I sat in bed staring at the blank wall. Shannon’s information ran through me brain. Why did I go to the beach with Cove? I can’t swim and Papa always warned me not to. And yet I went to the ocean with Cove. Shannon is right about one thing. I can’t let his attractiveness distract me.

It can’t happen.

Me body laid down on the bed. I reached over to turn on the light allowing it to glow in me bedroom. I listened to everyone sleeping in the house. Rosie snores, Shannon’s music through the walls and me Aunt and Uncle sleeping in their room. Here I am laying awake on me bed listening to everything.

A knock on the window caused me to jump. I sat up and looked over at the window. Cove is sitting outside waving at me. Me brain was telling me not to go over but I didn’t listen. It feels as if I am being pulled over there against me will. I opened the window staring at him. Me arms are raised above me head still holding the window.

He gave me a charming smile. As if it wasn’t even possible his blue eyes are even brighter than usual. His hair is down allowing me to see his pink tips more. Cove chuckled lightly causing my heart to jump.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him.

“I needed to check that you are okay,” Cove said.

“Needed?”

“You act so surprised.”

“Stop that.”

Cove raised his eyebrow, “Stop what?”

“Stop that charming smile. It’s making me brain scarlet.”

I looked away from him. Did I really just say that? Why did I just say that? What is he doing to me? Shannon is right. Shannon is right. Shannon is right! I can’t let Cove distract me from his attractiveness. I just can’t.

“What does that mean? Am I making you nervous?” Cove asked.

“No.” I lied.

“Of course I’m not,” He laughed. “May I come in or are you going to let me freeze to death out here?”

I gulped but moved out of the way. Cove jumped on the windowsill and slid inside the room. He stepped lightly not allowing any sound. He looked around me room. There is nothing to even look at. Just white walls, a small bookshelf, a twin bed and a large radio sitting on top of the bookshelf. Me lamp is still lighting the room.

He smiled at me as he sat on the bed. I leaned against the wall staring at him. He crossed his arms staring at me. It seems as if he is wanting to win a staring contest. Cove eyes found something else to look at. His jacket is draped over my radio.

I’m admitting this right now, it took everything in meself not to wear his jacket. It is really warm and soft, not to mention very large. I enjoy it.

“Why did you take me to the beach?” I asked.

I need to know.

“Why not? It was the only time I could get you alone.” Cove said.

“Alone? Why?”

“You’re a very interesting person, Aibne. Who wouldn’t want to get you alone?”

“Sod off.”

He laughed, “They weren’t lying when they say Irish have a temper. You seem to have a rather feisty one.”

I shook my head. Then I remembered the sirens or mermaids singing to me. How did Cove not hear that? How did he end up staying on the water? Dylan saving my life made me think of something. I never felt his legs when he grabbed me. You would feel legs right?

“How did you know about the sirens?” I asked.

“I travel to the ocean a lot. More than the usual person.” Cove replied.

“Shannon claims that your mother hates them. Or the Murphy in them.”

“He did now?”

“Yes. He also said that she knew about them being a Murphy. Me Aunt June would never tell them that. She made sure to hide everything from her life back in Ireland.”

“What are you suggesting, Aibne?”

I narrowed me eyes at him, “I’m suggesting that you tell me what happened at the beach. Tell me why all of a sudden you and Dylan talked to me. I’ve been here for a year and you fellas never have before tried to talk to me. So, tell me why all of a sudden you are a chancer?”

Cove didn’t say anything. Instead, he lay back on me bed. I watched him laying back without a care in the world. His shirt rolled up making me entire face red. Is he doing all this on purpose?

“I was a very nervous boy to talk to you, Aibne. Would you believe that?” Cove asked.

“Not a chance, dosser,” I replied.

He rolled onto his side, “Well it’s the truth. My mother always spoke badly about you and your family but you are nothing like the cruel words. You are very different.”

“Different how?”

