The alarm blared, yanking Frankie from a dream of endless waves. She groaned, fumbling for her phone. 6:00 AM glowed on the screen, way too early for any sane person to be awake. But the ocean waited for no one, especially not on the morning of the big surf competition.

Frankie dragged herself out of bed, her bare feet hitting the cool wooden floor. She stumbled to the mirror, running a hand through her tangled black hair. Her reflection stared back, green eyes still heavy with sleep. At least, that's what she expected to see.

Instead, glowing red eyes met her gaze.

"Crap," Frankie muttered, squeezing her eyes shut. When she opened them again, familiar green irises had returned. She let out a shaky breath. "I should have brought green contact lenses."

The sun hadn't quite risen as Frankie jogged down to Norchester Bay, her surfboard tucked under one arm, wearing her favorite red bikini. The beach was deserted, waves lapping gently at the shore. Perfect. She needed some alone time before the crowds descended.

Frankie waded into the water, shivering as it lapped at her ankles. The solitude wouldn't last long. Soon, the beach would swarm with tourists and locals alike, all eager to glimpse Norchester Bay's annual surfing competition. And Frankie intended to give them a show they'd never forget.

She paddled out past the breakers, feeling the familiar rush as she caught her first wave of the morning. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Not school, not her weird vampire powers, not even the competition. It was just Frankie and the ocean, moving as one.

The wave curled around her, and Frankie carved through it with practiced ease. She could almost forget the weight of her secret, the constant fear of discovery. Out here, she was just another surfer girl chasing the perfect ride.

An hour later, Frankie trudged back up the beach, salt water dripping from her wetsuit. The sun had fully risen now, and the first early risers were setting up umbrellas and coolers.

"Nice moves out there, Rivera!" a familiar voice called.

Frankie turned to see Damon jogging towards her, his board tucked under his arm. Her heart did a little flip at the sight of him - all dark-tanned skin and serene smiles.

"Thanks," she said, trying to keep her voice casual. "You're up early."

Damon grinned, running a hand through his dreadlocks. "Couldn't let you have all the fun. You ready for the Back-to-School Surf Competition?"

"Born ready," Frankie shot back with a smirk. She eyed the waves hungrily. "You better watch out, Rudd. I'm coming for that trophy."

"Big talk from such a little surfer," Damon teased, his eyes sparkling.

Frankie punched his arm playfully. "I'll show you a little!"

They walked up the beach together, trading insults and surf tips. Frankie felt the familiar warmth spreading through her chest. Being with Damon was easy, and natural. He was one of the few people who knew her secret, and he'd never once treated her differently because of it.

"So, how's the whole... you know," Damon lowered his voice, glancing around to make sure no one was in earshot. "Vampire thing going?"

Frankie tensed, her good mood evaporating. "It's fine," she said curtly. "Just peachy."

Damon's eyebrows shot up. "Whoa, touchy subject?"

"No, it's just..." Frankie sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. "I don't know. It's weird, you know? Having to hide half of who I am all the time."

Damon nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I can't even imagine. But hey, you're handling it like a champ since last year. And you've got me and Dee Dee and Ted to help you out."

Frankie managed a small smile. "Yeah, I guess I do."

They reached the parking lot, where Damon had parked his beat-up Jeep. He tossed his board in the back and turned to Frankie.

"Speaking of Dee Dee, I promised I'd give her a ride to school. You want to join us?"

Frankie shook her head. "Nah, I've got to swing by home and change. I'll see you guys there."

Damon nodded, then hesitated. He leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to Frankie's cheek. "Good luck today," he murmured. "You're gonna kill it out there."

Frankie's cheeks flushed as Damon climbed into his Jeep and drove off. She touched the spot where his lips had been, a goofy grin spreading across her face. Maybe being a vampire still wasn't all bad, if it meant moments like this.

*****

The halls of Norchester Bay High were buzzing with excitement as Frankie pushed through the crowd. Posters for the surf competition were plastered every available surface, and she could hear snippets of conversation about betting pools and predictions for the winner.

"Frankie!" Dee Dee's voice cut through the noise. Frankie turned to see her best friend waving frantically from her locker.

"Hey, Dee," Frankie said, weaving through the sea of students. "What's got you so worked up?"

Dee Dee's green eyes behind her glasses were wide with excitement. "Have you seen the new girls yet?"

Frankie frowned. "New girls?"

"The Ariel sisters," Dee Dee said, as if that explained everything. When Frankie's blank look didn't change, she rolled her eyes. "Oh my god, where have you been? They just transferred in, and they're like, supermodel gorgeous. The whole school is obsessed."

As if on cue, a hush fell over the hallway. Frankie turned, following Dee Dee's awestruck gaze.

Three girls glided down the hallway, moving with an otherworldly grace, holding water bottles. They were stunning. The tallest had flowing blonde hair that seemed to shimmer in the fluorescent lights. Flanking her were two others - one with jet-black hair and mysterious dark eyes, the other a fiery redhead with a mischievous smile.

They took small, deliberate sips from their water bottles, as if they were the stars of a captivating advertisement.

"That's them," Dee Dee whispered unnecessarily. "Sereia, Nixie, and Melusine."

Frankie watched as the girls passed, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. There was something... off about them. Maybe it was the way they moved, too fluid to be entirely human. Or the way their eyes seemed to pierce right through her. And who walks while drinking water at the same time?

The blonde-haired one - Sereia, Frankie guessed - caught her staring. For a split second, Frankie could have sworn she saw a flash of sharp teeth behind that perfect smile.

Then they were gone, disappearing around the corner. The spell broken, conversation erupted once more.

"Can you believe it?" Dee Dee gushed. "I heard they're from some tiny island no one's ever heard of. God, what I wouldn't give for hair like that."

