by E. G. Foley
“I may have a few tricks up my sleeve,” the young witch admitted.
“Jake, this is daft,” Dani said wearily. “You’re already in enough trouble as it is. Just give her the orb, since it’s hers anyway, and let her go.”
Sapphira nodded hopefully at this suggestion, but Jake scowled, determined now, after all his rudeness to the princess, to jump on the chivalry bandwagon with Maddox and Archie.
Better late than never.
“Well, that would be pretty shabby of us just to turn our backs on her, don’t you think?” he exclaimed, frowning at Dani. “Her Highness obviously needs our help! Far be it from me to turn away a damsel in distress.”
“Excuse me! I am nothing of the kind,” Sapphira said with great annoyance. “I’m merely at a disadvantage here on land. You should listen to this girl; she seems the only one with any common sense here. This isn’t your problem, anyway, and there’s really no need for you to get involved. Just give me back the orb and I’ll be on my way.”
“Not until I know why Jones wants it so much,” Jake countered. “You said yourself it’s very powerful. Are you sure there’s nothing else we ought to know about it?” he asked, arching an eyebrow and searching her face.
Sapphira shook her head with a prickly stare and a defensive shrug. “No.”
“All right, then,” Jake said. “Let’s get to work planning your little sister’s rescue.”
Sapphira still looked uncertain, but he would brook no denial. After weeks of doing nothing but touring and lying on a beach, Jake was itching for adventure. Rescuing a mermaid princess seemed just the thing. Aye, he thought, this was even better than exploring a sunken temple.
Here was a jolly challenge worthy of any future Lightrider, and he might as well hone his skills while he was stuck here on holiday.
Besides, he felt a genuine need to redeem himself somehow after nearly starting a war between the Order and the Dark Druids. This quest seemed made to order, and after all, according to legend, Davy Jones was just some barmy old pirate.
How hard could it be?
CHAPTER 9
Slightly Fishy
Watching Jake and the other two boys falling over themselves to do whatever they could for the mermaid, Dani and Isabelle exchanged a grim look.
Then the three girls retreated to the door, while the three boys stayed behind, making a fuss over the ridiculously beautiful intruder.
Enough time must have passed just then that the Landwalker’s spell was restored. Apparently it hurt, for when the mermaid’s tail changed back into human legs and feet, she cried out in pain.
This upset the boys greatly.
Archie plumped a pillow behind her back with a look of desperation, Maddox asked if she needed a blanket, and Jake dashed off to fetch Her Highness a headache powder to dull the discomfort.
“What in the world has come over them?” Dani muttered as the girls withdrew to the hallway, giving the haughty princess her privacy.
“They obviously find her quite alluring,” Isabelle said in a taut voice.
Dani did not understand why they didn’t just give the mermaid back her stupid orb and send her on her way.
Her vote would have been to get rid of her. All this unwanted interloper was going to do was ruin their holiday. But of course, Jake always had to play the savior. She shook her head to herself, struggling against a twinge of jealousy.
Very well, more than a twinge.
They were just friends, but she had always been a little territorial where Jake was concerned.
Not that she was surprised that someone as beautiful as Sapphira should have turned his head. She was older, gorgeous, a mermaid, and a princess. Dani’s heart sank. I can’t compete with that.
Ah, well. It was his business, not hers. And besides, the look on Isabelle’s face assured her that at least she wasn’t alone. No doubt Izzy’s jealousy was even stronger, because while Sapphira probably wouldn’t look twice at Jake because he was younger, it was possible that the high-and-mighty royal mermaid might actually be impressed with Maddox.
All Dani knew was that she was extremely annoyed. “Well, we’d better get back to the party. Her Ladyship and Miss Helena will be wondering where we’ve gone.”
“Agreed. We’ve still got a house full of guests downstairs,” Isabelle pointed out stiffly. “We can’t waste all our time fussing over just one—unlike some people. Nixie, perhaps you’d better stay here. You know, as chaperone.”
“And our spy,” Dani whispered.