“To start off, you don’t have cold dead eyes. Nor do you have the face of a donkey.”

“Well your mother sounds very bloody deadly, doesn't she?”

Cove laughed once again. Me eyes widened once I heard Shannon bang against the wall. I rushed over and covered Cove’s mouth. Cove looked at me with his eyebrows raised. Me face burned bright red once again from Cove. I am too close to him for me to like. I could feel him smile against me hand.

Shannon got up from his bed his springs told me that. He started to move the doorknob on me door. I looked at Cove with narrowed eyes. Slowly, I took off me hand and he covered his mouth with his hand. I opened the door to see Shannon frowning and glaring.

His messy black hair, dark blue eyes and red lines across his face. Shannon yawned then leaned against the door. He crossed his arms toward me.

“What are you doing here? I asked.

“Don’t,” He said as he stuck one hand up. “You keep it hush, got it? I need sleep.”

I nodded, “Sorry.”

Shannon turned around and walked back to his room. I closed the door behind me. Me back leaned against the door, letting out a huge breath. I saw that Cove walked towards me. He stood right in front of me staring down at me. He smiled at me.

“Remember what you promised me?” Cove asked.

I shook me head, “No.”

“You would answer any of my questions. Or was it a lie?”

Please let it be one. I don’t think me heart can handle how close we are. Or how he is staring at me. As if I was his attraction or his next fella. I am not attractive at all.

“What is it?” I asked.

“What do you know about Flann Sinna?” He asked.

“Nothing. But those sirens said something about that bloke.”

“You should do some research, Aibne. Sirens are never wrong about their personal anger. Of course, you would know that.”

“How do you know about the sirens? You didn’t even bat an eye when I saw one nor did you call out for me name.”

“A pretty boy with a brain. Those are so rare these days.”

I glared at him.

“Let’s make a deal, shall we? You figure out my connection with the sirens and I will explain everything to you.”

“Why do you want to make that deal?”

Cove leaned down, “I love deals. It’s like my version of drugs. My personal addiction.”

His warm breath blew across my face. He used one hand to touch me arm causing goosebumps to rise on me skin. Cove let go and walked towards the window, he took a seat on the windowsill. He turns back to look at me.

“You can keep my jacket. You look very attractive with it on.” Cove said.

“Why should I keep it?” I shot back.

“‘Cause I love seeing pretty boys with my clothing.” He said with a wink.

Before I could yell at him he jumped out the window. I marched over and closed the window. I would have slammed if everyone wasn’t asleep but everyone wakes up with a loud window slam! It is not fair. I jumped on me bed.

I stared at his jacket on the radio. Why could he so easily come into me mind? It makes no sense to me. How easy he can flirt so shamelessly with me. Or how easy he can stand so close to me. Or how he never answers anything I want.

Forget his bloody deal. I don’t need it nor do I want to. He will crack eventually. He will tell me everything. That's how most dossers go. They are downright fools. Cove is the biggest fool out there.

He can no longer fool me anymore.

At least I hope so.

---

“Why do people make fun of you, Papa?” I asked.

“They are all dossers, Aibne. Every single one of them.” He replied.

“They call you an ole crazy stook. What does that mean?”

He looks down at me, “An ole crazy fool.”

“But you’re not!”

“They don’t see me like that. They don’t believe in the sirens as we do.”

I look up at him. He sighed as he bent down right in front of me. He took me shoulders with shaky hands. His white hair fell across his shoulders.

“They are all blinded from the truth. Sirens are very very clever and witty. They use their looks in order to get what they want. They will use their words against ye to make yer brain all fuzzy turning you into a dosser.” Papa paused before smiling. “Promise me, Aibne. Promise me that ye will never fall into a siren curse words.”

“I promise,” I said with a nod.

“I promise,” I muttered.

Me eyes opened to face a pair of brown eyes. I gasped and rolled off me bed. A scream left me mouth once I hit the ground. Hands reach out to me revealing a left hand with a burn mark. Rosie’s burn mark. She got it back when they had a campfire she tripped and her left hand landed in the campfire. It left a forever lasting burn scar.

