All Chapters of Ultramarine: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

“My mom gave you the keys to the cottage?” I leaned against the porch railing, watching Kayn unlocking the door. I had to talk to Mom about being way too trusting. If I didn’t feel like I was about to fall over, I would have ditched Kayn at the hospital. Believe it or not, he behaved himself all the way over here, keeping his remarks to himself and helping my weak, pitiful self, bac

My dream of a large, slimy tentacle crushing me melted away by a shake against the shoulder. “Carly?” My eyes fluttered open to darkness peeking through the curtains, and the living room light was on. I sat up from where I had been snoozing against Kayn’s shoulder. He was out, his head slightly tilted backwards, seemingly almost saintlike as he slept.

Wind feathered throughout the tall grass fields spotted with wildflowers—the gentle breeze gratifying against my uncomfortable, heat-licked skin. Monday turned out to be the hottest day of the year. I shredded my jacket intended to cover up the abrasions on my arms, dreading the idea of having to enter my first day looking like I was mauled by a bear. I kept my hair loose in an effort to hide t

Both Ella and Poppy had Biology with me. We sat in the far back corner of the class, making it easier for people to turn around and stare. The staring had somehow escalated since History, and Ella hadn’t stopped bombarding me with questions about my relations with Kayn.

Belinda’s nostrils flared. She stepped out from behind the table, her arms stiff by her sides and fists clenching. Thick, goopy greenness dribbled down her pristine dress, and onto the linoleum flooring, penetrating the hear-the-pin-drop silence throughout the cafeteria.Ember raised a hand to her mouth to stifle a laugh.

The week passed uneventfully. Our neighbors managed to keep their distance, except for Wednesday when Ember came over for lunch with me and Mom, and Hector had a fit about it. Dad was going to be out of town for the weekend again, and Mom had a scouting mission planned that Friday evening. She insisted I go with her and her crew since after wha

“Got it,” Mom announced, tugging on the rope that led into the water. At the other end of it was a large, moisture-resistant speaker, screeching discordantly like a banshee on steroids.According to her, once it descends into the water, it created the most beautiful music that lured in mermaids. It could easily implode Dad’s sp

A winter’s chill bit into my skin. The temperature of my body dropped, and I got dragged underwater, engulfed by an eternal stretch of blackness.I knew at that moment there was no way anyone was going to find me here in the deep of night. I knew I wouldn’t be able to fight the strength of the creature’s enormous tentacle t

“Oh. My. Word...Kayn—” I jumped up, turning away to look anywhere but him, my face hot. “What the hell are you doing?”There was movement behind me. “Saving your life.”

A song of marine life penetrated the air inside the cave. It left a sensation of homeliness within me, pulling me in. I couldn’t explain it, and then I remembered Kayn had said that we felt each other now. There was a longing in his eyes as he stared through the magical barrier.