The next day, Stella and Mallory arrived at the public library. The air smelled faintly of old paper and leather, and the soft hum of whispers filled the large, quiet space. Stella headed straight for the romance section, her heart pounding in her chest. Mallory followed closely, her arms crossed, casting wary glances around.
"Are you sure about this?" Mallory asked, her tone skeptical.
Stella didn't answer, too focused on the task at hand. She scanned the shelves, her eyes flickering over the spines of countless books until she reached the second rack. Slowly, she began counting.
"Twenty-two…twenty-three…twenty-four," she whispered, her hand landing on a well-worn, burgundy book with gold lettering on the spine. Without hesitation, she pulled it from the shelf.
Mallory leaned closer, peering over her shoulder. "Well? What's in it?"
Stella flipped it open, her fingers brushing over the delicate pages. Her eyes widened when she spotted handwriting scrawled on the inside cover. It wasn't just a message—it was a clue.
"Where echoes of laughter once filled the halls, beneath the oak tree that witnessed it all. The place you called home holds the next key—return, and you'll find what's waiting for you."
Stella furrowed her brow, mouthing the words as she read them.
"What the hell does that mean?" Mallory asked, her voice low but sharp.
Stella shook her head, a mix of frustration and curiosity bubbling inside her. "I don't know, but I think we need to figure it out."
Mallory sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "This better not involve setting the book on fire," she muttered, though there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.
Stella clutched the book to her chest, determination hardening her expression. "Let's go home. We'll figure it out there."
Mallory hesitated, then nodded. "Fine, but don't do anything stupid without me."
Together, they left the library, their minds racing with the possibilities hidden within the cryptic message. Once back home, they settled in Stella's room, both perched on the bed, the tension thick as they turned the clue over in their minds.
"Oak tree, laughter in the halls?" Mallory mused aloud, her brow furrowed as she tried to decipher the meaning.
Stella, staring at the ceiling, was lost in thought. The words tugged at something deep within her memory, but the answer remained just out of reach.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed outside the door. They jolted, hastily shoving the book under the bed and grabbing their phones, feigning disinterest as the door creaked open.
Elizabeth stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "What are you both up to? And why didn't either of you go to college today?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of suspicion.
"We just didn't feel like going," Stella replied quickly, her voice calm but her heart racing.
Elizabeth's gaze lingered on them, her expression unreadable. It was clear she didn't buy the excuse, but instead of pressing, she surprised them by softening her tone. "You don't have to hide things from me. Whatever it is, just be careful." Without another word, she turned and left, leaving Stella and Mallory staring after her in stunned silence.
"What was that about?" Mallory whispered, breaking the quiet.
"I don't know," Stella muttered, shaking her head. "But let's focus."
They returned to the clue, each trying to piece together the meaning behind Simon's cryptic words.
"Wait!" Stella suddenly exclaimed, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Mallory looked at her, startled. "What?"
"Laughter in the halls… oak tree…" Stella's voice trailed off as the realization hit her.
"I got it," she said, her eyes lighting up. "It's the orphanage I lived in. There was a huge oak tree beside the hall where all the kids used to play when I was a child."
Mallory's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
Stella nodded firmly. "It has to be. That's where the next clue is."
Mallory let out a breath. "Looks like we're heading back to your past, whether you're ready or not."
Stella glanced toward the window, the memory of the oak tree filling her mind. "I'm ready," she said quietly, more to herself than to Mallory. "I need to be."
After lunch, Stella retreated to her room, her mind heavy with thoughts about the orphanage and the unanswered questions swirling around her life. She sat down at the small vanity, the sunlight filtering through her window, and carefully fastened the bracelet Simon had given her. The cool silver seemed to pulse with an energy she couldn't explain, as if it were tied to something deeper than mere jewelry.
After a quiet drive, Stella and Mallory arrived at the location of the orphanage, only to find an unsettling emptiness where it used to stand. The once familiar building was no longer there, and in its place was a barren plot of land, overgrown with weeds. Stella's heart sank as she stared at the empty space. "It's gone," she whispered, disappointment lacing her voice.
Mallory glanced around, trying to make sense of the situation. "What happened? Did they move it?" she asked, scanning the area for any signs of life.
Stella shook her head. "No... this is where it was. I don't understand."
Before either of them could say anything more, the door of a house nearby creaked open. A woman stepped out, her presence quiet but commanding. She was older than Stella, but there was something familiar about her— an air of knowing. She looked at both girls, her gaze lingering on Stella for a moment before she spoke.
"Stella Adams?" the woman called softly, her voice carrying a gentle authority.
Stella stiffened, unsure of who this woman was but somehow sensing she had been waiting for her. "Yes, that's me," Stella replied, her voice steady but with a trace of curiosity.
The woman's face softened into a smile. "I'm Lyra," she said, stepping aside to gesture for them to come closer. "I'm an acquaintance of Simon's. Please, come inside."
