The Mermaid's Mirror - L. K. Madigan [84]
But there was no goddess—or anyone else—in the cavern.
Disappointed, Lena was about to report back to Lorelei and Havfine—There's no one there... —when she heard footsteps.
Lena sank beneath the surface and swam toward the shadows. She would hide until she could be sure it was the goddess. Peering up through the wavering surface, Lena saw a woman enter the cavern.
The woman was tall, wearing dark blue jeans and a sleeveless white shirt. Her short brown hair was streaked with blond.
Oh, no, thought Lena. A human!
The woman came closer to the edge of the water and looked directly at Lena. She said something in a language Lena did not understand.
Lena's heart hammered. She pushed herself backwards through the water. She felt as frightened as any real mermaid being seen by a human.
"Ah," said the woman. "Of course you do not speak Greek." She smiled. "Hello. There is no need to be afraid. I am Psamanthe."
Astonished, Lena raised her eyes above the water.
"Oh, dear. You're wearing a cloak. I didn't know humans still did that." The woman slipped off her sandals. "Very well. I must come to you, then, since you cannot come ashore." She pulled off her clothes and plunged into the water.
Lena looked for her under water, but the woman was gone.
She had turned into a seal.
CHAPTER 43
Lena stared at the seal rolling and flipping in the water near her.
"Ahh, it feels good to shed that human form for a while," said the seal in her mind.
Lena continued to stare. The animal was a normal-looking seal, except for a streak of blond in her brown fur. "Psamanthe," she stammered. "You ... I didn't know—"
"No," said the goddess. "No one ever does. My story is little known. I assure you, however, that I am a goddess. What is your name?"
"Lena."
"Where is your offering, Lena?"
With a sinking heart, Lena regarded her empty hands. Ohhhh ...That was what all the other items in the cavern were—gifts offered up to the goddess in return for hearing an appeal. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't realize—"
The seal's eyes seemed to flash in the murky light under water. "You came on a pilgrimage to a goddess, and you did not bring a gift?"
"I'm so sorry!" said Lena. "I've never done this before."
"But my dear," said the seal, "I can grant no wish without an offering." She swam closer, her plush fur grazing Lena's arm. "However, I can listen to your appeal for a tail."
Lena's mouth fell open.
Psamanthe said patiently, "Of course I know what you seek, young supplicant."
"How—?"
"I did explain that I am a goddess, yes? I knew you were coming. Your need drew me back to my cavern." The seal made a sound like a sigh. "Only to find you empty-handed."
"I'm sorry I don't have an offering," said Lena. "What should I bring next time?"
"Oh, Lena. I rather doubt there will be a next time." Psamanthe flipped and rolled some more, then added, "Honey is the classical tradition. And I'm very fond of it. Certainly, I can acquire my own honey, but the taste of votive honey is so much sweeter."
"Honey?" said Lena. "But ... I live in the sea. How can I get honey for you?"
Psamanthe's flippers appeared to lift. "Maybe you can ask an Ancient to get it for you."
"An Ancient?"
"The ancient sirens were half-woman, half-bird," said Psamanthe. "They lived on land, not in the sea. Some of them are still around, you may be able to find one willing to help a sister siren."
Speechless, Lena watched the seal swim around for a long moment. She glanced back at Lorelei and Havfine, who had been observing this exchange in amazed silence.
"Your question remains unasked, my dear," said the seal. "Your ambivalence is palpable. Thus I will broach the topic for you. No, the change is not permanent. But yes, it is painful. Just like a mermaid getting legs ... a human getting a tail is not for the faint of heart. You have heard the song? The reference to burning sand? It is quite true. In the heat of noonday, I bury you from the waist down