Page 12 of Stolen Magic of the Deep

My focus is on her, on the power she carries that was once my father’s, the danger that radiates from within, and the connection I cannot yet explain.

I hold my ground, keeping my face neutral, my voice low and formal. “I know who you are,” I announce, each word deliberate, like a warning. “And you know exactly what you have taken.”

She just continues to stand there as she studies me. “Well, aren’t you bold,” she says, her eyes widening. Her arms cross over her chest as she leans against the wall. Even so, I catch a falter in her gaze—she knows why I am here. Then she flicks a glance at the man, still seated. “Is this the man you saw, Leo?”

Leo, the man from the lobby, gathers his belongings and steps fully into view as I slowly creep out from the boxed chamber, crossing my arms casually. Leo rakes his eyes over me once, and he smirks. “Yes. That’s him. Hard to miss someone that good-looking.”

Sarah shoots him a quick, unimpressed look.

Leo grins impishly. “What? I’m gay, not blind.”

Sarah lets out a breath, half-exasperated, half-amused. Her gaze never leaves me as she speaks over her shoulder to Leo.

“Alright, I’d say we got a good amount done. Go ahead and head out for the day. We’ll upload everything at the lab tomorrow.”

Leo doesn’t ask questions or linger. He shoots her a playful wink as he backs toward the steel chamber, thumb already hitting a button on the inside.

“Text me if you need backup,” he chimes, his expression turning devilish, “or a shovel.”

She turns fully back to me, her smile fading as quickly as it came. I hope it did not show on my face, but she has a gorgeous smile.

I step closer, careful not to move too fast. She flinches, taking a step back, but her eyes never leave mine.

“You need to leave,” she demands, as she lifts her finger and points it toward the same way I came. “I don’t know who you are, but I do know I am not letting a stranger into my home!”

I hold her gaze, voice low but cutting through the tension. “There is no time to waste, land-dweller, no room to ask questions. You will listen to me, now, or you could risk what is at stake.”

The silence stretches for what seems like an eternity. I almost speak again, the weight of it starting to make me second-guess my approach, wondering if I came on too strong. She raises her eyebrows, hand still raised, and I take another deliberate step closer, letting the urgency in my tone hold no doubt.

“I am Orion, King of Virellan. A kingdom that resides in the deepest parts of the sea. What is happening to you, is not a choice anymore. You will be coming with me to my kingdom and returning the magic you have stolen from our society.” I hesitate, debating whether to say more. In the end. I decide she needs to understand exactly where I stand. “Even if I have to drag you there myself.”

Her eyes widen, and her hand slips into her pocket. “You’re insane,” she snaps. “I’m calling the police right now!” I watch as she pulls out a small, square item I do not recognize, holding it tightly in her hand.

I do not understand what she means by “call” someone. Her words make no sense. She is alone in this room, other than me. Who could she possibly summon with nothing but her voice and that small square device?

She moves, frantically, fingers pressing against the square item.

I take another small step toward her, holding my hands out, trying to calm her without letting her slip further into panic. “No. I am not insane. You need to listen! You do not understand what is happening,” I say, urgency sharpening every word.

So much for staying calm . . .

Her brow furrows, dread flickering in her eyes, but I press on. “The powers you now have—they are not yours. And they are dangerous if misused. You have stolen something that belongs to my kingdom. I need you to understand what that means, or everything is at risk.”

She freezes, the square item pinned between her fingers and her ear. Her chest rises quickly as she struggles to process my words.

“Hi, yes, my name is Sarah Fischer. A homeless man broke into my penthouse and I need—”

I snatch the object from her hand. A tiny voice bleeds through the other end, trapped inside the square. Startled, I crush the device in my palm and let it drop to the floor. The loud thud of it falling pulsates in my ears.

“What the hell?” she chokes out, her words rushing over each other. “That’s my phone, jackass.”

She storms closer, yanking the broken halves from the floor, and shoves them in my face like an accusation made solid.

“You have all of two minutes to fucking explain,” she demands through clenched teeth. “And given the cut-off call? I’d assume the cops will be arriving shortly.”

“I came because of a prophecy delivered by one of my nobles.” I speak fast, faster than I should, because time is not a luxury I have right now. “It spoke of a land-dweller, with your name, who would come into possession of my father’s magic. Magic that was hidden for safekeeping. I said you knew what you had taken because I can feel it. His magic—it is what pulled me to you.” I inhale, sharply, neutralizing my thoughts. “But after meeting you, it is clear you are just as blindsided as I am.”

She cuts me off. “Blindsided? Try something worse.” She raises a hand to her forehead. “Try overwhelmed and slightly terrified.”