The Secret of the Sirens TheCompanionsQuartetseriesof01

Whensenttolivewithherauntbythesea,Conniehadnomajor

expectations.IdidnotexpecttomeetwithCol,themostbrilliantyoungmanofthevillage,muchlessfindthattherearemythicalcreaturesthatanancientsocietyhasbeenprotectingforcenturies.Butmostofall,donotexpecttofindoutwhoownsaparticulartalent,greatereventhanhersecretabilitytotalktoanimals.Aspecialtalentthat,withhelpfromCol,cangiveunimaginablepower

andsofightKullervoandhispowerfularmy.Mermaid(classicalmythology).Oneofmythologicalmonsters,halfwoman,halffish,whoallegedlydrewsailorstodestructionwiththespellofhiscorner.IsusedtobeingconfusedwithNereida,halfwomanandhalffish.

Chapter1SeagullsCome,Ichallengeyou!SeagullblinkedhislittlebrighteyeConnielowingit.ButScark,Icannot!Conniewhisperedinresponse,rubbinghispantsagainstarollofblueroperestinginthesoftAndifyouseesomeone?Scarknoddedandopenedtheyellowpeak inanactofcowardiceprankonthegirl.Conniegaveafurtiveglanceoverhisshoulder.Inreality,Iwantedtodoit.Noonelookedather.Itwasnomorethananotherlittlegirlwhospenthervacationhangingaroundthemarina.Noonewascloseenoughtoappreciatethatdifferedfromtherestbytheireyes,onegreenandonebrown,andbecausehespokewithseagulls.Thefishermenwenttoobusywipingthecoverstofixonagirlwithrippedjeansandabushofblackhair.Groupsoftouristswereintheparkinglotbusonlyhadeyesforstrawhatsand figurines of marine shells from souvenir shops . Nobody seemed aware that somethingextraordinarywasgoingtohappennextdoor.Okay,Iwill!Connieaccepted,yieldingtotheirowndesiresSurelythistimeIwon.Tookafewcrumbsofbreadfromhispocketandthrewafewcrumbstotheairtopractice .Scarkjumpedfromhishangerandcaughtitwithease.Onceyoustartthegame,otherherringgullsswirledintheskyandlandedonthedikeoftheport,formingawiderowofeagerspectators.Whiteheadsnoddedimpatiently,waitingfortherealfunbegan.Hereyougo!ExclaimedConnieMeagainstallofyou.Ifyoudroponecrumbonthefloor,Iwin.Thegullsscreamedtheirapprovalandincreasedflight.Conniehasreleasedahandfulofcrumbstoohigh .Thebirdsattacked fromallsides ,capturing them in theairwithnoeffort .Scark letoutadeafeningclang. Iseethat Iwillnotgetthemsoeasily ,right? Connie laughed .Wasto launchthe increasinglyquickbread,turningonhisheelstotrytoconfusetheircompetitors.Seagullscameoutfirednimblyrightandleft,scatteringtheflock,runningonitswings,balancingandanticipatinganymovement,any trick that she coulduse tooutrun them .Thebillowing cloudenveloped , responding to themovementsofherbodyas ifshewerethedirectorandhisorchestrabirds ,spreadingeverywherethemoodandthemusicemanatingfromthegirl.Sheswirledaroundherlikeahugecase,involvinghimself inthedelightofbirdsthatdemonstratetheirflyingskills . Itflowedgreatpower ;seemedthatthegirlstrippedoftheirhumanskintoalsoturnintobirdintheheartofthepack.Theseagullsscreamed in joy,encouragingher to flywith them toward the sea , to join them in their raucouscolonies intheflapsofthecliffsand ledgesofrock.ThemassofbirdsdrewtheformoftwohugewingsopeningupthefingertipsofConnie.Tothegirlseemedthatstruggledjustalittlemore,alsowould rise from thegroundand fly ,buthis feetwouldnotendedup separating.Taking the lastpieceofbreadinhishand,threwitveryhightothesky.Fishing!Shouted.

Thegullsrose likerockets inahard foughtairbattle ,competingwitheachother for the trophy .Withastrokeofhislargegraywings,Scarktookthebitunderthepeakofasmallwhitefemaleandcamechasingher,babblingtriumphantly.WowthatwasnotverygentlemanlyaffectionatelyscoldedConnieHowisrobyoulikethat?ButwhatItaughtyou?Scark shookhishead indignantly , sayingwitha flapping justa chick For just thewayhe hadnothingtoteach.IsupposenotConnieadmitted.Sittingontherocksnexttothebird,hefeltsuddenlydejected.Theothergullswere lostwiththebreezeinsearchofnewactivitiesamongthetrashcansandfishingboats. Iknow Ihavea lotto learn .Whohadnothadtogotoschooltodo it .Hateschool . Itwillbeadisaster,I'msure.Scarkshookhisheadskeptically. In the other schools could not take more than one or two quarters . Whenever somethinghappened:startfollowingthefoxesorratsinvadetheclassroomandfindsitperfectlyclearthatitismy fault .Whywouldbedifferent inHescombe ? Ihavenot the slightestopportunity . Inotherschoolsjustfoundmestrange,butitisalsoherethatmyaunt.Conniethrewastonewaterwithapathy.Sank,leavingatrailofripplesonthesurfacethatremovedtheseaweedandgarbageaccumulatedalongthesoftwall.Hisparents,whohadjustmovedtoanalien ,hadconsidered thepossibilityof sendingConnie toaboarding school,but in theend theydecidedthatinviewofhisterribleacademicrecord,wouldbebetterwitharelative,evenifitmeantsendingherEvelyn,theweirdsisterofSirLionheart.Theinternshiphadseemedanamazingoption,butnowthathehadknownheraunt,askediftherewouldhavebeenbetter.Whohadanauntwhowaswhimperingpitifullyoutofhisbedroomwindowatfiveinthemorninganddisappearforhoursstopped inwrapped ina longtatteredblackcloak?AsConniehadquicklydiscovered ,Evelynwasstrange,nottosayitwasscary,but,unlikehisniece,nottryingtohidetheirrarity.The tidewashigh .Themulticoloredboatswaved impatient itsmoorings , stretching the stringsagainstthemasts,promptingtheirownerstoenterthesea.Conniestoodupandshookhiswetbackofthejeans,theslipperystones.Well,Scark,it'stimetogo.I'llseeyoutomorrow.Theseagull flappedandshookhisbeakasasignof farewell.Thegirlwatched inaweasScarkthebirdundertooktheflightwithelegancewingandintothecrispMarchGoodfishing!Connieshouted,andhisvoicewasslurredasanautumnleafinthewinddropped.Wouldhavewantedtocomehomewithhim,awayfromhumanssostrangetomeet.Onlywhenheturned,leavingtheseabehindher,noticedthepresenceofthatoldlonghairedandwhitewithareddishstrokesatthetemples,halfhidden inasheltersituatedtenmetersaway.Ia

equippedwithamotorcyclehelmet,acooler,binocularsandafoldednewspaper.Besideherwasapairofearplugsscarlet ,these leadingconstructionworkerswhenusingpneumaticdrills,butheretherewasno signofheavymachineryorworkers .Hehadbeenwatching thewhole time ?TheunresttriggeredawaveofheatthatfloodedConnie:Ihatedtheideathatsomeonehadseenplaywith their friends . It always had problems . People would soon Hescombe in gossip about hisstrangeness ,ashadhappened inLondon .Mortified ,Conniedidnotbother to return thewarmsmilethatdevotedmanastheycrossedthelook.Ran,dodgingagroupoftouristswhoenteredonhisbus,HighStreetandranatfullspeedtoheraunt'shouse.Whenpassedasanarrowinfrontoftheflashystoresbuckets,plasticshovelsandexhibitorsCards,ConnieranintoagroupgatheredatthedoorofthetavernAnchor.Sorry!Heapologized,movingawayfromtheolderladywhohadrunovertostampingagainstaburlymanwhoworerubberboots.ThemangrabbedConniebeforeshefelltothefloorandstoodup.BewarethemansaidIfsotheworldwillenduphurtingyourself.Drivenintothecenterofthecircleofpeople,Conniemurmuredhisapologiesandeveryonestoppedtalkingand lookedathimwithpoliteconcern.Conniehesitatedunableto leavethegroup .Thosepeoplehadtogetanechoofwhathadfeltwhileplayingwiththeseagulls.Thiswaswhereitshouldbe.Theplacebelongedofright.Didsomethinghappen?Themanasked,frowning.No,no,sorryIfhastenedtomeetConnie,bobbingparalysis.Hewasbehavinglikeastupid.Ofcourse ,he couldnot stay thereallday .Donotknowanyof thosepeople .Shehadno right tointerruptthemthatway .Theirexpressionsshowedthattherewasnothingspecialsensehaving itthere,nothingexceptvaguedoubtsabouthissanity.Sohurriedoff.However,afterrunningafewmetersdown the street , couldnothelpbut takea lookback, feeling calledby thegroup . Iwaswrong:noonelookedmuchlesscalledit.Theywereallgatheredaroundtheolderwomanwhotookscarlethearingprotectorsyourshoppingtoteandimpartedthemtohiscompanions.Connie returned to run without stopping until their new home , the number five Shaker Row ,wantingtobealonewithhisthoughtsaboutwhathadjusthappened.Thehouseofhisauntwasthelastofarowofhousesoffishermenlocatedatthefootofthecliff,theguardoftheoceanpoundinghungry its steps . The house corresponding to the number five escaped the waves, taller andnarrowerthantheother,asinthelastgameofsardines.Thebuildingseemedwaitingforthewavesopenedtheclosetdooratanymomentandbethefirsttofall.MadameCressanincrediblymellowcatfromheraunt,lurkedtheshortcutwiththerigidtail.MioutoseeConnie ,whostoppedbrieflytogreetherbeforescoring inthekitchentohangthe jacket .Froze .Right there in thecloakroomextendedpast thedoor , therewasapairof scarlethearingprotectors .Whatwashappening?Hisfirst intentionwastogorunningagainandthenrunningtoleavebehindall that strangepeople ,particularlyhisaunt .However ,he changedhismind .Nodoubt,ashehadnochoicebuttostaynotdoanyharmfindoutmoreaboutEvelynLionheartandtheirstrangecustoms.Possiblythehearingprotectorswerethekey.Helookedoverhisshouldertoprovethatshewasaloneandstudiedtheguardsmoreclosely.Therewasasilverbirdstampedon

each side . Put them in the ears by way of experiment and isolated all sounds not heard theapproachingfootstepsuntilsomeonegavehimapatontheshoulderaseffectively.Startled,hegotridofthem. You knowwhat they say about curiosity and the cat , right? A voice asked softly ,with thesmoothness of the ice. High but light and , as always , dressed in black , Evelyn Lionheartwasstandingbeforeher,withtheghostlywhitefacecontrastedwithherbrownhair.MadameCressonenteredthedoorandrubbedagainsthisanklesEvelyn,greetingitsowner.For...No.Whatdotheysay?Connieaskeduncomfortably,hisheartracing.ThatcuriositykilledthecatEvelynanswered lightly,asshepulledtheearplugsandreturnedtohanginthecloakroom.MadameCressonmeowedinprotest,offendedbytheallusiontodeath,andapproachedConnie.HearchedhisbackandrubbedagainstdenimConnie,lookingforthesupportofherfriend.Conniestrokedthecat'shead.I'msorry.Only...Itisseenthatmorepeoplepopulatedthis.Itseemedalittlestrangeconcludedlamely,thinkingIshouldapologizesomehow.Ohyeah?Thegreeneyesbored intoheraunt 'sfacewith insightfulConnieairandherearringssilver glittered in the lightof the tailgatewindow isnothis subject sentencedby keepinghisintensegazelockedonhisniece.Conniefelttheangergrowing insideher,butalmost immediatelynoticedaprickoffearwhenherauntadded:Forgetyousawthem.Evelynwastremendouslyvolatile,Couldbeleavinglaughterand,afteramoment,releasingsparks.ConniedidnotknowexactlywhatEvelynseemedtohavehisniecetohisoffice.Bythetreatmenthehadreceiveduntil thensuspectedshewasabitannoyedandresentful ,andthatonlymade itoverbythesenseoffamilyduty.However ,thereseemedtobesomethingmore ,somethingthatConniecouldnotdecipher .The fact that ,despitesharingahome,Evelynwasclosedown inherroom and kept the conversation under minimum lend without the slightest confidence norcontributedto improvethings.What ifIhadrefusedtoexplainthehearingprotectionwaspartofthatbehaviorthanConniewasbeginningtoresent.Heregrettedthathisparentshadnotfoundamoreaffordabletutorsomeonetoat leastshouldwelcomeheartilyathishome.Buthedarednotpursuethematterofhearingprotection.Leavethesubjectand,whenhereturnedtopassinfrontofthecloakroom,theguardsweregone.Chapter2Mermaids

