“I wouldn’t do that.” The same girl I’d seen before entered the room, the redhead they’d called Candy.
“Let me go,” I sang.
She laughed. “That won’t work on me, darlin’.”
I swallowed and studied her hand, not seeing a promising tattoo. Then it clicked and my head sunk back into the pillows. Why hadn’t I figured out earlier that she’d been promised via polygamy? Candy wouldn’t have a tattoo if Alaster was promised to someone else, but she’d be loyal to him and unaffected by the song.
“What am I doing here?”
“Curing cancer.” Her eyes crinkled with her huge grin. “But you need to be cooperative, or else I’ll do this.” She pulled out something from her pocket and pressed her thumb against it. The light around my neck turned off. Instantly, my fin spread from my hips, silver and sleek, and busted through the sheet tucked under the mattress. The second it happened, I began to crave the water.
An evil grin spread over her lips. “Uncomfortable, isn’t it?”
“Not at all,” I sneered at her, then swiped my tail upward, aiming for the restraints. The barb sliced through the binds on my left wrist, then the right. Her eyes widened in fright.
With a wicked laugh, I launched myself off the bed, yanking and ripping out the cords tethered to me. I landed in front of her, grasping for her ankle. She screamed, tripping on her overly high-heels, and fell on her butt in the hall. I slapped my hands to propel me forward. My scales squeaked as they rubbed against the linoleum floor, competing with her incessant shrieks. I had this one chance to get free, but I had to get my hands on that remote.
She skittered away from me like a crab, but as the adrenaline evaporated, exhaustion set in. I stopped, wheezing for air. Once Candy realized I’d never catch her, she popped to her feet. Then her eyes lifted to something behind me.
I flipped over, tail barb out.
“Are you done fighting?” Alaster asked from further down the hall.
Whipping my tail around, I poised myself to sting him in the leg. Then the light turned on. My tail split into two legs before contact. But that didn’t matter; I jumped to my feet to charge him anyway. Then the light flickered out. I fell onto the floor with a loud thwack, fished out again. Groaning, I worked to catch my breath when the light came back on. My legs returned, but I wasn’t going to go through that again. Placing my palms on the floor, I remained on all fours.
“I like you cowering before me like a dog,” he bit.
The opened seam of board shorts, exposing my junk, made this all the more humiliating, but I wouldn’t let him see that it bothered me. He’d make a mistake and when he did, I’d strike him dead.
“You finished?” I asked, “because I can do this all night.”
“Can you?” He pressed the button again, making me shift. “Actually, without water, things might get a little… difficult.”
I rolled over and began scooting away from him on my backside.
Alaster’s eyes tightened. “Looks like I’m going to have to teach you to behave.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
The pinch in my shoulder made me reach back. Something fuzzy stuck out of my skin. I tugged it out, finding a dart with a red tip. My vision started growing fuzzy, my limbs weak. The dart fell out of my fingertips onto the floor. A girl’s laughter echoed in my head. I tried to stay upright, but my body slumped over. Eventually, I collapsed to the floor.
“Hurry, help me,” I heard Alaster say as someone grabbed me and yanked.
I willed myself to fight against them, but my body didn’t obey. They lugged me back to the same room and dumped me on the floor. I lay on my side, not sure if I were a man or a fish.
“You will learn some manners,” my uncle grated through his teeth somewhere behind me.
I lay there, panting. No. You’re the one who needs a lesson, dear Uncle.
Somehow, someway, he’d make a mistake and I’d be ready once he did.
FIFTY-ONE – ASH – June 14 – 9:09 p.m.
“I’m confused.” Desirée sat perched on her velvet chaise inside the palace library, staring at me bewildered with piercing blue eyes.
I pushed out a measured breath, trying to keep my fidgety hands steady on my lap. I’d hoped after everything, she’d at least understand this whole thing was a setup.
