“Libby, your power of persuasion works similarly to the sirens’. You use it against them to cut off their song. Royce, it’s a flower. Use your gift to swap Leyka’s flower. If you cut them off before they start, you’ll find the treasure of worlds apart.”
Libby nodded, her face a mask of concentration. Royce held two thumbs up.
I looked over at the others. “I’ll hold the water for you to get back on the boat, then we’ll take off. The sirens are close. If we’re not back in thirty minutes, come looking for us.”
“Be careful.” Cooper sighed and turned away from me. He walked toward the shore toward the boat.
Henley and Emersyn said their own words of encouragement then followed after Coop. I held my palm out toward our boat and willed the water to harden on the surface. Three seconds later, Cooper stepped onto the ocean with zero hesitation. He knew I’d be ready. The glyph on my chest ignited in intense heat and pain. A warm, soft hand touched my arm. When I looked down, I found Tegan’s fingers wrapped around my forearm.
She looked up at me with big green gemstone eyes. “If anything goes wrong, send up a signal, and we’ll come.”
My chest was tight. I struggled to breathe normal. I nodded. “Okay.”
She slid her hand down to mine and entwined our fingers. “Please be careful.” She gave me the smallest smile then followed the others.
My skin tingled everywhere she’d touched me. She walked across the water and climbed aboard our sailboat. I waited until all four of them waved at me, then I released my hold on the water. When I turned around, Royce and Libby were stretching.
“You understand the plan?” I asked.
Libby stood straight and cracked her neck. “You lead us through the water. I beat the sirens at their own game. Royce swaps the flower.”
“And you step in with all your non-humanness so we don’t die.” Royce smirked. “Got it.”
I smiled and nodded. “Let’s do it, then. Follow me.”
Fortunately, the sirens’ den was just off this island. I remembered seeing the pigs last time. From what Kessler explained, the sirens liked to stay near land where humans frequented. Cassandra and I had placed some charms in the water to ward off innocent passersby, though I had my doubts on their effectiveness. It took us about ten minutes to walk to the eastern shore.
I waded into the water up to my knees and paused. “This will be new for you, so stay close to me. When we get closer, I’ll show you another trick.”
Royce walked up next to me, Libby on his heels. He wagged his eyebrows. “You about to get all kinds of nonhuman, aren’t ya’?”
I grinned. “Brace yourselves.”
Leyka’s island was nestled within a ring of Bahamian islands. On the left and right were two small pieces of land, and to the east was open water. Slightly beyond in the distance was the rest of the Bahamas, which was exactly why the sirens chose this spot. With my mind, I willed the water to split like Moses parting the Red Sea. Libby gasped and Royce cursed, followed by more accusations of me not being human. Whenever I manipulated the water around my Coven, I always used my hands, as to not freak them out. Only Cooper, Cassandra, and Kessler knew I could do it all in my mind. Well, now they knew too.
It was a shame we were in such a rush to do something dangerous because the sight around us was breathtaking. Our pathway spread five feet wide. The ocean was a wall on either side of us, light turquoise in color and flowing by. I ran my fingers through the edge, and water splashed onto me. Just beyond, fish swam by. The ocean carried on its way, ignoring our presence altogether. It made me feel the strength of my power.
“Is that a dolphin or a shark?” Libby asked. Her breath brushed over the back of my arm.
“More importantly, can it eat us?” When I didn’t answer, Royce smacked my other arm. “Dude. Dude. Can it?”
“No,” I said with a chuckle. The water grew thicker with every yard. Though it wasn’t touching me, its current sizzled inside me.
“Are you sure?” Royce asked, his voice a tad closer than it had been.
“Yes.” It was a shark. A bull shark, to be exact. Technically, it wouldn’t hesitate to eat us if given the opportunity. Of course, with me around, it wouldn’t get said opportunity.
“Can you talk to sea life?”
I shook my head. “No.” Despite me trying my entire childhood.
“So then, how do you know?”
“Royce, we’re twenty feet away from the sirens’ den. Perspective.” The sirens caused a powerful aura in the water, and for some reason, it drew the attention of sharks. Which I thought was strange, as they probably stole food sources from the sirens.