Thenextmorning,Conniewokeupveryearlybecauseofahighpitchedsoundcomingfromunderherwindow.Hesleptinasmallatticroomwithslopingceilingandawindowoverlookingthesea.Itwas theonlyplace in thehousewherehe feltcomfortable : theirownsanctuary.Pulledback thesheetsand,barefoot,ranontiptoethroughvarnishedplankstocarefullyspreadapartthecurtains.AliwasEvelyn,theshortcutonthehomefront,dressedinherblackcloak,turninglikeatopwitharmstogetherandheaddowntothebody .Viewfromabove ,thecoverswirledstrikingaperfectcircleandtheredscarffromhisheadformedaredpupilinthecenterofablackeye.Evelyn'svoicerose and fell sobbing into a howl, like crying the death of a dear friend , how to prevent thedesperationtoregainhope.Thesoundstaredatthegirl'sheart :hewantedtoputyourfingers inyourearsandblockthestrangesadnessofhisaunt.Whathadhappenedtohertoactthatway?Asifhehadnotalreadymanyproblemsherself.Frankly,Iwouldhavegoneverywellwithouthavingtolivewithsomeoneasunorthodox.Shutup ! Shouted the LordLucasofnumber four , takinghisheadout thewindow , redwithangerThosewhohaveajobasGodcommandstrytosleep!Gopracticeyourdancestheotherside!Lamentationceasedabruptlyandheardahomeintheback.Conniequicklygotintothebedbeforetheycouldaccusehimofspying,butherauntdidnotwenttoseewhatitwas.Connieturnedandtried to goback to sleep . Fell into anuneasydream in a thunderouswinddragged through theswamps,homeless,rootless,withoutrest.HerauntdidnotrefertotheiractivitiesatdawnwhenConniecamedowntothekitchen.Itwasasiftheshortcuthadneveroccurred.ConnieEvelyncastafurtivelookashepouredsomeorangejuiceto see if any trace via theneuroticbehaviorhehadwitnessed ,buther aunt seemedquiet andwatchedherexpressioncalculator.BeingwithEvelynwas liketakingbreakfastontopofanactivevolcano:neverknewexactlywhenhewasgoingtoerupt.Whatwillyoudotoday?Evelynasked,studyingConnieovertherimofhiscoffeecup.Thesuncrossedtheaddictandwarmairfromthekitchen,passingoverthesinkoverflowingwithdishesupabunchofchrysanthemumsfroma litredrestinghalfwithered inavasebetweenConnieandheraunt.EveryinchofthekitchenwascoveredinthingsthatEvelyncollectedontheirwalksalongthebeach or through the swamps :We skeletal timber shaken by smooth pebbles , feathers and amobile fragments of multicolored crystal repicava by thewindow . Connie , that collectionwasdisconcerting : drew it with his brilliance as a magnet, but threatened at once distressingbombardingyoursenses.Well ..Theusual, Isuppose Connie replieddefensively,playinga fallenpetal .Not likeanyoneinterferewithhisroutinevisitstotheanimalswhobecameafriend,buthedidnotwanttodispleaseheraunt.Good ,because Iwant tochangemyplans "Oh,no ,"he thoughtConnie A friendofmine ,LaviniaClamworthy,hasagrandsonwhowilltheirsameclassatschool.Iwantyoutoknowthatatleasthaveafriendwhenyoustart,nextweek.Conniewas surprised thatheraunthadpassed that ideaby thehead : itwas the first time Ididsomething that suggested that he considered somethingmore than a tenantwho ate and slept

underitsroof.ButEvelynandgrandmothertoaboywhodidnotknowanything,andtheycertainlydonotevenwanttoknowher,hadchosenwhowouldbeyour"friend"?IdonotcaretowaituntilMondayReposConniethedesperate.No,no.Thiswillleavethematterresolvedtodaysentencedheraunt,withoutpityIwastomeetwithyouandColinClamworthyinacoffeeshopthismorning.Andyouwillcomewithme.Conniegrimacedlookingbitesnailsandturnedthepetalconfetti.Hisfatewasalreadydecidedanddidnotdeservethepenaltyresist.Withasigh,againlookingupandslightlynoddedhisaunt.TheCopperKettlewasarancidcafeteria,muchliketheolderofHescombe.Itwasfilledwithposterand lacecurtainswithties ;hadtraysofhomemadecakesexquisitelyexposedondecorativetablecloths ,nobackgroundmusic .EvelynLionheartexcelled remarkablyandotheradults ,asablackswanamongducks :was fortyyearsyounger thanallother customersand carriedablackdenimjacket,aredskirtsandcollectedhairwithacrimsonscarf.Thegirldidnotunderstandwhyheraunthadchosenthisplaceasameetingpoint.Conniesatbuildingatowerofsugarcubesandkneadingagrowingsenseofdisaster.Withabsolutepessimismalready imaginedthescene:someonewhoagreedtoaccompanyhergrandmothertoaplacelikethathadtobeapoorbastardandhiscompanywouldassumeasocialdisadvantagefromthestart.WasdestinedtospendhisfirstweeksatprimaryschoolHescombeprowlingthecomputerroomwithhimandthecretinsofyourfriendsbypointingouttheadvantagesthatmatteredonthefrontofthePlaystation2Xbox.Thisisletingirlsintheirmediocreclub,somethinghedoubted.Hello,EvelynSaidavoicethatfelllikeagentlerainonthequietenvironment.Connielookedup.Itwas theoldwomanwhohadbumped thepreviousday .Besidehimwas a youngmanwith awraparoundsunglasses.Foritsinformalappearanceandtheirdress,theConnieratedimmediatelyassomeonewiththehookthathadalwaysmissedhim ,thekindofboywithwhatsheusuallydidnotchangeortwowords.Therehadtobesomemistake.Todaylooksverygoodaddedthewomanvisitedtheirfriendships?Dedicated toMrs.EvelynClamworthy classof smile thatConniewouldhavedelightedheraunt :warmandaffectionateonce.Diditlookanotherperson,thepersonthatConniewouldhavelikedtolive.Thankyou,Lavinia.Yes,Iseethem.Howdoyouknow?Donotgettomyagewithoutknowingafewthings,skyClamworthysaidthelady,pattingonthepulseofEvelynI'mnotsurprised.AndthismustbeConnie,no?NotstumbledinyesterdayattheHighStreet?Conniesmiledandnoddedshyly.

I hope you enjoymy favorite corner. Evelyn is too polite to tellme that hates , but hoped toconvinceyou.YouClamworthysettlednexttoConnie ,floodingthesweetscentof lavenderairasheputhissilkscarfoverhershoulders.Hisround,pleasantfacewassurroundedbyacloudofwhitehair,likethehaloofthemoonseenthroughthefog.Andnothavetobeabobcattoknowthatthis ismygrandsonColin ,though ,as itseems ,nowprefer tobe calledwillofCol.Also the classofMr. Johnson , you know ? Continued ,noddingencouraginglyConnie.Room,includingthataround,theyoungmandroppedintoachairoppositeConnieandtookoffhisglasses,heleftonthetable.Passedbybothhandsandshortbrownhair,yawningopenly.Connielookedup to lookhim in theeyes .Tohissurprise ,hemetwhohadonegreenandonebrown .Couldnotrepressyourself:MyGod!Haveushow...Heleftthesentencebyhalf.Somethingstrangehappened.Oncethefour were seated at the table , began to notice a tingle of energy, a feeling that usually onlyexperiencedwhenplayingwithhisanimalfriends .ShewasattractedbyClamworthy(includingbyhisauntasherealizedwithastart)ashardasshewasattractedbythegroupwhohadstumbledonthepreviousday.Collaughed.BetweenthetwomettwopairsofnormaleyesSheturnedherheadtohergrandmother.Conniewas surprised : theirwerequickandnervousmovementsofaRobin It's the faultof the lady : Iinheriteditfromtheirgenes.Andyou?Takingaquick lookatyourneighbor ,Conniesaw the ladyClamworthyalsohadeyesofdifferentcolor,butinhiscasethevariationwaslessexaggerated:onegrayandoneblue.Sorry?Conniesaid,quitebewilderedbythequestion.Where'dyougetthoseeyes?MomorDad?Ofneither,tomyknowledge. From his great aunt Evelyn intervened , serving tea , as if nothing And before his greatgrandmother.Connierealizedthathismouthwasopenandcloseditquickly.AndthehairtooEvelynadded,asifhehadforgottenbefore.Completelysurprisedbythisunexpectedraininformation,Connieletotherstaketheweightoftheconversationasshereorderedtheideas.Whyhadnotsaidallthisbefore?Andafterthinkingitlikelyhadtofindsomeonewiththesameeyes? Ithurt justto imaginethebrainthenecessarystepstosolvethepuzzle.Oneintenmillion,IbelievesaidCol.

What?Connieasked,abruptlytornfromhisselfabsorption.Theprobabilityofmeetingsomeonewitheyesasstrangerslikeme.HowdidyouknowIwasthinkingaboutit?Donotknowhesaid,genuinelysurprisedWhatwasIthinkingHepausedYouknow,Connie?Itseemswesharealotofthings...Likewhat?Howstupidsurnamestobegin.Connielaughed.Yes,ifyoucallColinClamworthywasevenmoreembarrassingthantocallConnieLionheart.Thebestinschoolwouldnotbesobad.ThenextMonday,Connie realized that Iwas longing toseeagainCol.Theonlyproblemwas thatEvelyn (underordersof the fatherofConnie ifby chance yourdaughteroccurred arming somedisaster,likelastschool)insistedaccompanyhertothedoorandeventotheinsideoftheclassroom.The school is built around a Victorian building with different entries for BOYS and GIRLS . Themodernclassroomshuddledaroundhisausterepredecessor,withthespacesacristaladosmakingablatantwinktotheoldhighwindows inthemorningsun.EvelyntookConnietooneofthenewerbuildings.Mr.Johnson?Hecalledhisaunttoalittlemanwaistandheightofponywhowrotethedateontheblackboard.Evelyn!Iamgladtoseeher.IdonotthinkthatmakesmuchhadyouinclasssaidMr.Johnson,rubbinghisfingerstocleanthechalkashecametogreetthem.Evelyngavehimageneroussmileand lethis guarddown in thepresenceof someonehe knew and admired .Connie immediatelyconnectedwiththeteacher,influencedbytheeffecthehadproducedinhisauntI'dliketotellyouthatnothinghaschanged,butlie.Beforeitwasnottallerthanme:Iwillhaveshrunkasyougrew.AndyoushouldbeConnie.WelcometoHescombe.Thereisahangerintheclosetwithyournameandyourdrawer isone.Wedonothaveaspecificplacebecausewemovea lotduringclass,butwhynotstarthereatthistable,nearthecornerofthemascots?Iseemtorecallthathisauntwasespeciallyfondofthisportfolio.Itisagoodidea?ConniemurmuredEvelyn.Hispanicwaslikethefoamofarefrigerantremoved.

Ofcourse.WhenIcalledMr.Johnson,Itoldhimallyourproblemsinotherschools.Youcanbesurethatitwillnotbeoffendedthatyoulikeanimalssaidhisaunt,advancingtothedoorMedidnot.Atthemomenttherewerenoanimals inthecornerofthemascots ,soConniesatandwaitedtobegintoreachthehumanfauna.Hadaknotinmystomach:thefearofreturningtofail.Itcostalotto answer the questions ofMr. Johnson about their favorite subjectswhilemenwore betweentables untouched distributing booklets of exercises . At that time , Connie could not think ofanythingIlikedtheschool.Theclassroombegan to fill .Threegirlswentand lookedcuriously to thenewstudent .Someonegaveherashysmile,butnoneventuredtositbesideher.Connienoticedhowhisfragileconfidenceevaporating .Be likeanyother firstday :would soonbealoneand isolatedandeveryonewouldthinkitwasstrange.Justthenhesawabrunettegirldressedinaturquoisesarigotothecornerofthemascotsisstaggeringundertheweightofahamstercage.Connie,whowasjustintheirway,couldnothelpbutgetuptohelpher.Thankyousaidthegirl,droppingwithadramaticflourishinthechairnexttotheConnie.Whenbrushedtheblackhairfromhiseyes,worebraceletsthatjingledmerrilyinthearmisnew?Yes,Connie.ConnieLionheartansweredwithoutmuchconfidence.Hiscompanionassimilatedthenamewithouttheslightesthintthathadseemedfunny.I'mAnneenaNuruddin.TheHindu'sHighStreetismyfamily.Youknowhim?Heshookhisfacewithhisthinbrownhand,AnneenapeeredConniethefirsttimewell,youknowwhohaseyesliketheColClamworthy?Related? Connieshookherhead Fuck,theoddsthattwopeople likethatendupinthesameclassshouldbe...Infinitesimal.DonotbothercalculatingtheConniefelthappyseeingthathehadtornasmileofAnneena.ByorderenteredinColclassandleanedConnietable.IseeyoumetAnneena.Foreverythingtidy.AnneenaknowseveryoneandknowseverythingabouttheschoolcommentedCol.Forafleetingsecond,ConniewishedColsatathisotherside.Wouldyoufeelthestrangeenergythathehadnoticedinthecafeteriaifhewasnear?ButColturnedandsatatanothertablewithayoungteacherwhilebeginningtogo list.Seeinghimwalkaway,Conniethoughthehadbeenafooltothinkthatsomeonelikehimwouldsitbesideher.ColhasaponyandaboatAnnouncedAnneena,followinghimwithpuzzledeyesWell,incasetheboatishisgrandmother.Whataboutyourfatherandyourmother?Doesnotlivewiththem?ConnieaskedasColsharedajokewithayoungbigmanwithblondhair,makingthewholetableputoutlaughing.Calmdownabit,ColaskedMr.Johnson,withoutevenraisinghisheadtoprovethesourceofthecommotion.

