Into the Deep (24 page)

Pity fills her expression. “I can’t say. These powers are special, unique, like I told you. It’s possible, but I have to ask the question. Do you want to?”

I mull that over, remembering how Galina said the incident made me who I am. It’s a reminder of how violent nature can be, and as I stand in the luscious forest, I realize in this new, frightening world, that reminder is more important than ever.

Flashing Batari a half-smile, I say, “No, I don’t want to change anything.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Same as this morning, Xander and I don’t speak much at the beginning of our journey home. My brain is full, pressing against the sides of my skull, as it tries to process the past couple hours. Eventually I start talking, just to clear it out.

Xander is patient as I slowly recount the points Batari told me. For a long time after we swim in silence as he processes it. I specifically leave off the part about what could happen if I accomplish my task. Once Stavros or Nerio hears that part, I won’t be allowed to do what I have to. That, and I can’t dwell on it or else I’ll lose my mind. It’s a worry for another day.

My biggest concern is if I’m going to let everyone down. Once they learn what I’m capable of, it lies on me. It’s incredibly daunting. I’ve grown since being here, found a strength I never knew I had, but will it be enough to cope with the expectations?

His first words are a hundred percent Xander. “Well, I knew you were special.”

“Ha-ha,” I counter sarcastically.

“Seriously, there’s a big weight resting on your shoulders, but you’re not alone. If you’re not ready or comfortable with this, we’ll find another way.”

“Thanks. It’s not as scary once I remember I’ve got backup. I didn’t expect to do this on my own. I might be the one who has to stop her, but I can’t do it alone. Batari mentioned something we can try, which was reuniting the oceans.”

“That won’t be easy.” His tone is devoid of any optimism.

“No, but what she said made a lot of sense. If we can all work together,
Calandra will have fewer places to hide and less mer being compliant about her actions.”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t a great idea. The challenging part will be convincing them to snap out of it and act. No one trusts each other anymore. Calandra’s damaged that by leading each ocean to believe it’s the other’s fault. Her spies have made us paranoid.”

“They will have hope if they know about my ability,” I argue as the idea forms. “I will show them what I can do, let them witness my gift.”

“No. It’s too dangerous. Once Calandra learns this, she will hunt you with a vengeance.”

“That may happen regardless.”

A guard interrupts us, his brows furrowed with tension. “There’s a big storm ahead and waters will be rough. We should go around.”

As long as it’s not another mass of dead fish. I shiver at the memory. An idea hits me then. Squinting, I see where the water is darkened from the heavy clouds above.

“Let me try something.”

The guard is confused. “But, princess, it’s dangerous. Besides the storm, night is falling and we need to hurry. Too many unknown enemies lurk here lately.”

“And going around will take longer. Trust me.”

He can’t really disobey me, so he nods curtly.

“What’s running through that beautiful head of yours?” Xander asks.

I turn to him full of excitement. “The plan is to test these powers, right? What better way than to see if I can affect the storm?”

He chews it over before breaking into a huge grin. “Okay, let’s do it. It’ll be pretty cool to watch you in action.” He turns serious. “Promise me, if it doesn’t work we’ll leave.”

“I promise.”

I propel myself and surface into the pounding rain at the edge of the storm. To our east, the direction we have to go, a thick wall of black clouds stretch toward each horizon. They tower high into the sky, giant skyscrapers. Swirls of black, gray, and white accentuate the multidimensional layers, fingers that reach out to pull any victim in. The darkest parts are so bleak they appear to swallow up the entire earth. Occasionally, lightning streaks down to the water, deceptive in its beauty.

Xander pops up next to me. “That’s a big storm.”

Instead of answering, I study the water and the clouds and try to remember the basic elements of a storm. They form when a cold front meets a warm one and there’s something to do with high and low pressure. The clouds require water vapor in order to rain and wind to fuel it. I wish I’d paid attention in class.

If I can stabilize the atmosphere and suck out the vapor, the clouds should disperse or lessen.

I build a model of the storm in my mind. I imagine the clouds as thick masses sucking in moisture. I can almost feel the heavy wet air. Warmth travels down my tail, a sign the power is beginning to work. This takes significantly more effort than the small clearing.

The strain comes from both my mind and body. I don’t grow tired, necessarily, it’s like the very essence of me flows out and into those clouds. In the water, I am fluid. On land, I am vibrant. Here, tapping into the air, I am free. Weightless.