Frankie forced a laugh. "Yeah, they're something alright."

The day passed in a blur of whispers and sideways glances. Everywhere Frankie went, she heard people talking about the Ariel sisters. How beautiful they were, how mysterious, how utterly perfect.

It was getting on her nerves.

By the time the final bell rang, Frankie was more than ready to hit the waves and forget about the whole thing. She hurried to her locker, eager to grab her stuff and get out of there.

"Frankie!"

She turned to see Ted barreling towards her, his shaggy blonde hair flopping in his eyes.

"Whoa there, tiger," Frankie laughed as Ted skidded to a stop in front of her. "What's the rush?"

Ted's blue eyes sparkled with excitement. "Dude, you are not gonna believe this. I just overheard Coach talking to the new girls. They're entering the Back-to-School surf competition!"

Frankie's stomach dropped. "What? But they just got here. How could they possibly-"

"I don't know, man, but they're in," Ted said, shaking his head in disbelief. "And get this - apparently they're some kind of surfing prodigies or something. Coach was practically drooling."

Frankie slammed her locker shut with more force than necessary. "Great. That's just great."

Ted raised an eyebrow. "Uh oh, I know that look. You're not worried, are you? Come on, Frankie, you're the best surfer in Norchester Bay. No way some random new girls are gonna beat you."

Frankie managed a weak smile. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just being paranoid."

But as they walked out to the parking lot, Frankie couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

*****

The beach was packed by the time Frankie arrived, surfboard in hand. She scanned the crowd, looking for familiar faces. Dee Dee waved from her spot near the judges' stand, and Ted was chatting up a group of giggling freshmen.

But where was Damon?

Frankie frowned, standing on her tiptoes to get a better view. He'd promised to be here early to cheer her on. It wasn't like him to-

Her thoughts screeched to a halt as she finally spotted him. Damon was standing at the edge of the water, deep in conversation with none other than Sereia Ariel. The blonde-haired girl was leaning in close, one hand resting on Damon's arm. And Damon... Damon was staring at her like she'd hung the moon and stars.

Frankie's vision went red - literally. She blinked hard, willing her vampire side back under control. This was not the time for glowing eyes and fangs.

She stormed over to them, plastering on her best fake smile. "Hey guys," she said, her voice sickly sweet. "What's going on?"

Damon turned, and for a moment, Frankie could have sworn he looked... confused. Like he didn't quite recognize her. Then he blinked, and his usual simple grin slid back into place.

"Oh, hey Frankie," he said. "I was just talking to Sereia here about the competition. Did you know she's won like, a dozen international titles?"

Sereia smiled, and Frankie felt a chill run down her spine. There was something predatory in that smile, something that set her vampire senses on high alert.

"Oh, Damon's exaggerating," Sereia said, her voice melodic and strangely hypnotic. "I'm sure I'm no match for the famous Frankie Rivera."

Frankie gritted her teeth. "Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough, won't we?"

An awkward silence fell over the group. Frankie glared at Damon, willing him to say something, anything. But he just stood there, looking vaguely uncomfortable.

Finally, Sereia broke the tension. "Well, I should go warm up. It was lovely meeting you, Frankie. Good luck out there."

She sauntered off, leaving Frankie alone with Damon. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

"So," Frankie said finally. "International titles, huh?"

Damon ran a hand through his hair, not quite meeting her eyes. "Yeah, I guess. Look, Frankie-"

"Save it," Frankie snapped. "I've got a competition to win."

She turned on her heel, striding towards the water. Her enhanced hearing picked up Damon's frustrated sigh behind her, but she didn't look back.

The competition was brutal. Wave after perfect wave rolled in, and Frankie rode them with everything she had. But no matter how high she flew or how perfectly she carved through the water, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was fighting a losing battle.

The Ariel sisters were... unreal. They moved through the water like they were born to it, pulling off tricks Frankie had only seen in professional competitions. The crowd went wild every time one of them caught a wave, and even the judges looked impressed.

By the time the last heat rolled around, Frankie was exhausted and demoralized. She paddled out next to Sereia, determined to at least go down fighting.

"Not bad out there," Sereia said, her voice carrying easily over the waves. "For a land-dweller, I mean."

Frankie's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Sereia's laugh was like bells chiming. "Oh, nothing. Just making conversation. Although..." she leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'd be careful if I were you. You're not the only one with secrets in this town."

Frankie recoiled like Sereia has slapped her face. "Secrets? What secrets -”

But before she could finish, a massive wave rose behind them. Sereia flashed her a wicked grin, then spun her board around and took off.

Frankie hesitated for a split second too long. By the time she caught up, Sereia was already carving through the wave with inhuman grace. Frankie pushed herself harder, determined to at least make it close.

She was so focused on catching up that she didn't see Sereia's hand move under the water. Didn't notice the unnatural way the wave suddenly shifted.

One moment, Frankie was riding high. The next, she was tumbling through the water, her board yanked out from under her. She hit the surface hard; the impact knocking the wind out of her.

For a terrifying moment, Frankie couldn't tell which way was up. Her lungs burned as she thrashed in the water. Then muscular arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her to the surface.

She broke through, gasping for air. Damon's worried face swam into view.

"Frankie! Are you okay?"

She coughed, spitting out seawater. "I'm fine," she managed. "What happened?"

Damon shook his head. "I don't know. One second you were up, the next... God, Frankie, you scared the hell out of me."

Frankie looked around, searching for Sereia. But the blonde-haired girl was already on the beach, surrounded by a cheering crowd.

"Come on," Damon said gently. "Let's get you out of the water."

He helped her to shore, where Dee Dee and Ted were waiting with worried expressions. Frankie barely heard their concerned questions. She locked her eyes on Sereia, who was accepting congratulations from the judges.