“What are you doing! Why did you do that? Are you trying to bloody kill me?” I asked.

Rosie's face burned, “No. Mom wanted me to wake you up.”

“So you hovered over me?”

“I was calling out your name and shaking you. You are a very hard person to wake up, Aibne. Then you started muttering something about promising.” Rosie frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, just a dream.”

“Good! Someone is here to check up on you.”

I looked straight at the jacket. Cove? Is he here? Why is me heart racing? Why is me face heating up? Why do I even want him here?

“Who?” I asked.

“Dylan,” Rosie replied.

Disappointment ran through me body when I heard that name. Then anger rushed through me. I shouldn’t even be angry or disappointed. Cove just wants to play with me mind. I could care less if he wants to even see me again. I shouldn’t care but I want to.

I nodded toward her. Rosie walked out of the room with a smile. I quickly changed into a pair of new clothes. I ran me fingers through me hair as an attempt to tame the bed hair. Me eyes stared at the jacket draped across the radio.

No way is Dylan telling Cove that I wear his jacket. So, I left it there.

I walked out of the bedroom and heard Dylan laughing. Shannon is sitting at the table staring at him from the kitchen. Shannon looks back at me with wide eyes. He motioned towards the living room with an eye roll. I walked inside staring at Dylan and Uncle Manny.

Uncle Manny looked at me with his brown eyes. Dylan is still laughing at whatever Uncle Manny said. Uncle Manny sat back in his favorite chair looking at me with his brown eyes. His muscular body is tanned with kept brown hair and of course his white t-shirt. Uncle Manny raised his eyebrow.

“Nephew.” Uncle Manny said.

I nodded at him. Dylan looked at me with his bright smile. He may not be as old as Cove but he does share the good looks with him. The only difference about their looks is that the Cove is kept and very proper. Minus the dyed pink tips. Dylan has a very messy and edgy look. As if he is trying to hide his good looks behind the look.

“You’re alive! I was so worried that you were in complete shock from the salty waves. But look at ya now. Very fresh like a strawberry!” Dylan exclaimed.

“Thank you for saving my nephew.” Uncle Manny said.

That’s the first time he called me ‘my nephew’. It has always been the nephew or just nephew. And yet I actually feel happy that he called me that. It feels great.

“No problem. Cove was freaking out and begging me to save him. Going on and on about how scared he was losing you. Kinda worry wort to me.” Dylan said with a shrug.

Why was he freaking out to save me? There is no way he would be. After all, we just met and had a very heated . . . moments in me opinion. But still? Why would he act like a crazy old stook?

Uncle Manny nodded, “Excuse me. I will be in the kitchen.”

Dylan waved at him with a smile. Then the edgy boy looks at me with his smile. He patted the empty space on the couch. I took a seat but made sure that I’m not too close. You never know when you have to make a run for it.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay, Aibne. I didn’t think they would let me grab ya.” Dylan said.

“And why not?” I asked.

“You know why. They hate your bloodline because you’re from Flann Sinna. How crazy right? When you think about it, it was so old hate but hey. What can ya do?”

“Why does that name keep being brought up? Who is that guy?”

“Cove mention it to ya? Oh man, Nerida is going to be way angry! Oh well, that’s Cove’s problem, not mine. But you didn’t ask that you want to know about Flann Sinna right?”

I nodded.

“He was some old Irish king. I think he was a good leader but can’t remember much of him. I think he was dying when I was born but whatever. It was said he fell in love with a mermaid who chose to live as a human forever. After her tail was injected with a silver arrow, of course. Flann and the mermaid fell in love but soon he lusted after her mother. He left her but not without a blessing from the mermaid.”

“Blessing?”