Notusuallyspendmuchtimehere whisperedAnneena liveswithhisgrandmotherand isverypopular.AndthankGoditdid,becausetheeyesandthestrangeyoungmanhaddonesurnameoftheirpassunnoticed.HavingsomeonelikeColinclass,noonewouldfixit.Thetensionhe'dfeltsincehehadcometoHescomberelaxedalittle.Forthefirsttimeinhislife,Connieventuredtothinkitmightfit.DuringplaytimeAnneenashowedherschool,whichwasseethingwithactivityaftertheboysbackafter the holidays : lines in windows registry , territorial disputes in the courtyard , whisperingcliquesinbathroomsofgirls...EndedupinthecornerofthemascotsbecauseAnneenawantedtochangethewaterofhamsters.ItookcareofthemallsummersaidisthathamstersIlove,youknow?Butmymotheralwayssaidthatareaproblem.HeknewhewouldnotmindtotakemeandtheclassseemstomethatIcouldchangehismindandletmehavemyown.Andyou?I?Toyou,youlike?Conniehadneverpaidmuchattentioninhamsters.Howmanyanimalshadfriends...Hekneltnexttothecagetoseethemmoreclosely,softlybreathing inthescentofsawdustanddiscoveringthesecrettreasuresofseedscreatures.HamstersimmediatelyrantoherandstartedtomovethecageinwhichConniehasidentifiedasitsdancewelcome.Well,neverseenthemdothis!ExclaimedAnneena.No?ItseemstometheyarejustsayinghelloReposConnie,lightlyswayingtoanswerthedancinghamsters and give thanks for their good wishes . Anneena looked at her strangely , somethingnervousfortheunexpectedbehavior.Whatareyoudoing?AlsosayhellotothemSosaying,Connienoticedaknotinmystomach.ThatwastheendofhisshortfriendshipwithAnneena?Shekepthereyesfixedonthefacesofintelligenthamsters,afraidtoraisetheview.ButAnneenawastoimitateher.It'sfunSaiddelightedAnneenawhilethehamstersrantohissideofthecageandbegantodancebeforeherhasagiftwithanimals,youknow?Keepingtheadmiringgazeofhisnewgirlfriend,Connieshruggedandsmiled.

Thatafternoon,Connielefttheschoolveryhappyday.ShetookitwellandAnneenaevenaftertheincidentwith thehamsters .Anneenahad told thewhole class ,barelybreathing , the tract thatConniehadgiventheclasspets.UntilColhadseemedimpressed.ThenAnneenahadpresentedtohisgroupof friendsduring lunch .Connieharboredhopesthatsomeofthemalsoturned intoherfriend.DroppedhimespeciallywellJaneBenedict,tallandshy,oneofthebrightestintheclass.TheonlydisappointmentwasthatConniehadkeptColdistances .Believedhadbecome friends in thecafeteria ,butdidnotseemto followthistheory inschool .Whilepushing thegatenumber five ,Conniedecidedshecouldnotblametheyoung.Colwascompletelyoutofhisreach:hewasverypopularandfun.Hefoundhisauntplayingrunningaroundthekitchen,preparingwhatlookedlikeapicnic.Howwasschool?Evelynasked,distracted.Conniesatatthekitchentableandpouredhimselfasliceofbread.WellWellIhavetogooutagaintonight.Mrs.Lucas,thehousenextdoor,toldmeit'llbewatchingyou.Searchsomethinginthefridgefordinnerandputyouinbed,right?After theeffort thatheraunthaddone in themorning,Conniehoped thatmore interestbyhoweverythinghadgoneintheclass.Evelynchanceeverthoughtaboutyourniece?Therewassilence,brokenonlybythesoundofculinarypreparations.Conniesankintoalongwaitwiththehopethatherauntredeempayingabitofinterest.Butasthesecondspassed,itbecameclearthatthetacticofdignifiedsilenceConniewouldnotwork.Herauntseemednotevenseeit.Whereareyougoing?AskedConnie.Evelynignoredthepainedtone.AtameetingoftheSocietyansweredwhilewallowinginthefridgetotakeahugetroutwrappedincellophane.WhichCompany?Evelyndartedtothedoor ,addedaraincoatandrubberboots toyourheapand ,asanyonewhoremembersthelasttimethatyouaremissingsomething,alsotookthehearingprotectors.Whatcompanyisit?Connieinsisted.ButhisauntdisappearedthroughthedoortoloadhisoldCitroenandheardornotordidnotwanttohearthequestion.Asmallblueboatsnoredapproaching therocks thatguarded theentrance to thebay .Thestonepillarsdecreasedthevessel,as iferectinggianthoodedagainsttheelements .Colenginestopped

twenty yards and put the earplugs . His passenger, an old man with white hair with reddishhighlights, carrying a cooler on your lap , followed his example . Had planned the followingmovementsontheedge,theguardattheAnchorpub.Allhehadtodowaswaitfortheothertwoboatsarrived,wouldalreadybepreparedtofacetheworst,possiblyevendeath.Colwatched asDr.Brockquietly served tea . Itwas abeautiful evening , although abitwindy .Despitebeingnearlynine,theskywasstillclear,unambiguoussignalthatwasnotoverthesummer.TheColwouldhavelikedtoenjoywhatwiththesameserenitythathispassengeranddemonstratethathewaspreparedtopassthetestkeepingnervesatbay,buttoexposethemtothedangersthatlurkedcouldnotpreventheartdesbocasse likearacehorse .Hismissionwasvital :suspectedthatsomemenlosttheirlives,driventodeathbytheirresistiblepowerofthecreaturesthatlurkedafterthe rocks . Itwasup thepossibility thatneitherhenorDr.Brock returned .Withinminutes theycould losecontrolofyoursensesandbeatthemercyofthewaterssurrounding them .With thisoutlook,Colabandonedhisattemptstocalmdownandbegantotrembleatthehelmofthevessel.Twootherboatsarrived.AtthehelmofthefirstwaswithEvelynLionheart'sgrandmothertookCol.Bothguardsnottotakeanychances.ColrecalledwrylyAnchorinthediscussionaboutwhetherornotitwastooyoungtoembarkonsuchadangerousmission.HergrandmotherhadarguedthatColshouldknowthatshefacedbeforecaughthimbysurprise.Attheedge,Colhadfeltflatteredbythefactthatyourgrandmotherwouldrecognizehismaturity,nowatsea,swayingunderthethreatofahiddendanger,heregrettedenormouslytohavebeenengagedbothgo.Col kept waiting while Mr. Masterson , the crew of the third boat, followed Evelyn Lionheart ,avoiding the shoals that surrounded the channelHescombe .Mr.Mastersonwas standingat thehelm,withhisrubberbootsandheart infleece.Shefeltmuchsafer inyourfarmtractorthan inaboat.Hispassenger,HoraceLittle,anoldAmericanIndianwhitehair,wassittingaftwithbinocularscaughttheeyes,notinganypossiblemovementinthesky.Oncereunitedwiththreevessels,Dr.Brockstoodupandgrabbedamegaphone.ThestrongbreezeblowingfromseatolandhinderedthecrewkepttheirboatsinacirclearoundthehugerocksintheareaknownastheChimneys.ColmutteredbetweenhisteethpulledoutwhiletheenginesothattheWater Sprite remained inposition. Should keep training ;Dr.Brockdependedonhimnot toescapethecreatures.Colhopednottohavetokeepitlong.Thewaitwasunbearable.Shewasveryawareofhisownbody:adeepbreathandfasthearthammeringinhischest,thetouchofthewindontheskin.IfDr.Brockdidnotactquickly,Colwaslikelytodosomethingtoreleasethetension:scream, laugh or even throw himself overboard before the creatures drove them to do so ;somethingbeforethatterriblestillness.Brockdoctorclearedhisthroat.Obeisances Shouted the rocks , apparently empty We are the Society for the Protection ofMythicalCreaturesandaskaudience.Withtheguardscaughttheearsaswell,Colheardnothingofallthis,butheknewwhatthedoctorwasgoingtosayBrock .Observedrocksandadropofsweatrandownhisforeheadashetriedtodetecttheslightestsignoflife.Brockdoctorrepeatedhiscallthreetimes,butfollowedwithouthavinganymovement.

"Whathappened?"DidCol.Aftermuchpreparation,wouldhavetogohomeemptyhanded?Shealmostburstoutlaughingatthesituationunworthy.Shallwe?ColwhisperedtoDr.Brock.Thedoctorshookhisheadandactfollowed,bentitasifinprayeraskingthatthecreaturesrespond.Therewasalotatstake.Aflutterofwings ,awhirlwindofactivity intherocks .Thevastdarknessatthebaseofchimneysroseeightfigureseachflighttolandinatop.Byfarseemedgiganticseagulls,butmembersoftheSocietyknewthatallhadthefaceofawoman.Thesirenshadacudido.Brockdoctortookthemegaphonetohislips,butbeforehecouldsayanything,thesirensrushedinuponthemchoppedasstormcloudspushedbyagale.Theextentoftheirwingswastwicethatofanalbatross.Expertlycuttheairwithwhitetailslikefansopenandoutstretchedwingsassickles.TwowenttotheboatEvelynLionheart,threeofMr.MastersonandthreeothersfromColandDr.Brock.Passedalongtovesselsandrosespiralonthemevenseemsmallwhitedotsinthesky."Where'dtheygo?Fledup?"Colwaswonderingwhatwouldhappenifhecouldrelaxnow.Gothisanswer:no.Inunison,themermaidstookthebodytothewingsanddroppedlikedartstotheheartofthethreeboats.Colfeltapangofterrorinthestomachwhiledoingthenastyideaofhowhefeltwhenarabbitwasbalancedon itaneaglewiththe intenttotear itfromtheground .Suchwashisspeedandwerenowsoclosethatdistinguishedtheircrimsonmouthsopeninascream,herpale face litwith rage ,his claws tearingaquilineair . Itwasnotnecessary franticgesturesDoctorBrock :Colknew itwastime toturnaroundandruntotheedge .Hetore theengineandturnedtherudder.Plaf!ColcrouchedatthetimethatagustofwindremindednearMermaids.Sawaclaw.Hefeltanintensepain.Somethinghadbrushedhischeek .Clungtotheguards ,protectingthemfromblackclaws .He lookedupand sawahugegraywingswithwhiteedges lowerdown toward the sea :precious,butterrible.Colturnedquicklytoseeifhispassengerwasstillonboard.Atthebow,Dr.Brockstruggledtofendofftheclawsoftwomermaids .Thecreatureschasinghim ,focusingontheprotectivebootears .Colwatchedthefacesofthosehumanbeauty,beautydistortedbyanger:lightedblackeyes,brightblueskinoftheseawater,theswollenwindowsoftheirnosessharpbeaksofbirds,allsurroundedbyfeatheredringsthatcurledwhiteintheair.Iftheycouldtakeouttheguards,wouldbelost.Playthesongofthesirenswasfatal.Pushedtohis listenerstothrowhimself intotheseatoreachthesingers.Noonecouldresist.Screaminginterror,Colaccelerated,puttheboatatfullspeed.Ifyoumoveforwarda littlemore ,theattackerswouldsurrender .AwhitematstretchedaftertheboatwhileColwas toputdistancebetween themand the chimneys .Finally ,when they spotted theharbor,mermaidsabandonedtheirbootyandreturnedtotheirrocksflyingCol.ColtooktheshieldsoftheheadandapproachedthedoctorBrock.Okay?Thedoctorstoodupunsteadilyandtooktheguardsrepliedwithoutjustbreathtaking:

Safeandsound,butI'mafraidIspilledtea.Thoroughlyshakenbywhathehadwitnessed ,Col laughedwithrelief.Thedoctorwasfamousforhismoderationwhen to face the toughest creatures ,but thiswas the first time thatCol saw inaction.Shewasgladthathehadnotheardherterrifiedscreamswasamoment.Hewassuretheoldmanwouldneverhavelostcontrolthatwayandtheyoungmanashamedofhisweakness.Againontheedge,ColandDr.Brockeagerlyawaitedthereturnoftheotherboats.Theyoungmantriednottothinkaboutwhatcouldhavehappenedtohergrandmother,butcouldbarelysuppresstheurgetotaketheboatandgobacktolookforit.Fiveminuteslatertookabigweightoffwhenhesawtheothertwoboatsthatsurroundedthespikeport.WithbinocularsDoctorBrock,provedthatthe approach had overcomewithout losing a crewmember . The sirens were content scaring .Besidesthetorn jacketDoctorBrockandsomepluckedhair ,Colhadbeentheonlyonehurt .Hisgrandmothergreasedtheuglyscratchingthecheekwithanantibioticointment.Andnowwhatdowedo? AskedMr.Masterson .Colshe realizedasshepoured the thermosDoctorBrocktheteafarmerstillshakinghands.Thatmadehimfeelbetter.I'veneverseenanythinglikeittheladyconfessedClamworthyThesemermaidslivedpeacefullyforyearsinchimneys.Whatmadewillturnagainstus?ItcostsyouguessitEvelynsaidbitterly,givingashottoanemptycanofoilthatsomeonehadleftonthepromenadeOil.ItisnocoincidencethathismoodchangeoccurredjustwhenAxoilinvadedtheir territory . Do you think thatmermaids could be behind the disappearance of the refineryemployees,Horace?LittleHorace,themostexpertofthemallinmarinecreatures,nodded.Itseemsverylikelysky.TheverdictpushedDr.Brocktomakeadecision.Lefthiscupandsaid:Thisisoutofcontrol.Nowthatleftthatmetourconditions,wedonothavetheresourcestocopeinthesemermaids .Wehaveto findawaytostopthem. Ifso ,continuetoendangerall thattheSocietytriedtoprotectforcenturies.WhatdoyousuggestFrancis?AskedtheladyClamworthy.Ibelieveitistimetocallanexpert.SomeonespeaksItalian?Archedoneeyebrowquestioningly.