"I can't believe it," Ted was saying. "I've never seen anything like that. It's like the wave just... turned on you."

Frankie's fists clenched at her sides. "Yeah," she breathed. "Funny how that happened."

*****

The awards ceremony had just ended, with Sereia taking first place and Frankie settling for third. As the crowd dispersed, Frankie searched for Damon, wanting nothing more than comfort after her devastating loss. She wandered past the judge's tent, hearing muffled voices behind it.

"You were amazing out there," she heard Damon say, his voice filled with an adoration that made her stomach clench. "Like a goddess of the sea.”

Frankie froze, her enhanced hearing picking up every word. She peered around the corner and her world shattered. There was Damon, her Damon, kissing Sereia with an intensity that made her physically ill. Sereia had one hand tangled in his hair while the other clutched her gold medal.

"What the hell is this?" Frankie's voice cracked as she stepped into view.

They broke apart, Damon looking dazed and confused while Sereia's lips curled into a triumphant smile.

"Frankie!" Damon blinked rapidly, as if coming out of a trance. "I... I can explain..."

"Can you?" Frankie's hands trembled at her sides. "Because I'd love to hear how you explain kissing her right after my competition."

"He's my trophy now," Sereia declared, wrapping an arm possessively around Damon's waist. "Winners get the spoils, isn't that how it works?"

"Trophy?" Frankie's voice rose. "He's not some prize to be won!"

"Frankie..." Damon's voice sounded strange, distant. His eyes had that same confused look from earlier at the beach. "I think... I think we need to break up."

The words hit her like a physical blow. "What? Damon, this isn't you. Something's wrong-"

"Nothing's wrong," he interrupted, though his voice remained oddly flat. "Things change. People change. I'm sorry."

"Listen to yourself!" Frankie stepped forward, searching his face for any sign of the boy she knew. "This morning everything was fine. We were happy! And now suddenly you're breaking up with me for her?"

"It's over, Frankie," Damon said mechanically. "Please, just accept it."

Sereia's laugh tinkled like wind chimes. "Oh, honey. Did you really think you could keep him? You're not exactly his type anymore... are you?"

The knowing look in Sereia's eyes sent chills down Frankie's spine. Her expression felt so powerful that it made Frankie feel ashamed and submissive.

Tears burned in Frankie's eyes as she backed away. "Damon, please..."

But he just stood there, expression blank, as Sereia pressed herself closer to him.

Something inside Frankie broke. First the competition, now this. It was too much. She turned and ran, vampire speed carrying her far from the beach before the first sob escaped. She didn't stop until she reached home, collapsing onto her bed as the tears finally overtook her.

Her phone buzzed repeatedly with messages from concerned friends, but she couldn't bring herself to respond. How could she explain what had happened when she didn't understand it herself? All she knew was that in the space of one day, she'd lost both the competition and the boy she loved - and somehow, deep in her gut, she knew this was only the beginning.

*****

The full moon cast an eerie glow over Norchester Bay, its light dancing across the gentle waves. Frankie stood at the water's edge, toes digging into the cool sand. She inhaled deeply, savoring the salty air that filled her lungs. It was well past midnight, but sleep eluded her. Again.

Ever since her transformation, Frankie found herself drawn to the ocean at night. The shadows and silence replaced the usual crowds of sunbathers and surfers across the deserted beach. Perfect for a vampire with a secret to keep and cleanse the anxiety from her mind.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

She stripped down to her red bikini and waded into the water. The chill sent a shiver down her spine, but Frankie welcomed it. Anything to make her feel alive again.

With practiced ease, she dove beneath the surface. The water enveloped her, muffling the world above. Frankie's eyes adjusted quickly, another perk of her new condition. She propelled herself forward with powerful strokes, reveling in the freedom of movement.

A silvery flash caught her eye—a lone striped bass gliding through the moonlit water. Without hesitation, Frankie's predatory instincts took over. She cut through the water with supernatural speed, her movements fluid and precise. The fish darted away, but it was no match for her enhanced abilities. Her fingers closed around its slick, writhing body.

Breaking the surface, Frankie's fangs extended involuntarily at the prospect of fresh blood. She'd discovered this guilty pleasure last year—the primal satisfaction of hunting in the ocean. Though animal blood couldn't fully satisfy her hunger like human blood, there was something intoxicating about feeding in her natural state, surrounded by the vast darkness of the sea. But still better than attacking humans for their blood without their consent.

Her sharp teeth pierced the fish's flesh just behind its gills. The first drop of blood hit her tongue—briny and metallic, with an underlying sweetness that sang of the ocean. Frankie's eyes fluttered closed as she drank deeply, savoring the warmth that spread through her cold body. The blood was different from her usual fare—lighter, more delicate, carrying hints of salt and minerals that reminded her of swimming in the ocean as a child.

She held the fish closer, careful not to waste a single drop as its life force flowed into her. Its struggles grew weaker as she fed, scales brushing against her lips. There was something intimate about feeding this way, something that connected her to her most basic vampire nature while making her feel strangely human at the same time.

But something was... off.

Frankie paused, treading water as she scanned the murky depths around her. An unsettling prickle replaced the usual sense of peace that accompanied at the back of her neck.

Something was watching her.

Her enhanced senses kicked into overdrive. Frankie released the dead fish and spun in a slow circle, straining to glimpse whatever lurked in the shadows. Nothing but darkness and the faint outline of rocks loomed in the distance.

A flash of movement to her left.

Frankie whirled, heart pounding. For a split second, she could have sworn she saw... something. A flicker of scales? A flash of inhuman eyes?

She shook her head, trying to clear the fog of paranoia. "Get it together, Rivera," she muttered. "You are the only predator of the night here.”