As Stella and Mallory stepped into the house, they were immediately enveloped by a sense of quiet familiarity. The walls were lined with books and strange trinkets, giving the space an almost mystical ambiance. Lyra led them to a worn wooden table where they both sat, the weight of the conversation to come settling on their shoulders.
Mallory, ever the skeptic, was the first to break the silence. "Considering Simon is a vampire, there's no way you're just a regular human. So, who are you?" she asked, her voice sharp and probing.
Lyra chuckled lightly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "I am a witch," she replied. "The bracelet Stella is wearing—it's made by me."
Mallory's eyes flickered to the small orb in Lyra's hand, which began to glow a soft blue. The ethereal light confirmed Lyra's words, and Mallory leaned back, absorbing the information in silence.
Stella, still processing the turn of events, asked the next question. "So why did you call us here?"
Lyra's expression grew more intense, her gaze unwavering as she spoke. "When Simon started asking about you, I decided to do some research of my own. Your history seemed to be erased, but your parents weren't."
With a deliberate pause, Lyra left the table and moved to a tall bookshelf that lined one side of the room. She carefully pulled out a large, leather-bound book with intricate sea-green designs etched into its cover, resembling waves in motion. The book was ancient, its edges frayed and its spine worn. Lyra returned to the table, setting it down with a soft thud.
"This is the Chronicle of the Guardians," she explained, flipping through the pages, her fingers deftly brushing over the delicate parchment as if handling a treasure. She stopped on a particular page, her finger landing on a section adorned with faded portraits.
"These," Lyra began, her voice steady yet weighted with significance, "are your ancestors. They're from every clan of the mermaid world."
Stella and Mallory leaned in, their curiosity piqued. The page was a mosaic of faces—beautiful, ethereal, and powerful. The mermaids depicted seemed alive, their eyes holding the wisdom of the ocean itself. Each was adorned with unique markings that seemed to pulse with an energy only the sea could grant.
"This is more than just a lineage," Lyra continued, her tone reverent. "It's a legacy, one that you've unknowingly carried all your life."
Her hand moved to the next page, revealing two new portraits. "And here," she said softly, her finger pausing over the images, "are your parents. The Guardian Mermaids."
The portraits were breathtaking. The man had strong, proud features, with eyes that seemed to hold storms within them. The woman beside him radiated serenity, her gaze as deep and endless as the ocean.
Stella froze, her breath caught in her throat. Her heart raced as she stared at the strangers who felt both foreign and familiar. It was the first time she had ever seen their faces, and the weight of it overwhelmed her.
Mallory noticed the change in Stella's expression and placed a comforting hand on her arm. But Stella was lost in the moment, a flood of emotions coursing through her—wonder, grief, longing. These were the faces of the parents she had never known, yet here they were, immortalized in this ancient tome.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered, "I… I had no idea."
Lyra's voice softened. "They were more than just your parents, Stella. They were protectors of the seas, leaders of their kind, and perhaps the reason you're more special than you realize."
Stella's voice trembled as she asked, "Are they… alive?"
Lyra's expression softened with sorrow. "No. They died while trying to reach Alloan—a place where mermaids go to seek answers to their deepest questions. It's a place few return from."
Stella swallowed hard, her mind reeling from the revelation. She had spent her whole life without knowing her parents, and now she was learning that they were gone forever.
"But how did Simon know them?" she asked, desperate for answers.
Lyra leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "Being a vampire, Simon has lived for many years—longer than most people can fathom. I don't know the specifics of how he knew your parents or why he struck a deal with your father, but one thing is clear: he promised to protect you." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "Your parents never abandoned you, Stella. Their love for you was unwavering. They made sure you were safe, even from beyond the grave."
Stella felt a lump form in her throat, the truth of her parents' sacrifice hitting her harder than she had expected. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist—the very thing that had led her here—and felt a deep connection to her parents, even though they had been lost to her for so long.
"But why me?" Stella whispered, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What's the purpose of my life? Why am I so special?"
Lyra's gaze softened, and she leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but firm. "Sweetheart, many people are born without a grand purpose. Why are witches born? There's no reason. Why are vampires born? No one knows. But you… you are different. You will create the meaning and purpose of your life. Your existence as a mermaid of the eclipse is rare, and with it comes a power that no one fully understands. But know this: when a mermaid of the eclipse is born, it is meant to prove that good still exists in this world. Never lose hope, Stella. That's all I can say."
Stella sat back, absorbing Lyra's words. They were both comforting and daunting. She didn't have all the answers, but she knew one thing for sure: her journey was just beginning, and it was up to her to find her place in this vast, unknown world.
After asking a few more questions, Stella and Mallory eventually left Lyra's house, the weight of the conversation still hanging heavily in the air. The night was quiet as they walked back to their house, the stars above offering little comfort as Stella's mind churned with the newfound knowledge about her origins. She had so many questions, but no immediate answers.
Once inside, Stella collapsed onto the couch, her mind spinning in every direction. What was she supposed to do now? Her life had just become a whirlwind of uncertainty, and she had no idea where to go from here. All she could do was close her eyes, try to calm her racing thoughts, and hope that somewhere along the way, the answers would come.