I descend to the beach in my underwear and a thin shift. As the sun begins to break away from the horizon, I reach the water's edge and stop. Small, warm waves lap at my bare feet, gradually covering my toes in wet sand. Reaching up, I take the thin brown ribbon from my hair and tug it free, allowing my thick black tresses to ripple behind me like a ship's flag.

A small form drifts through the water and breaks the surface, crawling up to me.

"Are you ready?" Bippi asks, bubbles trailing from the two vents on either side of his head.

Although I've been preparing for this moment for the last eight years, nerves start to build in my stomach. "Yes," I whisper, surprised at the tremor in my voice.

Even though his beaked mouth is hidden from view, I've long been able to interpret the octopus's expressions through his eyes alone. The skin between Bippi's blue eyes crinkles in amusement. "Open your heart to the Grey God and proceed."

Taking a deep breath, I nod and move one step forward, then another, forcing myself to stare at the open water and not glance over my shoulder. I can feel my father's eyes on me, watching from the door of his shop as his only daughter—his only child—consigns herself to the sea.

The first few steps are easy, but as I walk further into the water, it becomes harder to move. The ocean tugs at the hem of my shift, rising above my knees. Bippi glides beside me, watching.

"Grey God, Lord of the Sea, from Whom all tides flow, accept this woman as Your servant," I intone as the water rises above my waist. "Let Your powers flow through me."

I've walked so far into the sea that my feet begin to rise off the sandy floor, toes scrabbling for purchase. My arms lift up as I start to float, my chin instinctively tilting up.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spy a flash of color beneath the blue-grey waves. A flick of gossamer fins breaks the surface, then dips back down.

Stay calm, I tell myself as my feet leave the sand and the water clears my chest. Stay calm.

A head breaks the surface, long hair the color of seaweed streaming to either side. Large, dark, storm-colored eyes with long black lashes study me as the mermaid straightens, heavy hair flowing forward to artfully cover her small bare breasts. Jewelry made from tiny shells and sea glass loops around both wrists and around her neck, the pale colors standing in stark contrast to her bronze skin. There is a hint of pearlescent sheen across her sharp cheekbones, forearms, and sides; these patches glisten like small scales.

"Give me your hands, Melusine Fisher," the mermaid says, holding out her arms.

I stare at her. If I bring my arms forward, I'll lose my balance and tip over.

"Give me your hands," the mermaid repeats gently, charoite-colored tail swaying behind her.

This is part of the ceremony, I tell myself. Swallowing my fear, I bring my arms around and grab the mermaid's hands. The young female's grip is strong and she immediately tugs me under the water.

I barely have time to snatch a breath before I'm entirely submerged. Tiny bubbles escape my lips, precious air floating away like little jellyfish beneath the waves. The saltwater stings my eyes and I close them tightly. All around, the weight of the sea presses against my ears; it's nearly suffocating.

A light, airy laugh cuts through my panic. "Open your eyes, silly. And breathe."

A tingle akin to the sensation of goosebumps crawls over my head and settles around my neck. It's so unnerving that I crack one eye open; I'm ready to close it just as quickly when I realize that I don't feel the sting of salt. Both eyes fly open.

The mermaid floats in front of me, still clutching my hands at the wrists. "Breathe," she repeats with a smile. Below the waves, the mermaid's heavy hair streams around her like sea grass caught up in a strong current, wild and untamed. Her charoite lower half gently moves back and forth to keep her in one position.

I stare at the mermaid. Why does everything look as if I'm peering through the bottom of a—very clean—jar? I tug one hand free from the mermaid's grip to rub at my eyes when my fingers come into contact with the rubbery film. It covers my entire face like a mask.

As my lungs begin to burn from the lack of oxygen, I finally give in and take a deep breath, expecting water to rush in. But it doesn't. Clean, fresh air fills my aching lungs and I sag slightly in relief. Whatever charm the mermaid has woven allows me to breathe underwater.

The mermaid chuckles and turns to her right. "Every time," she says as a dark shape emerges from down below.

To my surprise, a massive silvery-black seal glides towards us, its coat speckled with dark rosettes. Huge, round brown eyes immediately fix on me with an intensity that makes my heart begin to beat quicker. The seal's face is almost reptilian in shape with two slashes for nostrils and a short cluster of whiskers. Absolutely nothing about this beast screams "cuddly", unlike the sea lions who populate the coast.

The speckled seal glances at the mermaid and then slowly pivots, striking out for deeper water.

"Selkies," the mermaid says with an apologetic shrug. "Not very talkative. Come."

A selkie? I think in surprise as the mermaid tugs on my arm, drawing me along with barely any effort.

The mermaid pulls me farther out to sea and I look down, watching as the terrain swiftly changes from sand and rocks to a magnificent underwater garden. Dark red clusters of coral line oceanic shelves as small, silvery fish scatter before the deadly-looking seal. Thick patches of sea grass and seaweed gently sway with the current as starfish carefully crawl between them.

In the midst of this beauty is the wreckage of at least six ships from different moments in time. The mermaid pulls me past a more recent wreck, one that I remember from my childhood. At least four people died when the vessel caught fire and sank with its entire cargo. A slim, white piece of bone juts out from beneath the hull, a scrap of brown fabric swaying back and forth.

I only have a few seconds to reflect when the mermaid suddenly swings left, powerful strokes from her shimmering tail speeding them through the water. I gasp, my hair streaming behind me, shift flapping like a flag.

