“No, that’s not what I said. I’m not choosing between them.”
A slow grin stretches his lips, revealing those teeth. “Ah, all of them. Greedy. I like it.”
Am I being greedy? I am not forcing them to be with me. If any of them chose to walk away from me, I would understand, even if they would take a little piece of my heart with them.
“You said you could get me back?”
Mr. Tick’s eyes flick to Genie before returning to me. “How did you come across a genie?”
“I found his lamp in a cave.” I omit it was Theo’s cave and what delicious things he did to me after.
“Then she rubbed me off and became my master,” Genie adds.
How many times do I need to tell people I am no one’s master? I don’t do well with responsibility. But arguing that right now is pointless.
“Have you used a wish yet?” Mr. Tick asks.
“No,” I say carefully. Where was he going with this?
“Are you aware of the consequences?”
“Yes, which is why I simply haven’t wished myself out of here.”
“What if I made the wish for you and took the consequences on your behalf?”
I tilt my head. “That’s not possible. The only way Genie gets a new master is when the current one uses all their wishes.”
Mr. Tick bobs his head. “That’s almost always true. But there is always a loophole. You just have to know where to look, Daphne.”
I lean back and fold my arms. If that’s true, then there is a way out of the ocean without wishes and thievery. “Explain that loophole to me.”
The water shifts, and the sea witch emerges from one of the tunnels. She smirks at me, causing a shiver to crawl down my spine. Nothing good happens when she is involved.
Genie swells in size as she slithers closer. “Daphne, let’s leave,” he snaps.
I glance behind me to find the guards barring our exit. “Let’s hear them out,” I mumble. Genie huffs but doesn’t reduce his intimidating size.
The sea witch slides onto the other end of the sofa. “I can return you to land,” she says, going in for the kill.
“What is the cost?” There’s no way she’s doing this out of the goodness of her withered soul.
“Your genie. I can transfer ownership.”
My teeth clench as Genie bristles beside me. “No,” I snap. I don’t sell my friends for my dreams. That is a poor way to live one’s life. We keep our hearts good and true and work hard. We do not use and stamp all over creatures who have helped us. Genie relaxes once he realizes he is safe with me.
“What use is he to you?” Mr. Tick asks. “If you refuse to use your wishes, you’ll be stuck with him for life.”
“What is your point?”
“He is failing to fulfil his narrative, because you are too mellow to use him,” the sea witch states.
“I am not mellow, but the consequences are not worth the prize. If that is your offer, then I refuse and will take my leave now.” I stand, done with this conversation.
“Sit down, Lady of the Lake,” Mr. Tick growls. “We’re not done.”
“I am.” I spin on my heel and get ready to battle two giant mermen with my non-existent fighting skills.
“If that is not acceptable, then perhaps the knowledge of how and when to steal the trident is. That alone has the power to release you from the legend,” Mr. Tick says.