Chapter3OilOnTuesdaymorning,Evelynwasdefeated.WhenConniecametohavebreakfast inthemorning,hisauntheldacupofcoffeewithoutliftinghisheadwistfullyofthelocalnewspaper.Stillupsetbythe abandonment of the previous night , Conniewas determined tomake her aunt noticed hispresence.Whataboutthemeeting?YourauntmerelygruntingBadnews?Connieinsisted,pointingoutthenewspaperashepouredcerealanddenyingthathisauntkeptignoringitcompletely.Evelynrelented,possiblybecauseherealizedthatwouldnotletheraloneuntilanswered.YoucouldsaythatyesIsaidsharply,pushingthepaperaroundsothatConniecouldseethatthearticlehadcausedthemoodsoftheirparticularday.Connieglancedatthemainpicture:agroupofsmilingadults,onewithfurhoodandamedal,whocrowdedaroundthemodelofafactory."Axoilreceivesthemayor.Theoilcompanyopensitsdoorsto localdignitaries ,"he read .WhenConnie seemed themostupset ,butwhyput so sorryyouraunt?Lookedatthepicturemorecloselyandsawamaninthebackgroundgauntfacelookingtothecameraasiftostranglethephotographer.Therewasamarkedcontrastbetweenhishardgazeandcheerfulsmilesofhiscompanions.Whathappenstoit?Conniemeasured,notingthearticle.Evelynsnortedmockingly.Well,withthisjusttostiranyguts,butnotreferringtothisarticle.Lookatthebottomofthepage:Thecolumnonthecorner.ConniedidwhathisauntsaidandfoundanarticlefromanadescalatorsandotherMediterraneancruises".DisappearsthirdemployeeAxoilbyRupaNuruddin"Wow!Will'ssisterAnneena?Connieexclaimedexcitedly.Evelyntwistedgesture.Readsorderedcurtly.WilliamO'Neill ,amanof37yearsofCaravanParkSeabrook ,didnot returnhomeonSaturdaymorning.HisfamilysawhimforthelasttimewhenhewenttocoverhisnightshiftatthenewplantAxoilwherethewelderworks.MauriceQuick,executivedirectorofAxoil,toldthisnewspaperthatthecompanyhas"noperseverancethatO'Neillwastowork",althoughmanycolleaguesemployeestatedthisnewspaperthat ,beforethefogobscuredthe landscapehadseenworkingasalwaysattheextremeofthenewdefensesthatprotecttheharbor.O'Neillisthethirdpersoninconnectionwiththeconstructionoftherefinerythatdisappearsinthelastsixmonths.

Connie left the newspaper on the table . The articlewas too soon to treat yourself to such animportant issue .Nodoubtthatthenewspaperwouldhavetohavegivenmorespacetothenewsthatthephotosofamayornarrowinghishandtoahandfulofwealthybusinessmen.Afterreadingit,believeunderstandthetemperofhisaunt.Itisverysad.Youknewhim?Evelynshookherheadsharply.No,butthat'snottheissue.Connieswallowed.Forgive,butdonotunderstand...Immediatelyrealized thatwaswrongphrase .Heraunt jumpedup ,wentovertothesinkand letyourcupwithnoticeableirritation.It'slikeotherConnie:shortsight!Donotseethedisasterthatalthoughliveundertheirownnoses,right?Howcanonebesostupidtobuildarefineryrighthere,fromallovertheworld?Butwhathasthistodowiththemissing?Conniemeasured,returningtosettleinthenewspaper.Itwasasifthegauntmaninthepicturelookedtoher.Evelyndidnotseemtohearherwhilewasattackinghiscupwiththebushingandsplashedsoapywateralloverthekitchenfloor,Thisisbutthebeginning.RememberwhatItellyou.Weknewthiswouldhappen,butlistenedtouswhenwewarned?Andnowtalkofbuildinganewroad.Godknowstheconsequencesthatwillendureinboth...Somanyleaderswillingtomakeupchargeofeverything.Of thatwent itsmeetingyesterday? InferredConnie , trying tobring theconversation to lessturbidwaters.Inaway,yesEvelyngavenofurtherdetails.Heputhiscupdownonthebellyscoopandreturnedto sit to finish reading thenewspaper , lettinghis angerevaporate .Afteramomenthe added ,withoutlookingupwillwelcomeaguestfromItaly,surelythenextweek,dependingonhowfastyoucanorganize.Whois?Conniewasaccustomedsurprisesherauntwasaccustomedtowithoutprotestthathehadnotconsulted.AmemberoftheSociety.TheItaliandelegation.Andthisiskindofsocietyenvironment,suchasGreenpeace,orsomethingclose?Somethinglikethat.Conniewonderedwhyherauntwassmilingasifhehadgracetothequestion.CanIattendanyofitsmeetings?Interestsmeverymuchtheenvironment.

Itdepends.Ofwhat?Hisaunttookamomenttothinkandthensaid,withagrin:Isupposeitdependsonwhoisgoingtochoose:whetherbymeorhisfather.ThiscrypticanswerleftstunnedConnie.Whatthehelldidthismean?Whynotgiveadirectanswer?Shewas tiredofalways likeyouarewalkingoneggshellsaroundheraunt ,withoutaclueaboutwhattodoorsay.AndhowdoIknow?Askedunabletohidetheirritation.Donotknow.Faremoitourselves.OnthewaytoschoolConniedecidedthatyes,herauntwascompletelycrazyanditseemedthatthemembers of the Company shared the samemadness . Everything discovering things in a beforeletting attended their meetings ... Nothing was certain she wanted to belong to a Societyappreciated.Infact,assoonashisparentshadrealizedthattheyhadleftinthehandsofalunatic,thebetter.TheonlythingI'dmissifIhadtobackthemove,wouldbethegreatstarthehadhadinschool.Ifnotforthis,I'dbecallingyourparentsbyphonetoaskthemtotakehertoHescombe.Well,Col,howdidthisscratch?ConniewasafewfeetattheendofColdiningroomandcouldnothelpoverhearingthequestionsoffriendsoftheyoung.Theneighbor'scatColreplied,rubbinghischeek.Thatwasnottrue.Conniewassurehewaslying.Thescratchofacatwouldhavebeensmallerandparallel.Thatseemedtremendousscarduetosomethingbig.Whynotcometothefootballclublastnight?Ah,yes.I'msorry,Justin.IhadtogotoameetingoftheSocietywithmygrandmother.Youknowanannoyance,butnotletmeleave.Conniecouldnotbelievewhatheheard.ColalsobelongedtothisSocietycrazy?Justinkickedthewallmissing.It'sasifIdidnothingelse,Col.teamIfnotcareful,theywilltakeit.Youthink?Kalesmiled,absolutelysureofhimself.Well,youcannotRiuJustinIt'stheonlyhalfdecentplayerintheschool,andMr.Johnsonknows.Butitbringshead.

Colshrugged.I'lltellGrandmatogotalktohim.Itwillexplaineverything.TheSociety .Conniewasdyingtoaskquestionsabout it . Itmightbemoreexplicitthathisaunt .Possiblythe leasttellwhattodo ifyouwantedtogotoameeting .Convincedthat itwastimetoreturn toexchange a fewwordswithCol ,pickedhimup aftereating . Foroncehewas alone ,looking at the sea thatbangs through the courtyard .Thought itwouldbebest to approach thesubjectindirectly,startwithaneutralquestion.Howdid itreally ,Col?Nocatcouldhave leftyouthisbrand saidwithwhathehopedseemedunconcerned.Theboylookedawayfromtheocean,annoyedbytheinterruption.Iwasbusythinkingaboutthemermaids ,wonderingwhatwouldhavebeenWilliamO'Neil ,anddidnotwanthernieceEvelynLionheartbotherhim.For...TheonlythingyoucouldhavescoredsoisabirdofpreyIexpectedtohaveimpressedwiththeirknowledgeoftheanimals.Colwinced,rememberingthesharpclawslikeknivesMermaidsandhisfuriousattack.Additionally,thecraftyreviewConniehadcowed.Youknowalotofanimallife,no?Isaid,tryingtodivertthetopicofhisdarkthoughts.Shedidnotswallowthehook.Comeon,Col,tellme,Iknowitwasnotacat.Okay Possiblythebestwaytogetridof itwastotellpartofthetruth Idid it lastnightattheSocietymeeting.Itwasahuge...Hugeseabird.WewerepatrollingthewatersneartheChimneysfor...Toprotestthenewrefineryandduetogettooclosetoitsnest.Haveyouhappy?Itseemedexasperatedandthenturnedaway.Conniewastoofartogiveupsoeasily:hehadmanymorequestions.AsadmittedintheSociety?Askedifplantingbeforehimsothathecouldnotignoreit.What?Itwasnotthatgiveyoupause?Saints!Iaskedmyauntifshecouldgotoameeting,buttoldmeheonlyattendedbyinvitation.WanttojointheSociety?ColwonderinglookedasifConniespokeinaforeignlanguage.Yes ,whynot? Interestsmealso conservingnaturalhabitat Ifdefended .His courage falteredbeforetheintenselookofCol.wasnotsureifhewasmockingher.Col 's face twisted in the sameweird smile thathaddedicatedhisaunt in themorning.Theboylookedatherfaceforthefirsttime.

Certainly .Looks like ...Knowwhat Imeanwhenyoumeetothers.Nowwalka littlebusy ...Wepassedasmallcrisis,infact...Butwithintwoweeks,whenthingscalmdownabit,yourauntcanasktheexaminersthatgiveyoualookwaitedforitenoughtogetridofit.Rang the bell announcing the end of recess and Col ran the class , away from Connie . The girlwonderedhowitwouldbelongtotheSociety.Afterall,ifColbelongedtoitcouldnotbeallofthestrangepeople:hewasverycool.Definitely,themembersoftheSocietywhohadcomeknowingtheyhadsomethingspecial,althoughhecouldnotsaywhatexactly.Andanorganizationthatleftthepicnicboatafternoonsseemedfun.Shewascertainthatturnedout,couldnothelpthemangryseabirds.Thefinalistobeunderstoodwiththeanimalswastheonewhogavehimgood.Backinclass,ConniereturnedtositneartheAnneena.Mr.Johnsonsilencedtheclass.Viewing,listenup.Iwanteachofyoutodosomeworkonatopicoflocalinteresttoexposeitattheendofthequarter.Theycanwork ingroupsor individually,howtheywant.Ihavewrittenafewexamplesontheboardtogiveanidea.Copyandseeifyoulikesome.Thenaskifanyonehasanyplanthatwantstodevelop.WhatspoketoCol,Connie?Anneenameasuredbytakingitscasetobringinhand?NoneConniewhisperedtryingnottodrawtheattentionofMr.Johnson.Let's...ClearlyplottingsomethingturnedtowhisperAnneena.ConniesawthatwhenIwantedtofindasecret,herfriendwasmoreinsistentthanarobinbangingasnailagainstastone.Isupposeyouhaveheardofthecampaignagainsttherefinery,no?Anneenanodded.Of course . Rupa covers all local news aboutAxoil . Believes that the refinery goes somethingstrange.Ihavereadthearticle.Supposedtobehisrelative.Ohyeah?AnneenashonewithprideForRupahadrealproblemstopublishthistinyarticle.Hethinkshisbossisafraidthatherdemandinglibel.Well,myauntandColarethrustintoagroupthatcampaignsagainstrefinery.Washelpingthemtogetoutofclass.Lastnight stagedaprotest in these rocks thateveryonecalls thechimneys . Ibelievetherewaswheredidthescratch.Ah ,that is, it is saidAnneenawithsparksofcuriosity.HeroldersisterwasnottheonlyonetosmellagoodstoryAndwhatdidyoudo?Anneena ,willsharewith therestof theclasswhat theyarewhisperingaboutyouandConnie ,thatwillputtowork?Mr.Johnsonsaidaloud,standingbehindthem.ConniehadbecomeaccustomedtoAnneenaalmostalwayshadananswerready.

