That was it. He lost the bargain. He’d never become human again. A hollowness entered him, consuming him from theinside.
It didn’t matter. He had to save Isa, whether they could be together or not. He wouldn’t let her die because of a mistakehe’dmade.
But if the spell was over… Stavros ended up with nothing, didn’t he? The deal was if Isa told Adrian she loved him, he’d remain a human forever, and Stavros would inheritthesea.
What could Stavros possibly gain bytakingIsa?
Adrian didn’t have time to think about it. Far below Stavros was in his lair, and he waswaiting.
Moona swam by his side. He was able to understand her again. She asked, “What are you going todonow?”
Adrian sighed. “I’m going to do what I should’ve done in the first place, and askforhelp.”
He closed his eyes and spread his attention far and wide, throughout the water. He knew his father was listening. Poseidon always paid attention to the sea. Adrian called out to his father, and by the time he opened his eyes again Poseidon was there, swimming in front of them and looking drasticallyworried.
“Adrian,” Poseidon started. “Where have you been? Your mother and I have been worried sickaboutyou.”
His father was no longer angry. Finally, he understood he’d crossed a line during theirfight.
Adrian drew himself up. “I’m sorry, Dad. I’ve finally learned I can’t keep running away from myproblems.”
He cleared his throat. “I need your help. I’m introuble.”
“What kind of trouble?” Poseidon’s eyesnarrowed.
Poseidon’s fingers tightened on his trident as Adrian explained. “I made a deal with Stavros,” he started. “I made a deal with him to become a human for three days so I could be with Isa… she was the human girl I told you about before. Stavros agreed that if she told me she loved me before the three days were up, I’d get to stay humanforever.”
Adrian looked down. “But it didn’t work. She never did say she loved me, and the spellbroke.”
“What did you trade for his magic?” Poseidonasked.
“I told him he could take my place as heir. I’m sorry,” Adrian said as Poseidon frowned. “I wasn’t thinking. But it doesn’t matter. The deal is void, because it never happened. She never said shelovedme.”
“I see. But son, why would you go toStavros?”
“I didn’t have a choice, Dad. You didn’t want to listen,”Adriansaid.
“Your mother convinced me I was too hasty in my decision. By the next morning I was considering giving this girl a chance, but you were gone,”Poseidonsaid.
“I’ve really messed things up, haven’t I?” Adrian cringed, and Moona swam beneath his hand tocomforthim.
“Not yet, you haven’t. If the deal is broken, why are you still introuble?”
“Because he took her, Dad.” Adrian’s tone was desperate. “He kidnapped Isa and took her back to his lair. Before I was confident that I could beat him, but now I’m not so sure I can. Not withoutyourhelp.”
“I will always be here to help my son.” Hot bubbles boiled from the tips of Poseidon’s trident. “And I am tired of my younger brother meddling in business that is not his. It is high tide I teach him alesson.”
Poseidon opened his free hand, and Adrian’s trident appeared within. He tossed it toAdrian.
“Moona, stay here,” he told his friend. “This could getdangerous.”
Moona said nothing, only bobbed. Poseidon and Adrian turned downward, swimming towardStavros’lair.
“There is nothing to be afraid of, son,” Poseidon said. “We’re going to take careofthis.”
Adrian hoped so. He prayed that Isa was all right and that Stavros hadn’t harmed her. But, at the same time… there was a nagging feeling inside of him that Stavros had this planned. He knew Adrian would go to Poseidon for help in the end. But why would Stavros be risky enough to tempt a godintowar?
His uncle was either insane… or he was about to foolthemall.