But the uneasy feeling persisted as Frankie swam back to shore. She couldn't shake the sensation of being watched, even as she toweled off and hurried home.

Sleep didn't come easy that night.

*****

The hallways of Norchester Bay High School buzzed with nervous energy. Frankie shouldered her way through the crowd, catching snippets of hushed conversations.

"Did you hear about Mr. Jenkins?"

"... third person this week..."

"... just vanished into thin air..."

She reached her locker, grimacing as she spun the combination lock. The disappearances were all anyone could talk about lately. It had started with a couple of tourists—not entirely unusual for a sleepy coastal town. But then locals vanished without a trace.

"Earth to Frankie!"

Dee Dee's voice snapped her out of her brooding. Frankie blinked, focusing on her best friend's concerned face.

"You okay?" Dee Dee asked, leaning against the neighboring locker after she brushed her curly red hair off her freckled face.. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Or, y'know, whatever's scarier than a ghost to someone who's already undead."

Frankie managed a weak smile. "Just tired. Didn't sleep well."

Dee Dee's eyes narrowed. "Midnight munchies again?"

"No!" Frankie hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. She lowered her voice. "I've got it under control. It's just... this whole disappearance thing has me on edge."

"Join the club," Dee Dee sighed. "My mom's talking about enforcing a curfew. As if that'll stop whatever's snatching people."

The warning bell rang, cutting their conversation short. Frankie slammed her locker shut. "I'll catch you at lunch?"

Dee Dee nodded, already being swept along by the crowd. "Try not to brood too hard in class, Count Draculette!"

Frankie rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Trust Dee Dee to find humor in even the darkest situations.

She made her way to history class, sliding into her usual seat near the back. As Mr. Durham droned on about the Civil War, Frankie found her gaze drawn to the window. The ocean glimmered in the distance, deceptively calm.

What secrets was it hiding?

*****

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of lectures and worried whispers. By the time lunch rolled around, Frankie was desperate for a break from the tension. She headed for the cafeteria, hoping to find Dee Dee and Ted.

Nature called before she could make it there. With a sigh, Frankie pushed open the door to the girls' restroom. She was washing her hands when the door swung open again.

"I'm telling you, this town is *beyond* lame," a familiar voice drawled. "If I have to suffer through one more small-town clambake, I might actually die of boredom."

Frankie froze. The Ariel sisters.

Without thinking, she darted into the nearest stall, pulling her feet up onto the toilet seat. Through the crack in the door, she watched as Sereia, Nixie, and Melusine sauntered in.

"Patience, sister," Sereia purred, leaning close to the mirror. She ran a hand through her shiny blonde hair. "Good things come to those who wait."

Nixie snorted, pulling a tube of lipstick from her bag. "Easy for you to say. You're the one who gets to have all the fun, especially with your human toy, Damon.”

Frankie’s heart dropped. Damon? Human toy?

"There's plenty to go around," Melusine chimed in with a wicked grin. "Did you see the way that lifeguard was eyeing me yesterday? Talk about a snack."

Frankie's stomach churned. There was something... off about the way they were talking. Like they were speaking in code.

"Now, now," Sereia chided. "We mustn't be greedy. Norchester Bay has such... delectable offerings. It would be a shame to draw too much attention too quickly."

"Fine," Nixie huffed. "But I call dibs on the next one. A girl's got to eat."

Frankie leaned forward, straining to catch every word. Her elbow bumped the toilet paper dispenser.

The metallic rattle echoed through the bathroom.

Frankie's heart stopped.

For a long moment, silence reigned. Then Melusine's voice, low and dangerous: "We're not alone."

"Relax," Sereia said smoothly. "Probably just someone powdering their nose. No need to be paranoid."

Frankie held her breath, willing her heart to stop pounding so loudly. She could hear the click of heels on tile as one sister—Nixie, she thought—approached her stall.

"Hello?" Nixie called out, her voice syrupy sweet. "Anyone in there?"

Frankie squeezed her eyes shut. Don't answer. Don't move. Don't even breathe.

After what felt like an eternity, Nixie's footsteps retreated.

"See?" Sereia said. "Nothing to worry about. Now, let's go find that delicious boy you were telling me about, Melusine. I'm in the mood for a... snack."

The sisters turned toward the door, but as they did, Frankie caught their reflection in the mirror—and her blood turned to ice.

Where there should have been three beautiful girls, she saw monsters. Sharp teeth glinted in too-wide mouths. Scales shimmered along their green skin where smooth flesh should be. Their eyes—their terrible, inhuman eyes—glowed with predatory hunger. For a split second, their true nature was revealed in the mirror's unforgiving glass.

Then they were gone, the bathroom door swinging shut behind them with a soft whoosh.

Frankie waited another full minute before daring to move. She stumbled out of the stall on shaky legs, gripping the edge of the sink for support. Her mind raced with what she'd just witnessed.

The Ariel sisters weren't human.

They were something far, far worse.

*****

Frankie burst into the cafeteria, scanning the crowded room frantically. She spotted Dee Dee and Ted at their usual table and made a beeline for them.

"Whoa, slow down there, Speed Racer," Ted said as Frankie practically skidded to a stop beside them. "What's the rush? Did they run out of O-negative in the lunch line again?"

"Not funny," Frankie hissed, sliding onto the bench. She leaned in close, lowering her voice. "I need to talk to you guys. *Now*. It's important."

Dee Dee's eyebrows shot up. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a—"

"If you say ghost, I swear I'll bite you," Frankie growled.

"Okay, okay," Dee Dee held up her hands in surrender. "Spill it, Fang Face. What's got your cape in a twist?"

Frankie took a deep breath, trying to organize her racing thoughts. "It's the Ariel sisters. I... I think they might be behind the disappearances."