“Dude. Shark.”
“Dude. Siren.” I pointed ahead of us to where an orange glow trickled through the water. Time for step two. “We can’t go any closer like this. Try not to freak out. I won’t let you drown.”
“That’s comforting,” Royce mumbled.
I released my hold on the water, letting it out slowly so it crept up our legs. When it got to Libby’s neck, I met my friend’s wide eyes. “Trust me.”
They nodded like they weren’t afraid, but I noticed they’d moved closer to me. Libby grabbed onto my shirt and squeezed. I didn’t blame them. I’d be nervous in their shoes. But I was ready, and I knew what I was doing. I nodded once, then let the water go free. The second water hit my face, I produced air bubbles around Royce and Libby’s heads. In a flash, the ocean took charge and surged far above us. For me, breathing underwater was always surreal. It went against everything that should’ve been normal. Each breath felt exactly like it did on land.
“Good?”
Libby nodded and took a deep breath. “Tell me when.”
“No judgement. Really, dude. But damn, you ain’t human.” Royce shook his head, and he glanced to the side and frowned. “Wait, we’re in the water. Can we be eaten now?”
I willed the water to push them both in front of me, then held them by their arms. “I have to plug my ears, so if you need me, don’t use words.” I waited until they both acknowledged this, then forced little pockets of water in my ears.
With them in my grip, I summoned a current and let it carry us into the sirens’ den. We floated over skeletons of every size, shape, and species. The water turned thick and foul-smelling. I waited until the water changed from blue to orange, then shoved the current away.
We meet again. There they were, sitting beside their magical, underwater bonfire. I knew sirens existed in many seas of the world, but in this one, there were only two loathsome monsters.
They had names, weird ancient ones I never remembered. Instead, I called them Thelma and Louise. They had long, candy-apple red hair that slithered through the water like eels. Their faces were all sharp angles and bones. Pale skin stretched so tight it turned transparent. Their eyes were black marbles, sunken in and bloodshot. When they opened their mouths, all of their teeth were shaved down into fangs. The water vibrated, like it was electrocuted. They’re singing!
I tugged on Libby’s arm and yelled, “NOW.”
She didn’t hesitate even a second. She opened her mouth and a song came out. I couldn’t hear the sound, but the soothing vibrations in the water tickled my skin. The sirens snapped to attention, their black beady eyes focused on Libby. I had no idea what she said to them, but their mouths shut.
After a second, they stood and began moving toward us. I threw a wave at them, and they stumbled backward. We needed to act fast. Libby’s power wouldn’t last long with them. I released my hold on her, and in true Libby fashion, she swam right toward the monsters while singing.
Okay, now get the flower. I tugged on Royce’s arm, but he didn’t budge. I yanked harder. Still nothing. I spun him around…and cursed. His eyes glazed over and his mouth hung open. Whatever Libby sang, it hit Royce too. I cursed. I should’ve expected this. Stupid! I gripped Royce by the shoulders and shook him as hard as possible. Still nothing. My pulse skyrocketed. Power, give him power. I took a
deep breath and forced all of my power to the surface, like I’d done in the circle with the Crones. My body lit up. When the glow of my magic hit my fingers, Royce’s body spasmed uncontrollably. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and then he collapsed. I caught him mid fall.
Libby swam in a circle around the sirens, oblivious to the new situation. With a curse, I wrapped Royce’s arm around my shoulders and moved in toward the bonfires. At the base of their cauldrons were a collection of gorgeous plants and flowers, some from land and some stolen from coral reefs. The sirens didn’t see me, their attention locked on Libby.
I swam up to the selection, searching for the flower on the card, but I didn’t see it. The card was black with gold ink. Somehow, I doubted the flower would match literally. I stuck the end of my sword in the pile of flowers and moved some around, but it had to be six or seven rows deep. Which meant thousands of flowers to sort through, before Libby’s song ran out of steam.