“That, too,” Isabelle admitted. “I don’t know how things are done in her world, but in ours, it’s not proper for a young lady to be left alone in a room with three boys. Even if she is half a fish.”
Nixie shrugged. “That’s fine.”
Dani looked askance at her. “You don’t look too bothered by the way they’re all bowing down to Bellissima.”
“Eh, it’s just her sea magic affecting them,” Nixie said. “It’s a mermaid thing—a naturally occurring magic, sort of like a glamour, except she doesn’t have to try. It just comes out of her. But don’t worry, it’s fairly harmless overall, and it’ll wear off soon.”
“How soon?” Isabelle muttered.
“If I recall correctly from my studies, most fey glamours typically have the strongest impact right at the start—like when you first smell someone’s perfume. But then your nose starts getting used to it, until you don’t even notice it anymore. They’ll be themselves again within a few days.”
“A few days?” Isabelle echoed, her eyes widening. “I certainly hope she won’t be here that long!”
“Ugh.” Dani didn’t like the sound of that, either. “Isn’t there anything you can do to make them snap out of it, Nix?”
The witch-in-training shook her head. “Considering it’s natural magic, it would have to be really strong, and I’m not sure Her Ladyship would want me doing that to her nephews or Maddox over something so trivial. One of her constant lessons, you know, is not to overuse magic. That it’s meant to be a last resort. So, no,” Nixie said in regret, “I’m sorry, but you’re just going to have to put up with it for now. But like I said, it’ll wear off soon.
“Besides, you know boys,” she added. “They just act like idiots sometimes. I find it kind of amusing, myself. Plus, I’ve seen worse. You think they’re acting silly now? You should’ve seen Jake under the influence of the Cupid arrow. Now that was funny—” Nixie suddenly noticed the scowl on Dani’s face and swallowed her laughter.
“Ahem, never mind. Sure, I’ll stay here and try to keep them from making any bigger fools of themselves than they already are.” With that, she slipped back into the classroom.
While Nixie went to chaperone, Dani and Isabelle exchanged a long-suffering glance, but neither said a word.
Instead, both girls returned to the party, teeth clenched in silent, ladylike annoyance.
# # #
The festivities at Villa di Palma were winding down by nine P.M. and decidedly over by ten. Though unsure what they might find when they went back up to the schoolroom, Dani and Isabelle felt ready to return to the fray.
Chatting privately about it during the party, they had reached the conclusion that, despite their irritation with the boys acting so stupid, they would cooperate fully with the rescue mission of Sapphira’s little sister.
They didn’t have to like it, but they both knew it was the right thing to do.
More importantly, the sooner they helped reunite Sapphira with her sister, the sooner they’d be rid of her. So, approaching the classroom, they braced themselves and cautiously went in.
Jake looked over in distraction when the door creaked. “Oh, good, you’re here,” he said, all business. “We’re going to need everyone to pitch in for our rescue mission.”
Even no-talent me? Dani thought.
Isabelle pressed her lips together, as though holding back a snide comment. “Just tell us how we can help.”
Dani forced a broad smile and
pulled the classroom door shut behind her. “Great. What’s the plan?”
“Let us draw your attention to the blackboard,” Archie said in professor mode, rapping his pointer against the chalkboard, where their assignments had been erased in favor of an ill-scrawled map. “Exhibit A! Princess Sapphira has helped us create this approximate diagram of her father’s kingdom. She’s terribly clever,” he added with a doting smile at Her Highness.
Out of view of the boys, Nixie rolled her eyes. She did not look so amused anymore, after two hours of this.
But as Archie pushed his spectacles higher up onto his nose, Jake went and commandeered the pointer, taking over, as he was wont to do. “Allow me. Ladies, take a seat.”
Dani obeyed, bemused.
“Tomorrow morning, when the time comes, we’ll sail out to the general vicinity of Calypso Deep. Once we’re in the water, we’ll need to split up,” he said, obviously feeling very manly and important, his shoulders squared, his chin high.
Jake to the rescue, Dani thought wryly. Maybe Nixie was right. It was kind of funny watching them all show off for the princess like idiots.