Slowly I turn the clouds into dry cottony fluffs, devoid of any moisture. The rain lessens and eventually stops. The heavy clouds in front of us lighten to a gray color and then white. With the wind caressing my skin, I latch onto that and use it to chase the dry clouds away. Finally I picture the sun and rays of the setting disc burst through where it used to be dark.

I release the image. The same residual energy flows through me, but I’m infinitely more tired than I was earlier. Doing this so close to repairing the clearing is probably not my greatest idea. The wind dies to a slight breeze and I lift my face to the sun.

“Wow,” Xander says breathlessly. “You did it.”

“Did you doubt me?” I tease.

The words tumble out in a slur. I can’t let Xander, or anyone, notice how it wears me out. I need to build up my stamina. That’s my number one goal. Once I do that, I can strive to live up to their expectations.

Xander must not notice my weariness. “Maybe a little, but I’ll never make that mistake again.”

A little while later I ask, “How in the world do I track down Poseidon?” The loud, barking laugh escaping Xander’s mouth captures my gaze. “Is it really that funny?”

“It’s a tiny bit funny.” He sobers. “Finding a god is no easy feat. Nor will it be safe. I would vote for not destroying it and returning it to him, personally. But until it’s back in his hands, the temptation of the amulet will draw the worst sorts to you and even out of you.”

“Awesome,” I bite out sarcastically. “So just when it’s over, it’s on to the next adventure. There goes graduating high school.”

“Does that bother you?”

“High school seems minor compared to saving the world and returning a magical amulet to the sea god. There will be moments coming up where I’ll desperately miss being normal, but I accept what I have to do. I guess I just grow up faster than my schoolmates.”

“That’s a very brave and mature thing to say, Zoey. And as I said earlier, you’re not alone. I doubt your father or Nerio will let you do any of this on your own. Neither will I for that matter.”

“I know, and it helps.” I swallow thickly. “I am desperate to check on my mom, but Batari said I might be followed and put her in danger. I have to be patient.”

What I don’t add is that even with the backup I’ll have, I can’t block the loneliness from settling in. It’s strange to feel so set apart from everyone else. My odd phobia used to do that. I was the girl who limped on one leg, afraid of things she wasn’t familiar with. Now I am filled with powers to match a god, the one chosen to fight an epic battle.

Clearly, I am not meant to be normal.

Chapter Forty-Four

It’s late when we return to the palace, but Stavros will certainly be waiting up. Xander and I go directly to the throne room where we find him, Nerio, and Alexios talking in low tones. When they notice us, Stavros rushes over and hugs me tight. It was nice having Xander along, but in my father’s arms I finally realize how real the situation is.

When he pulls back, he’s a king again. “Did you learn anything useful?”

I search out Nerio and drink in his gaze. He watches me intently, itching to rush over and greet me as Stavros did. I sneak a glance at Xander as well, who is unable to keep a straight face. The whole trip home he’s been like that, as if he sees me as some kind of badass fighting machine.

Alexios looks between the two of us. “Are we to assume it is good news?”

“Yes,” I answer. “It’s hopeful news. I assume you have heard of Gaia?”

The three of them nod and I launch into the story, ending with the storm. Most of my strength has returned but I’m still far more tired than I should be. I resist the urge to laugh at the others, who have been struck dumb by my story. Basically, they’re experiencing the same emotions I’ve been battling all day.

Then Stavros’s expression falls into despair. “It falls on you and you alone.”

From what I’ve learned of my father, I can bet on exactly what’s running through his head. He’s feeling powerless because it’s not him who has the power to save his people. It lies in the hands of his sixteen-year-old, barely mer daughter.

I’d be worried too.

I reach for him. “I realize you’re concerned about this, but I’ll be fine. I have a lot to learn, so it gives you a chance to develop a battle plan. I cannot do this on my own, that much is evident. Batari said it wouldn’t happen overnight and she’s right.”

“I’m sorry this burden rests on you. You’re here to know more about me and our kind. Instead, you’re a savior to save both worlds.”

“And I’ve accepted that.”

He cups my cheek. “I’m lucky to have you for a daughter.”

“What sort of plan do we need?” Nerio asks, speaking up finally.

“Batari mentioned we should attempt to lure the oceans into uniting against her,” I reply. “With us all working together, Calandra will feel less safe and have fewer places to hide. And once they see what I can do, they may join us.”

“I agree it’s a valid idea and one we should pursue regardless, but I fear it may take too long,” the king says. “We don’t have time. Plus, if you flaunt this gift it will bode ill for your safety.”

We are silent, scrambling to form a solution.