“Guess your Grandfather didn’t tell you about this little fact, huh? Sirens have their special song that can make you go insane if you don’t hear it for long. But mermaids can grant one blessing to a human but only one. The blessing can be basically anything and can be twisted into something you never wanted. You have to be very specific with a mermaid blessing.”

“What did he ask for?”

“For no weapon to kill him or his descendants but the tricky thing about that. He never said what kind of weapons so the mermaid gave his blessing with a loophole. Flann could never be killed with a spear or sword. But she never told that to an arrow.”

“So what happened?”

“Once Flann turned away the mermaid for her mother. The mother loved the idea of being a royal and didn’t care about her daughter. It’s very common for mermaids to leave their children once they get older. They have like tons of kids so you don’t really get the loving relationship that humans do. Well, sometimes.

“Anyway, the mermaid cried for years haunting her people. Cove said she died in the nunnery with tears falling down her face. Out of revenge, the siren leader shot Flann with an arrow. They promised to hunt down all his descendants until no more is left.” Dylan laughed as he fell back against the couch. “I meant kill if you didn’t catch my vibe.”

I stared at him with wide eyes.

“Oh, don’t worry, Aibne. Cove won’t let anything happen to you!” Dylan said as he clapped my back.

“What do you mean? Why would that dosser want to protect me?” I asked.

“Can’t say that. He would kill me, bring me back to life then kill me again. That sounds very painful I may add.”

I narrowed me eyes to look at him. Dylan stood up on his feet with a large smile.

“I also wanted to tell you something! There is a circus downtown. We should totally go and have fun. Eat cotton candy then ride rides until we puke. Doesn’t that sound fun?” Dylan asked. “Rosie and Shannon can come too! More the merrier. Am I right?”

Shannon stepped out from behind the wall, “Seriously? You’re joking!”

“Never! I don’t know how to joke.” Dylan said with a shrug.

Shannon ran upstairs to change his clothes and brush his teeth. Rosie walked in while reading a book with shoes on. I stared at Dylan who is smiling outside the window now. It creeps me out how he can always be smiling or happy. That must be so very uncommon for people.

Then it hit me. Dylan said that he was born when Flann Sinna was alive. He claimed that Cove told him how the mermaid died of grief. Then how Cove wouldn’t let anything happen to me. What is happening? And why is it happening to me?

I have to know. I need to know.

Shannon came downstairs with a bag on his back. He tossed me a pair of shoes with a pair of socks after. I put them on with a frown. I listen to Rosie telling Aunt June where we are going. She looked at me with worry before nodding. Promising that Shannon would call when we got there.

I followed after them with the frown still on my face. Dylan and Shannon spoke about how they are going to eat everything before going on the rides. Rosie is reading and walking a skill of hers. Then I saw Cove standing in the middle of the sidewalk tossing a pair of car keys in the air. He is looking right at me.

“Cool you’re giving us a ride,” Dylan said.

Rosie looked up from her book to look at Cove. Shannon watches him with careful eyes. Cove eyes never left me face. Cove gave us his charming smile before motioning towards the black truck behind him. Dylan ran forward to climb in the back.

“Come on! This is going to be so fun Shannon. We are going to puke like a birthday party. Do people puke on birthdays? Or is that Thanksgiving? I never know!” Dylan exclaimed.

Shannon shrugged, “I think it both. I totally hacked on Thanksgiving.”

“Do tell,” Dylan said.

Shannon rushed into the truck climbing in the back. Rosie followed behind with the book close to her chest. She took a seat next to Shannon and closed the door. I could see Rosie reading the book once the door closed.

Cove sighed, “Looks like you are sitting with me, Pretty Boy.”

“Don’t call me that,” I said with me face heating up.

“Am I making your brain scarlet? I love when I can do that to you.”

“Sod off.”

Cove laughed as he walked to the truck. He opened the passenger door for me. I looked at him as I marched toward the truck. I didn’t spare him a look when I climbed into the seat. He chuckled lightly at me. Cove closed the door with a wink.

