Since Jonah's kidnapping, I had been unable to get a whole night's sleep—or at least a restful one. If I did manage an entire night's rest, I still woke up groggy and bleary-eyed. I don't know if it was just my body's way of reacting and adjusting to the aftermath of it or if it was psychological. More than one morning, I'd awakened with a scream trapped in my throat.

The following day was no different. Only this time, a ghostly voice accompanied my gasps for water. "Faye, where are you?" I couldn't stifle the sob that slipped free from my lips. It was a replica of the last time. Only the voice was different.

I would recognize it anywhere. I knew it almost as well as I knew my own. Waverly. I mouthed my friend's name, tears filling my eyes. Jonah didn't move from his seat in the chair beside my bed.

I made no move to wake him. I hated leaving him—and not telling him where I was going—but I had to. Even though I vividly remembered what happened the last time I'd been in this situation, I nonetheless rose from my bed. I swam into my closet and hastily changed into a black-and-red dress.

My hands were shaking as I swam back into the bedroom. I froze, holding my breath as Jonah took a breath, then let it out in a snore. His eyes never opened, however.

Swallowing hard, I kissed his forehead, barely brushing my lips against his skin. He stirred but never opened his eyes. I silently grabbed my bag from where I'd stashed it beside my bed, heading for the suite door. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and I hastily brushed them away.

I struggled to push my emotions down and focus on the task in front of me. Waverly. Every beat of my heart chanted her name: Wav-er-ly, Wav-er-ly, Wav-er-ly. Over and over until I couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I pictured my friend's sweet face, stained with tears after the news had broken. My heart skipped a beat, lurching as I imagined her in a dark cave: shivering, frightened, and alone. Her voice played on repeat in my head, the fear in it sending a chill down my spine. "Faye, please. I need you." I remembered vividly what had happened with Jonah, but I couldn't risk brushing this off. What if something had happened to her?

Like with Jonah, I had no idea where to start searching, but I decided to start with Pelathas and work my way up from there. It was a large realm, but what choice did I have? I had no way of knowing where she was. Fear, desperation, and guilt created a knot in my stomach. I didn't care how long it took—I'd search nonstop until I found her. Scribbling a hasty note for Mom, Dad, Drew, and Jonah, I quietly swam out of my bedroom.

My heart was pounding in my chest as I left my suite, flipping the hood of my cloak over my head. I swam as calmly as I could, maintaining a blank expression. The first thing I did was knock on the door to her suite. Part of me was (foolishly) hoping that she'd open the door and brush off my concerns. That I'd find her safe and sound.

Those hopes were instantly shattered the moment the door swung open. Laguna floated before me, face red and blotchy with tears. I also noticed several bruises on her face and hairline. "She—she just burst into our suite. She wouldn't tell us who she was; she never said a word. I tried to shield Waverly, but I wasn't fast enough. Why did she take her, Faye? Why did she take my baby?" Her voice broke on the last word, and she crumpled.

It took everything I had not to burst into tears immediately. Laguna hadn't mentioned a name, but the she was enough for me to figure out the culprit. I wanted to comfort her, but all my concentration was focused on Waverly. "I will get her back. I promise." My voice did not tremble, nor did it break.

Laguna started to speak, but I had already turned away. The swim from their suite to the entryway seemed to last an eternity. When I finally reached the front doors, I halted, the enormity of what I was swimming into hitting me head-on. If Kailani had hurt her—

I didn't even let myself finish the thought. I couldn't let myself think that way. Even if it took me searching through the remainder of the day and into the night, I would find her. The very thought of pushing my body to the limit had my still-sore muscles crying out, but I moved the pain to the very back of my mind. I couldn't focus on that or anything else right now. All my attention was focused on the task ahead of me.

A chill ran down my spine as I left the palace and swam into the open water. The water was still; even the sea creatures were still asleep. I looked above me to the surface and was greeted by blackness. Still early, then. Good; I didn't have a plan besides finding Waverly, but leaving under cover of darkness seemed like a good start. Luckily, I still had leftover food in my bag.

I grabbed a piece of shrimp, nibbling on it absentmindedly as I swam. Every so often, I would softly call out Waverly's name, trying hard to keep my voice steady. "Waverly? It's Faye. Can you hear me?" Unsurprisingly, there was no answer, at least not the first few times.