“Like I said, Alaster came into the house right before I was supposed to walk down the aisle, knocked out my dad, and persuaded my sister to slip me something in my drink, then he kidnapped me. He’d also been behind this stalker, and made it look like some company was interested in my blood for a cure to cancer.”
“How is that possible? There were mer everywhere, and guards, too. They’re not persuadable.”
“Well, one of them died… I bet he was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” and Colin had to have been helping.
She crossed her arms. “I’m sorry to say this, but I think you hallucinated it, with the stress and pregnancy…”
I swallowed down my tears. Hallucinated? “Someone took me. You can’t deny that.”
“Well, even if Alaster were alive, I’d have a hard time believing he’d ever do that. He was always so kind.”
“Kind?” I chuckled bitingly and thrust my scared finger in front of her face. “He cut off my fingers so I’d look like Galadriel. Force promised me to control me, not to mention stabbing Colin in the stomach and trying to burn us alive in the basement. I know what I saw.”
“We all make mistakes, my sweet.”
My mouth hung open. Mistakes? At least the mistakes I’d made didn’t purposefully hurt people. “Well, he hasn’t changed,” I seethed. “And now he has Fin.”
“But you didn’t see him take Fin.”
I sighed, refraining from rolling my eyes. “No.”
Desirée stood, and then abruptly pulled me to my feet and into a hug, squeezing tight. “My sweet, you’ve been through a very traumatic loss—”
I pushed her away. “Fin is out there and he’s in trouble. I know it!”
Her lips pursed. “Okay. I’ll send my men to find him. Where is this building?”
“It has to be Jax or Jacob. They know where the building is.”
“Or Colin,” she said resolutely. “I would think he’d want to go, but I think we should keep your… incident…. to ourselves. That would be so painful to get Colin’s hopes up.”
I tried not to let the fact that the news bowled me over show on my face, but Colin was there, too? Dang. How was Fin ever able to escape with me and live to talk about it?
I clenched my teeth. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Colin to go, considering.”
Desirée dipped her head appraisingly. “Colin is Fin’s cousin—”
“Alaster is Fin’s Uncle!”
She looked at the floor, her chest heaving. What had happened to the woman I thought was my mother? Why didn't she believe me?
“Well, for now, you need to stay here. Because whoever took you, is still out there, and it isn’t safe on land.”
“Stay here? And do what?”
“Wait.” She took my hand and patted it patronizingly. “It’s what mermaids do.”
I swallowed down what I wanted to tell her to do with that suggestion, along with the curse words I’d use to embellish it. When it came to her loved ones, she didn’t wait. Apparently Fin wasn’t important enough, or me for that matter. She, just as I, would move heaven and hell for them, the only difference was I wouldn’t switch my child no matter what the cost.
“But for now,” she continued. “It’s best you wear this.”
Quick as a flash, she pulled a gold circle from her pocket and clasped it snuggly on my wrist before I could stop her. The heavy metal shushed with what sounded like trapped liquid inside. The Natatorian symbol was engraved in the metal.
“What is this?” I tugged on it, trying to take it off.
“It’s a bracelet that will inject sleeping serum in you if you try to leave Natatoria. It�
��s for you own good.”
“What?” I screeched.
She lifted her hands. “Now, Ash. Please… calm down.”
“I am not staying here!”
“Yes. You need to. For your safety.”
I stood. “You are not in charge of me. I’m an American citizen. I have rights.”
“Guards,” Desirée called. “Take her to the infirmary!”
“What?” I backed away when two burly men entered, one of them my earlier abductor from my house. “No! Please!”
They grabbed onto me and carted me down the hall, kicking and screaming.
FIFTY-TWO – FIN – June 15 – 8:35 a.m.
For hours, Alaster had switched me from mer to human and back again countless times. The exhaustion hit a point of hallucination. I even had a conversation with a talking donut.
I blinked, and slowly focused on a figure sitting at the other end of the dimly lit room. The orange glow coming from his neck cast sickly shadows on his ugly face that would terrorize children everywhere. He was too ghastly to be a figment of my imagination.
