Into the Deep (26 page)

Now all I have to do is figure how to get out of the labyrinth.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Instead of trying to remember which route Fallon brought me through, I follow the tunnels on instinct, letting the currents tell me which way to go. For a while, I think I’m traveling in the right direction, but the water starts to grow darker, colder. I’m wasting time. Panic and claustrophobia set in.

A black shadow catches my attention, gliding toward me. I recognize the shape. It’s a hammerhead shark.

I must have missed one. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

The tunnels are too small to maneuver in and I have no choice but to face it directly. Earlier, standing on a sandy beach, I felt safe, no need to freak. An idea strikes me. Maybe the creature knows where Calandra went. My instincts scream to flee but, from somewhere deeper, I am tempted to communicate.

It isn’t attacking so I reach out, tapping its conscious, hoping I can do it without touch. Once I’m concentrated, a sensation travels through the water that isn’t the least bit threatening. In fact, it seems as if the shark is reaching out to me. I decide to trust the tingle, for now.

“Why aren’t you trying to hurt me?”

Imagine my surprise when I hear an intelligent voice in my head. It says,
you assume all of my kind are out to kill you?

I brush the shock off and decide to roll with it, remembering the shark I sensed outside the palace that night. Instead of sending thoughts, I continue to talk. “Do you blame me? Whenever I’ve crossed paths with a shark it’s attacked me. Are you saying that’s not true?”

We are the greatest predators in the ocean and the merwitch manipulates us into doing her more mundane tasks. She controls our consciousness. The ones who attacked you were not aware of their actions.

Compassion sneaks in and I pity their predicament. It also helps ease my guilt for what I did to the sharks and to Fallon. “Can I help? Loosen her hold?”

Your power rivals hers. I could tell that before you unleashed it in the lagoon. Do not feel guilt. Do not fret. You did what you had to. The merman would have hurt you without a second thought. He fed off her evil. We have no choice. Like her, you can reach our minds. Most are too far gone, too corrupted, to change. But you will reach some. We long for freedom again.

I’m deeply affected by this and make a split second decision. “I will do my best to free you. You have my word. I’m curious to find out more, and there will be time for that later, but I have to go. Can you show me the way out of here?”

I am happy to. I can also show you where she is.

The hammerhead glides past me and, even in light of our conversation, I press as close as I can against the rock wall. The eye on the side of its flattened skull locks on me as it passes.

It leads me through the maze and I’m thankful I stopped to let it explain. I would not have gotten out of here otherwise. Its words also comfort me, reaffirming my choice to hurt the merman and beginning the process of forgiving myself.

A creature you call a dolphin is coming, followed by two mermen. It would be best if you move in front of me. I fear if they see me first, it would end poorly.

Swimming ahead, the dry humor in what it just said echoes and I smirk. Speaking with a shark is crazy enough. Discovering they are familiar with things like irony is sobering.

A darkened shape darts into the tunnel and I cringe against the wall. It bumps into me and chatters excitedly. A sigh of relief bubbles out of my lips. Kona.

“I found you, I found you.”

More movement draws my attention to the entrance as Alexios and Xander lurch into view. I rush over and throw myself into Xander’s waiting arms. He holds me tight and strokes my hair.

“You’re safe. Kona led us to you.” He tenses as he spots the floating leviathan.

“No, wait!” I shout, noticing that Alexios is reaching for his sword. “It’s okay. I promise. It actually helped me.”

Xander stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “It’s not possible.”

“That’s what I thought. Not all of the sharks appreciate being controlled and manipulated. Some, including this one, want their freedom back.” They both continue to look unconvinced. “It can show us where she went.”

“Yeah, because it’s a trap,” Alexios argues.

“Please, trust me.” I glare intensely at the two mermen until they reluctantly nod. Turning to the shark, I say, “Follow us out and when we’re in the open, you can move ahead and lead the way.”

The hammerhead glides around us as soon as we’re free of the daunting tunnels. Kona, who’s heart is the purest I’ve ever met, cautiously approaches it.

“Are you really going to help us?”

Princess, tell your champion that I will do my best. While our kind has never been friends, I vow to protect him as well, if the need arises.

I repeat what it said and Kona ventures even closer. “I trust you. I can tell you don’t want to hurt us. Zoey is my friend, and you’re hers. That makes us friends.”

And it’s as simple as that. The shark leads, with Kona flanking it.

“That’s the strangest sight I’ve ever seen,” Alexios mutters.

Once we’re moving again, I finally let the questions loose. “What happened? Where is the king?”