I'llbedelightedtosharewiththeclasswhatweweretellingsomethingblatantlysaid ,staringattheteacherisveryimportantforalltheinhabitantsofHescombe,youknow?Ohyeah?HereplacedMr.Johnson,skeptical.WeweretalkingaboutthechimneysandwhatwecandotoprotectthemfromoiltankersAxoilsentencedAnneena.Connieblushedand lookedattheplightofCol.drivewasas ifhe'd like inhischairandhiseyesthrewdaggersather.Thelastthingneededwasfortheentireclasswasinterestedbythefaunaofthechimneys.Itwouldbedisastrousifbegantoaskquestionsthatmightleadtothediscoveryofmermaids.IncontrasttothehostilegazeofColorado,Mr.Johnsonlookedatthegirlsquickly changing the reproach of flattery .As the teacher , pleased,was focused to address thewholeclass,Anneenadevotedasmiletoyourpartner. Connie andAnneena are right:we should all take an interest in these things AnnouncedMrJohnson Ofthatwecare .Whentheyfinish,thenewrefineryAxoilhaveprofoundeffectsonourcommunity , Imean , in you and inme.Utilizaremo him as an example to share ideas for theirprojects.Iwanttodivideintogroupsoffour.Discusshowtofindthegroupthatcouldconfrontheropeningofthenewrefineryinourarea.Sharetheirideaswiththerestoftheclass.Comeon.Havetenminutes.Like lightning , before anyone could ask him to join his group , Col got up from his table andapproachedConnie.JaneBenedict,whowasontheothersideofAnneena,wasthefourthgroup.ConnieandAnneenaexchangedalookofsurpriseatthesuddenmovementofCol.Hello,Col.IamgladtojoinusSaidAnneenaDonotseeyoumuchonthissideoftheclass.No,normallynothaveanythingtosaythatwould interestmeColreplied,throwingapoisonedConnielook.Anneena paused momentarily , wondering why Col was so hostile, but never let the things toconcernthemselvestoomuch. For if surprised . I write ? And with this, he took his pink gel pen and looked at his threecompanions to wait. Connie and Jane immediately accepted the proposal ; Col looked out thewindow,asifhewereelsewhere.ThegrouptookthesilenceforayesOkay.Wheredowestart?Ithinkwe should do something to knowwhat people really think rather than swallow us all thisbrainwashingthattakesAxoilthelocalpressConniewatchedwithcuriosityasAnneenadrewthreecolumns ,thattitled"LocalGovernment" ,"media:radioandthepress"and" local industry" .Janeparticipatedaddingthecolumnof"localpopulation".Wow,haveyoulearnedwellColsaidwithawrysmileisnotthefirsttimetheydoit,right?HadgonetolistentowhatConniehadtosayfromhiswound,butasshehadnottakenthetheme,amusedhimselfwatchingashercompanionsdidthework .Perhapshisdecisiontocrosstheclasshadnotbeensohasty,sincethegirlsweresavingthetroubleofthinking.Well of course said Anneena Last year ,my father askedme to help devise an advertisingcampaignforyourrestaurant.Wehadtostartfindingoutwhatwealreadyknew.Janehelpedme

withthewebpagegaveablowtothenotebookwiththepen,andrepassedthewritingAndwhatdoyouthink?Sheasked,whensherealizedthatColandConniehadnotopenedhismouth.ThanksforaskingColsneered,leaningbacklazilyonthebackandliftingthefrontfeetofhischair.Conniehesitated,butthensaid:Well,whataboutthechimneys?WhatIwanttoknowiswhatcanwedotomakesurethattheoildoesnotpassverycloseandcouldharmthefaunaoftheplace Iwasthinkingofgullsandotherseabirdsthatnestedknewthoseinaccessiblerocks.Mmm...AnneenathoughtamomentIthinkwewouldhavetogotothecompanyandaskwhattheyproposeabout.Deemthatinhiswrittenwordthatwillnotdamagethearea.Thiscouldalsogiveustheopportunitytoasksomethingelse.Jane,whoperfectlyknewherfriendwasnotsurprisedthesuggestionofAnneena.Whatelse?Askedsuspiciously.Oh,Idonotknow.Themenofthedisappeared,forexamplesaidAnneenawithanimblenessthatcouldnothidehisexcitement.Colplopped,snappingthefeetagainstthechairtothefloor.Idonotthink it'sagood ideaIsaidfirmly.ChancehadnottoldHoracethatmermaidscouldberesponsibleforthedisappearances?Manywouldjeopardizethequestions.Andwhynot?ChallengedAnneenaRupacouldnotenterthebuildingtoaskanythingandcannolongerreturncalls.Couldhelpher.No.Definitelynot.ConnielookedatCol,surprised.Ihadneverseenanythingtakeyourselfsoseriously.Alwaystookallthefun.Whathappens,Kale?MockedAnneenaAreyouafraid?Colsnatchedthebookandtacked"interviewwiththecompany"Fear?IfIhadknownhalfofwhatwasbaking...Isaidnoinsistedvigorously.Anneena returned tosnatch thenotebookand ,whenhewasabout todropa roughanswer, theteachercalledthemtoorder.Well,it'sovertimeAnnouncedMrJohnsonLetushearyourideas.Thecontributionsof theothergroupswerepoor . Itseemed thatnoonehadgonebeyonda fewtopicsonshipsandrefineries.Mr.JohnsongavethewordtoAnneena.Myhopesarecenteredinyourgroup.Havesomethingmoretocontributeto,Anneena?

Well,sirbegan,standinguptoreadyourbookCol,Connie,JaneandIthinkwe'llhavetofindoutwhatpeoplethinkabouttherefineryandmiddleenvironmentalsurroundings.Tomakeusanideaofallpointsofviewonthesubject,thoughtitwouldbegoodideatoprobelocalopinionandinterviewtheresponsiblecompany.No,wesaidit!Cabbagehissed.Excellent Heopined the teacherwhilewriting the ideason theblackboardAnneena .ThenhepulledbackalittletoreadIthinkthisreallywouldcapturethecurrentmomentoflocalevents.Youknow,girls?AndCol,ofcourse.Ibelieveweshouldturnthisthemeintoyourprojectforthequarter . Iespecially like the ideaofan interviewwith the company ,wouldbeagoodhook forexhibition.Iwillhelpthemiftheyneedit.Writeyourquestionnairetothecompanyandbringmenextweek.Andnow,whowillchoosethethemeofthelighthouse?The teacher turned to focushisattentionon therestof theclass .Colwas furious :Anneenahadcaughtandwouldhavetodothe lastthingyouwanttodo inthisworld.Thethreegirls lookedathimwarily.Withoutwaiting forhim ,hadbeen attached toCol.Kinghad finished the classwiththreeoftheleastpopular.Anyway,itwastoolatetoremedyit.Wouldhavetogetoutofthatrutthoughbystartingtostrangleoneofherfellowgroup.On the following Tuesday , a stylish leather bag in the back door of number five Shaker Rowannouncedthattherewasaguest.WhenConniecamehomefromschool,Evelynservedcoffeetoastrangeronthekitchentableandstoppedsuddenlywhenhesawher.Oh,Connie.Ourguesthasarrived,yousee.ThisistheSignoriAntonellisaidheraunt,pointingtotheoddcupofcoffee .Exceptionallyuncomfortable ,Evelynsatbackdown immediatelyafteraflamboyantbouquetofflowers,agiftfromthevisitor.Connienoddedshylytothe Italian .TheSignoriAntonelliwasashort,plumpmanwithsleekblackhairslickedbackandaverypopulatedbeard.HerosetohisfeettogetConnieandnow leanedtotakehishand.Carina ,pleasedtomeetyou Isaid inEnglishpoorly , leaningoverthegirl'shandtokiss it .HelifteditwiththetipsofyourfingerswarmButhasthecoldlittlehand!Andthenhebegantosingunexpectedly.Hisrich,powerfulvoicearosefromhischestlikethecryofahedgehog.IcymaninaChesang,smilingatherbewilderedface.Letthelastnotehangingintheairandturnedtolean,thistimeasinresponsetoanimaginaryapplause.Finally,heturnedtoEvelynYourdaughterdoesnothavegloves,signorina?Hesaid,clickinghistongueindisapproval.Niece,SignoriAntonelli.It'smynieceIfEvelynhastenedtocorrectevenmoreuncomfortable.Connie looked forward to as if topleadnot laughing athis guest .Conniehadnot seen ever souncomfortable.

Itisour?AskedtheItalian.No.Forthepaintinghas.Evelynnodded.Possibly.Butwehadnotimetocheckit.Connietakesonlyhereforaweek.ConnieknewhespoketheCompany.HewasgladthattheSignoriAntonellihadsaidthathehad"apint",Colhadsaidsomethingsimilar .Howwelldidnotknowwhattodo inthepresenceofthatmansounique,satatthetablewonderingwhatwasbakedthere.Whenwewillcomeoutwithboats?EvelynaskedthemansittingnexttoConniewithaflappingcoat,asapianistsitsatthepiano.Therearestillafewhours.Nowalotofpeoplecomingandgoingandthefishermendotothesea.WaitthatdarkenEvelynthrewaloadofintenttogirllook.Connieunderstoodperfectlywhatwasindicatinghisguesttoshutup.Okay.AndthoughveryclearlyshiftedskillfulthemeWereyoueverinItaly,carina?Connieshookherhead.TheSignoriAntonellibegantotellhimofhishome inSorrento,acoastalpopulationveryclosetoNaples.Hepaused,stoodupandsangacheerfulsongNeapolitan,movingyourfeettotherhythm.Sittingthere,Conniewasperplexed.Ihadnevermetanyonewhosawthesongsnaturallyassomethingequivalenttospeech.Whenconcludedhisperformance,hesaidbywayofexplanation:Nowhasalreadymadeanideaofhowmyhouse.Betterthanwords,ratherthanwithabox.Connie smiledpolitelyandpouredhimselfaglassof juice.Possibly theman sonice to tellmoredetailsoftheCompanywhohadmanagedtotearhisaunt.CertainlyseemedlessformalthanEvelyn.AndwhatistheretoSociety?AskedConnie.Wekeptwatchoverbyanancienttemplesaidwithhiswarmbrowneyessmilingatthegirl,butConnienotedthatbothheandhisauntstoodonguard.Isalsothreatened,asthechimneys?No...Well,yes,inawayyes.MyEnglishisnotgoodenoughtoexplainit.Sorry.The Signori Antonelli turned away conversion to Connie thought ofHescombe and howwas hisfamily . Connie diligently answered their questions, but his frustration at not getting moreinformationwasbooming.Doubted that theEnglishSignoriAntonelliwasnotgoodenough tosaywhathemeant:hesuspectedhadchangedthesubjectbecausehewasonlywillingtotalktoothermembersoftheSociety.Andasheraunthadmadeitclear,Conniewasstilloffthosesecrets.

EvelynandSignoriAntonelliwentforsoftaroundseven,leavingConnieagainwiththeonlycompanyof the TV. EvenMadameCressonhad goneout tohunt .As Iwatched aprogramon veterinaryinattentive ,Conniewondered if theCol letgoagainand felt jealous thathewas takinganactivepart in thatmysteriousexpedition.The thought thatgoing togetChimneys for thesecond time?Return tobother thebirds .Howwould thiscontribute toyourcause?And itwas like itwas theItalianwhopaintedalloverit?Theboatsreturnedtoportwhentheystartedtoleavethefirststars.AcoolbreezeruffledthehairofColas if itwereaghostlyfingers.Athingraymisthadcoveredthesea likeashroud.Soft,Coldistinguishedwithbinocularsarrivalsixfiguresonboardboats.Sighedwithrelief:allreturnedsafeand sound . The root of the attack mermaids , " very dangerous " , told his grandmother hadforbiddentogooutwiththem,sothattheyhadspenttheafternoonwatchingthesoftfrustrating.Theboatswereslowinreturninganeternity.Whilewaiting,haddisclosedasirenforemergenciestooclose.Againseeapatrolcarthathadskiddedonthesoft,justbehindhim,bluelightscirclingtheceiling.AnothersirenhowledinthedistanceappearedawhiteambulanceandtheHighStreet.Whatthe...?MurmuredCol.Getawaytooneside,sonheorderedapolicemanwhohadtakenacylinderofblueandwhiteribbontiesandwenttowherethemolewasusedtodocktheWaterSpritezone.Well,it'styingmygrandmother!ProtestedKaleIt'scoming.Youknowtheagentsaid,whilehiscolleaguewasinchargeofremovingthesmallgroupofpeoplewhowerecongregatingNodoubt,whenyougetwillbeexplained.Now,pleasekeeptooneside.Colpulledaway,butonlyuptothemooringoftheBanshee.Theboatswerenowonlyafewfeet.Brock saw the doctor standing in the bow of the Water Sprite , the point for mooring . Hergrandmotherwasatthehelm.TheboygreetedEvelyn , theBanshee ,andgrabbed the rope that thewoman cast .TheSignoriAntonelliwassittingbehindwithhandsonhead. Is everyone okay ? Evelyn asked eagerly , unable to see her grandmother and dark barrierbetweenofficerswhohadjumpedtheWaterSprite.NotexactlyEvelynanswered.What?ExclaimedCol.Horace...Mr.Masterson:doesnotseemtobeoneleftTheymadetheattack?Nosheansweredcautiously.GaveablowontheshoulderSignoriAntonelliforColtogetupandofferedhishandtoascendthemole.Outofthecornerofhiseye,hesawColpoliceofficersleanedoverafiguremuffledinablanketonthedeckoftheboatwithhisgrandmother.