Though I might have been able to get up, I didn’t want to. He’d broken me and there was no fight left inside.
“Just let me die,” I begged.
Ash would be better for it anyway. She’d be free to convert and forget all about our insane way of life.
“I’m disappointed,” my uncle said. “Where’s all your sass?”
I merely grunted in disapproval. He stood and walked closer to me. I closed my eyes and cringed. When he didn’t do anything, I looked up at him and grimaced.
“Why?”
“Why what? All of this?”
I couldn’t even nod. “You could persuade anything you wanted.”
He laughed. “Yes, but… that got boring after a while.”
My eyes slid shut and he pressed the button, forcing me to shape into a fish. I grunted, wheezing for air but really wanting water.
“Stay awake!” he bellowed.
Playthings. That’s what he needed. Something to torture to make him feel powerful, alive.
“I’m trying,” I whispered.
He leaned over. “Do you know what it’s like to watch a man who’s conquered the world, amassed wealth beyond his wildest dreams, and has the respect of his peers, cower before you because you hold the key to his life?”
My eyes slid shut again unable to stay open, and he pressed the button.
“Answer me!”
“No,” I grunted, shifting into human form.
“I have. They pony up every time. Any amount I ask. They even make me amazing inventions, like this.” He tugged on his lighted collar. “It’s hilarious, really.”
“So you… manipulate people for real?”
“Why yes. It’s far more entertaining.” He straightened and returned to his chair. “But cancer is quite a hungry beast and I only have so much blood to give. And with so many people sick, I don’t have enough of a supply.”
“Is that why you want me?”
He put his hands behind his head. “Partly, yes. Partly no.”
But I knew that neither money or the accolades of humans wasn’t what he really wanted. His entire life, he’d been contending for position. A seat on the Council, Captain of the Guard, promised to a royal. And every time he was passed up, mostly by my dad. Alaster’s ultimate desire had always been for the top, for the mer to bow and revere him. My family stood in the way of that. That’s why he hated us.
He shot to his feet. “But I’m finally going to get what I really want.” His fingers snapped. “Get up. We’re going.”
Get up? I couldn’t even sit, let alone stand.
“Where?” I asked, frustrated it took all my energy just to talk.
His lips perked up in a big grin. “Home.”
FIFTY-THREE – ASH – June 15 – 9:47 a.m.
I sat in my room in the infirmary, furling and unfurling my fist around the fork I’d stolen. The fact I’d been imprisoned by my own flesh and blood not only made me enraged, but it also made me question everything. Why didn’t she believe me? To top it off, my inflamed breasts ached with milk. And although I’d bound them with a strip of fabric I’d torn from a sheet, nothing relieved the pressure.
No one had come to see me, except the same lame guard who’d brought me a meal every so many hours. But the last time, I’d kept the fork and he hadn’t noticed.
The lock clicked as the knob turned, and I startled, my muscles pulling taut. He’d be sorry he’d locked me up. The metal felt hot against my fingertips as I waited until they’d cleared the door. Then I charged.
“Whoa!” The woman darted out the way just as I stabbed the empty air. She turned and lifted her hands. “I come in peace.”
“Galadriel?” I stumbled backward, speechless. “What are you doing here?”
She pulled off her hooded robe and slid it over my shoulders, tying the cord at my neck. “I’m here to save you.”
“Save me?”
“Yes. Jax and Jacob are at the Tahoe Gate ready to take you home to find Fin.”
My mouth opened in excitement, and then I remembered. I jutted out my wrist to show her the bracelet. “They need to go without me because I can’t now.”
She flapped her hand forward. “I was afraid of that, but don’t worry.”
Her oversized beaded bag dropped to the floor with a clunk. She pulled out a flat piece of metal, which she slid between my skin and the bracelet. Then, she took out a bolt cutter.
“Ready?” she asked.
I eyed the bolt cutter but nodded all the same.
