But then it hits me. What if that was her swim day? Her one chance to rock that tail before being cursed with land legs for the rest of the month?
If you only had one day a month to embrace your inner mermaid, wouldn't you want to make the most of it?
So maybe Calypso's abrupt dismissal wasn't about being rude but about cherishing her limited time as a mermaid. And honestly, I can't blame her for that.
Seraphina, all sweet and knowing, "And if that wasn't enough, Cordelia cursed all the Merfolk, stealing their voices and banishing Calypso from the palace."
"A most despicable act, indeed." Erik finally supplies.
Lucian chuckles. "Whoa, that's some seriousGame of Thronesaction right there! I bet George R.R. Martin is taking notes."
I nod. "And let's not forget the cherry on top of this dysfunctional sundae. Cordelia gives Calypso the Soul Stone, a cursed family heirloom that amplifies emotions and drives the wearer to murder. Because nothing says 'sisterly love' like a homicidal accessory."
Rhyland's brow furrows. "But why the fuck would Cordelia make Calypso wear the Soul Stone? What's her endgame here? And how?"
I tap my chin thoughtfully, my mind racing with possibilities. "Maybe she's trying to paint Calypso as some soul-sucking monster? You know, make herself look like the good guy while her sister takes the fall?
"And maybe it's part of the curse—to force her to wear the damn thing."
Lucian nods, "Well, no fucking shit. Remember how Calypso was acting all kinds of cray-cray when we met her? It was like watching a schizophrenic squirrel on a cocaine bender."
He leans back, crossing his arms over his chest as he continues his analysis. "She was more conflicted than a vegan at a barbecue—like she was constantly wrestling with her inner demons. One minute she's all sweetness and light; the next, she was trying to tear my heart out of my fucking chest."
Seraphina gasps in horror, rushing back over to Lucian.
I shudder, remembering the way Calypso's eyes had flickered between desperation and malice. "Yeah, it was creepy as hell. Like she was two different people trapped in one body."
Erik, so stoic, sheds some light. "Perhaps the Soul Stone is corrupting her, turning her into a twisted version ofherself."
I nod, my heart sinking at the thought. "Or maybe she's just desperate and needs our help, even if she's going about it in the worst possible way."
Mirella finally speaks up, her voice soft and hesitant: "That stone is pure evil—I read about it—whatever it's doing to her can't be good."
"Oh, I know damn well what this stone is capable of and how it works—what baffles me is how Calypso can seem so clear-headed and still in control," shaking my head, confused.
"It's one of the deadliest stones in existence, and she's only got a fraction of it," I continue, raising an eyebrow for emphasis.
Mirella's eyes widen, filled with innocent concern. "Wait, so there's more of it out there?"
I nod. "Yep. We have the other pieces. The plan is to get Calypso's, fuse them all together, and then lock it up tighter than Fort Knox until I figure out what the hell we're dealing with."
I glance around at the others, "Because, you know, babysitting ancient evil artifacts is kind of my thing now. Who knew I'd have such a knack for it?"
I lean against Rhyland's chest, my mind reeling with the implications. "So, we've got a cursed species, a vengeful sister, and a smear campaign involving the Soul Stone that is turning Calypso into a homicidal maniac? And I thought my family was fucked up."
Lucian is practically vibrating with glee. "See? What did I tell you? My girl's got mad skills, yo. She could probably recite Shakespeare's works backward while doing a handstand and juggling chainsaws."
Seraphina giggles, returning to Lucian's lap and kissing him as she sits down.
I roll my eyes but can't help but grin. "Alright, alright. But can we focus on the task at hand? Like, I don't know, the fact that Cordelia's apparently a psychotic mermaid with a vengeance."
Lucian, in all his smart-ass glory, "Jesus, with a family like that, who needs enemies? I'd rather get a fruitcake for Christmas than a one-way ticket to Murder Town."
Either way, it's a fucked-up situation all around. And it's starting to look like I'm the only one who can untangle this mess and bring some balance back to this underwater shit show.
Danica Pierce, professional curse-breaker and part-time mermaid therapist—at your service.
"Damn, this is a lot to unpack," I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief.