Thistimewedidnothearanything Evelyncontinuedquietly beenwaitinghalfanhourbeforecalling.TheSignoriAntonellisangatfulllungtodrawyourattention.Sowhatwillallthis?Colinsisted,pointingtothepolice.Theykilledhim!ExclaimedtheSignoriAntonelli,totears.Who?Colaskeddesperately,turningtomakesurethateveryonewassafe.Col Evelynsaidwithavoice likesteelwhileclutchinghisarm notseenthemermaids,butthistime,theysentusaveryclearmessage.Itisexactlywhatwefearedus.TheykilledtheemployeesAxoil.Wefoundone:theysentusherbody.Collookedfairwhenablanketofpoliceliftedacornertoseetheman'sface.Revolvedguts:couldnotbeartoseethelookofecstasythathadbeenintheman'sfaceasdrowning.YouseeItoldEvelyn,makingapartasseeyes.Buthowcantheydothis?ColexclaimedincredulouslyAndwe'retryingtohelpthem?TheSignoriAntonelliseemedtohaveregainedhiscomposureandgrabbedtheotherarmColtohelpthewomantotakehimaway. It is thenature ... The natureofmermaids .Gets angrywith catsbecause they killmice ?No.Becausewe'rehungryforthem.Micethathavetriedthemawayfromyourhome.Coltrembled. I know it's difficult, very difficult to understand. But we're dealing with wild animals and notdomesticatedpetswith.AnddonotunderstandthatweoftheSociety,wetrytoprotectthem.Fifteenminuteslater,membersoftheSocietyremainedsilentaroundtheladyClamworthykitchentable .Thesightof thecorpsehoveredover them likeaghost .Theyknew theyhad failed.Brockdoctorsigheddeeply.Nowseen ,Luciano ,tobefaced Said Therefinerywillopen itsfacilitiesverysoon .Forthesewaterswillhundredsoftankersloadedwithcrudeoil,oblivioustodanger,lookingforaplacewherewehavealreadystartedtodie.Andthesirensareunderstandablyangry.Feelthatwillexpelfromoneplacetoanother.Nowthatisdesecratingtheirlastsanctuary,theyrefusetogobacktochange.Thesethreedeathsareonlythebeginning.Theothercreaturesweretoldthatmermaidsthreatenedusingherpowers tocauseacatastrophe :anassaulton therefinery.Mermaidsbelieve theyhavenothing to lose.Butwe'renot inagreement .Threatennotonly ruiningmany lives , the innocentanimals suffer theconsequencesof thedisasterand riskbeing seen ,which ispreciselywhat thecompanywanted to avoid . The sightingofmythical creatures takes research and investigation ,wrongly,toeradicate.Weneedtohelpustopersuade.Havenotlistentous.Wehavenoideawhyheturnedagainstusandchosethepathofviolence.In the silence that followed,Colbecameawareof the frantic tictaca smallmantel clock . Itwasextremelyannoying,noisyStrangelythattenseatmosphere.Wastemptedtogetupandleavethe

room , but did not dare to be the first to break the silence . Then spake the SignoriAntonelli ,hoarselyafterherrecentunsuccessfulefforts.Donotcomewhencalled.Theyareveryangryandonlyonetruth,atruecompanioncantalktotheminthis...Howdoyousay?Thisstate.HowdoIknow?Eachcolonyofmermaidsisdifferent.SirensofCapriwhenafraid,justtalktome,donotwantanyoneelse.Sosay,theseareattachedtotheirseagulls.Iamnosupporterofthefamily,buttheirmermaids...Nototheirfear:theyarefullofaprofoundfury...Aterriblefury.Beadangertoanyidiotwhoapproachthematthistime.This lastvictim touched the surfaceof the thoughtsofeveryonepresent :a smilingdebris.Brockdoctorrubbedhisforeheadasiftryingtoreleasethetensionthathadaccumulatedthere. Itseems thatwehavereachedadeadend .Foranyoneother than fellowMermaids isasuicideapproach the chimneys .You see, inour local sectionof theCompanydonothaveanyone .TheclosestwehaveisEvelyn.Itisacompaniontothebanshee,fairiesannouncethedeath,butifyoucouldnottalktothem,hopethatshewillget?Colhasnotyetbeenassigned,butbelievethattheircallisforPegues.MermaidsareverystrangeinEnglandandbelievenotmetanyfellowabletotalktothemsincethelastuniversalcompaniondied,tenyearsago.YouClamworthyclucked.Andwecannotexpectanotherarrives :here inEngland ,onlycomesoneeverycenturyorso murmurednexttotheCol.WhatwillyoulookforinamateMermaids?AskedMr.Masterson.Connectionwiththebirds,theusualsignsofafellowsecondorderAndtheSignoriAntonelli,alittleannoyed.Mr.Mastersonshookhishead.Donotknowanyonelikethatsaid.Brockdoctordroppedbyhandfromhisforehead,suddenlyshakenbyasouvenir.Butisthisgirlbirdsmuttered,thinkingofhighIsawitafewdaysago.Waspossiblyonetourist,butasforplayingwithseagullsundoubtedlywasacompanionofthesecondorder.Goingtotellthisbutotherthingshappened.Allothers,whohadgoneintodespair,straightenedupintheirchairs.Howwasit?Evelynaskedwithinterest.ThedoctorfrownedBrockstrugglingtoremember.I'madisasterwiththesethings.Young.Yes,definitelytooyoung.YoungerthanCol,Ibelieve.Dressedlikeallyoung...Withjeans,alreadyknowhowtogoHehesitated.GenialEvelynsaid,unabletoconcealhisirritationAgirlwithjeans.Itwillnotcostusmuchtofindit.

Brockdoctorseemedembarrassed.IsaidI'mnotverygoodatrememberingdetails,butIrememberthebirds.Areyousureitwasnotthetown?Evelynasked.Coldoubtedthatdolackthatwasasincisivewiththedoctor.He'dbeeninabadmoodarrivalofhisniece,whosepresenceathomepreventedhimfromseeingthefairieswithfreedom.Andeveryoneknewthefellowfairiesdeathwerenotthemostsociableoftheworld,eventhebestoftimes. We are a small community and know almost all boys . That he had not seen before, I amcompletelysafeDr.BrockinsistedpatientlyMoreover,Ibelievethatboardedabus.Agroanofdisappointmentspreadamongthegathered.ColConniemomentarilythought:woulditbe? But he had his own age ,was no longer young , and his gift seemed associatedwith smallmammalssuchashamstersschool.Shouldsaysomething?Heclearedhis throat to interrupt theadults,buthergrandmotherspokefirst.Only isanoption .Youhavetoasktheseagullsgiveusamoredetaileddescription .Myaquaticelvesspeakwiththemforus.Goodidea,LaviniaBrocksaidthedoctor,wholookedathiswatchIfitwassonicetotalkwiththem tonight , Iproposethatwe 're tomeetheretomorrowtosee ifwehaveanynews .Willbeenoughtime?The ladynoddedClamworthyOkay.Thankstoeveryonefortheirworktonight insuchdifficultcircumstances.I'llseeyoutomorrow.Themeetingdissolvedandassistantsstartedputtingtheircoats.Colknewhehadspentthetimetosayanything.Hadcertainlybeenastupididea:Conniecouldnothaveoncethegiftforquadrupedsandwingedcreatures,ifhehadany,ofcourse.Noonecouldhaveallthesegifts.Chapter4AquaticelvesAsitwastoolate,Colaccompaniedhergrandmotherthroughthedarkroadstothehomeofaquaticelves . Lived in bucosas slopes of pebbles ,whichwere born to the sources ofwater from theescarpment that skirted Hescombe . Those little valleys , the streams were particularly clear ,containedonlyrainwaterandwerenotyetpollutedbycropsorplants.However,Colsawnothingthatnight:thedarknesswasabsoluteunderthetreesandjustguessedthepresenceofstreamsbythegentlegurgleofwaterovertherocks.Thatexpeditionwasastrangeprovocationforhim,sincehisgrandmotheroftenspokealonewithaquaticelves:thepresenceofanotherhuman,thoughhisgrandsonwouldsuspectthatthecreaturesandactedcautiously.YouClamworthyfocusedwithaflashlightahugerockthatprotrudedfromthewater.It'shereIsaiditisalittlebehind,Col,anddoesnotmovemuchsky.

Col did what he said and stepped back to watch his grandmother . The woman turned off theflashlightand letelapse few seconds foryoureyes toadjust to thedarkness.WhenColwasalsoaccustomedtoseeingthedarkness,herealizedthateverythingwascoveredbyamantleofpearlymoonlight.Viaperfectlyasthewaterpassedthepondstowaterfallsfoamminiature.Batedbreath,watchedashergrandmotherwentuptothestoneandhummeddown,withhiswhitehairshiningsparse under themoon . The strange humming followed , seeminglywithout beginning or end ,increasingthepaceonoccasionstoreturnsoontothesoftmelody.TheColcrossedtheirmindsthatlookedlikethemurmuroftheriver,alwayschangingbutalwaysthesame.YouClamworthypausedandwaitedinsilenceboth.Aftera fewmoments , theCol 'sheart skippedabeat : some figuresbegan toemerge from thestream.Althoughitstextureconstantlyflowedlikewateremanatingfromthesource,aquaticelvesappearedintheformofthinpeople,abouttwofeettall.Theirbodiesreflectedthedarksky,butthemoonlighton your skin revealed theundulatinghair, long fingersand solemneyesof creatures ,whose faceswereata strangedistortion ,asColwaswatching their faces througha fullglassofwater.You Clamworthy reached outwith the palm down and the goblin nearest touched lightlywith afingertip.Contactwroughtaradicalchange:liquidbodypixie immediatelychargedsolidity,asifithadturned into ice.Hisfeatureswereclearlydefined:broadnoseandblackeyes likewetstones.Outofthewatertostandbesidethewomanherecognizedasafellowoftheaquaticelves.YouClamworthyandElfbegantosingthesamewaxingandwaningmelodythatshehadusedtocallthem.Coldidnotunderstandwhattheyweresayingbutthoughttheycouldfollowtheintentofthesingers .Her grandmotherhadher eyes closed , Iwas completely focused and your singingwasrestlessandpleading.Coldeducedthatwouldexplainthetranscendenceofidentifyingthebirdgirl.Theelf,whosesongrippledbeneath ,complementing themelodyofhiscompanion ,soothedherwithhismusical finesse in the sameway that the righthand river aquaticherbs entangled .Coldeducedthattheelfwaswillingtohelpher ,though itwasonlytoruleouttherestlessnessofhiscompanion.Thesongvanished;aquaticelfbrokecontactwithhispartnerandreturnedtoblurtominglewiththeriveranddisappearwithothers.All right ,already Announced relievedMrs.Clamworthyamissingonce the creatures Issoonpromisedme leave to speakwith seagullswhen theycome todrink .We shouldhaveananswertomorrow. That's great , grandmother Repos Col quietly , still awestruck by the meeting that had justwitnessed.It'sgreat.Hetookherbythearm,helpedherbacktothedarkpathwheretheyhadleftthecar.

OnWednesday,Connie,Jane,andColAnneenagatheredinthekitchenofthelattertoleaveschooltowrite theirquestions for theoilcompany .Colhadsaid thatwouldnotcome ,hehadclaimedanothercommitment,buttheendistherestemmeddevoteafewhoursthegirls.IhaveanappointmentsixGrumpyColsaid,throwinghisbagofsportinacornerIjustcametosayIdonotthinkweshoulddothis.Comeon,ColprotestedAnneenaThisisveryimportant.MrJohnsonsaidhewouldtrytohelpusaccessthecompanyifourquestionsweregood.Thisispreciselywhatworriesme.Conniefeltannoyedwithhim.LiketherestofmembersofthisSociety,seemedtoforgetthattherewereotherpeopleinterestedindoingsomethingtosavethelocalwildlife.Onlythe'lljoinyouforgetthequestionsaboutthemissingwarned,droppingintoachair.Col!ProtestedAnneenaIfthisisthemostinteresting....NothavereadthearticlebyRupaonthefindingofthebodyofO'Neill?ForclearmutteredColTheendIwasthere,no?Beenthere?Janeasked,turningtofacehimwithsurprise.YesTheytookthewatermygrandmotherandherfriends.Itwasterrible.Conniepuzzledher thenews .Evelynhadnotsaidanything ,butsurewhohadalsobeen there .Anothersecretthathidheraunt.ThatrevelationleftmomentarilyspeechlessAnneenabuttostopherwhenshehadsomethingstuckinhisheadneededsomethingmorethanadrowned.Good,becausenowyouknowhowimportantitistomakeAxoilchargeoftheproblem.Pretendthatallthishasnothingtodowiththem,tosaythatmenwerenotevenworkbutRupaisconfidentthatlie.Butwhywouldlieaboutsomethinglikethat?AskedConnie.Anneenalookedatherincredulously.Because,nodoubt,itgivesverybadreputation.Notthemostsuitablesettingfortheopeningofanew oil refinery.And if it appears thatmen fall overboard in fullwork, the boss is responsible.Securityandriskcontrol.I'msureevenyouhaveheardofthesethings.Connienoddedlamely.FamiliescoulddemandaccountabilityorprocessthemJaneexplained,slowly.And it isnotforusCol interruptedangrilyLet'smakethosequestions ifwehavetodo it,butrodearemosinthecombinedquestionnaire,agreed?Therewewillputonthingsthatdonotmatchus.

Anneena saidnothing ,but closedhis lips tightly. Jane,whoalwaysputpeace, lookedathis twocompanions.Okay,Col,wewillnotmakethesequestionsifyoudonotwantto.Oh,donotdo?Anneenamurmured.No,notthewilldo sentenced Jane firmly workasateam ,right ,Anneena?Wemayask forchimneysandlocalprotests.Aremanyinterestingthingstodiscuss.Anneenagaveinreluctantly.Okay.Thisiswhatwehavesofarleftthelistofquestionsonthetable.Markedthefirstcol.Let'sstartwithsomethingeasy,somethingthatmakesusbelievethatjustastupidchildren.SowecangetbetteranswersaboutwhatreallyhappenwiththeChimneys.ThesuggestionmadethatConniefranzissenose.Childrenstupid?Areyousureyouwanttotakeusforstupidkids?AbsolutelyColsaid,nodding.Theotherswereinagreement,soConniewassilent.Andifwedoasillyquestionaboutwhatyoudoinarefinery?Janesuggested.GoodideaAgreedCol.Andwhatdoyoudoinarefinery?AskedConnie.ColAnneenaandgrunted.TransformcrudeoilintofuelthatisusedincarsJaneexplainedpatientlyDonotuseasyoutakethefloor,willhavetosuehim.AndJaneknowswelladdedAnneenaBecausehisfatherworksthere,isnotit?Janenodded.Yes,Ispokeofourprojectandwasvery interested.Isuggestedthatwewritea letterdirectlytoMr.Quick,executivedirector.ConniedidnotknowthefatherofJaneandsquinted,wonderingif,withallthesedisappearances,wasworried abouthis father . IfConnie 's fatherworked there, she'dbedead for concern ifbychanceonedaydoesnotcomehome. There will be a little annoying to his father to present ourselves there doing uncomfortablequestions?Conniemeasured.Janeshrugged.Ithinknot.Unlesswearerudeorsomething,butnotwhatweare,isnotit?LookedentrustedtoAnneenaandConnie,andthen,withlessconfidence,Col.