“Maddox and Nixie will go with Her Highness,” Jake continued.
Hearing this, Isabelle shifted tensely in her chair.
“We suspect Davy Jones is holding Princess Liliana hostage somewhere aboard the Flying Dutchman.” Jake used the wooden pointer to tap the little drawing of a ship positioned near a huge, yawning undersea canyon. “Now, this is no ordinary ship—obviously. It can sail underwater like the Turtle or up on the surface, like normal vessels do. Anyway—Maddox, Nixie and Sapphira will locate the Dutchman and rescue Liliana. Izz and Dani, you and Archie are with me. We four are in charge of keeping Davy Jones distracted.”
“Isn’t he already distracted searching the canyon for the orb?” Isabelle asked.
“Oh, he wouldn’t be doing that himself. The depth in the canyon is too great even for him,” Sapphira explained. She seemed to have resigned herself to accepting their assistance. “He’ll have sent down sea creatures able to bear those depths to look for it. My best guess is that he’s waiting here, in Driftwood, for news of their progress.” She pointed at an X on the chalkboard a small distance from the edge of Calypso Deep.
“Why there?” Dani asked.
“Because it’s a wild outlaw town full of saloons and disreputable gaming houses. He’s quite the gambler, I’m told. As I’ve warned Jake,” Sapphira continued, “you four will have to watch your step in that place. I’ve never been there myself, but Driftwood is known as the home of all manner of cutthroats and brigands.”
“Sounds fun,” said Jake, flashing a grin.
“Such a place would make a convenient base of operations for him while his creatures search the canyon for the orb,” Maddox remarked, leaning casually against the wall, arms folded across his chest.
“My team will take up positions in Driftwood,” Jake continued, “and make sure Jones stays put there long enough for Maddox, Nixie, and Sapphira to rescue Liliana. Isabelle, you’re with us, as I’ve said, but you’ve got a different role. Archie and Maddox and I, we don’t like the notion of your going into Driftwood—sorry. We don’t want the outlaws ogling you. You’ll call too much attention our way.”
“It’s that blond hair, sis,” Archie said apologetically. “Sorry, but you’ve had at least half a dozen strange men propose to you just walking down the street ever since we arrived in Italy.”
Isabelle blushed. “They were only joking.”
“You think so?” Maddox murmured, eyeing her darkly.
“Dani, you can do sentry duty with Isabelle if you like, or venture into the town with me and Arch. Your choice. You’re young enough still that the outlaws shouldn’t bother you. Frankly, I’d rather have you nearby, so I can keep an eye on you,” Jake said, which pleased her immensely.
Still, she was worried about her friend. “Where will you be sending Isabelle, if she’s not right there with us?”
“Miss Bradford will be posted on the outskirts of town as the lookout,” Maddox said.
“And since she’s our communications expert, too, it’ll be Izzy’s job to send the three of us in Driftwood a prompt warning if trouble heads our way.” Jake turned to her. “You’ll also be responsible for signaling us as soon as you see that Maddox and the girls have got the little princess clear of the Flying Dutchman.”
“Hold on!” Dani protested. “If this place is as dangerous as you say, we can’t leave Isabelle out there all by herself.”
“I’ll order a few of my dolphins to stay with her,” Sapphira said. “They always keep me safe.”
“All right. But, um…” Dani paused, looking around at them. “How exactly are we going to breathe down there?”
“So glad you asked!” Archie said cheerfully. “Nixie’s got an underwater breathing potion brewing for us even now.”
“Oh, that’s an acceptable use of magic?” Isabelle teased the witch, not entirely joking.
“A little girl’s life is at stake,” Nixie answered with a shrug.
“We wanted redundancy in our systems, however, in case anything untoward should happen,” Archie said. “So we’ll each have one of these, as well.” He reached down and lifted up one of the underwater breathing masks usually kept inside the Turtle.
Dani looked curiously at Nixie. “Am I going to get a mermaid tail, too?”
