He drilled us repeatedly, moving through the formations. We shot the sharp instruments until every muscle in my body was stiff and my temples throbbed with a relentless headache. All along the line of Mer, arrows flashed and cries rang out when someone missed the target and nearly nicked their partner, but thankfully, the sponge cushions were large enough that no serious injury had occurred.
As the training wore on, Pisceon became increasingly manic as he recounted his battles with the Drowned. He glided back and forth before us, clenching and unclenching his fist.
“Let’s go again,” I panted, lifting the heavy weapon and handing it to Edward with a hiss as a ripple of pain tore through my aching limbs.
Edward released the arrow; this time, his aim was off, and it shot past me, landing with a thud in the sand before Pisceon. “Oh, bollocks.” He turned crimson as Pisceon’s head swiveled in our direction.
The merman surged forward, gripping Edward by the wrist and dragging him before the group. “Know your enemy,” he cried.
Edward’s eyes blazed. “Kindly get off me at once.”
“Pisceon.” Glacies rushed over, unfurling her friend’s clenched fists from Edward’s arm. “I think that’s enough for today.
38
Morgana
Iawoke to warm sun streaming through my window; it must have been around midday. I rubbed my eyes, blinking through my exhaustion as everything that had happened the night before clawed back into my head.
Finn had saved me from a cursed death, only for the chest to be empty. I’d learned he hadn’t killed my grandmother, but also that the deadly Shadow was slowly consuming him.
As we got ready and began the trek to the crumbling church, carrying the chest from the sea cave of horrors between us, we remained silent and solemn, both still weary.
When we arrived, Finn dumped the chest at the old man’s feet, sending ochre dust flying. “It was empty!”
The man laughed, low and deep. “You faced the fear of fear itself and proved your mind unbreakable.”
“Right,” Finn grunted, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun.
My shoulders sagged in relief. We hadn’t failed.
“Now for your final task.” The old man clapped his hands. “A riddle.”
I raised my brows. “Seriously?”
“Do not mock the power of words.” He pressed his weathered fingertips together and surveyed me. “Words are the most powerful weapon on earth. They can make you feel invincible or destroy you, and sometimes they change the course of history.”
My insides wound tight, and the prophecy swam into my mind. The sun had climbed higher, now beating down on us with blinding intensity, and drops of sweat ran down my spine.
“Let’s hear it then.” Finn crossed his arms. He had replaced the leather cuff, hiding the inky veins of the Shadow.
“I am born in pain, pressed and torn, my essence is crimson when I am drawn. I thrive in darkness, the aftermath of strife. I give men courage; I give men life. Solve the riddle and make a generous offering,” the old man crooned, his eyes gleaming as he glanced between us. “You have until sundown.” He threw back his head in laughter. His rickety chair groaned under the movement, and a stray black cat slinked out from the ruins, brushing against his legs.
“Let’s go back to the villa and brainstorm. I can’t think in this heat.” I grabbed Finn by the wrist, tugging him away as the man continued to laugh.
On our walk back to the villa, we began sharing ideas. Finn strode beside me, his muscular arms on full display as he rubbed his chin in thought.
“‘I am born in pain and thrive in darkness...’” I muttered, my new sundress brushing against my legs. “Perhaps it is some kind of demon.”
“Yes, but it also gives men life.”
“Wait a minute!” A manic chuckle escaped my lips as I stopped in the middle of the tourist strip, people jostling past. “It’s blood.”
Finn spun to me, his eyes widening with excitement. “Yes,yes! That works.”
I hurled myself into his arms without thinking. “Of course—it was so obvious.”
Heat crept up my neck as I realized this was the first moment of real affection I’d shown him on this trip. We stilled, caught in each other’s gaze until he tangled his fingers in my hair and rested my forehead against his chest, the rest of the world fading away around us.