“I say we draw Calandra to us when Zoey is ready. As long as she doesn’t know about her, we have an advantage,” Xander suggests. “We can protect her. If Calandra does hear about our secret weapon, we still retain that advantage.”

“No, she’s too careful to venture out of wherever she’s hiding,” Stavros counters.

“Even if she thinks she has the advantage?”

Stavros turns to Xander. “What do you mean?”

“Offer her your allegiance.”

He pales at the idea and Nerio adds to it, “Unfortunately, Xander has point. The Pacific Ocean is a great prize. She won’t pass it up.”

“She wouldn’t trust it,” Stavros says.

Now it’s Alexios who presses the idea. “She will if you make it about keeping your kingdom intact and safe. She already offered it once. Calandra is aware of the kind of leader you are. You’re compassionate and won’t want to bring a war to your waters. Stress that. Convince her you realized she’s too formidable of an opponent and the safety of your people and family is a priority.”

“I abhor the idea of letting my enemies believe I’ve gone soft,” he booms. “That doesn’t mean I don’t see the wisdom in it. We don’t have anything else right now.” Stavros studies me. “How long do you need to better comprehend these powers?”

“Maybe three or four days at least. I can’t promise I’ll defeat her in our first meeting, Batari said it will probably take a couple tries, but we may deal her a blow. Most importantly, we can gauge her true powers at the same time, what she’s truly capable of.”

“Of course, once she witnesses what you can do, that you’re like her, you’ll be in tremendous danger.” My father sighs. “If we have to gather supporters, we’ll deal with that when needed. You traveling is an option I can’t consider, not yet. That plan will require careful deliberation.”

“I understand. This has become my home and I’m willing to fight for it. It’s not only the oceans at risk. Mom only lives a few miles from the coast. I’m doing it for her too. The kingdom I grew up in, the United States, is also under attack.”

“And she’d be proud if she knew.” A dark cloud passes across his face. “There is something else you should hear.”

A couple times he opens his mouth to begin, but can’t quite speak. He shoots a pleading glance at Alexios.

The other merman clears his throat. “We managed to extract some information from the mer who attacked you.”

Nerio scoots over and leans his solid body against mine in support. This can’t be good.

Finally Stavros speaks. “He was a spy, sent here to gather information and given access by those closest to me.” He grits his teeth. “Last night, after you had an argument with her in the atrium, Eustacia ordered him to…” The words trail off.

“She ordered him to kill you,” Nerio finishes in a tightly controlled voice.

“What?” Xander roars, glancing between his father and mine.

I’ve gone shock still. My own family wanted me dead? We share the same blood. Our argument wasn’t even that serious! Apparently, Eustacia is more vindictive than I ever imagined. Did she plan this before or after I unknowingly attacked her?

I meet Stavros’s gaze, pained by the hurt and guilt there. Of course he blames himself. If he finds out what I did to her, he’ll be disappointed and I couldn’t bear it.

Hurrying forward, I place my hands on his shoulders. “There’s nothing you could have done.” He rests his forehead on mine.

“Where is she?” Xander demands.

“She and her mother have vanished,” Alexios answers.

The implications of that simple statement jolts through us all. Magdalena and Eustacia are with Calandra. My mind reels. How long? How long had this plan been in motion? Had the king been a target, until I acted? Watching my father rips me in two. Did he ever suspect? I vow in that moment to guarantee they suffer for this betrayal.

“We shouldn’t linger on this,” Nerio speaks. “There will be time for that later. We must stay focused on the task at hand.”

Stavros gazes at him in respect and gathers himself together. “You’re right. Calandra is coming and we have to keep Zoey’s powers a secret and help her figure out how to use it.” He turns to me, shadows in his expression. “Go. Get some rest. Today has probably been tiring. All this will be here in the morning.”

The stunning realization clings to me, saturating my skin. I’m lost in a cloud of surprise. After saying good night to Alexios and Xander, Nerio escorts me to the door. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m just very tired. Go, help my father with this insane plan.”

He surprises me by pulling me into a warm embrace. It’s a bold move, considering I’m not sure what Alexios knows, but it feels too safe to care.

“I’ll meet you in the atrium midmorning and we’ll work on both your ability and your hand-to-hand combat. It will be hard, but try to sleep.”

I lift the corners of my mouth. I’m so proud of him, of how serious he’s taking this opportunity. This is where he will shine and I can only hope the people of this kingdom notice. Maybe they will view him as more than a simple guard.

For my heart’s and my future’s sake, I pray they do.