That little whanker! How dare he winked at me? How dare he make me heart race? How dare he act as if he has me wrapped around his finger. If he thinks that he is a total dosser. A complete moran. A complete stock. Just a complete fool!

And somehow I am falling into his trap. I am allowing him to twist me mind until I become a whanker meself. Oh, he is a clever dosser. A very clever one.

Cove is driving with ease. Every so often his eyes glance towards me with a playful smile across his face. The radio is playing soft piano music. Shannon is explaining his famous puking on Thanksgivings of 2008. Rosie added in her comments and insults Shannon. Dylan is his usual blunt self.

The circus is placed in the middle of Hapi. Large colorful tents, loud music and the townspeople everywhere. Laughter filled me ears. I watched them go to different booths and play games or pet the animals. It’s all very rushed to me.

Cove parked the truck. Dylan jumped out as Shannon called Aunt June to tell her that we are safe. Rosie told me that she is going to the food area so she can read on the bench. And to get something called fried Oreos. Sounds strange to me.

I turned to look at Cove, “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.” He said with a small laugh. Almost as if he is sharing an inside joke with himself.

“How long have you been eighteen?”

“Since August.”

“Dylan said you were alive during the time of Flann Sinna an Irish king.”

“And?”

“So how are you eighteen?”

Cove leaned forward, “That is your job to figure out Aibne.”

“You bloody dosser.”

He laughed, “You can say my name, you know? No one is going to hurt you if you do.”

I smirked at him. I opened the door and jumped out. Me blue eyes stared at him with the smirk still across me face. Cove looked at me with his eyebrows raised.

“We will see,” I started to close the door. “Cove.”

Cove eyes widen with his cheeks turning slightly red. I slammed the door shut and started to walk to the circus. Cove called out me name. I hear the truck lock go off. I didn’t turn back. Now it’s his turn to become fuzzy in the brain. I’m tired of going through that.

I saw the bright colors making me stop for a while. Some townspeople walked by with their faces painted or carrying stuffed toys. They are laughing with wide smiles across their faces. Me heart began to race seeing how many people there were.

There are too many people me liking. Another reason why I hate school. There are too many people crowding you. Some of them never watch where they are going so they just run into each other. Me stomach is very empty, me heart is racing and me hands are shaking.

“You don’t do well in the crowd, I suppose?” Cove asked.

I shook me head, “Not really. Everyone is a dosser.”

“You sure do love that word.”

“Got a problem with it?”

“No. Just find it amusing or you call it deadly?”

I look at him with me eyebrow raised. Cove put his hand on me back to guide an area without a lot of people. It’s between two gaming stations. I can hear kids begging their guardians begging to play for prizes. Some compiled while others walked away with the kids.

Cove stared down at me. His hand is still against me back pulling me close. I took a deep breath. Noticing how close we are. Cove didn’t flinch staring at me nor did he seem bothered by how close we are. Our chest is basically touching just the smallest inch separating us.

Me breath stopped in me throat. Cove used his other hand to reach up to touch me face. His long fingers brushed along me cheeks very lightly. Feels as if a ghost is touching me. It also feels as if he is scared of something. But what?

“What are you doing?” I asked.

Cove shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“You dosser.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“I never said that.”

Cove laughed at me. I rolled me eyes. There he goes again, getting me trapped within me brain. Why does he keep doing that? It makes no sense. He is making me brain go fuzzy.

I realize that we could be staring at each other for hours if we wanted too. Bright colorful lights caught me attention. I looked over to see a small tent with a large sign. A sign that has Future written across it. Cove snorted at the sight.

“Future. As if it can be told. It changes too much to be even real.” Cove said.

“I wanna check it out,” I said.

“You do? I didn’t think you were in those things.”

“I’m not. Me Grandfather was. He believed that certain people could tell the future. He always said that the Romani people had the gift.”

“He’s a smart man.”