The current switched directions and slammed into my face. Violent tremors rumbled through the water, sizzling up my spine. I froze in action and searched for Libby. She’d swum to the other side of the sirens’ den, too far away from me. Her eyes were half closed and twitching. Her arms and legs barely moved. Her bottom lip had split open and spilled blood. A rush of cold air pushed by me. Her magic faded. She was in trouble.
I glanced down at Royce, but he was still out cold. The sirens moved in on Libby. I dropped my sword and sent a giant wave through the water in her direction, knocking the monsters over enough to give her time to get away.
Except she barely moved. She’d never swim away from them fast enough. This was their home court. I hesitated a split second, then dropped Royce. I threw my hand out and forced water to wrap around the sirens like tornadoes, trapping them in place. With my other hand, I reached out, swirled my fingers, then yanked my arm back. Libby shot through the water.
When she got to me, she clung to my leg and crouched. She opened her mouth and tried to speak, but all that came out was static white noise.
“What?” I said, knowing she’d hear me.
With slow movements, she pointed to her Mark, then held up ten fingers. Royce. I pointed down to the ground at my feet, but I discovered I’d floated fifteen feet up. Down below, Royce lay sprawled like a starfish in the sand. Libby pointed to me then to the sirens. Next, she pointed to her chest then to Royce. I nodded and gently lowered her to the ground. I turned my attention back to the sirens who still spun out of control in my water tornado.
Red light flashed from below. I jumped, except to my surprise it was Libby working her red lightning on Royce. His eyes flew open. I sighed in relief right as a siren screeched. Even through my air pockets, I heard the high-pitched shriek. The sirens broke free from my confinement and sped in our direction.
I have to stall. I gritted my teeth and plucked my dagger from within my boot.
The sirens attacked with ferocity. They didn’t have traditional weapons, but their fingernails and toenails were sharp like razors. I slashed and sliced my dagger through the water. It wouldn’t kill them, but it would hurt them. I emptied all of my rage into my attack. I didn’t know how long I dipped, dodged, and sliced siren blows, but their energy seemed endless.
Something purple shot through the water and wrapped around both sirens’ throats. I gasped and looked down. Royce was up and looking like himself again. He sent vines of flowers at the sirens, tying and strapping them in place.
I grinned and shouted, “Do you have it?”
Royce nodded and held his hand up. In his palm sat a dark object with something shiny reflecting off it. I didn’t waste any more time. Libby slouched into Royce’s lap. Her skin was too pale, too blue in color. I cursed and willed the water to carry my friends to me…and then forced the ocean to carry us back to Leyka’s island.
Chapter Nineteen
Tennessee
“Libby! Libby, can you hear me?” I shouted in her face. We were back on Leyka’s island, on the same shore where he’d left us. “Libby talk to me. Give me a sign here.”
She coughed and relief rocked me. “I’m fine,” she croaked.
I glanced into the water to my left, to where our friends sat waiting in our boat. Tegan’s aura was palpable even at this distance. I willed the ocean to carry the boat to shore, though it would take a minute. Up on deck, Cooper paced back and forth. Henley clung to the railing, probably looking for Royce. The twins stood side by side, dark and light, unmoving and silent.
“Go,” Royce started, but got cut off by his own cough. “Take this stupid flower to Leyka and get the answer we need. I’ll stay with Libby.”
I wanted to argue, to say I needed to stay with her and make sure she was okay. To get her on the boat immediately. However, Royce had a point. The sooner I gave Leyka his flower, the sooner he could tell us how to find the locket.
I nodded. “Okay.”
Royce dropped to the sand beside Libby. He held his palm out to reveal a gorgeous flower I didn’t believe could be real. It looked like the card, too. It was a lotus flower, the petals black and brown spotted. It had shiny gold thorns growing out of the petals. It was stunning. For a moment, I considered taking it aboard to show Tegan first, but we didn’t have time. I took the flower from Royce’s hand and cradled it in my palm, then walked to where Leyka had disappeared.
“Leyka,” I called out to him. “Flower delivery.”
He appeared in an instant. His ocean-aqua eyes aimed lasers at my forehead. “Let me see it.”
