Page 57 of The Ember and the Emerald

“And you saved her,” Elowen said, beaming. “But there’s no way to change someone’s species. Not in this world or any other.”

I anchored my hands on my hips. “Explain why everyone but me sees a blue water maiden.”

“Haven’t you heard? Perception dictates reality. Expectation is a powerful force, ensuring people only ever see what they expect to see.”

Maybe. “But why would anyone expect to see a blue water maiden when they gaze at me? How can the expectations of others cause me to see the future?”

“How indeed,” she taunted with a coy smile before clicking her tongue.

This. This was a big reason I’d hated dealing with Iris. Misdirection, suppositions, and unnecessary puzzles, oh my. But I didn’t back down. I got direct. “What do you know about Ian’s tie to the monstra?” We would return to my new oracle abilities in a bit.

Another coy smile as she stalked a circle around me, saying, “I didn’t come to bargain but to instruct you and to issue a warning.”

Too bad. “I only care about Jasher right now.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw him jolt.

Her smile slipped, just for a moment. “Soon, you’ll wish to create another waterway. Just want it more than air, and it will open.”

Exasperating woman. “That’s not how the world works.” But was that how I’d opened the waterway before?

“And you know that, how?” She patted my head. “Now for the warning. If you enter the Ring of Truth tomorrow, you will die.”

What? “Why? How? I’m armed with the truth.”

“Are you?” She turned and glided closer to the water. “Memories you haven’t yet accessed hold certainties you haven’t yet faced.”

I looked to Jasher for help and got a you’re the one who summoned her shrug. “I’m certain Ian is the leader of the monstra, and that’s what matters. Do you know how to sever the tie or not?”

Anger flickered in her scarlet eyes, all hint of kindness evaporated. “You fight to save your betrayer while I’m forced to contend with our true enemy.”

“Hardly. I’m actively opposing Ian, too.”

“I do not refer to him. He is but a weapon wielded by the ones in control.” She descended the pool’s steps, entering the water. “I speak of Sin,” she offered quietly. “She Is Near. A shadow siren. Sin and her Malkom.”

The names scraped me raw. Jasher must have had a similar reaction. He paled.

“They have reemerged,” Elowen said, “and they’re aiding Ian. You should be worried, my dear. Very, very worried.” She disappeared beneath the surface a second later.

Her words echoed. Shadow siren. Sin. Malkom. Dread slithered through me, a boa tightening its grip. Sin was the woman I’d seen in my visions; she must be. Malkom was her sidekick.

“What’s a shadow siren?” I asked Jasher.

“A nightmare of darkness and pain.” His jaw clenched. “That’s all I can say on the matter.”

So he knew more, but he wouldn’t say more. Or couldn’t. I fisted my hands once, twice, hating the thought of Elowen in danger. Hating my ignorance.

Jasher steered the conversation in another direction. “If I interpreted her confusion-speak correctly, there’s a secret you aren’t ready to accept, but you’ll be forced to do so in the ring, and it will kill you.”

I scrubbed a hand over my face. “After Ahav’s threat, I decided to avoid the Ring. If I have to apologize to Ian, so be it.” Whatever it took.

Jasher flipped his coin. “I’m conflicted, princess. Half of me wants to think the worst of you.”

“And the other half?”

“Doesn’t.”

I sighed and marched to the bed, grabbed the blanket and a pillow, and carried them to my companion. He ignored me. Flip. Catch. I made him a pallet, then returned to the bed, intending to read the journal all night long. Answers awaited me.