"Ah, Lorelei. Thank you kindly," the dark mermaid says, her voice like honey poured over razor blades. "You shall be richly rewarded."
Lorelei? Like the mythical siren who lured sailors to their doom with her enchanting voice? Oh, this keeps getting better and better.
I clear my throat, trying to find my voice amid all this insanity. "Uh, excuse me, yourMajesty, but would you mind telling me what the actualfuckis going on here? Because last time I checked, I didn't sign up for a one-way ticket to Ursula's lair."
The dark mermaid smiles, her lips curling up in a way that makes me feel like I'm about to become her next meal. "Welcome to my domain, my dear," she says, her voice echoing like whispers of the sea in the vast cavern. "I've been waiting for your arrival."
Well, fuck me sideways with a rusty trident.
"Who the hell are you?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. My crown is buzzing like a nest of angry hornets, and I can practically taste the deception in the air, thick and cloying like molasses.
The dark mermaid slowly lifts herself out of the pool, her opalescent black tail slapping against the floor with a splash that echoes through the cavernous space. And then, in a moment that makes my heart stop and my jaw drop, her tail startsto shimmer and shift, morphing into a pair of smooth, toned legs that would make even the most seasoned supermodel weep with envy.
She stands there, her naked body on full display like some underwater burlesque show. I can't help but stare, my eyes tracing the curves of her figure and the intricate patterns of opalescent black scales that still cling to her skin like armor.
A male approaches from the shadows, wrapping her in a black robe adorned with intricate swirls of silver and gold. The fabric clings to her, accentuating her curves in an alluring and terrifying way.
"I am Calypso," she says, her voice is sweet that belies the danger lurking beneath the surface. "And I've been just itching to meet you…"
She looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to introduce myself.
I feel the blood drain from my face so fast you'd think I'd seen a ghost, my stomach twisting itself into a pretzel as the name Calypso—the Sea Witch—registers—the same psycho Gideon warned me about.
Great. Just great. Here I thought I'd dodged Bloodbane's whole "kidnap me and drag me to the Sea Witch" schtick, but nope! Apparently, all roads lead to her royal pain-in-the-ass-ness.
If I had to put money on it, I'd say she's planning to throw a massive wrench in my grand tour of this underwater wonderland.
Awesome.
I turn behind me, my heart pounding, and see Lorelei bobbing up and down in a pool of water like a demented mermaid Barbie. She's got a smirk plastered on her face that makes me want to slap it right off, but I manage to restrain myself. Barely.
"I'm so glad you've met my Siren," Calypso purrs, her eyes sparkling with mischief and malice. "I’m certain you’ll meet plenty more now that you're my honored guest."
A Siren?
Oh, that's just great! So now I get to deal with two different species that look alike. It's good to know that my life just got even more complicated. Add that to the ever-growing list of "Things That Totally Could've Been Mentioned Earlier."
But Calypso? Now, she's a different kettle of fish—gotta be a mermaid. No shark-like fin cutting through her back, and she's rocking a pair of legs. Cue the endless stream of questions.
I straighten my spine, squaring my shoulders like I'm about to go into battle. Which, let's be real, I probably am.
"Listen,Ursula, as much as I appreciate the invitation to your little underwater soirée, I'm afraid I will have to decline. You see, I've got places to be, people to save, and a whole lot of interdimensional fuckery to sort out. So, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way."
I start to turn, half-expecting to be blasted into oblivion by some magical sea witch mojo. But to my surprise, Calypso smiles, her lips curling up in a way that makes my blood run cold.
"Oh, my precious dear," her voice smooth like the calm sea. "I'm afraid you're misunderstanding. You won't leave until I get what I desire from you."
Suddenly, the water in a nearby pool erupts like a geyser, and a man comes bursting through the surface with all the grace of a drunken swan. But it's not just any man—it's a Siren, complete with scales, shark fins, and a tail that looks like it could bitch-slap a great white shark into submission.
Clutched in his muscular arms like a sack of potatoes is another man, limp and lifeless. The Siren flops his cargo onto the floor with about as much care as a toddler with a rag doll, giving him a rough shove for good measure.
"Your Majesty, I also found this one—just off the wreckage of the ships. I thought you would like it."
I peer at the lifeless form on the ground, my heart sinking as I take in the familiar golden hair and lithe, muscular build.
Oh my god!
"Lucian!" I shout, my voice cracking with fear and rage. I drop to my knees beside him, my hands shaking as I search for any sign of life. But he's not breathing, his chest as still as a statue.