Alexios answers, anger clipping his tone, “Calandra sent word to Stavros that she had you and your mother. She demanded that he meet her and discuss your release. He and Nerio left immediately, before they realized it was a ruse. Kona came barreling into the palace as we were preparing to follow and told us you went the other direction.”

I can’t believe he fell for the trap, but he must have been desperate to save us. “They have Mom somewhere else. Calandra left me here, but I killed the sharks guarding me.” Slightly afraid of their reaction, I add, “And I killed the merman who brought me here.”

I’m no longer sorry for my actions. Remorseful, yes, because a waste of a life always carries consequences, but I accept I had to.

Alexios’s eyes widen as Xander asks, “Your power? Are you okay?”

“He convinced me Mom was here and when I saw she wasn’t, it just happened. It was so fast. He tossed me on land and right after I changed, I hurt him. And I’m fine. I did what I had to. Then I planned to use it on Calandra, but I waited too long. I was too preoccupied with finding out where my mom was. Calandra plans to return and experiment with me.”

“She knows?” Xander asks.

“Not entirely. She suspects there’s more to me than normal, so she intends to find out, to show me how to exploit the darker side, in her words.” I grit my teeth. “I should have hurt her, or Magdalena.”

“Don’t dwell on that. If you’d managed to hurt her, she wouldn’t have told you where you mom was,” Alexios says. “As far as Stavros, Nerio, and the rest of the guard are concerned, they think you are with your mother. We need to be fast if we have any chance at catching up to them.” He lays a comforting hand on my arm. “Don’t concern yourself with the merman’s death. This is war. There are bound to be casualties. I know from experience whatever you’re feeling will fade, but never fully leave you.”

I offer him a grateful half-smile. With the support system I have, I don’t doubt that I will move past this.

We set a grueling pace, the hammerhead guiding us. I keep a tether between the animal and me to be certain it isn’t a trap. Alexios wasn’t joking when he said we had to be quick. Even as strong a swimmer as I’ve become, I struggle to keep up with them.

The ocean is void of any life. The floor turns rockier and shallower. It tastes metallic, like rotten eggs or sulphur. Steam rises from a jumble of rocks and I assume we’ve entered a volcanic area. It bubbles to the surface in a steady stream.

Our guide slows, its movements growing cautious. I peer ahead of us and attempt to charge forward. Alexios grabs me and yanks me behind another pile of rocks.

“We must not rush in. Let’s gauge the situation first. Stay out of sight.”

He nods to Xander in an unspoken command and they guide me from rock to rock as we inch as close as possible. Kona and the shark hang back, keeping to the shadows. Finally, the scene develops into focus. As my heart plummets to the gritty floor, I’m aware of my mouth hanging open. It’s a sight I will never forget, no matter how long, or short, I live.

Chapter Forty-Eight

A giant bubble envelopes Mom, floating deceptively easy in the current as its sides flex and pulse. Her gasping breaths and blue lips indicate she doesn’t have a lot of oxygen left. To have her so close is torture. Pain rips through my chest and the power prods me, tempting me to rush out and free her. My only solace comes in the familiar sight of her tangled blond hair and compact frame.

Swallowing my fear, I’m determined to stay focused and not impulsive. Rash actions have already led to one dead body.

I shift my attention to my father and our enemy next. He’s staring down Calandra, whose face is dominated by a wide, goading leer. Her presence is daunting, filling up the space and announcing that she believes she’s won. I study the black veins under her skin, vaguely wondering if it’s the result of using so much evil.

Starvos’s expression is stone, resembling the statues of Poseidon scattered through the palace. He remains rigid and emotionless, his powerful body not moving except for his tail swishing through the water restlessly. That’s when I realize he has no clue where I am or if I’m okay.

I tear my gaze from my parents and search for Nerio and the other palace guards. When I spot them, it takes a few seconds for the reality of what I’m witnessing to hit. Most of the guards are being held by giant octopi, their tentacles binding them into immobility. Each octopus is dark red and has to be at least thirty feet across. The tentacles are another fifteen feet on top of that. I didn’t imagine such creatures actually existed. As I struggle to accept this crazy reality, the word pops into my mind.

Kraken—yet another myth to make its presence known.

There are sharks too, focused on the captives with their unnerving stare. Not just great whites, but all shapes and sizes hover, silent and deadly torpedoes. There are some with brands and without. If I try, maybe I can reach them, convince them to help or sever Calandra’s authority.

My eyes pause on Nerio as he struggles, despair etched on this face. If I could maneuver over there, out of sight, and set them free, it’ll boost our odds. At the very least, I should incapacitate those creatures holding them by sending a shock through the water. Would that hurt the mer was well though?

