“We can’t. We can only travel through Mary Worth’s network. She created a mirror for each of us, and they can teleport us anywhere in the world with a mirror. But if Mary locks them down, we cannot use them. And I’ve no doubt Mary’s locked them shut.”
“Then…” that was all Mitch managed before a tentacle snatched him off Ness’s back.
Loch Ness Monster/Jess
How dare Uber-Merman?
With an angry roar, Ness dived. She saw Uber-Merman immediately and attacked. Not expecting it, Uber-Merman was caught unawares as she rammed into him. His tentacles released Mitch, who swam upward, looking for air. Mitch just broke the water and swallowed several gulps as Merman pounced and pulled him away. Ness chased after him, slamming Uber-Merman with her tail, and subsequently snatched Merman in her teeth, shaking him hard and throwing him into the air.
Mitch again began swimming for the surface when Chimera swept down and grabbed him. Ness shot out of the water as Chimera let go of Mitch in surprise. Ness caught Mitch and plunged back underwater. She swam a distance away, surfaced and dropped him.
“Trust me,” Ness ordered, and then gulped him up. Mitch released one shocked yell, and Ness felt him grab a tooth at the side of her mouth. She used her tongue to shove Mitch over to her cheek and then dived again. Mitch would be able to breathe in her maw and wouldn’t be at risk of drowning.
Ness instantly spotted Merman, Uber-Merman, Phantom, Scylla, and Swamp Creature waiting for her. She headed towards them at the speed of a bullet, scattering them and lashing out with her flippers and tail. Growls escaped her as she protected her mate.
Uber-Merman lashed out, trying to control her, and Ness rolled him over in the water as a crocodile would. She lunged, caught him in her front teeth, and dragged him towards the shore. Scylla attempted to stop her, and Ness dived, taking her by surprise before surfacing. Within seconds, Ness was on land and flung Uber-Merman away from her. She scuttled after him and landed smack on him, pinning him.
Quickly, Ness lowered her head, opened her mouth and released Mitch before rolling back and forth over Uber-Merman repeatedly. Uber-Merman was on the board, but she’d show him who was boss!
Chapter Twelve.
Mitch
Holy crap, Ness had eaten him. Mitch scrambled across her tongue to grab a tooth. Ness was not freaking swallowing him! Ness’s tongue shoved him over, and Mitch realised she was nudging him into the hollow of her cheek. Mitch crawled into the small space and wrapped his arms around a molar. He couldn’t exactly say it was pleasant, but when he became aware of the speed she was swimming at, Mitch was grateful. As Ness attacked those opposing her, he endured every blow.
Jesus, Ness was beyond mad. She twisted and turned in the water, and an occasional surge soaked him, but Mitch held on. He had no intention of becoming her meal. Mitch sensed her flippers hit the ground, and then he was spat out.
Soaking wet and drenched in a liquid he didn’t want to name, Mitch tried to get his bearings.
Ness was rolling over on something that had tentacles, and Mitch recognised it as the creature who’d snatched him. “Kick its ass!” he hollered at Ness, who released a bellowing roar.Movement made Mitch glance left, and he noticed people racing towards them.
“Ness!” one yelled as they came near.
Absolutely not! Nobody was berating his Ness. Mitch grabbed a branch, and as a guy drew closer, Mitch struck at him. “Stay away,” Mitch warned.
Ness let out a squeal, and Mitch glanced back and saw the creature was on its feet again and slapping at her with its tentacles.
A woman approached, and Mitch lashed out at her.
“You won’t harm her!” Mitch snarled.
“Ness is my sis—”
“I don’t give a toss. Back the hell up and leave Ness alone!” Mitch roared.
Two guys raced forward, and Mitch swung, smacking one around the head, who went staggering, and the other tackled him. Mitch began swinging as he fought to climb to his feet. He landed a lucky blow, shoved the second guy aside, and scrambled up.
“Enough!” a woman shouted, and everyone paused. Mitch immediately backed away and stood in front of Ness, who dwarfed him. They may have looked stupid, but Mitch didn’t care.
“Griffin, this is on your head, you impetuous fool! You were sent to reconnoitre, not start a damn fight!” she chided.
“Maeve, I—”
“No. You insulted us when you doubted our word, and now you’ve overstepped the line completely. I’m disappointed. Tisiphone, perhaps you ought to take your team home? As clearly, we can’t be trusted,” Maeve continued.
Another woman bowed her head. “You have my apologies, Maeve. Griffin, like Poseidon, is a hothead.”
“Indeed, and we’ve corrected Poseidon’s behaviour over the years. I saw exactly what happened. Those bullets weren’t directed at Griffin or Jess. They were aimed directly at Mitchum,” Maeve replied.
