I was running out of time. Zooming down the endless hallways of Rosewood Manor, dodging dead ends and corners, I desperately tried to outswim the fate that was close to befalling me. Finally, when my lungs were near-bursting, I slowed to catch my breath. I was about to start swimming again when a hand suddenly wrapped around my wrist.

I spun around, my eyes widening as a familiar pair of green eyes met mine, lined with insanity. My hand inched towards the dagger at my waist, my eyes locked on the merman's.

Brandon. The grin on his face was nothing short of bone-chilling. That wasn't what terrified me. No; what terrified me was the dark-blue pendant hanging around his neck. Join me, Nerissa, his gaze seemed to say.

Before I could so much as inhale a gulp of water, his hand suddenly shot to my throat, squeezing the water from my lungs. Spots swam in front of my heavy-lidded eyes as I clung to that small scrap of life inside me. Unconsciousness claimed me before I was ready, dragging me into the unending pit of nothingness.

My eyes suddenly shot open, my hand going to my bruised throat as I gasped for water. Blinking away the fuzziness in my vision, I slowly pushed myself up to a sitting position, the world swaying as I did so. When the hand landed on my arm, it took everything in me not to flinch.

I swallowed hard, my chest heaving as Jay's eyes met mine, filled with worry. As I stared into them, my heartbeat calmed, the fear replaced with a heavy sense of doom that took root in my stomach. I opened my mouth, but a sob came out instead.

He rubbed my back as I cried, though I could feel the questions brewing inside him. His hands were already moving after we broke apart. Rochelle and Stella brought you in. You've been asleep for three days.

I raised my hands and made to open my mouth, but before I could, a sharp, stabbing pain announced itself in my head. I inhaled sharply, groaning. He put a hand on my arm, shaking his head. Take it easy. Luckily, Brandon didn't injure you permanently, but we're not taking any chances.

He raised his hands as if to elaborate, but before he could, the door opened, familiar faces becoming clear. Sky-blue and dark gray eyes respectively met mine, filled with worry and relief. My lady! We're so glad you're okay.

As she finished signing, Stella swam to my side, while Rochelle swam to the edge of the bed, halting beside Jay. Where's Claudia? I asked, my eyes darting between them.

Stella and Rochelle glanced at one another then shrugged. I'm not sure. I'd recieved word that she was coming back from visiting her family, but that was two days ago.

As soon as the latter's hands finished moving, the door opened, a familiar face appearing in my vision. A mermaid swam in, her porcelain skin ashen and onyx eyes dull. Jay was moving before I had even gotten out of bed.

I swam toward her, relief creating a lump in my throat. As I did so, however, my eyes were darting around the room, scanning for hidden or unseen threats. She grasped my forearms, tears running down her cheeks. I led her to a chair, pulling one up beside it.

Claudia sank into it, her body trembling as she cried. Jay appeared beside me, a blanket in his arms. She accepted it gratefully, her tremors giving way to shivers. Are you okay? We were worried.

Her chest heaved as she took a breath and raised her hands. I tracked down my parents. They took refuge in an abandoned house near Aquireth's border. It's awful. Instead of hearing the laughs and playful chatter of the children and their parents in the village, it's dead silence. People are too terrified to even leave their homes. Every household has lost at least one family member.

I raised my hands, mouth already opening, but before I could so much as start signing, the door opened. A mermaid swam in first, her long brown hair pulled into a bun. Her onyx eyes—identical to those of her daughter's—widened in relief as she saw Claudia. A merman swam in behind her, his grey eyes wide as they beheld Claudia. His short black hair was cropped close to his head.

Claudia let out a sob as her parents swam to her, wrapping their arms around her. Jay's hand found mine, squeezing gently. I bit back tears as I watched Claudia and her parents. He glanced at me, sensing my thoughts: I wish I could've had that relationship with my parents.

After a few minutes, they broke apart. As soon as they noticed me, they dropped into bows. I swam to them, grabbing my notepad as they looked up at me. Please. Would you like something to eat or drink?

Claudia's father shook his head, eyes fixed on my face. No, your Highness. We cannot thank you enough for taking such good care of our daughter. My name is John Mercer and this is my wife Charlotte. He gestured to Claudia's mother, who smiled as she bowed.

Again, I found myself blinking back tears. Before I had so much put the pen on the paper, Claudia swam to my side. I handed her the notepad. Were you followed?

They both shook their heads after they'd read the message. No. We waited to leave until dusk, as to avoid creating any suspicion. We took back currents the entire time, avoiding any interaction.

I caught Jay's gaze. You both must be exhausted. My husband will show you where you will be staying.

As he took care of them, I ran a shaking hand over my face. First, the issue with Brandon, and now the disaster in Aquireth. What were we going to do?

Claudia swam to my side. What's our next move?

I didn't answer right away, trying to come up with a different outcome than the one that was creating knots in my stomach: We don't have one. When I finally did, however, I looked into her eyes, my own filled with grim determination. We continue business as usual. Jay and I will be at the school and you should be with your parents.

She immediately shook her head. No. I need to be here with you.

As much as I wanted her here with me, I wasn't going to deprive Claudia of the precious time she had with her family. I shook my head. I insist. Your parents need you. I'll be fine. Besides, you won't be far if I need you.

She nodded, hugging me tightly before swimming to her parents' room. Jay was at my side a heartbeat later, the exhaustion on his face mirroring my own expression. We swam to our room and closed the door behind us, both of us loosing a breath. This isn't over, is it? I asked as we swam into bed.

Jay turned to face me, his face grim as he signed. No. It's just beginning.

I tried not to dwell on his words as I laid awake, my mind racing. After a lot of tossing and turning, I finally fell asleep around midnight.

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