I whirled around, my heart pounding. Cursing myself for not being quieter, stealthier, all the while going for the dagger sheathed at my waist. Naia stared at me, her gaze unwavering. The metal didn't so much as whine as I pulled it from my sheath.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have a kingdom to rule?" Even though I couldn't hear what she was saying, I felt the sting of her words nonetheless. Her face was impassive, almost stony.

As the words left her lips, a distracted look appeared on her face. I saw my chance and took it, angling the dagger straight for her arm. A sick sort of satisfaction washed over me as I severed bone and flesh, her fingers splaying open as her own dagger clattered to the ground. She cried out and clutched her arm, taking her attention off me once more.

I saw my chance and took it, quickly swimming deeper into the manor. My breaths were coming fast—too fast—as I swam through Rosewood, the pendant glowing at my neck. I ran into some servants along the way, quickly telling them to swim as far away as they could—find family and hide out with them. A mermaid swam in front of me, eyes wide as she recognized me.

Eliza. I swam to her, clutching her arms. The pendant flared to life under my clothes, shining brightly. I winced, breathing heavily as a thought occurred to me. I remembered reading in Tiger Shark's study that using too much of the pendant's power caused side effects. I just had to get us out of here.

My vision was hazy and blurry as I swam, my grip on Eliza loosening with every stroke. Ghosts appeared in the corners of my vision, their smiles filled with malice. I shook my head to clear it, tightening my grip slightly. We passed multiple servants, all rushing to the exits with their belongings. A burning sensation began in my shoulder and I almost collapsed as a cry escaped my lips. I'd probably strained it during my altercation with Naia.

The world blurred in my vision as the ghosts remained, their gazes hungry as they stared at me. I gritted my teeth and continued swimming. If not for Eliza's hand in mine, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell if she was still beside me. I finally paused as we arrived in Nepptheas, gulping down water.

Faster than I could blink, we were surrounded, mermaids and mermen alike wearing concerned faces as they assessed Eliza, then me. Two of the mermen took Eliza, talking quietly to her.

Brown hair swam in my blurred vision as hands gently gripped my shoulders. Worried green eyes stared at me, filled with concern. Jay. I mouthed his name, tears filling my eyes. The ghosts reappeared, mocking grins on their faces. Help, I mouthed, barely able to remember how to do so.

My heart stopped as one of the ghosts became a familiar face. Tiger Shark. He laughed, his gaze filled with malice.

Dizziness gripped me before I could so much as close my eyes, so violent I thought I would faint. The world spun as we started moving, my body limp in Jay's arms. I cracked an eye open as we swam home and into our room. Familiar, worried faces stared back at me. Hot and cold flashes wracked my body, leaving me whimpering afterwards.

Jay slid into bed beside me, holding me tightly. The last thing I saw was his worried gaze before darkness swallowed me whole.

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