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“It’s time,” Layne said. “Ready for my final gift?”

My brow furrowed. Layne had given me plenty of things, but I wasn't so sure I needed another ‘gift’ from him.

“I’m not so sure I should be saying yes…”

“Oh, relax, darling.” He smiled wickedly. “It’s taken me a while to be able to figure this out, but…” He snapped his fingers, and a small golden orb of shadows stood atop his fingertip. “I think now is the perfect time.”

I cocked my head in question, but before I could respond, Layne pressed the orb of magic to my forehead. “Layne, what the fuck?” I exclaimed, rearing backward.

Before I knew it, my mind shifted, and a golden haze washed over my vision. The pressure in my head slowly built, as if a door had been opened and the entire ocean had flooded in. I gasped. “What is⁠—”

It’s a channel, Layne’s voice echoed in my mind.

My gaze darted to him, brows bunched.

Because of our connection and the darkness you consume, I can now speak to you when you’re on the surface.

I stared wide-eyed, unsure of how I felt about this.

“Don’t worry. I can’t read all your thoughts, just what you want me to hear,” he said aloud.

My face relaxed as I drifted back towards him. “I guess it’ll be nice not to feel so alone up there.”

His golden eyes blazed as he smiled back at me.

“Just think of me as your own little voice of reason.”

A sharp laugh escaped me. “You? Reasonable?” I asked, rolling my eyes.

Layne’s laugh rumbled through the water. “Hmm, fair point. Voice of encouragement, then.” He caressed my face. “Now, let’s get on with the show, shall we? Don’t forget to feed before you board the yacht.” His eyes bore into me, and I knew he was worried about my glamour cracking again. “There’s bound to be plenty of disgusting rot floating around in the sea of Preston’s guests.”

I looked up to find the sun beginning to set lower in the sky. Just as I was about to whip my tail towards the surface, Layne gently grabbed my wrist.

“And Evelyn,” he added, his gaze serious.

“Yeah?”

“Make him suffer, my queen. Make Preston Willows remember the girl he threw away into the Sound,” he growled, golden eyes blazing.

My eyes narrowed as I nodded and shot towards the surface.

“Oh, I will,” I said, focusing on my shifting glamour, concentrating on the unsuspecting face I’d be wearing tonight. I focused on the well of power within me, wrapping the illusion around me like a cloak. It was already settling into place as I broke through to the surface.

I fucking will.

The tingle of magic started at my fingertips, working its way onto my hands, the webbing between them fading. My obsidian claws retracted, smoothing into sharp, blood-red nails. The black scales covering my body dissolved, replaced by delicate tan skin, and the gills across my neck sealed over.

Emerging under the shadow of the marina, my hair faded to mist as I broke through to the surface. It instantly transformed into flowing, honey-blond waves, mirroring the sunset.

I waded over to the railing, my eyes pulsing with an icy glow as I commanded the water. It slowly rippled around me, hoisting my body up onto the steps.

Closing my eyes, I let the last of the glamour’s magic wash over me, shifting from their icy blue to a warm hazel, flecked with gold.

I grinned, opening my new eyes and looking down at the flowing black gown and heels as sharp as knives that had materialized. Something I would have never chosen as Evelyn Graymore—but tonight—that’s not at all who I would be.

I looked back at my reflection in the dark water.

Fake and pretentious. It was absolutely perfect.