Ted choked on his milk. "What? Come on, Frankie. I know they're grade-A mean girls, but that's a pretty big leap from 'catty' to 'kidnapper.'"

"I'm freaking serious," Frankie insisted. "I overheard them in the bathroom. They were talking about... about eating people. And I saw—" She broke off, shaking her head. "You're going to think I'm crazy."

"Really," Dee Dee quipped. But her voice softened as she saw the genuine fear in Frankie's eyes. "We saw vampire pirates, and you told us you met a werewolf cheerleader in the Bahamas. What else did you saw that could be worse?”

Frankie swallowed hard. "Their reflections. For just a second, it was like... like they weren't human. I saw scales, and teeth, and these creepy glowing eyes."

A heavy silence fell over the table. Ted and Dee Dee exchanged worried glances.

"Frankie," Ted mumbled. "Are you sure you're not just... y'know... projecting? I mean, with everything that's been going on lately—"

"I'm not making this up!" Frankie snapped, louder than she intended. A few heads turned in their direction. She lowered her voice again. "Look, I know how it sounds. But you have to believe me. Something is seriously wrong with those girls."

Dee Dee drummed her fingers on the table, brow furrowed in thought. "Okay, let's say for argument's sake that you're right. That the Stepford Sisters are some kind of... what? Fish monsters?"

"Mermaids," Ted supplied helpfully. When Frankie and Dee Dee stared at him, he shrugged. "What? If they’re fish girls, it makes sense. Fish girls are mermaids, just like The Little Mermaid.”

"Fine. Mermaids," Dee Dee conceded. "So what do we do about it? It's not like we can go to Principal Harrison and say, 'Excuse me, sir, but we think the new girls might be part salmon.'"

Frankie ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. "I don't know. But we have to do *something*. People are disappearing, and I think they're behind it."

"Research," Ted suggested. "The school library should have a book about fish people.”

"That's not a terrible idea," Dee Dee mused. "Our school should have a record of sea myths to study.”

Frankie nodded slowly. "It's a start, at least. They should tell us a weakness or something.”

"Great," Ted grinned. "Reading time!”

As if on cue, a peal of laughter echoed through the cafeteria. Frankie turned to see the Ariel sisters gliding into the room, all eyes drawn to their ethereal beauty.

Sereia's gaze swept the room, landing briefly on Frankie. A small, knowing smile played at her lips.

A chill ran down Frankie's spine.

"Everything," she murmured. "Everything could go wrong."

*****

Frankie drummed her fingers against the library table, watching dust motes dance in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows. Her fangs itched—they always did when she was anxious—but she forced herself to focus on the mountain of books Dee Dee had stacked between them.

"Could this work?" she whispered, eyeing the ancient texts. "Would we actually find accurate information on… Fish monsters?”

Dee Dee's response was to slam down a massive leather-bound volume, sending a cloud of dust into the air. "Look!" She jabbed her finger at an illustration, nearly tearing the brittle page. The image showed three women with razor-sharp teeth and scales, their bodies twisting into serpentine tails.

Frankie leaned forward, her heart skipping. The creatures in the drawing look like the Ariel Sisters’ monstrous reflections she saw.

"Sirens," Dee Dee said, her voice trembling with excitement. "That's what they are. Man-eating mermaids with hypnotic powers."

Ted, sprawled in the chair next to them, shot upright. "Hold up. Like, literal man-eating? Because that's both awesome and terrifying."

"Keep your voice down," Frankie hissed, glancing around the empty library. "The last thing we need is—"

"Ladies!" Ms. Dotson's shrill voice cut through the air. The librarian glared at them from behind her desk. "This is a place of learning, not a social club."

Frankie forced a smile. "Sorry, Ms. Dotson." She waited until the librarian turned away before leaning closer to Dee Dee. "What else does it say?"

Dee Dee's fingers traced the ancient text. "According to this, they were originally human women who used witchcraft to swim without drowning. But if they stay in the water too long—or die there—they become these immortal fish monsters. They need human flesh to maintain their immortality and beauty.”

"Gross," Ted muttered, but he couldn't hide his fascination.

"That's not all," Dee Dee continued. "They can walk on land in human form as long as they stay hydrated. Sound familiar?"

Frankie thought about the water bottles the Ariel Sisters always carried, how they went nowhere without them. "That's why they're always drinking water."

"And why they're targeting swimmers and surfers," Ted added. "Easy prey in the water."

Frankie's mind raced to Damon—to the vacant look in his eyes when he'd dumped her, to how he followed Sereia around like a lost puppy. She also remembered Nixie calling Damon a human toy in the restroom. "They've got Damon under their spell too. We have to break it to free him.”

"Before or after they turn Norchester Bay into an all-you-can-eat buffet?" Ted asked.

"Both." Frankie stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "How do we kill them?"

Ms. Dotson's head snapped up. "What was that about killing?"

"Killing time!" Ted called back with an innocent grin. "You know, studying so hard it's like we're killing time."

Dee Dee waited until Ms. Dotson looked away again before flipping to another page. Her eyes widened. "Here. They can only be killed with a bronze hook. Kind of like how silver can kill vampires and werewolves.”

"A bronze hook?" Frankie frowned. "Where are we supposed to find—"

"My uncle's antique shop," Ted interrupted, sitting up straighter. "He's got all kinds of weird old fishing gear. Pretty sure I saw some bronze hooks in there last week."

"Perfect." Frankie grabbed her backpack. "Let's go."

"Wait." Dee Dee caught her arm. "We need a plan. We can't just walk up and stab them with a hook. They'll see us coming."

"Plus, their song thing," Ted added. "One note and we're all zombie chow."