Ofcoursenot EnsuredCol Youcancountonme . Iwillbediscretion itself .Asalways .Aftertakingakaratechopandsaythatyourcompanysucks,Iwillensuretoapologizeverypolitelyjoked.Thegirlslaughed,alittlenervous.ThepresenceofColontheteamcontributedonemavericktouchthatdidnotcontrol.Didnottake longtocompletethequestionnaire.Col lungedforthedoorsohadoccasion, lettingJanevoluntaryoffertospendthequestionscleanthatsamenightathishome. I'll look to the company's Web said , gathering notes To see it says something for theenvironment,animalsandthings.Youhavetofindsomethingthatwecancitetheirownstatements.AnddonotworryaboutColConniesaidtoreassureJaneafterthedepartureofthisI'msurehebehaves.Justabit...Buck?SuggestedAnneena.StillupsetthatColhadblockeditsplantoresearchthemissing.YesAdmittedConnieThat.Buthasagoodheart.Donotputyourdadinnohurry.Ithastobeher!ExclaimedEvelynWhoelseinthistownhashairlikethat?Colwasstandingatthebackdoorofhishouse , listeningtotheconversationkept inside.Restlesshadheardvoicesandstoppedtolisten.Yes,nodoubt,theelveswereveryclearonthiswasthevoiceofhisgrandmother,fullofjoyIknewthatthisgirlhadsomethingspecialsothesaw.Followedamurmurofvoicesasthemeetingsplitintoahornet'snestofsideconversations.AfterafewminutestheladyClamworthycalledthemtoorder.However,Iwanttoaddsomething.Elvesalsotoldmethatthegullsareangrywithus. ItseemstheydonotwantusneartheChimneys.Idonotknowwhy,butwhentheyfoundoutwhowewereaskedbyafellowmermaids,closedinbandandnothavesaidanythingmoretomyfellowelves.SoIjustgotthisdirectdescription.Butwithwhatyou just toldus,Evelyn Brock interveneddoctor I 'll solve themysteryof thehassleofseagullsatanothertime.Wesavelives.Willhavetocometohisniece.Colchosethatmomenttoenterthekitchen.Col,arrivesatthemostexcitingtimeeagerlytoldhisgrandmothermyaquaticelvesgavemeadescriptionofagirl likehernieceEvelyn . Ithastobeher ...Familialrelationshipsandalltherestseemtopointinthatdirection.

Colwassilentforasecond.ConnieLionheart ,theshyprotectedAnneena ,wasthecompanionofthesirens?Herecalledthathealsohadthoughtbutwasdiscardedforridicule.Andthehamsters?IwouldnotbesosureIsaidwithforcedindifferenceFromwhatIsawinschool,itseemstomethatthegiftofConnieassociatedwithquadrupedshadcapturedtheattentionofhisaudienceandthejoyfulfacesbegantofade.Whatdoyouthink,Evelyn?Brockaskedthedoctor,turningtoher.Evelynnodded.Itistrue.Iletmyselfbecarriedawaybyemotion.Connieisundoubtedlyaspecialrelationshipwithmycat.CanthatberightCol:Canyouhaveagift,butnotwhatweneedrightnow.Possiblyfitintothe Company of quadrupeds . Can you , Doctor Brock , saw an occasional visitor. We drawconclusionswithoutsufficientevidence.TheDoctorBrockthenwenttoItaly.Andwhatdoyouthink,Signori?Noticeanythingaboutthegirl?TheSignoriAntonelliscratchedhisbeardthoughtfully.Notheardhersing.Sing?Evelynshrugged.NotthatIknowof.Homeshowsveryreserved.HoraceLittleEvelynleanedandpattedonthewrist.Wehavetoassessandresolvetheissueonceandforallsaidwithhisvelvetyvoice.Col recalled his review , just a year before , the mystery , the confusion : only trust in hergrandmotherhadhelpedherovercomeit.ButhowwillexplainallthistoConnie?AskedtheyoungmantoldmeacoupleoftimesthattheCompanyisinterested,buthavenoideaofwhatreallygoes.Therewillbetoomuchforher?Couldyoutellussomething?ProposedEvelyn,lookingdoctorBrock.Thedoctorsighed.TherulesoftheCompanyprohibitustellouraffairstoothers,includingpotentialmembersbeforetheyhavehappenedexamination .Weallknowwhy : toprotect the creatures thatwe swore todefend.TheladymadeacarelessClamworthyruidinho.BrockDoctorraisedaneyebrowpopulated. I know, Lavinia : you can , nowadays , the Company resultingmuch given to bureaucracy andsecrecy.

Inthebureaucracy? Exploredthe ladyClamworthy Thenewgenerationofofficers isso ladenwithrulesofestranhemuntiltheycanleavetheconferenceroomwithouttripping.Notalwaysbeenso.HoraceLittlemurmuredtheiragreement.Beforemetoleave,theexaminerswerenotworryingsomuchwhentheruleswouldhavetoactadded.Wecandothatsomeoneexaminetheencounteroftheweekend,theladysuggestedClamworthy.AndturnedtotheSignoritoAntonelliexplained A fewofouryoungermembers , includingCol said , lookingathisgrandsonwithpride willhave itsfirstmeetingthisSaturday . Ibelievethat isoneofthementorsexaminer.Whatseems,Evelyn?Col?Willitwork?AskedDr.Brock.Colshrugged.AuntConnieshookherheaddoubted.IdonotthinkwehavemanyoptionsdecidingFinishedIt'srisky,butwhatwesawinthatgameandweknowit.WellIleaveyouandColpreparation.IwillsuggesttotheadvisortodosoonSunday.Ifyoulookgood,ofcourse...Whynot?WenttoEvelyn.Withthosethreewordsdecidedthefutureofhisniece.WhilereturninghomefromAnneenabike,Conniestoppedthemole.Therewasnoreasonforquickreturnhome ,shewassure itwouldanothernightalone in frontof the televisionwhileherauntwentouttorunsomeofhisadventureswiththeCompanywithoutthinkingaboutitforamoment.Leftthebikebackedintoapoleandbreathforbreath:'djusteatahugeplateofspicycurryandwasterriblytoburst.Straightening,he looked around in searchof Scark ,but thebirdwasnot .How strange ! Itwaspreciselythetimeofdayshehopedtoseehiminthesoft,peckingattheremainsofbaitandbreadcrumbsthathadleftthetourists.Thenheheard a revooofwings and criesof a flockof seagulls coming from theocean .Connieturnedpleasedtogivethemthewelcomebutnotflappingseenflyingoverthewavesasalways,buttheywentdirectlytotherimwithoutflinching.Conniecrouchedpassedwhenfired,asagroupofsilverarrowswithasingletarget:toreachtheledge.Stopit!Stopit!Connieshouted,rushingtothecloudband.Whybehavedwithsuchfury?ToseeConnie , thebirdswere flyingaroundhim spiral .Hismoodhadchanged .Connie lookedupandwatchedherexultantdance.Instinctivelyraisedhisarmsandstartedspinning,eagertoriseamong

themassofwingsthatmovedoverherhead,wantingtoflywiththemaroundthesea.IfDr.BrockhadbeenattheshelterthisafternoonwouldhaveseenConnie,almosthiddenbetweentheseabirdwithhis longblackhairflyingbehind,shedding itsstrangestaticenergy.Became:Shyawayfromtheschool,whichcededitsplacetoapowerfulbeing.ButDr.BrockwassittinginaoblivioustothefactthattheinterrogationsoftheCompanycouldbesolvedwithastrollalongtheseaedgecuisine.Thebirdsabandonedtheirdancemoveandlandedonthegroundandinthewater,aroundConnie.Thelargestlandedonachair.Anotherminorgull,stillremainsgrayfluffchickpepperinghiswings,waslandrightnexttoConnie.Scarkflappedhiswingsbeforefoldingthem.Hisdaughterfollowedsuit.Whydidyoudothat?Theflythatway,ImeanaskedConnie.Scarkshookhisbeakangrily.Whathappens?Areangrywithsomeone?GullstruckthechairwithonefootintokenofassentWithwho?Itwillnotbewiththisyoungmanwhoattackedtheotherday, isnot it?ReturnedtobatterwithPawHeonlywenttohisrestingplacebecausehiscompanyistryingtohelp.To listentotheSociety,suddenlyunfoldedwingsandbeatthemfranticallyashe letoutaterriblescream.Iknowyou'vebeengettinginhishomeofChimneys,butIcannotgetbacktodo.TellthemthatIwillnotgettooclose.Inaddition,allherchicksaregrown,no?ConniestrokedtheheadofScarkdaughter ,whowasbaptizedwith thenameofMew . Seagull rubbedherhandwithhisbeak insearchofbreadcrumbs.ScarkagainshakethenozzleandthenmadeaseriesofmovesthatConniewasunabletodecipher.SeemedtopointtotheothergullsandthenConnie,anddidagainandagain.Scarknotunderstandyou.ButIthinkyoudonotlikethattheSocietygotochimneys.'mInright?AblowwithhispawI'llsayIwillnot,butyouhavetoknowthatjusttryingtosavetherocksofaworsedanger.ThemensoonbringbigshipsthatcrossthechannelHescombe.Hisrestingplaceisindanger.Scarkliftedhisbeakandshookinthewind.Itwasdespair?Anger?I'msorry,Scark.Ifeelhelpless,butitcannotdoanything.Seagullfixedhiseyesskippedit.Connienoticedthetwingeofuncompromisinglookatthebird.Youmeanyoudidnoteventry,isnotit?ShesaidsadlyYes,youareright,butfornow,donotreallyseewhatIcoulddoScarkprotestedwithasqueakThinkyoucandosomething?AnotherblowpawButwhat?Conniegotnoresponse.Thatwasverydifficulttoexplainthatthebirdorwasnotpreparedtodoit.Scarkflappedhiswingsandrosefromthechair.Athissignal,Mewandtherestofthegang liftedtheflightasacurtainflappingtheairandfollowedScarkbacktosea.

Chapter5ThePegasusThefollowingdayswerestrangelyquiet:nomoremysteriousdisappearancesnosignofmermaids.ButColfeareditwasthecalmbeforethestorm.Inanycase,hehadhisparticularstormcloudonthehorizon : their firstdatewas too close , so itwasextremelydifficult to concentrate in class.Everyonenoticedhim;includingMr.Johnson. Thisweekendwe occurrences , Col ? Asked the teacher, intercepting the youngman at thebeginningof a recreation hadused tohis jokes , andalthough it ismostoften the target , thealmostmiss.Thereisnothinghappening,isnotit?ColknewwhatIwasthinkingMr.Johnson.ParentsofCol,paradigmaticofwhatwasamemberoftheSocietyexamples , theyused tobreak intoHescombeanddisrupt lifearound theworld ,andgave the chance that the two came together hellwas nothing in comparison. Colwas resentfulbecausetheytreatedhimlikeahobbythatcouldtakeorleavewhenitsuitedthem,butheknewhehadavery thick skin to realize theeffect itcausedhim .Although thiswasnot theproblem thatweek:ColwasnotsurewhetherornottoconfirmyourgiftonSaturday.Ifitwasapainfullumpinmythroateverytimeyouconsideredthepossibilitythatdidnothappen:theygaveupsomecasesandpossiblybeforehewasfollowing.No,nothinghappenedColansweredevasivelyIt'sjustthatI'malittlebusywithasubject,butthat'sall Andcameout fastbeforetheclassthatMr. Johnsoncoulddomorequestion,althoughthisdoesnotevitassestheteacherstaywithafrownofconcern.Evenwiththeirfirstmeetinginthehead,ColhadnotforgottenthathehadtohelpprepareConnieforpresentationtotheexaminer.Hadlefttheintroductiontohisaunt,buthaddecidedtopaymoreattention .Despite thesoothingwordsofhergrandmother , forhim , in thepreviousyear , theirassessmenthadbeenaconfusingexperience.Gavealittlesorryforthatpooroutsiderwhodidnotknowtheywereabouttoputheragainsttheropes .Maybe Ishouldtrybeinga littlenicertoher.ThistrainofthoughtwasthatpushedhimonFriday,asaraycrossingthebluesky,invitingherfortea.Conniegasped.BecameaccustomedtotheColignoredinschool.Noneedtocomeifyoudonotwantheaddedcasually,playinghisperplexityasanegativebutmygrandmotherawaitsyou.ThenIwillConnieanswered,hehadmoresympathyfortheladywhoClamworthybyCol.This Friday afternoon left together from school andwalked the promenade to the home of Coltalkinguncomfortablyontheprogressoftheproject.ConniedideverythingpossibletoappeasetheangerofColwithAnneena ,whichagainwasmanipulatedtomakeyoudosomethingyoudidnotwant.TomortificationoftheyounghadsecuredaninterviewwithMr.QuickfornextWednesday.Mr.Johnson,whohadcalledonhisbehalf,hewasmorethansurprisedthatthereceivedthe"fattyfish"ashehimselfhadcalledinperson.