I reach out to touch the minds of the krakens, hoping I can release the hold Calandra has on it. All I’m met with is a blank void. I refuse to slaughter more sharks, unless it’s absolutely necessary, so I contact the hammerhead who led us here.

Is there anything you can do?
I ask, hoping it hears me.

Yes,
is my answer,
some of the tethers she maintains are weak, more so if she is distracted. If I’m successful, I will have them attack the giant animals. That should give you a chance to do what you need to save your people.

I sense it leave, hoping the cunning predator will be a good ally to have in a battle. I’m placing the lives of our warriors, and the merman who holds my heart, in its trust. Going with my gut, I shift my attention. I have to figure how to save my parents.

Alexios’s words echo in my head, reminding me to be cautious, and I rein in my impatience. I catch sight of Magdalena lurking close by. As much as I hate Calandra and what she’s doing to my family, I have a strong desire to wrap my fingers around Magdalena’s neck. Her corruption and betrayal is personal. Maybe I can hurt her like I did Eustacia. No, that will distract me, too risky.

All this indecision is wearing on me. I’m edgy and anxious. I have to act!

I notice other mer gathered behind Calandra, but I can’t make out who they are, if I recognize them. What I do see is they are heavily armed with swords, knives of varying lengths, and clubs.

Stavros’s shout snaps me back to the nightmare unfolding. “Where is my daughter?”

“You have a more pressing matter to attend to, your highness,” the merwitch gloats, her white eyes flashing. “Once the air is gone, your lost love will die. Time is of the essence.”

His glare remains locked on Calandra. “Where is Zoey?”

“I know you care for her,” she barks, ignoring his demands. “Your queen says you pine for her, a lovesick child. Choose, Stavros.”

Waiting for him to answer, I frantically try to plan how I can use my power without hurting anyone I care about. If I focus it on Calandra, it could affect the hold on the guards, but I’m not even sure it will affect her. She’s too strong. If I set them free, she might kill my mom out of spite. The third option is to use it on everyone and hope it protects my family. It’s worth a shot.

Raising my hand, I am ground to a halt by my father’s desperate plea. “I’ll do whatever you ask.”

His voice is heavy with hurt, resignation, and failure. The possibility of him giving up slides down my throat, hot and heavy. I want to yell at him not to surrender, but Mom struggles for breath, her chest heaving and terror in her expression. I can’t let this happen.

Beside me, Alexios and Xander are quietly arguing, attempting to form a plan of their own. Xander senses my distress. He moves closer and touches my shoulder reassuringly. I flinch out from under it, impatient in anyone’s lack of action.

“You have to choose,” Calandra repeats.

“What do you mean I have to choose?” His gaze strays to my mom.

Calandra smiles as if she’s won. “Easy. Choose her, choose her life.”

This finally forces Alexios into action. “Son, take Kona over to release Nerio and the guards, do whatever you have to. We need them. Hopefully, you can use your power and allow Zoey to stay focused on her parents. We’re running out of time. If we don’t act now, all will be lost.”

“The shark who led us here was going to attempt and have some of his kind to attack the kraken. Do not to hurt them.” Xander starts to argue but I cut him off. “They can help.”

Xander nods, and then he’s gone.

“I don’t understand,” Stavros bites out.

“In order to save your true love,” Calandra explains with a disgusted tone. “You will have to give up your kingdom and your tail. You must become human. Killing you is too easy. This suffering will last longer. I hear the torture of never returning to the ocean is excruciating.” Her tongue slips out, pointy as a snake’s, to lick her lips.

Her meaning settles onto my father’s face. It kills me, pulls me in two directions, but I silently plead with him to say no. I can’t picture him on land and not in his kingdom.

“When I say, try to shock her,” Alexios orders. “We can use the distraction to attack.”

All Xander needs is a few more minutes. I await the order, praying Alexios’s plan works and that it will save Stavros from making an impossible decision. But he’s already made it. The weight of it transforms his features. I start to summon my power, concentrating on the merwitch. Trying to hurt her as I did Fallon, I hit against some kind of shield. I can’t touch any part of her consciousness. So I increase my efforts.

“I agree, but only if my men are allowed to go free, without harm. My daughter too. She has nothing to do with this.”

“I disagree. This is about you and her, not Zoey. What I can do is promise you she won’t be harmed. As for your men, once you’re human, I’ll set them free.”

Giving up, I switch tactics. I form a wall of rushing and boiling water between Stavros and Calandra. It reacts instantly, but a half second too late.

A pale flare shoots from the merwitch’s hand and slams through the wall I’m forming as if it were nothing. At her neck, the Sky Amulet pulses. The light hits Stavros square in the chest and his back arches in pain.