“Nothing that drastic,” Nixie replied. “Just webbed feet and hands. Gills, too. It’ll be good enough. Also, I’ll be adding in a dash of an old Stone Bones potion I know. Warlords in medieval times used to give it to their knights to harden their skeletons so they could survive bashes from a mace. For us, it’ll help our bodies withstand the water pressure around the canyon. Archie was just showing us mathematically how intense it can get at those depths. It would quickly crush us otherwise.”
“Well, that sounds lovely,” Dani muttered.
“I have a question,” Isabelle said. “How are you going to find the Flying Dutchman? That’s a lot of ocean to cover. Even if you do find Jones in the town, the ship with the princess on board could be anywhere.”
“Excellent question.” Sapphira nodded in approval. “Fortunately, my sister’s seahorse, Wallace, followed the ship when Jones took her hostage. Seahorses are extremely loyal to their owners. Once we get out there, I’ll call for him, and, with any luck, he’ll come to me and show us where she’s being held.” Then the princess shook her head. “It’s hard to say what we might face once we get there. My sister will be kept under guard, but by what is the question. We’ll have to be ready for anything.”
“Well, Maddox doesn’t scare easily,” Archie reassured Sapphira, “and Nix is first-rate with any sort of magic. You’ll be safe as houses.”
Sapphira looked at him like she did not comprehend the comparison at all.
“Maybe more of your dolphins can help there, too?” Dani suggested.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” Sapphira said absently. “Normally, they would, of course. But no sea creature can openly defy the Lord of the Locker—nor would I ask them to. In some ways, he outranks even the sea kings, like my father. They each have their territories, but Jones has jurisdiction over all the Seven Seas.”
“Do we know why he wants the orb so badly?” Dani asked, glancing at the object, which sat on the table in their midst.
Sapphira shrugged and shook her head. “I didn’t wait around to ask. As soon as I saw him drag Lil away, I raced off to the temple to fetch it for him. I’m the one who hid it there. But on the way, ahem, a certain someone ran me over.” She sent Archie a look of pointed amusement.
He dropped his face into his hands with a groan. “Please! I feel so awful about that!”
Dani gasped. “That was you? We thought we’d hit a dolphin!”
“No, that was me,” Sapphira said wryly.
Both girls began apologizing profusely, but Sapphira waved it off. “Please, that’s not necessary. The boys hav
e been apologizing for the past two hours. It was an accident. Besides, it was my fault, too,” she admitted. “I was moving too fast and not really watching where I was going, because I was in such a panic over my sister. In the end, it’s just as well.” She shrugged. “If I’d have gone in there while the building was collapsing, I probably would’ve died. Archie knocked me out for a few seconds, but he probably saved my life. Besides, the orb wasn’t even in there at that point, since someone had taken it.” She arched an eyebrow at Jake.
“Hey, call me a thief if you like,” he retorted with a smile, “but it’s a good thing I nicked it when I did. Otherwise, it would’ve been smashed in the collapse, and if all else fails, we might still need it to trade for your sister.”
Archie nodded at Dani and Isabelle. “We’ve talked it over and agreed to let Sapphira give the orb to Davy Jones if our rescue plan doesn’t work.”
“But of course it’ll work,” Jake said.
“Yes, it will,” Maddox echoed serenely.
If Dani read him right, the Guardian-in-training seemed content to let Jake brag and Archie show off his knowledge, while, for his part, the strong-silent Maddox would wait patiently for his chance to dazzle Sapphira with his fighting skills when the time came to rescue her sister.
But could he still do all his fancy fighting techniques underwater?
Dani supposed they’d soon find out.
Just then, the classroom door opened and Lady Bradford peeked in. “Children? I was wondering where you all had gone. And who is this?” the elegant old lady asked politely.
“Um, this is, er, Miss Pesce,” said Archie. “She lives nearby.”
Apparently, they had devised an alias for the mermaid while on land; Dani recalled from hearing Mass in Latin that pesce was the word for fish.
“Ah.” Her Ladyship gave their visitor a cordial smile. “Hullo, dear.”
“Signorina,” Archie said, “allow me to present Lady Bradford, our aunt.”