The mermaid dips down and aims for a dark cave at the bottom of the sea floor. The selkie enters first, followed closely by the mermaid and myself. A school of tiny green and yellow fish darts out of the entrance, rapidly swimming away from the seal to hide in the seagrass.

"Go up," the mermaid instructs, letting go of my hand. Despite her delicate appearance, the mermaid is anything but weak. I rub her wrist, the imprint of the mermaid's fingers visible on my skin. I try not to think back to that other time when I had someone else's fingerprints displayed there.

"And then?" I ask, eyes widening as I hear my voice warble out from behind the bubble. Bippi didn't tell me what would happen when I reached the cave, only that it was important to get there.

The mermaid smiles. "You'll see."

That's about as helpful as Bippi was; the octopus steadfastly refused to elaborate any further on the ceremony, even as I pressed him.

As my annoyance rises, I try to squash it by reminding myself that it is important that I complete the ceremony. Glancing at the mermaid, I look up and see what appears to be a flickering light. Curious, I strike out for the surface, bare feet propelling me upwards.

The bubble around my face breaks as I clear the surface. Treading water, I turn towards the source of light: At the back of the cave is an altar pieced together from coral; a single, fat candle burns in the center, the flames dancing across the cave's ceiling like the ripples of waves.

A low, warbling growl echoes in my ears. Heart racing, I whirl around to see the deadly-looking seal staring at me. With a squeal, I thrust out my legs and kick away from the beast's powerful jaws.

The seal snorts, a fine mist jetting from its nostrils. Pivoting like a graceful top, the creature swims towards the altar and begins to drag itself up a slight slope towards the back of the cave. As it moves, its body undulates like a ribbon. I watch, mystified, as a faint glow surrounds the seal; the beast rears up and its skin begins to slough off, falling down like a forgotten blanket.

A woman emerges from the seal's skin, gathering it up in her arms like a coat. She pauses and turns to look back at me, unabashed in her nakedness. "The gods may have eternal patience, but I do not. Hurry up, witch. I dislike being near these shores."

My surprise shifts to annoyance. I consider giving the female selkie a piece of my mind, but out of the corner of my eye, I spy the candle flickering. No, this is a place of the gods. Kicking my feet, I reach the slope and climb out of the water. My shift clings to my body like a second skin, and, despite the warmth of the cave, I start to shiver.

The selkie reaches out and picks up a small, ornamental dagger from the altar. As I step closer, I notice that there are other candles stuck to the coral, all burned to nubs. The wax from countless candles has poured over the edge of the altar and dripped down the front to splatter on the cave floor.

"Each of these candles represents the life of a sea witch," the selkie says, holding the dagger up to the light. "Represented, I should say, for they are long gone." She sets the dagger down and reaches behind the altar, pulling out a bag. "Choose your candle, sea witch. But," she adds, pulling the bag out of my reach, "remember that once it is lit, there is no going back. You are bound to the Grey God from this moment until the end of your days and your candle shall remain here, burning and melting, until it is snuffed out. Do you accept this pact?"

Binding myself to the Grey God will unlock my powers. It's all I've wanted since Bippi first taught me to light a candle. A life serving my village and providing for my father.

"I understand," I say, stuffing my hand into the bag.

With a frown, I feel around the inside. Although small on the outside, it appears as if there are dozens—if not more—candles in the bag. What sort of spell can this be? I wonder, eyes narrowing in thought. And can I replicate it?

The selkie pointedly jiggles the sack and cocks her head. I ignore her and dig around, listening to the candles click and clack against each other. As the selkie grows impatient, my hand closes around one and I lift it free from the bag, bringing it close to my face to look at it. There's nothing special about it, I realize, just a tall, fat candle like the one currently burning on the altar.

Without a word, the selkie takes the candle from me and returns the others to their place behind the altar. She sets it next to the one currently burning and gestures for me to step closer.

I start to move but hesitate when the selkie woman picks up the dagger.

"Your hand," the selkie prompts, holding hers out, palm up.

Swallowing back my apprehension, I place her hand in the other woman's. The selkie wastes no time in making a shallow cut in the fatty part of my hand. I hiss in pain, sucking air through my teeth as salt water makes the cut sting. The selkie ignores me and tugs my hand closer to the unlit candle.

Turning my hand over the wick, the selkie says, "Your blood binds you to the Grey God. Use your powers wisely and well." The selkie raises an eyebrow as if daring me to abuse my abilities.

I open my mouth to refute such assumptions, but I'm drawn to the blood on my palm. A fat drop wells up on my skin and splatters on the wick. There's a sharp crackling sound and the candle suddenly bursts into flame. The selkie releases my hand and I stagger back, overwhelmed by a rush of power that fills me, like the wind blowing off the sea during a storm.

I sag against the cave wall, heart hammering in my chest. I grip my wounded hand with the other, holding it close as it throbs dully.

A low hum, like a whale's song, echoes throughout the cave. I look up as the walls are lit up in a brilliant phosphorescent display: lichen in greens, golds, and white shimmer and sparkle like the night sky. Letting my hand fall to my side, I stare up in wonder, my mouth dropping open.

The selkie makes a sound of approval, head tilted back to watch. For the space of a heartbeat, the two of us share our appreciation of the display, until the song and colors fade. The cave is plunged back into semi-darkness, with only the altar candle and mine providing light.

"Time to go," the selkie says, throwing her seal skin over her shoulders like a cape. In a flash, a deadly leopard seal stands in the woman's place. She glances at me and then starts moving toward the slope.

I take one final look at the altar before descending into the water. The mermaid is waiting and extends her hand. I take it and am drawn back into the cool salt sea.