My hands fist at my sides as I straighten my spine and turn slowly. “I’m listening.”
“Poseidon slumbers the deepest and is at his least powerful during the turn before sunrise,” the sea witch says. “With a minor spell, I can ensure he stays that way while you use the trident to return to those who hold your heart.”
“I believe the trident will kill me,” I say, folding my arms and leveling her with a stare I hope mirrors Hart’s worst one.
“I have a spell for that too,” she coaxes.
“That’s a lot of magic. What is the cost? I am not giving you Genie, and you cannot have my soul.”
She leans forward, her tentacles whipping in the water like she’s excited I am listening to her proposal. “I want the trident once you have used it.”
I scowl. Being released from the ocean would effectively free me from the consequences of her plans, but I couldn’t live with myself if I turned the water dark with the sins and blood I can see swimming in her eyes.
“Not acceptable,” I tell her. No matter how tempting it is.
She smiles like she expected my answer. “How about a simple trade?”
“Of what?”
“Your sword.”
Not my sword. It’s more like it attached itself to me, like a leech. “What would you want with a sword?”
“Power.”
I shake my head. “No deal. Let me leave, Mr. Tick.”
He scowls at the sea witch like she went off script before catching my gaze. “I have a different deal in mind.”
“No longer interested.”
“Hear me out. Then, if it’s not acceptable, you can leave.”
I sigh. It’s not like I have much of a choice. I make a mental note to get the knights to help with my non-existent fighting skills. “I’m listening, but I assure you, I will not give you any weapons or give you control of my weapons.”
The sea witch leans back, her tentacles freezing like they are waiting for the crocodile to make his case.
“I’ll give you everything you need to gain the trident, including the exact wording to release you from the legend. But I want to accompany you.”
“To Poisedeon’s palace?”
“No, to the land.”
Genie drifts forward like he’s trying to understand his motivations. They are murky, but I don’t sense the same ill intent and danger that accompanied the sea witch’s demands.
“Daphne has enough magical sidekicks. There are no job openings,” he snarls.
Mr. Tick glowers at him. “Once on land, I won’t be of any bother to you. I have no interest in witnessing your chaos as you bond with four knights.”
“Why? It seems you have a comfortable life down here.”
He grins. “I have a score to settle with a fairy.”
I tilt my head, weighing the sincerity of his words. “Fine.”
“Daphne, no,” Genie whispers in horror.
“Bring the sword. You’ll need to take it with you until a new Lady of the Lake is chosen,” he advises. “Otherwise, the legendwill overpower the magic, and you’ll find yourself back down here.”
