“If not for Zotera’s quick thinking, the potion likely wouldn’t have worked. Mermaid venom acts very quickly in humans.”
Megan crossed her arms and looked at the Council members. “Which is exactly why I said no more lake the last time Ashlyn fell in. Back then, the Council agreed. So why would Adira tell Ashlyn to go back there?”
“The mermaid unrest against the Council has been growing in recent weeks,” Mr. Quill said. “Adira suggested they might calm if the council fulfilled its contractual obligations to the mermaids.”
Megan gave a dry laugh. “And you bought her bullshit? After Anwen left, I went fishing. The mermaids I caught all confessed to the same thing—if they poisoned Ashlyn, the Council would pass a law limiting the number of mermaids the Oracle could consume. Limit. Not stop. I don’t hold the mermaids responsible for what happened. I hold the Council responsible.” She looked at each one of them. “Unless Adira is acting independently?”
I understood then what Megan was doing. Dividing the Council.
“Adira doesn’t always share her goals, but her intentions have never wavered. Everything she has ever done is for the better of Mantirum,” Mr. Quill said to Megan before looking at me. “I’m sorry you were hurt, Ashlyn. Truly. And if we can find a way to save the world and spare you, we will do so. You have my word.”
A laugh escaped me. It sounded a little crazy and a little tear-filled.
“Wrong answer,” Megan said, pulling out her phone.
“I was just about to call, Megan,” the man who answered said instead of a hello.
“You said you were working on a powerful protection spell for a human, right? Any chance you have enough for two spells?” Megan asked, looking at me.
“I do, but the spell takes weeks to cast. I’m not opposed to casting it, but I’m not sure it’s necessary.”
“What do you mean?” Megan asked.
“The spell-work around this house is incredible. Impenetrable. It’s knocked me back more times than I can count.”
“Are you okay?” Megan asked, showing her concern.
“Yeah. I have my own wards, thanks to your warning. As long as your human stays home, she’ll be safe.”
“Thanks, Zayn,” Megan said.
“Anytime. I’ll keep looking into the rest.”
She pocketed her phone as Raiden said, “You’ve been working with the druid?”
“Yep. Got a problem with that?”
“He is responsible for the deaths of countless creatures and needs to be held accountable for those crimes.”
“And this Council is responsible for countless human deaths and needs to be held accountable,” Megan countered.
“Laws were not broken by either side,” Mr. Quill said diplomatically. “If they had been, Megan’s fury would know. I will try to convince Adira to return so you can question her, Megan. Until then, I agree with your druid that it would be safest for Ashlyn to remain in her home until we can find a solution.”
“What about Adira’s threat?” I asked. “She said that if I didn’t fulfill my obligations and resume my shifts, I would be removed from Uttira.”
Mr. Quill let out a troubled breath. “Technically, she would be within her rights to remove you according to the terms of the agreement you signed after your uncle passed away. However, given the circumstances, I believe that you should be confined for your safety. Allow me some time to speak with her.”
Disbelief stole any physical reaction to what he’d just said. Not Megan, though. She snorted and shook her head.
“Sure. You talk to her. When you do, make sure you mention how the shaking started when Ashlyn was threatened at the lake and only stopped once she was awake and feeling better again. We have been and always will be the gods’ playthings. If you damage my father’s favorite toy, he will not be pleased.”
She turned and started toward us. “Let’s go.”
No one spoke as we left the room. Megan slammed the door on the way out.
“Did they ask about Oanen?” Eliana said as we made our way down the stairs.
“Yeah,” Megan said, calming slightly. “Mrs. Quill’s been popping in to check on him. She promised not to mention the mermaid fight to him until he’s healed. She knows he’d try coming after me.”
