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The only way was down.
I really didn’t want to go down.
Summoning bravery that I didn’t know I had in me. Hiding behind my heart, locked in my ribcage like an emergency ration, I pulled it up. Blanking my mind and the little voice that said I should just let Rainn die. Before I could talk myself out of it, I wedged my hands under Rainn’s body and rolled his body off the ledge.
He fell so slowly, and I jumped after him, grabbing the collar of his tunic as I kicked and swam as if my life depended on it.
The Kraken called out, like a child playing hide and seek. The beast squealed with joy, its tentacle following us to the bottom of the chasm, reaching out. I closed my eyes and grabbed Rainn’s heavy body. Pulling us to the side, the breath expelled from my gills as I watched the tentacle continue after us in the tight space of the chasm. I fell backward, bringing Rainn with me.
A cavern in the rock face. Big enough for one person, two if pressed together. Rainn sagged in my arms, his head flopping to the side, threatening to throw us both off the ledge and away from the dip in the stone.
It wouldn’t be long before the Kraken found us.
I sunk down in relief, my arms around Rainn. My back pressed against the wall, finding the surface surprisingly smooth. So different than the jagged rocks that had left cuts all over my bare legs and arms.
Rainn stirred in my arms, and I lost balance, grasping for the Selkie. His eyes widened in surprise, his hand wrapped around mine, and I fell into the smooth cavern wall.
Pulling Rainn with me as it swallowed us both whole.
There was no water. No air. Just endless nothing that pressed like thick honey against my body. The wall had sucked us both through, swallowing us. I didn’t know if being eaten by the Kraken would have been worse, but somehow, I felt my body rotate even in the nothingness. Tumbling over and over. Rainn’s hand remained in mine, but I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t hear him. My scream ripped from my mouth, burning my throat, but no sound hit my ears.
In a single moment and an eternity, the thick soup dissolved. Ripped away, leaving familiar crisp, dry air.
I landed on the floor, unable to protect my face. My body moved before my brain caught up, as blood filled my mouth. I’d bitten my tongue when my chin hit the sandstone.
Rainn’s hand was still in mine as he rolled onto his back and groaned.
Behind us, the black marble wall loomed, still solid rock. Unchanged.
Dozens of silvers faced us as we lay on the floor, shaking from the adrenaline.
Back at the Siren stronghold.
Gasping, I stared up at the ceiling. “It almost ate us,” I said numbly, cursing. I shook off Rainn’s grip and lifted my shaking hand to my face. “We almost died, and nothing happened. I didn’t reach majority. Belisama gave mefucking nothing.” Even with the seething rage in my voice, my teeth clattered as my adrenaline surged, my body still reacting to having to swim for my life. I sat up, jabbing my thumb at Rainn. “You almostdied,” I said accusingly.
Rainn’s hand fluttered to his chest. “You saved me.”
“For nothing.” I gestured wildly. Ignoring his dazed expression. “Didn’t you hear me? That sacred stone did nothing!”
Rainn tilted his head. “I saw your magic.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “That’s different. I’ve always been able to do that. Undine become Sídhe when they reach their majority. They become one of three things. Òran, Troid, or Weaver,” I rattled off. “I don’t feel any different. Why didn’t anything happen?”
Rainn reached up, grabbing my biceps and forcing my gaze to meet his. “We almost died,” he whispered.
“I know,” I replied, exasperated.
“I almost lost you.” Rainn seemed to be talking to himself, uncaring that I heard his inner musings.
My brow furrowed. “What?” I lowered my voice to match his. “Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Do you have any idea how important you are?” Rainn’s eyes darkened.
“Because I’m the Undine princess.” I scoffed.
“No!” He snapped. “How important you are tome.”
“We hate each other.” I looked away.