The metal crunched under the sharp jaws, then made a loud pop. The metal ring hit the floor, splattering green gunk everywhere. Sharp barbs that hadn’t been there before stuck out on the underside of the bracelet.
Galadriel jumped back, pulling me with her. “It’s cassava poison. Don’t touch it, or it’ll kill you.”
“Kill me?” I backed up, massaging my wrist. “Mother said it would make me go to sleep.”
“What?” Her mouth hinged open. “I’m beginning to think she’s lost it. No, Ash. This would have killed you, which…” she trailed off, looking horrified.
“You have to be wrong. It couldn’t have killed me.” I laughed nervously as she gawked at me. “Why are you looking at me like I’m a ghost?”
“Because Mother hasn’t told anyone you’re alive. If it weren't for Tatiana, I wouldn’t have known you were even here.”
I blinked at her. “Where’s Tatiana?”
“Mother locked her up in her room for escaping.”
I pushed out a breath, my eyes losing focus “This is insane. I have to get her free.”
“No.” She took ahold of my shoulders. “You have to get out of here. It isn’t safe. They’re having Jack’s trial in the square today. His punishment is being served.”
“What?” I asked, breathless.
“I know, but it’s the best time to sneak you out of here because everyone will be there.”
“What are they going to do to Jack?”
A grimace marred her beautiful face. “I don’t know. Charge him with something. I’m hoping not—”
“Bone Island?” I said slowly.
“Well, if you guys are on the outside, then you could go check on him, just to be sure. But Mother has never supported banishing people, so…”
I blew out a relieved breath. “Okay. What about you?”
“I have to stay here, you know… keep things in line. You never know what might happen.” She quirked a grin.
“Are you sure?” I looked into her sad eyes.
She nodded. “Do you have that ink I gave you?”
I licked my lips and shook my head. “I took it off on my wedding day.”
She removed her necklace and put it on me. I caught a glimpse of her missing fingers, of what our father had done to her when she’d disobeyed. Thank Posideon she was such a rebel.“Here. Take mine.”
“Are you sure?” I a
sked.
She forced a smile. “I have more. You just do whatever you can to find Fin, okay?”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “Okay.”
We quickly hugged, then peeked out of the door. She pointed I go to the left.
“Be safe,” she whispered.
We embraced one last time before we ran in opposite directions.
FIFTY-FOUR – FIN – June 15 – 9:48 a.m.
When I awoke again, I was in the back of a vehicle, bouncing around, rolling from side to side. The white van? Apparently whoever was driving hadn’t studied the DMV manual. I tried to brace myself with my hands, finding them bound. Then the vehicle lurched to a stop.
The back doors flew open. Sunlight poured in, blinding me. I blinked, trying to focus on my surroundings. Alaster grabbed onto my wrists and tugged me forward.
“Get out!”
My bare feet crunched on dead grass — the parking lot. Just beyond was our beach and the lake. No one was around.
I glanced over my shoulder at our house. Was Ash inside?
“Don’t worry, pretty boy. She’s in Natatoria waiting for you.” Alaster pushed me forward.
“Natatoria?” I mumbled.
Then I glanced to my right at Ash’s parents’ house. Lucy came bounding down the walkway.
“Mr. Helton! Mr. Helton!” She waved her hand, confirming my suspicions she’d been working with him. She then stopped and stared at me, mouth agape.
I looked down. My T-shirt, stained with ketchup and stinking of fish must have looked fabulous with my board shorts dangling around my waist, Velcro unfastened.
“What are you wearing?” she asked.
I closed my eyes slowly, wanting to sing, but not having the strength. This was another problem that would need fixing later.
“He’s fine,” Alaster said, voice clipped.
“Where’s Colin?” she asked, touching her lips.
Fury rose inside me. Had Colin done more than just persuade her? If so, Lucy was only fourteen and way too young to be promised. But then again, like father like son. I wanted to strangle both of them all the more.
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