I held the flower out for him to see. His shoulders dropped as he sighed. He nodded and held his hand out for me to pass it over. I took a step then slid the flower onto his palm.
I sighed. “Now what?”
Leyka smiled down at the flower, and unlike before, this smile was genuine and personal. “Thank you, Emperor.” He took a deep breath then cracked his neck.
Wings shot out from behind his back. They were whiter than fresh snow and bigger than I would’ve ever imagined. Part of me suspected him to still be Nephilim. I stand corrected. Leyka plucked one of the feathers from his wings and handed it to me. I took it, then frowned at him.
“The locket is inside a chest, which is buried deep within one of the lost caverns. I believe you’re familiar with those?” he asked. Gone was his sassy tone, and in its place, stone-cold determination. When I nodded, he continued. “Go there. First, you will have to lure out Cota. He's a neon-colored hippocampus who guards the caverns. He’s not an aggressive or violent creature, but he’s easily spooked by humans. He can breathe out of water and under. Now, here’s the most important part—this feather will slice through the Cota’s scales. You must remove one of his scales in order to open the chest.”
“Okay.”
“BUT…” he ducked his head so our eyes were level. “Under zero circumstances do you hurt or kill Cota. Got it? The ramifications of harming Cota are beyond explanation here.”
“Understood.” I did not like the way this sounded. Not that I wanted to take the easy route and kill a living creature, but accidents happened sometimes.
“Now, once you get the scale, you will swim through the Strait of the Dead. The cavern lies just below it. From there, find the chest.”
“Thank you, Leyka.”
He sighed and his wings twitched. “I will be calling for my return favor.”
My stomach did a little flip. “Can you tell me what it is? Or why it includes Saffie and Myrtle?”
He eyed me for a moment, then asked, “Your friends are clearly only aware of Saffie’s existence, and nothing personal. However, I saw your reaction. You know her. I’d like to know how.”
I considered lying, though it probably wouldn’t do me any good to lie to an angel. “She lives in Hidden Kingdom.”
His eyes widened. “The theme park The Coven created to cover up that Gap?”
Interesting. I needed to not underestimate this angel. He knew more than I expected.
I nodded. “
Yes. She’s been there for a long time but always fled when anyone got close. Last week…well, we helped each other out. We made friends. I look out for her now, to make sure she’s safe. I’d like to know more about her.”
Leyka stared off to the side. Finally, he sighed and nodded. “Saffie is a long story, and Myrtle is my sister. This favor…I cannot ask of you yet. The Coven has more…pressing concerns. When it’s time, I will call for you.”
Chapter Twenty
Tegan
“Are you sure this is the spot?” Royce looked over the railing at the water. “I don’t see anything.”
Tennessee leaned back against the rail. He scrubbed his face with his palms. He had two silver rings on each hand, and they sparkled in the sun. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Tennessee’s hair flew into his face on a gust of wind. He raised his Marked arm and pushed his long black hair back out of his face. I wanted to be the one allowed to run my fingers through his hair whenever I wanted to. The strands were soft and silky.
Tennessee had been acting strange toward me since our kiss before Crone Island. His eyes were hot and intense, but his expression was cold. He was pushing me away. I didn’t buy his excuse for making me skip the siren task. There was something else going on.
I walked up to the rail, using this conversation as an excuse to get close to him. I may have accidentally brushed my arm against his. Definitely not on purpose. The heat off his skin was so comforting it took every ounce of self-control not to lean into him. I didn’t move my arm, though. I left it pressed into his. He didn’t move his either. I took this as a small victory. I peeked down at the water, pretending to have a reason to stand there...and then I felt something.
It tingled down my spine and into my fingers. The hairs on my arms stood straight. I narrowed my eyes and looked at the water. At first, the ocean looked normal, a vibrant turquoise surface reflecting the clouds over our heads. But as I watched, the glare vanished, and I saw straight down to the ocean floor. We had to be at least fifty feet above, yet I saw with perfect clarity the thriving pink coral reef below us. Something massive, the size of a whale, whipped over the fish habitat. It was dark purple like my hair. As it moved, neon yellow and red flashed. That tingling sensation returned tenfold.
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