    They continued to sit by the fire for hours. She told him her father’s story, her mother’s story, and, most importantly, her own. The night was moving along quickly, the moon now directly overhead.
    Case asked, “Are you getting cold? Would you like to go inside?”
    “No I’m fine. Case, do you really love me?”
    “I do love you, Larina. I have always loved you.”
    “I feel like you should know exactly what you’re getting into before we go any further. Would you like to go to your river, and I will swim for you.”
    “Yes. I mean, if you’re okay with it.”
    “I think you need to see and know for yourself. I would suggest we go to the ocean, to my home, but Daddy has forbidden me to go near Siren Rock on the nights of a full moon.”
    “Because of your mother?”
    “Yes.”
    “Makes sense, with all you’ve told me.”
    “Are you curious? Afraid?”
    “I’m definitely curious, and, no, I’m not afraid.”
     
    * * * *
     
    They drove to the river. They each removed their shoes and pants and sat at the edge of the riverbed, dangling their feet in the cool water.
    “Sure you’re not scared? Because I’m petrified,” she said with nervous laughter.
    He reached over and stroked her thigh. “Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous, yeah. You know you don’t have to do this.”
    “I only fear you will see me as a freak.”
    “Never. I promise.”
    Larina stretched her legs out and pointed her feet. She took a deep breath, and as she exhaled, she willed her fin. Her pale slender feet became a pearl-white, effervescent shimmer. Her feet formed a web between them. Iridescent scales quickly formed as both feet and ankles began to merge as one. Within moments, her calves and feet became a fin.
    Case exhaled and rubbed his face. “Does it hurt?”
    She smiled. “No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s an invigorating sensation, think of an intensely mint exfoliate. But I’m sorry. This is too much for anyone to witness.”
    Case put his hands out. “No, no. I’m fine, you’re fine, we’re fine.” He held his hand above her fin. “Can I?”
    “Yes.”
    Case gently placed his hand on her fin. He looked at her wide-eyed and smiled as he moved his hand back and forth, gently stroking her scales.
    He said, “It’s actually really smooth. I wasn’t expecting that. A little like snake skin, though smoother.”
    “It’s sorta like a bud scale. A shedding of skin, though done in an instant. So this