Man,IamnotsurprisedToldAnneenaConnieandColwhengatheredtheirthingstogohomeWhenmy sister called them the advertising department Axoil to provide cover in the interviewHescombeHeraldlearnedthatMr.Quickitwouldcometoreceiveus.What?HadexclaimedColYoupromised!Ididnotpromise itwouldnottalktoRupa.I justpromisedIwouldasknotforthemissinghadAnneenareplicatedinafeebleattempttolookinnocent.ButRupawillhadcounterattackedColangry.CanAnneenashruggedButthat'snotourthing,no?Col and Connie stuck in windcross Street and stopped to pass the trucks that roared towardChartmouth,leavingbehindthemadustysmellofdiesel.Astheycrossedthestreet,aLandRovergreenbeepedtwiceandstoppednexttoher.Abeautifulgirlwithcopperhairdownthepassengerwindow.Hey,Col!Hecalledit,puttingherhairbackwithafelineshrug.Triedtoattractasifgatheringlinetocatchafish.Ah ,hello ,Shirley saidCol immediately leavingConnie toapproach the car .Conniewatchedintentlyasabriefconversationtookplaceinalowvoicethatalsomeantthedriver.Thenwe'llseeyoutomorrow!Ciao!Completedthegirlaloud.AndLandRoverleftthevillageatfullspeed.Whowasthat?Connieasked,curiousandgratefulfortheopportunitytochangethesubjectIhavenotseeninschool.It'solderthanus?Justa little,butgotoaprivateschoolChartmouththereforenotseenhere .Hername isShirleyMasterson.Hisfatherhas landonDartmoor.TomorrowIwillgototheriding lesson,courtesyofSociety Colavoided lookingathereyespretending thatsomethinghappened to thestrapofhisbackpack.AhConniesaidwithsomeenvy.WhyhimandthissoShirleycouldgoridingandpicnics,andshedidnot?FounditthemostunfairI'dlovetolearntoride.Youcandothat.Certainly,Connie,heraunttoldyousomethingofanexaminer?Sheturnedhergazetohisface.ThegirlshookherheadinamazementAh,wellthennothing...See,let'sseetheGrandma.Returninghomeaftertea,saidColandgrandmotherbehavedinaverystrangeway.Colhadbeenmorenervous thanusual ,as if tosaysomethingbutdarednotdoso .YouClamworthywasalsostrangelyrestless :hekeptstroking thehairofConnieandoffermore teaandcake .Hadspentanuisancebutfrankly,afterall,tothem,feltthatstrangeemotionthathadembargoedintheirfirstmeetingtime.Decidedly,thepeopleoftheSocietyhadsomethingspecial.Athomewaitedalongemailfromherparents:theyboughtacomputerbeforegoingtomakesuretokeepup . If itwas strange to readyour commentsabout thenewhome inManila (humidity,

trafficking,beauty,poverty),whensheherselfwasimmersedinanewworldsodifferenttowhatwasknownuntilnow.Respondedandwishedlucktohislittlebrotherintheinternationalschool.Itwasfantastictoensurethattheirparentsforthefirsttime,hadfuninschool.SpokeAnneenaandJane ,project ,hamstersandMr.Johnson .Briefly, itappearedto leadahappy life inHescombe .Possibly it was not necessary that they knew of the strange exits his aunt with the Company ;countingonlycouldhisfather,whovaloravaconventionalovereverything,worryyourself.PlaguedbychirpingtheSignoriAntonelliinhisroom,theydidshakethefloorboards,Conniecamedown from his room and found his aunt waiting for her with a box of family photos . He wassurprisedthatboth lookedoverhisshoulder just incasesomeonebesidesherhehadenteredthekitchen.Ah,here,Connie!ExclaimedherauntIthoughtyouhadlockedhimselfinhisroom,asitwassolong...Thatwas funny ,Connie thoughtwithsomebitterness ,especiallycoming fromher ,thathad leftaloneeverynight.Look,IwanttoshowyousomethingEvelynrummagedintheboxuntilhefoundwhathesought.Itwasaphotograph inblackandfullofdarkspotsatthe lasttimeawomanseriousaspectsittingbesideaclaypotwithaplantwhite.Therewasabluronhislaphecouldwellbeacat.Isyourgreatgrandmother,EnidLionheart.AndIbelievethatwhat'sintheneckisanancestorofMadameCresson.Connieacceptedwithfearand lookedatthepicture ,wonderingwhyEvelynhadtakenthefamilycollectionpreciselytonight.Sosupposedlythiswasthesamethathadhadtheireyesandevenyourhair.Actually,itwasdifficulttoinferitfromthephoto,becausehisgreatgrandmotherEnidtookabunwithoutasinglestrandoutofplaceandpreventphotoofdistinguishingeyecolor.Hesawthatmadethemdifferent,butnothingmore.Andhereisanotherofhisgreataunt:AuntSybil.Ibelievethatitisyourhoneymoon.Itwasamorerecentphoto,wasaboutseventyyearsold,takenwhenSybilLionheartwasyoung.Itshowedagirlinswimsuitjumpingoverthewavesandsmilingtothecamera.Yes,inthispicturebutyoucouldseethehair:floatedeverywhere.Theeyeswerenotdistinguishedclearly,becauseSybilhadraisedfacelookingtothesun.ShewhogotmeintotheSocietywas.Thiswasherhouse,andleftme.Conniewonderedwhyhis fatherhadnotspokenbeforeof thoserelatives .HedidnotrememberthathehadnevermentionedtoanySybilnoranyEnid.Intrigued,hedecidedtotakeadvantageofthemoodofhisaunt.So,SybilwasalsotheCompany?AskedConnie.Evelynlookedsad.

Yes , shemarriedamanof the Society ... I suppose itwashewhomade this image ...Died incircumstancesthathavenotcometoclarifywhileservingamissionfortheSocietyduringthewar.Sybildidnot return tomarryand tookmeunderhis roofwhen itbecameevident that Ihadalsobeen chosen . His grandmother and grandfather were absolutely against this, seeing what hadhappenedtoherhusbandofSybil,butAuntSybilknewthatifyouhavethegift,youhavetoanswerthecall,nomatterwhattheconsequencesare."AlreadyweareagainConniethought,puzzledtalkingaboutbeingelectedandhavingthegift."What exactlywas all that chatter ?What exactlywould this society it ?What itmeant that thehusbandofSybilhaddiedinmysteriouscircumstances?Andwhatithadtodowiththecompany?Whatisbelievedhappenedtoherhusband'sgreatauntSybil?Heasked.DisappearedinFinlandonamissionoftheSociety.TheonewhotoldAuntSybilsurvivorswhohadnotbeenkilledwarofmen,butsomethingelseEvelynplayedwiththeedgeofthepicture,asiftodisturbanymemoriesrelatedwithit.Andoftenoccurs?Youknow,thatmembersoftheSocietydie...No,notoften.AtbestitwouldnothavecounteditrightnowseemedsadItwasabadstart.Donotworryaboutthisstory.Allfamilieshavesomemysterythatmakesothersgowithcaution.Evelynstooduptosavethephotos.Conniewonderedifthatwouldbeall.Abadstarttothat?Heasked,hopingthatheraunthadsomethingmoretosay.ForhisinitiationintoSocietyEvelynreplied,returningtohischair.Myintroduction?Connienoticedaburstofemotion.FinallycouldparticipateintheaffairsoftheCompany:gotopicnicsandpossiblyevenlearntoride.All that is asked since he stumbled with you Clamworthy and his companions was about to berevealed.Didyouseethatweseeinthefamilyandthatcouldalsobepartofyourdestiny.Whatcoulditbe?Idonotunderstandsensedatrap.No,notnowunderstandsandcannotassureyou thatsomedayunderstand ,but ifyouwant tohavetheopportunitytodiscoverifoneofuswillhavetotrustmeEvelynsentenced,andlacedhisfingersnervouslylookingwithConniefixity.Conniedidnotknowwhattosay.Thetruthwasthathedidnottrusthisaunt.Infact,donottrustherashedidinhisparents.Infact,wasnotevensurethatyoufellwell.Forhispart,Evelyndidnotlookverymuchappreciateyourniece.ThatwasthefirsttimeIshowedsomeinterestinit,tospeakthetruth. I need to pass one by one race this Sunday continued Evelyn I can not forward any detailbecausetheydonotfarewell,butifyouspendwillhavebeenselectedtoformpartoftheCompany.IpromiseIwillnotletanythinghappentoyoueither.

Thatnight,sprawledonthebedandsupportingaheadachethatproducedastrangebuzzinginside,Conniewasnotsureofanything.WithhisparentsawayandEvelynsoobsessedwiththeCompany,Conniefeltveryvulnerable,asiftheedgeofadeepcliffwithaverythinrailingtopreventhisfall.Ofcourse,hadagreedtotakethetestonSunday;stilllongedtobelongtothisSociety.Butwhatifitfailed?Whatwouldhappenthen?Andifpassed?IvorCoddrington,ExamineroftheSocietyfortheProtectionofMythicalCreatures,DepartmentofNewMembers ,arrived fromLondonon the train teno'clock.Hadagreed that theywouldcollectEvelynBrockandColdoctortoexplainthesituationtothewayfarmMasterson ,wherewouldbeheldthemeeting. A companion Mermaids , say ? Asked the Lord Coddrington with a nasal voice that madeeverythinghesaidseemedasarcasticcomment .Col ,whowassittingbehindhimon theCitroenEvelynLionheart , lookeddandruffthatpepperedtheneckofhisshirt indisgust ,pleasedthatthevisitorwasthementorShirleyandnotyours.Hehopedthathiswasalittlemoreaffablethatmansogray.YouCoddringtondidgnashtheirfingers.Theyareofexceptionalrarity...Almostasmuchasmyself:fellowgiantsofthetimesketchedathin smileofpride Butwhy somuch confusion ?Cannotbe assessed in theusualway , aftersendingthesolicitudeandreferences?ThedoctortoldBrockthesecondtimethesituationwiththemermaidsandtheneedtoactfast.Butnoonehaseventhoughtofhimselfthisbirdgirlisarealcandidate,no?NoteventhenewsofthedeathsappearedtomovetoMr.Coddrington.NoreplieddrylyDr.Brock.ItwasevidentthathewasbeginningtotireoftheExaminer.WillavoidasecondtripEvelynintervened.SawlongbeforeBrockdoctorwhowaslimpingman:appeal to theirown interestswouldbe themosteffective tactic Trains fromLondonare terribleanddonotwanttohavetocomebackagainsosoon...Mmm...MurmuredMr.CoddringtonRight.IsupposethatIhavecomesufficientlyequippedHegesturedtohisstrangeluggage,whichincludedthreecagesandablackpurse.Iwillpreparehisfood,ofcourseEvelynadded.ColsmiledCoddringtonifyou'dknown,Iwouldhaveknown that thepromiseof foodpreparedbyEvelyn Lionheartwasenough to take the firsttrain back home reason. He was reputed to be an atrocious cook. But nobody cautioned thehonorableCoddrington.Inthatcase,IsupposeIcanevaluatetheyounglady,let'sputit...Tomorrowateleven?

Okay,thenReposEvelyn,winkingatColoveryourshoulderwhenyouCoddringtonnotlooking.TheCitroenbouncedontheasphaltroadfullofholesthatledtothefarmMasterson.Thehouse,anisolatedbuildingtwofacades,erectedattheendofavalley,severalmilesfromthenearesttown.BehindherthehillsgavetoDartmoor,whereMastersonledtograzetheirherdsofsheepandalsoperformed some not so conventional activities . The Masterson had been unconditional Societymembersforgenerations:howfarreachedthememory,allMastersonhadhadthegift.Butdespitethisfamilyhistory,itwasabigday:theyoungestoftheclanwouldhaveanencounterwithagianttime.AsMrCoddringtonhadparticularized toDr.Brockas theyapproached thehouse,have twocompanionsofthegiantsofthetimeinEnglandwasalmostsimultaneouslyastheyfelltworaysrowatonepoint.YouCoddringtonlaughedathisownjoke,whichhadtornagruntofCol.WhenEvelynLionheartparkedthecar,therewasalreadyasmallcrowdwaiting inthecourtyard .Coldeclinedprecipitously ,happy toget ridof the companyofMr.Coddrington .Mr.MastersoncameouttomeettheexaminerandtookherhometomeetShirley.WhatdoIdo?AskedthedoctorColBrocknervously.Waithere.Yourmentorwillfindyouassuredthedoctor,whilesearchingforhisstudentbetweenpeople Searchingthe insigniawithgoldenhorseonthe lapel Hewasalreadyputtingherwithablacklizard,symboloftheCompanyandReptilesSeaCreatures.Col studying the group , becoming less numerous,with visible apprehension.Only recognized acoupleofpeople.Inthetimesweran,theCompanywaslessnumerousandmanymentorshadtotravellongdistancestomeetwiththeirstudents.SawEvelynLionhearttookaterrifiedgirlintothewoodstohavehisfirstencounterwiththefairiesofdeath,Colalreadyheardthesharpsobcreatureshailinghisnewcompanion.ThedoctorwenttoBrockpebbleswithtwoyoungcompanionsDragons.Asitseemed,weretwins,andbothtookabeltandsomeblackgloves.Colbegantofearthathismentor isnotpresentwhenhenoticedasharpblowonthearm .Hecamearoundquicklytofindthemselves facingamanwithanoldfashionedbrown fur jacket ,gogglesandhelmetmount .Ablondmustacheadorninghisupper lipand tooka stickunderhisarmmountingebony .Shoneagoldenhorseonthelapel.ColinClamworthy?Barked.YesCaptainGraves ,ofPegasusCompany .FollowMe ! Hebegan towalk through thecourtyard ,vigorously shakinghis stick and cuttingoff theheadsof a good groupofnettles Theorganizedeverything foryou tomeetayoungmannamedSkylarkPegasu Gravessaid thecaptainoverhisshoulderwhile running afterhimCol for itwill alsobe their firstmeeting , so they shouldnotexpectmuch.Itfeelsweird,eventhatcanbeabitfrightenedatfirst.Ifallgoeswell,thebestwillrisetohisback,butrememberwhateverassembled.

RememberingYouEnsuredCol.First Iwantyou tounderstand themagnitudeofwhat isabout tohappen toyou The captainshookhisrodmountandColrecoiledinstinctivelybecauseshewouldnotsharethefateofnettles.He thought he did not lack the recall : had the nerve churning stomach was chosen to becompanion and protect one of themost incrediblemagical creatures in theworld : it is a g