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Her beautiful face alight with success, Thera surveyed the deck for threats, but no more existed. She nodded to Riella before diving into the water, leaving the land-walkers alone. Neve crouched over Seraphine, who had collapsed. Riella hurried to them.
She and Neve helped Seraphine to stand. Riella laughed in disbelief at the transformation happening before her eyes. The elf’s skin had a healthy peach glow. Her hair turned lustrous and thick, the color of honey. And her bright green eyes were full of life and feeling.
Seraphine took a step toward the railing. “I shouldn’t rejoice in death, but I do rejoice in the triumph of the light.”
Her voice was sweet and soft, like a lullaby. She looked around in wonder, inhaling deeply. Only when her gaze rested on Riella did she falter.
“Are you alright?” Seraphine asked the siren.
“Oh, Riella.” Neve grabbed her elbow in alarm. “Your face is gray.”
Riella was not bothered, or afraid. She’d done exactly what she set out to do. And now it was time for her to rest.
The sun broke over the horizon, turning the ocean to brass. Riella’s vision began to fade, and her heartbeat slowed. She would reunite with Jarin very soon. Perhaps then, she could finally tell him what she learned about herself, and her feelings, and what it meant to know him.
Neve frantically cast spells at the siren, moving her hands and chanting words. Riella wanted to tell the sorceress not to worry—that all was well—but she was beyond speaking. She ambled across the deck, climbed the railing, and plunged into the water.
The ocean embraced her, enveloped her, and she sank into the sapphire abyss. Gravity ceased to exist and she hung suspended, waiting for whatever came next with acceptance and curiosity.
Dark blue shadows swirled beneath her, rising.
“I can’t believe I’m saving a pirate,” Sent Galeil.
How strange, thought Riella. Was she hallucinating?
Mareen’s cloud of red hair rose from the depths, the siren stopping level with Riella. Around her neck, hanging from a chain, was an intricate gold pendant with a blue stone in the center.
Riella tried to Send, or move, but found she could not. She couldn’t feel her body at all.
“We heard your Voice,” Sent Mareen. “We came to investigate, and good thing we did. I had fun slaughtering the mage.”
Thera swam toward Riella, her opaline body and pink tail undulating through the water.
“We found the amulet with your instructions.” She giggled. “Mareen’s been itching for a reason to use it.”
“I have not!” Sent Mareen.
“Can she even hear us?” Thera tilted her head at Riella. “She looks dead.”
“Because she is! We’re in the In-Between, but I don’t know how long we have. Now, stop chatting and let me concentrate. I need to call forth the Sea Witch before they pass into the Beyond.” She held the pendant and a searing blue light ignited in its center, illuminating her face. “Galeil, bring the pirate here.”
Galeil swam into Riella’s field of vision. In her arms, she held Jarin’s unconscious body. Blood spiraled from the injuries in his back and he looked very much deceased. But apparently, Riella was, too.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Mareen,” Sent Galeil. “The elders said the sacrifice had to be voluntary for the Sea Witch to grant them life. Are you sure that’s what happened, Thera? They both died for another soul?”
“I’m sure. He gave his life for her, and she died to save the elf.”
Behind her friends, an enormous shadow loomed, tentacles reaching toward Riella and Jarin. Far from scaring her, the mysterious presence flooded Riella with gratitude and joy. The other sirens didn’t seem to notice the shadow or the tentacles, as if only Riella could perceive the Sea Witch.
“Wait,” Sent Thera. “Ask the Sea Witch if you can restore Riella to her original form.”
“Is that even what she wants?” Sent Galeil. “She seems very attached to this land-walker.”
“Well, we can’t very well ask her,” Sent Mareen, exasperated. “She’s dead.”
“We should?—”
“Hurry!” interrupted Thera. “The water’s starting to?—”