I pulled away from Cove’s arms and started to walk to the tent. I opened the flap to reveal a woman sitting at the table. She looked at me with a smile. Her long black curls framed her slim face and wore a purple dress with baggy sleeves. Her hands rested against the crystal ball. Intense green eyes stared at me. She nodded towards the chair right in front of her. Cove walked in behind me with a tense body.

I took a seat in the chair. Her fingers tapped on the crystal ball with a smile still on her lips. Her eyes cut to Cove then back to me.

“My name is Kezia, Aibne Murphy.” She said.

“You know me name?” I asked her.

“I know all,” Kezia said with a laugh.

Cove grumbled something behind me.

“I sense something clouding your mind,” Kezia said with each finger tap. “If you allow that cloud to continue you will lose someone dear.”

Who else do I have to lose? And what is clouding me mind?

“You have a horrible future from what I see. All your decisions will cause sorrow. All your past descendants will come to you and bring you pain. But I also see something else, Aibne. You will find your other half but his fate is in your hands.” Kezia said.

I flinched from what she said. Just great pain for me life. And not to mention I’m going to find love but his fate is in me hands! I might be the reason he would die. That is just great. I’m becoming a dosser meself.

Great!

“What should I do?” I asked.

“Find the clue your Grandfather gave to June. Find it and heal the hatred between the sea and Sinna bloodline. Then you will be free from all the sorrow.” Kezia said.

I wanted to ask more but a couple walked inside. They looked at us before I stood up. Kezia called them by their names when we walked out. Cove followed behind me. What does any of that mean? Did Grandfather really give something to Aunt June? I never saw him deliver something to her.

Cove caught me wrist and spun me around. I stared at him with wide eyes. He wasn’t looking at it, instead he was glaring at the tent where Kezia sat. I have to find that gift but where would Aunt June hide things? Cove look back at me with soft eyes.

“Let’s forget about that crazy lady. We can have fun today.” Cove said.

“Fun? Did you not hear what she said?” I asked.

“I did and I don’t like it. I was never a fan of seers.”

“You met them before?”

Cove smirk, “Of course I have. After all, I am eighteen, Aibne.”

“Right only eighteen.”

He laughed as he looked around. I watch his eyes rested on a booth. Cove grabbed me hands with his charming smile. He dragged me to the booth. I saw it was a dart throwing game. That sounds like nothing in me skill chart.

“What are you doing?” I asked him.

“I plan to win something for you,” Cove said.

“What? Why?”

“It's what people do.”

“Yeah, for kids and couples. Not people they just met.”

“Must you always be a downer? Whatever else you guys say back in Ireland.”

“I’m a realist.”

“So, basically it means you don’t have any dreams.”

“I have dreams every night, Cove.”

He laughed, “I don’t mean that kind of dream, Aibne. I mean dreams of the positive. Seeing everything will be alright no matter what. Those kinds of dreams.”

“Once again, I’m a realist.”

“When did you stop dreaming?”

I looked at him, “When my Grandfather was murdered right in front of me eyes.”

Cove looked at me with sad eyes. He used his free hand to cup me cheek. I stared at him with confusion. It feels as if the sound is drowning out. Everything is silent, the only thing I can hear is him. And I like that.

“I lost my birth mother also. She was murdered by a broken man.” Cove said.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Cove spun me around to face the dart throwing booth. His arm wrapped around me waist and placed his chin on me shoulder. I could feel me face becoming bright red. People's eyes cut to us then back. Some laughed while others awed.

“Have you figured out my secret?” Cove asked.

“From everything so far. I only know that you’re a really old eighteen bloke. You knew Flann Sinna and the mermaid who passed away. Am I forgetting something else?” I asked him.

“Of course you are.” He said as he pulled out a five. “You never told me what you wanted from this booth here.”

“You are joking, right?” I asked him.

“Never with you, Aibne.”

I looked at the booth trying to find something fast. Me eyes landed on the stuffed elephant. A lucky animal from India. I remember Grandfather talking about lucky animals from around the world.