Frankie sank back into her chair. "You're right. We need a trap."

"The beach party," Ted said suddenly. "Everyone's going to be there Friday night. Including the sisters."

"Are you insane?" Dee Dee stared at him. "You want to take them on with witnesses around?"

"No, he's right." Frankie leaned forward, lowering her voice. "It's perfect. They'll be distracted by all the people. Plus, they won't expect an attack during their own hunting ground party."

"One problem," Ted said. "Their hypno-song affects guys worse than girls. The second they start singing, I'm useless."

A slow grin spread across Dee Dee's face. "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Frankie asked.

"Unless you're too high to be hypnotized."

Ted's eyes lit up. "Dee Dee Matthews, you beautiful genius."

"It could work," Frankie said slowly. "Ted acts as bait, draws them away from the crowd—"

"While you go all vampire ninja on them with the hook," Ted finished.

"And I'll run interference, keep anyone from seeing what's really going on," Dee Dee added.

Ms. Dotson's heels clicked against the floor as she approached their table. "If you're not actually studying, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"No problem," Frankie said, standing. "We got what we needed."

They gathered their things quickly, Ted practically bouncing with nervous energy as they headed for the door. Outside, the late afternoon sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink. A cool breeze carried the salt smell of the ocean.

"Ted, get that hook," Frankie said, adjusting her backpack. "Dee Dee, see what else you can find about their weaknesses. I'll keep an eye on them, make sure they don't suspect anything."

"What if they do?" Ted asked. "What if this all goes sideways?"

Frankie's fangs itched again, but this time she welcomed it. "Then I guess we find out if vampire beats mermaid."

"Now that's a movie I'd watch," Ted grinned.

"Just be careful," Dee Dee warned. "If anything happens to you before Friday—"

"Nothing's going to happen," Frankie assured her, even as her stomach twisted with uncertainty. "We're going to save Damon, stop the Sirens, and make sure Norchester Bay stays monster-free." She paused. “Well, the only place with one monster... Me.”

"Speaking of which," Ted said, "isn't the sun getting a little low for you to be out?"

Frankie glanced at the horizon. "Yeah, I should get home. Meet tomorrow after school?"

They nodded, and Frankie turned toward home, her mind already racing with plans. As she walked, a car drove past, music blaring from its speakers. She glimpsed Damon in the passenger seat, and Sereia behind the wheel.

Her hands clenched into fists. "Hang on, Damon," she whispered. "We're coming."

The sunset painted the sky blood-red as Frankie disappeared into the growing shadows, leaving her friends to prepare for the battle ahead. In two days, they'd either save Norchester Bay, or they'd give the Sirens exactly what they wanted—fresh prey served up on a silver platter at the beach party of the year.

But Frankie had fought monsters before. Hell, she was one now. And if these fish-faced freaks thought they could take her to town without a fight, they were in for one hell of a surprise.

She just hoped the bronze hook would be enough to send them back to whatever deep-sea horror show they came from. Because if it wasn't, Norchester Bay was about to become an all-you-can-eat buffet—and everyone she loved was on the menu.

*****

The bass from Ted's speaker system thumped across Norchester Bay, mixing with the crash of waves and teenage laughter. Frankie crouched behind a cluster of rocks, wearing a red shirt and black swim shorts, watching the beach party unfold below. The bronze hook felt cold against her hip where she'd strapped it, a constant reminder of what was at stake.

"You sure about this?" Dee Dee whispered beside her, fiddling with the seashell bracelet she always wore. "Using Ted as bait seems... I don't know, extremely stupid?"

"Ted's idea," Frankie reminded her, though her stomach churned at the thought. "Besides, you've seen how the Sirens operate. They can't resist a crowd."

As if on cue, three figures emerged from the surf—the Ariel sisters, looking like they'd stepped straight out of a magazine shoot. Their wet hair gleamed in the moonlight, and their bikinis exposed their shimmering skin. If Frankie hadn't seen their true forms, she might have bought the whole "exchange student" act herself.

Sereia led the way, her blonde hair catching the bonfire's glow. Nixie and Melusine flanked her, predatory grace in every step. They moved through the crowd of partying teens like sharks through a school of fish, drawing appreciative stares.

"Here we go," Frankie muttered, watching Ted notice their arrival. He was playing his part perfectly—the laid-back surfer dude, totally mesmerized by their beauty. He stumbled toward them, drink in hand, looking exactly like every other guy they'd enchanted.

Then Damon stepped into view, and Frankie's dead heart somehow skipped a beat. He stood at Sereia's side like a puppet on strings, his usually warm brown eyes glazed and distant. Seeing him like this made her want to charge down there and rip Sereia's throat out, vampire style.

"Focus," Dee Dee hissed, grabbing her arm. "We stick to the plan."

Right. The plan. Lure them to the cave, trap them inside, take them down with the bronze hook. Simple. Until Sereia's voice floated across the beach, sweet and deadly as poison.

"*Come closer, precious ones...*"

The singing started soft, almost subliminal beneath the music. But Frankie saw its effect ripple through the crowd. Dancers slowed, conversations died, and eyes went glassy. Even Dee Dee swayed slightly before shaking it off.

"Okay, that's creepy," she muttered.

Ted stumbled closer to the Sirens, playing up his enchantment. "Your voice... it's like, totally amazing," he slurred, adding a dopey grin that would have made Frankie laugh in any other situation.

Sereia's lips curved into a predatory smile. "Would you like to hear more? Somewhere more... private?"

"Totally," Ted agreed, gesturing vaguely toward the cave. "There's this awesome spot just over there. Great acoustics."

Frankie held her breath as the Sirens exchanged looks. Come on, take the bait...