Horror wells up inside me as the water shimmers and his long, powerful tail is replaced by two pale legs. The same moment, Mom’s bubble disintegrates. She struggles with what’s left of her strength to swim.

It happens in the space of two seconds. I’m angry at myself for not being fast enough, but I can be thankful for one blessing…the depth is shallow. Otherwise, my parents would have been crushed by the weight of the ocean.

“Get them to the surface now!” I shout at Alexios, but he’s already moving forward. I glance over to the guards and see Xander’s had some luck in removing them from the octopus’s tentacles. The freed guards are fighting both with and against the sharks as Calandra’s mer join in. I try to track Xander and Nerio, but it’s impossible. I shove them from my mind, confident in their skills.

Calandra’s roar of anger vibrates through the water. Spurred on by the turn of events, I hurl my power toward her. This is my chance and I take it. I won’t hesitate as I did on the beach or a few seconds ago. All I want is to inflict pain on her, to give her a taste of her own deviousness.

A rock close by explodes, showering me with its fragments, announcing she’s noticed my presence. With a flick of my wrist, I sweep the broken rock chunks at her. She pushes them to the side at the last minute, but by her stunned expression, she wasn’t expecting me to retaliate with such strong power. Surprise is replaced by a burning curiosity and desire to possess. I’m guessing her suspicions have just been confirmed.

“Who are you?” she shouts.

Noticing she’s distracted, I attack with everything I have and fling nearby rocks at her. The energy from my ability flares to life inside me. She doesn’t stay distracted for long. Calandra glowers at me and the rocks I’ve thrown breeze past her on either side. Damn, I’m no match for her.

Giving up is not an option. Focusing on the bottom her inky black tail, I spin a whirlpool. She counters that too. More rocks fly at me and I struggle to dodge them. Without pauses it’s nearly impossible to react with ways to hurt her. She is stronger than I imagined and my stomach clenches. Before this it’d been so easy—killing Fallon, hurting Eustacia, dispersing the storm. It was child’s play compared to this.

In a flash, I hear Batari’s words about Gaia and what I’m supposedly able to do. Right now, I don’t trust a word of it. I’m hanging on by a very thin string. Exhaustion slows my movements. I don’t have enough practice to be pushing my limits this far. I’m already too tired.

Calandra’s gaze narrows. Another streak of pale light sparks from her hand and electricity charges the water. Pain. It surrounds and consumes me, a living breathing beast scorching me from the inside out. Claws scratch at my skin and lick my throat. It’s eating me alive. A scream pierces my ears, but it isn’t the beast howling, it’s me. This is what I did to Fallon, I’m sure of it. My tail tingles and I can’t disguise the disappointment that it isn’t the more lethal cold version. This is the lighter one, struggling to lessen her attack.

In a haze, I notice Xander dart out of the fray and launch himself toward Calandra. All of a sudden, the pain ceases and I relish a blissful second before the merwitch hurls a large boulder at him.

“No!” I scream.

The lingering effects of whatever she did to me, paired with my fatigue, leave me too weak to save him. I try with all I have to summon the power to stop her from hurting Xander, but I’m too slow.

The rock hits him in the chest and the crushing blow causes his body to go limp. Rage surges up from a dark, hidden place and the entire scene disappears. I’m awash with coldness and all I focus on is her swirling black hair and lifeless eyes.

Now the power explodes. A huge wave rushes at her, full of rocks and sand and electricity. She doesn’t react quickly enough as the force pummels her and sends her into a backward somersault. A sharp rock slashes her arm and tail, tinting the water with blood. Before I have a chance to pounce on the advantage, a blinding light flares and she vanishes.

The rage subsides, leaving me encased by incomprehensible frustration. Sure, I chased her away, but the exhaustion compromised my ability, as did not knowing what I might have done to combat her immeasurable skill. Next time, I won’t be so weak.

Snapping back to the present, I’m filled with concern for Xander and my parents. I trust Alexios to escort them to safety, so I focus on the broken body to my right. In a haze I notice Calandra’s forces have scattered, powerless without their puppet master, and being pursued by sharks and our guards. A few great whites are feasting on a dying kraken, bathing the area in blood.

I draw closer to Xander and get a look at the devastating damage the boulder did. My heart stills. It might be too late. I gasp for air and choke down nausea as the rise and fall of his chest slows.

Never having healed anyone before, I don’t know what to do. I only pray I have the strength left do it. With nothing to lose, I lay my hands on the worst of his wounds. The blood is warm but beneath it, his skin is cold. I focus every single cell of myself into mending him and bringing him back to life.