“That elephant,” I said.

Cove laughed as he put the five down on the table. He told the man what he wanted. The man looked up at the elephant then back down at Cove.

“You have to get five perfect shots for that shelf.” The man said.

“Oh Aibne, you should have challenged me more.” Cove sang.

Both the man and me laughed at him. The man placed the five darts on the table for Cove. Cove took his arms off me to grab the darts. He stared at me with his blue eyes and charming smile. Cove never took his eyes off of me as he raised the dart. The dart left his hand popping the balloon. Me eyes widen.

“What the?” I asked.

“Seems like I’m not really a dosser, huh?” Cove said.

I rolled me eyes at him. Then it seems as if Cove wanted to show off to me. He never took his eyes off me while he threw the darts. He also hit all four balloons. Once again, I rolled me eyes at him.

He is a complete dosser. A complete show-off.

The stuffed elephant was his in no time. Cove gave the game man a smirk as he took the stuffed elephant. He handed the stuffed elephant to me. Cove pulled me away from the onlookers and brought me in front of a food booth.

“I do love challenges but this,” He motioned to the stuffed animal. “This was barely a challenge.”

“You have to be pulling me leg,” I said.

“I could win something to you but you have to make it more challenging.”

“I don’t need stuff animals, Cove. I need answers.”

Cove smirk, “Then a deal, perhaps?”

“Your addiction? What kind of deal are you thinking?”

“You get to play any game here against me. If you win then I will have three questions but if I win then you answer three from me.”

“And what happens if we tie?”

“Then we each have three questions for each other,” Cove said as he spun me around so I can see all the gaming booths. “You can choose your losing game.”

“It’s cute that you think you will win, you dosser.”

Cove laughed, “Awe, you think I’m cute.”

Me face heated up and I elbowed him in the stomach. Cove just lightly chuckled in me ear. I looked for a game where there is a small chance I could win. But seeing the games made me realize that I don’t have special skills. I don’t know anything nor the rules for the games. I have never been to a circus or a fair.

I pointed to the game where you have to shoot water into a target. Something seems to be rising to see who is in the lead. I dunno but it looks easy enough. Cove pushed me lightly toward the game.

“Not a challenge but I will win no matter what,” Cove said.

I looked back at him, “You need to stop acting the maggot.”

“And what does that mean?”

“Just something you will have to figure out.”

I took a seat on the chair with the stuffed elephant on the counter. Cove looked at me and turn back to the wallet. He put down another five for the person to take. The woman smiled down at us.

“I always find it amusing when couples play this. They always give the other their prize.” She said with a laugh.

“That’s very sweet,” Cove said.

He doesn’t even seem bothered by that fact she thought we were a couple. Cove gave me a wink causing anger to run through me body. I grabbed the water gun. Cove laughed at me reaction. I stared at the target.

“I already have all three of my questions, Aibne. I hope you have answers.” Cove said.

I need those answers. I need those questions. I need to win. But how am I going to win? Cove has the skills of never missing while I don’t. I can’t even make a target. Shannon tried teaching me how to throw a football, which is nothing like I grew up with, and I gave him a black eye. He didn't get angry but he was angry the second time. I kicked the ball into the pond behind Aunt June’s house. Forever losing the football.

Oh, don’t worry, Aibne. Cove won’t let anything happen to you! Dylan’s voice rang through me head.

Looks like you are sitting with me, Pretty Boy. Cove said to me.

A light bulb popped into me brain. There could be a small chance Cove might be attracted to me somehow. I don’t know how or why but it could be. I could use that small chance to win but how? How do I even flirt?

I leaned over to Cove’s ear, “Tell me again, what happens if we tie?”

Cove shuddered with a small gasp. I leaned back and pressed the trigger once the bell went off. From the corner of me eye, I saw Cove shaking his head. He pulled the trigger but missed the red dot for a few seconds. From that small miss allowed me to win.