I hugged my cloak tighter around me, relishing its warmth. It was midday when I finally reached Pelathas' border. Exhausted and frustrated, I paused, savoring the rare opportunity to rest. The sun was shining high over the water, but I didn't even feel it. After a few more minutes, I prepared myself to begin swimming again. Before I even took a stroke, my chest began to hitch. Tears welled in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks before I registered the movement.

As hard as I'd tried to push down my emotions, to keep a clear head, I couldn't do it anymore. Now that I'd stopped, everything I'd been holding back—the fear, the apprehension, the dread, the anxiety—came rushing to the surface. I crumpled to the ground, covering my face with my hands as I sobbed. I cried until my eyes were dry and puffy and I had no tears left. All that remained was cold, calculating determination.

It wasn't until I'd reached the entrance to Aegrem that I stopped again, whirling around at the sound of my name. "Faye? What are you doing here?" I knew that voice. Aunt Izzy and Uncle Kai floated behind me, concerned expressions on their faces. It was the former who'd spoken.

I was sure I looked frantic—I could picture my red-rimmed eyes, the tear streaks on my cheeks—yet I wasn't sure if I even had the words to explain. Steeling myself, however, I opened my mouth and recounted what had happened up until now.

Aunt Izzy took my hand, a small gasp escaping her as I got to the part about Waverly. Uncle Kai's eyes went hard; his mouth tightened, but he said nothing. "Is there anything we can do to help?" Aunt Izzy's voice was small as she spoke, filled with concern and fear.

I started to shake my head, then paused. "Can you two go to Pelathas and explain to my parents and Jonah what's going on? I left a note, but they'll feel better hearing it from you." I knew it was cowardly, but I couldn't afford to stop for a second time. I knew that if I did, I wouldn't be able to start again.

Even now, I could feel the adrenaline fading from my body, leaving a lingering sense of exhaustion. Uncle Kai noticed, putting a gentle and steadying arm around my shoulder. "You need to rest. Why don't you come back to Beltmare, and we can figure this out—" He didn't get a chance to finish.

The word was out of my mouth before the thought finished forming. "No!" My voice broke, and I looked down, struggling to manage my spiralling emotions. When I voiced the following words, my heart irrevocably shattered. "It may already be too late."

That's when it happened again—ten times stronger. "Faye, please. S-she says she'll kill me if you don't come. Please." Her fear was palpable—it was as if she was right next to me. As if things couldn't get any worse, a familiar tune reached my ears.

Sister Siren, we gather together
From lakes and ponds and seas and oceans
Ready to put our plan into motion
Come one, come all, to the place where it all began
Listen to my voice, heed my call
Come one, come all
Sing our song, sing along

I was shaking with fear, barely able to process the spiralling emotions inside me. I knew hearing the Siren Song was anything but a coincidence—they were trying to draw me out. Uncle Kai suddenly touched my arm, his grip gentle but firm.

"Faye." His voice was deadly calm, though edged with panic.

Heart in my throat, I looked up, following his gaze. Never expecting my worst nightmare—the thing I'd always been terrified of but had never realized until this moment—to come true. Waverly was floating beside Kailani, the latter holding a dagger to the former's throat.

Despite the situation, Waverly was remarkably calm. She wasn't crying—wasn't saying a word. She seemed to be in shock. Her face was deathly pale, her eyes impossibly wide.

"Well," Kailani said, voice filled with the usual smugness. "Here we are."

I put my hands out before me as I inched closer to them. "Please. Let Waverly go. Kailani, I will do anything."

No one spoke. Again, it was as if all the sea creatures were holding their breath. That sense of drowning overtook me again, violently this time. I could tell by the look in Kailani's eyes that the following words would change everything. It was only when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye that I tore my gaze from the scene in front of me.

Laguna had swum up beside me silently, tears staining her cheeks. She locked eyes with Waverly, a sob escaping her lips. When she looked at Kailani, she froze and swallowed hard.

I was all but gasping for water. I looked at Waverly, but she was staring straight ahead, motionless in the water. When Kailani spoke, the words were delivered with malicious glee I hadn't heard from her in a long time.

"Long time no see, sister."

Final chapter! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed and favourited!