"Lead the way, handsome," Nixie purred, and the trio followed Ted toward the cave entrance. Perfect. Everything was going according to—

"Damon," Sereia called over her shoulder. "Make sure we're not disturbed."

Frankie's muscles tensed as Damon moved to guard the cave entrance, his stance rigid and unnatural. This wasn't part of the plan. She looked at Dee Dee, whose face had gone pale.

"We can't hurt him," Dee Dee whispered.

"We won't," Frankie promised, though she did not know how to keep it. "New plan. I'll handle Damon, you help Ted."

Before Dee Dee could argue, Frankie was moving, using her vampire speed to blur across the beach. She materialized in front of Damon, close enough to see the emptiness in his eyes.

"Hey, surf boy," she hissed. "Remember me?"

He stared through her, raising his fists. "No one disturbs the Sisters."

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Frankie dodged his first punch easily—vampire reflexes had their perks. "Come on, Damon. I know you're in there somewhere."

Inside the cave, she heard Ted's voice rise in panic. The splashing of water. A hiss that definitely wasn't human. Time was running out.

Damon swung again, and this time she had to block instead of dodge. The impact jarred through her arm. He was strong—too strong. The Sirens' magic must have enhanced him somehow.

"Frankie!" Dee Dee's scream echoed from the cave. "They're changing!"

Another splash, followed by an inhuman shriek. The sound of scales scraping against rock. Frankie's enhanced hearing picked up everything, including Ted's racing heartbeat.

Damon grabbed her arm, trying to pin her. His grip was like iron, his eyes still vacant. Frankie felt desperation rise in her chest, burning like thirst. Her friends were in danger. Damon was trapped. And she was running out of options.

The vampire power inside her surged, responding to her fear and rage. Usually, she kept it contained, controlled. But now...

Frankie threw back her head and *screamed*.

The sound ripped from her throat like a physical force, echoing with supernatural power. Damon stumbled backward, his hands flying to his ears. All along the beach, enchanted partiers snapped out of their trances, looking around in confusion.

In the cave, something screeched in response—something ancient and angry.

"Uhhhhhhhhh," Damon groaned, blinking rapidly. His eyes cleared, focusing on her face. "Frankie? What's happening?"

"Short version? Evil mermaids. Stay here." She pushed him behind her just as Sereia burst from the cave entrance, scales gleaming wet in the moonlight, fangs bared in fury.

The Siren's beautiful human disguise was gone, replaced by something straight out of a horror movie. Her dark green hair writhed like live snakes, her naked skin rippled with iridescent scales, and her legs had fused into a powerful tail.

"What?" Sereia's voice was still musical, but now it held the screech of gulls and the crash of storm waves. "You?”

Frankie reached for the bronze hook, her fingers closing around its familiar weight. "Yeah," she said, "I’m a vampire, bitch! And you’re trespassing on my beach!”

Sereia lunged, inhumanly fast. But Frankie was faster. She dove aside, rolling across the sand as Nixie and Melusine emerged behind their sister, both in full Siren form with the same dark hair styles. Their tails left grooves in the sand as they moved, predatory grace in every motion.

"Get Ted and Dee Dee out!" Frankie shouted to Damon, who stood frozen in shock. "I've got this!"

"You've got nothing," Melusine hissed, her claws slashing the air where Frankie's head had been a moment before.

The fight spilled into the surf, exactly where Frankie didn't want it. But she had no choice. The Sirens were herding her toward the water, working together with centuries of practice. A tail swept her legs, sending her splashing into the waves.

Salt water stung her eyes as she went under. In the moonlit murk, she saw three sinuous shapes circling her, their scales catching what little light penetrated the surface. This was their domain. Their hunting ground.

But they'd never hunted a vampire before.

Frankie kicked hard, shooting through the water like a torpedo. She didn't need to breathe—another vampire perk—and the hook gleamed bronze in her hand. Nixie darted in, fast as a shark, but Frankie twisted aside at the last second. The hook caught Nixie's scales, drawing a line of dark blood through the water.

Melusine attacked from behind, her claws raking Frankie's back. Pain flared, but Frankie used the momentum to spin, driving her elbow into the Siren's throat. Bubbles erupted from Melusine's mouth as she reeled back.

Then Sereia's voice pierced the water—not singing this time, but a subsonic pulse that made Frankie's bones vibrate. The water itself seemed to compress around her, crushing, disorienting. Dark spots danced in her vision.

No. She hadn't come this far to fail now.

Frankie let the vampire inside her fully emerge. Her eyes blazed red in the darkness, her fangs extended, and strength surged through her limbs. She pushed against the pressure of Sereia's song, blade first, aiming for the Siren's heart.

Sereia's eyes widened in surprise—just for a moment, but it was enough. The bronze hook plunged home.

The song cut off. The pressure vanished. Frankie watched as Sereia's form went limp, dissolving into sea foam that dissipated in the current. A high-pitched keen of grief cut through the water as Nixie and Melusine realized their sister was gone.

They fled into the depths, their forms quickly swallowed by darkness. The water grew still.

Frankie kicked to the surface, breaking through with a gasp more from habit than necessity. The beach was chaos—confused teenagers stumbling around, trying to make sense of what they'd seen. Ted and Dee Dee stood at the water's edge, supporting a dazed-looking Damon between them.

She'd done it. She'd actually done it.

The bronze hook felt heavier now as she swam toward shore, its job finished. At least for tonight. Something told her the last two sisters might return to Norchester Bay.

But that was okay. If they come back for vengeance, Frankie will be ready.

*****

The sunrise painted Norchester Bay in shades of gold and pink, but Frankie wasn't admiring the view. She stood at the edge of the beach, watching the last few stragglers from the party stumble around in confusion. Their eyes glazed, memories of the night before slowly fading like morning mist.