I threw me arms in the air with a shout. Cove looked at me smiling. I wrapped me arms around him still shouting. He tenses from me touch but relaxes after a moment. I pulled far enough for our faces to be close. I laughed for the first time not feeling scarlet around him.

“I actually won something! Take that you dosser Shannon!” I yelled in the air.

Cove laughed, “Yeah, you did. You knew how to play me also, huh? Knew my weakness huh?”

“Weakness?”

“A little fact that you have to figure out. Now that you have three questions you can get anything from me. And I mean anything, Pretty Boy.”

I pulled away with me face burning bright. The woman just laughed as she handed me the standard prize. A bright purple teddy bear. I looked at her with a smile and passed it to Cove. He looked at it with his eyebrows raised.

“What’s this for?” Cove asked.

“A gift from me. After all, I did win.” I said.

His eyes widened as he took the stuffed bear. Cove's other hand went to his chest gripping on something. Me eyes went to his chest. What is there? I reached out to find out but he pulled back some.

“Yo, lovebirds! Guess what we did?” Dylan asked.

I turn to see Shannon and Dylan’s faces are painted. Shannon painted his face like a tiger, his favorite animal. Dylan painted his face like a butterfly. I don’t know why he painted his face like that. Dylan rushed over with a wide smile.

“We are not lovebirds,” I said.

“Not yet.” Dylan and Cove said.

“Oh, you are back as the dosser you are,” I said to Cove.

“What can I say? I have a talent for that.” Cove said.

“But dude!” Shannon said as he wrapped his arm around Dylan. “This guy right here is a riot. Some girls wouldn’t let us ride this because we are short males. But guess what Dylan did? He opened his mouth with such an angelic voice that left his mouth. The woman did exactly what Dylan wanted afterward.”

“Dylan.” Cove hissed.

Shannon laughed, “Man, we gotta teach them how to be human. Right, Aibne?”

“Y-you know?” Cove asked.

“I’m not stupid, you know. Besides, I know a deal when I hear one.” Shannon said.

“You heard?” I asked, horrified.

“Duh. You guys do not know how to whisper even if you tried. I know how to keep a gentleman's secret.” Shannon said as he looked around. “Thank God you guys didn’t start making out. I could feel the sexual tension in my room.”

“Nothing went on in me room!” I yelled grabbing some attention.

“Maybe if I stayed for a bit longer,” Cove said.

I turn to look at him, “Don’t you start.”

He smiled at me. He opened his mouth to say something but something crashed against me. I slammed against Cove, knocking both of us down on the ground. Cove wrapped his arms around me and tucked me head in his chest.

“Are you okay?” Cove asked.

“Who is the bright bloody bloke who ran into me?” I asked. Ignoring Cove’s question.

“Me,” Rosie said as Shannon helped her up.

“Oh, you okay?” I asked.

She nodded as a response.

“Why did you make Cove and Aibne fall on the ground? Wouldn’t it have been better if you asked for his attention?” Dylan asked.

“I was running from that!” Rosie yelled.

We all turned to see what Rosie was pointing at. A tall woman limped towards us. The smell of fish order hit me nose causing me to gag. She has stringy black hair, a ripped black dress with fishnets around her waist. Her mouth opened showing pointy teeth. I noticed that her right leg is gammy.

“What the bloody dirty tooth?” I asked.

“What does even mean?” Shannon asked.

“Her smell is horrible.” Rosie gagged. “She also ate my book!”

“Selkie!” Dylan and Cove yelled.

I wanted to ask what is a selkie but Cove picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder like a rag doll. I looked at Shannon with wide eyes. Shannon covered his mouth to hide his laughter. Rosie just pushed Shannon to run.

“The flesh of Flann Sinna walks here. I will bring them to Nereida as the promise I made.” The selkie said.

“Just bloody deadly. Just deadly!” I yelled.

“Run already!” Rosie yelled.