When stars align in stormy skies, and tempest waves start to rise. Siana’s spirit, with purpose clear, shall face the curse without fear. With a willing heart and sacrifice, blood is the key to breaking the ice. Only with blood that need not be taken is the curse shaken.”
“No,” Finn hissed.
“If Father Neptunus knows all this, the girl is not safe.” The voice warned.
“There has to be another way!” Finn braced against his shackles, the clatter of metal echoing through the chamber.
“There might be.” The darkness pulled back from him, and a hint of mischief returned to its tone.
“Tell me,” Finn roared, muscles straining, a vein pulsing in his neck as he fought the restraints, shaking with fury. He tried to summon his lightning, but it only sparked and sputtered out.
“What will you give me?” The darkness’s voice had become sly.
“Anything,” he rasped, his rage quieting.
“Would you give me your heart and soul?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” The voice was a purr now. “Then a bargain is struck.”
Finn’s expression buckled in agony as he slammed his head against the prison wall, the shadows curling tighter around every inch of his body. They crept up his arms, slithering over the shackles, then recoiled as a ripple of magic burst from him, reverberating through the dungeons. Through slitted, bruised eyes, he looked down, catching sight of the heart-shaped tattoo now carved into his chest and a fresh weeping gash on his palm.
“Poseidon’s Trinity exists, and your father is looking for it.” The voice purred. “Make him promise to forget the girl, and you will find the three items and reclaim the Mer’s power.”
“But no one has ever found any of the Trinity. They believe it is only a legend,” Finn cried, his voice hoarse with the intensity of the magic that had just burned a brand on his chest.
“Your father has the key to Poseidon’s Box, and I know how you can find it.”
“You do?”
The darkness caressed Finn’s body. “The Sirens have always stayed out of the feud. But ask your aunt, Queen Peisinoe, for a dream of what you desire most—tell her it’s to save the Mer from the Shadow—and she will grant it. Use it to find the box.”
As he listened, Finn’s bruised face lit up with hope.
The shadows pulled back, skittering to the room’s corners, but the voice echoed through the room.“I have kept my end of the bargain. When the time is right, you must keep yours.”
“Who are you?” Finn asked again.
“That, I think you know.” The shadows returned, creeping back across the floor.
“Kyano? But you disappeared. Why has no one found you until now?”
“You also know the answer to that, little prince. I can only reveal myself to my reincarnation.”
“No!” Finn clenched his fists, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Cruel laughter echoed from the shadows, and then they were gone.
“Wait, how do you know the Trinity exists?”
“Because the Trinity is me, and I am the Trinity.” Kyano’s voice whispered from the gloom.
“Poseidon made the Trinity out of you?”
“Yes,” Kyano purred. “He used theA?tlanticus magic to store me in three objects. If you find all three items and restore the Mer’s power, I will be free.”
Finn bared his teeth. “And if I don’t?”