"Forget the Ariel Sisters," Frankie commanded, her voice carrying that weird echo she still wasn't used to while her eyes glowed red. "They were just some girls passing through town. Nothing special about them."

The remaining partiers nodded dreamily and wandered off toward their cars. Frankie's throat burned—using vampire powers always made her thirsty—but she pushed the feeling down. She had bigger problems than fish blood cravings right now.

"That's the last of them," Dee Dee said, coming up beside her. She kicked at a red Solo cup half-buried in the sand. "You know, I thought we would never fight murderous mermaids from the sea."

"Sorry to disappoint." Frankie managed a grin. "Next time I'll try to find some preppier monsters to fight."

"You better." Dee Dee bumped her shoulder. "These ones ruined my favorite sweater."

Ted jogged over, his usually perfect hair sticking up in about twelve different directions. "Hey, speaking of ruined things, anyone seen my board? Last I remember, I was using it to smack Nixie in the face."

"Dude." Frankie raised an eyebrow. "You hit a Siren with your surfboard?"

"She was trying to eat me!" Ted threw up his hands. "What was I supposed to do, offer her a breath mint?"

"Found it!" Dee Dee called from near the water. She pointed to where Ted's board was floating, somehow intact despite everything. "Looks like it survived."

"Yes!" Ted punched the air and ran to retrieve it. "The Ted-ster lives to surf another day!"

Frankie watched him splash into the waves, already chattering about how this would make an awesome story—once they changed all the important details, of course. The normalcy of it made her chest ache. How long before the next monster showed up? How many more times would she have to fight to keep her friends safe?

"Hey." A familiar voice sent her heart stuttering. "Room for one more on monster patrol?"

Damon stood a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets. His dreads were damp with seawater, and there was a nasty scratch on his cheek from where Melusine had caught him with her claws. But his eyes were clear now, free of the Sirens' influence.

"Depends." Frankie crossed her arms. "You planning on dumping me for any more evil mermaids?"

"About that..." Damon winced. "I'm sorry. I know it wasn't really my fault, but still. Being mind-controlled sucked."

"Yeah, well." Frankie kicked at the sand. "Maybe next time a mysterious hot girl shows up and suddenly wants to date you, consider that she might be trying to eat your soul."

"No mysterious hot girls," Damon promised. He stepped closer, close enough that Frankie could smell salt water and surf wax. "I'm kind of into vampire surfer girls now. Just one specific vampire surfer girl, actually."

"Oh yeah?" Frankie tried to keep her voice casual, but her traitor heart was doing backflips. "And how's that working out for you?"

"Pretty good." His hand found hers, warm against her always-cold skin. "Though she did throw me into the ocean last night when I was being mind-controlled. Twice."

"You deserved it." But Frankie was smiling now, unable to help herself. "And technically, the second time was because you were trying to stop me from stabbing Sereia with the hook. Which, by the way, rude."

"My bad." Damon tugged her closer. "How can I make it up to you?"

Frankie pretended to think about it. "Well, you could start by—"

"Oh my god, just kiss already!" Dee Dee shouted from the water. "Some of us have been third-wheeling this teen supernatural drama for weeks!"

"Yeah!" Ted chimed in. "Get it, girl! Show that mind-controlled himbo what he's been missing!"

"I hate my friends," Frankie muttered, but she was laughing. And when Damon's lips met hers, tasting like salt and sunrise, she decided maybe being a vampire wasn't so bad after all. At least the whole no-breathing thing meant she could kiss for as long as she wanted.

"Cowabunga, dude!" Ted shouted. “Now take her to your room and domain her like a shark!”

Frankie broke away just long enough to flip him off, then pulled Damon back in. The sun was rising higher, painting everything gold, and for once she didn't mind the way it made her skin prickle. Some things were worth a little discomfort.

*****

Later, after Ted and Dee Dee had gone home to catch what sleep they could, Frankie sat on her surfboard, floating in the calm morning swells. Damon paddled up beside her, his own board gleaming in the early light.

"So," he said, "last night was pretty intense."

"Yeah." Frankie traced her fingers through the water, trying to keep it casual. "Sorry about having to throw you into the ocean. It seemed like the quickest way to break their control."

"Hey, no judgment." Damon grinned. "You saved my life. That counts for a lot."

"Even though you ended up with a mouthful of seawater?"

"Even then." He reached over, fingers brushing her arm. "Though maybe next time we could skip the part where I get mind-controlled by evil mermaids?"

"Deal." Frankie laughed, then sobered. "You know there probably will be a next time, right? Norchester Bay isn't exactly normal. There's always something weird happening."

"Good thing the town has its own supernatural lifeguard then." Damon's smile softened. "And hey, maybe next time I can help instead of being the damsel in distress."

"You weren't a damsel," Frankie protested. "You were... temporarily evil-adjacent."

"Evil-adjacent?" Damon snorted. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"Would you prefer 'mermaid boy toy'?"

"I think I liked damsel better."

A perfect wave rolled in, and they both turned to catch it. Frankie popped up onto her board with practiced grace, carving through the water. The morning sun warmed her skin, and she couldn't stop smiling. This was worth it. All of it.

Damon whooped as he rode beside her, and Frankie grinned. Let the monsters come. She had her friends; she had her boyfriend back, and she had the waves. Whatever came next, she'd handle it.

After all, she was Frankie Rivera: surfer girl, protector of Norchester Bay, and maybe something more–but that was a conversation for another day.

The wave carried them toward shore, where the morning sun turned the water to liquid gold. In the distance, Frankie thought she saw something dark move beneath the surface. But that was a problem for another day. Right now, she had a wave to catch and a boy to kiss and an entire future of supernatural shenanigans ahead of her.

And honestly? She wouldn't have it any other way.