It was a towering mount of dead coral that Stavros had elaborately fashioned into the shape of a castle, though no servants bustled around it. Stavros lived alone. Adrian steeled himself for courage, but Moona whispered one last time, “Please,Adrian.”
Adrian grabbed both sides of her face and looked her in the eye. “If there was another way, I would. But Moona, this is the only optionI’vegot.”
He kissed her forehead, then let her linger outside as he ventured into the cave. Moona peered around the edge and watched at a distance, her black eyes tinged withconcern.
Adrian entered the cave. Inside, there were bottles upon bottles of potions lining the walls, and jars filled with all sorts of disgusting ingredients… whale skin, fish eyes, bowels of sharks. Adrian gagged and tried not to lookatthem.
And bones. Bones of merfolk were littered throughout the cave floor, many of them still reaching for something Adrian couldn’t see. Stavros had killed many of them while they were still trying tofightback.
Adrian could see the glow of a cauldron at the end of the cave. Stavros was there, waving his hands over a green concoction that bubbled and brewed. Adrian hadn’t made any noise, but it was like Stavros could hear him as he swam upbehindhim.
Stavros turned around, a wide smile on his face. “My boy.” He spread his arms wide, like a loving uncle welcoming his estranged nephew home. “I knew you’d come byeventually.”
Adrian swallowed. “You said I could come by atanytime.”
“And so you can.” Stavros threw a living octopus into the cauldron. It screamed before it died, and Stavros turned his back on the potion. “Though I’m not stupid enough to believe you’re here tovisit.”
Adrian nodded. “There is somethingIwant.”
“And I suppose Daddy isn’t strong enough to give it to you, so you came running to me.” Stavros’ smile only grewbigger.
“Can’t. Won’t. It doesn’t make a difference,” Adrian said. “Are you going to help me,ornot?”
Stavros picked up his staff, then settled on a chair made of bones comfortably, twirling his many tentacles around his form. “That depends on what youaskfor.”
Adrian clenched his fists. This wouldn’t be easy. He knew Stavros had the power, only that what he would ask would be more than what Adrian could give. “I’ve found my mate. She’s ahuman.”
Stavros stared at him. Then his eyes popped out of his head, and he began laughing. He wiped tears from his eyes and threw his head back on his throne. “Oh, that’s rich.” Stavros settled to chuckles, though humor still danced in his expression. “I suppose my dear brother wasn’t too thrilled when heheard.”
“No. He’s demanding I picksomeoneelse.”
“But it’s not that easy, is it?” Stavros became serious again. “A mating bond is powerful magic. Not easy to break, and devastating to the bonded onceitis.”
“I don’t plan on breaking it,” Adrian said through clenched teeth. “I want you to make me ahuman.”
Stavros’ expression gave nothing away. But his eyes instantly turned greedy, and Adriannoticed.
“Hm.” Stavros tapped his chin with one of his tentacles. “Interesting.”
“What? Is it impossible?” Adrian asked, growing impatient. He just wanted to get out of there. “Do you not have thepower?”
Stavros glared at him. Adrian felt the water around him swell with heat, and he regretted sayinganything.
“I have the power, boy,” Stavros said lowly. “There is more magic in me than what you could ever speculate in your wildestdreams.”
“Great. Then let’s get it over with. What do you want in exchange?” Adrian askedbluntly.
“I? I haven’t asked for anything,” Stavros said, feigning a shocked expression. “I would do anything to help mynephew.”
Then, after a beat, he added, “In exchange for an alliance, ofcourse.”
“I won’t make an alliance with you. This deal is as close to an agreement as you’re ever goingtoget.”
Stavros sighed, and rolled his eyes. “You’ve always been so dramatic, Adrian. Fine. I’ll make youadeal.”
Stavros got off his chair and floated to where Adrian stood. “Yes, I do have the magic. But as you expected, I want something inreturn.”
“Name it.” Adrian swam closer so they were almost touching. “I’ll pay anyprice.”
