All the Stars and Teeth(37)
She nods her head side to side, as if considering this. “Aye, but I don’t see where I fit into this problem. As I’ve said already, there’s a price on my head. Why should I help the kingdom that put it there?”
“Because I can get rid of it,” I say firmly, watching the interest lift in Shanty’s eyes. “And because if Kaven gains control, there’s no telling what might happen to this lounge of yours, especially since you refused to help him. Kaven can steal magic.”
Though a grin had been previously curling at her lips, it straightens away at once. “Can he, now? Well, that’s a problem.” She waves her hands, and the barracudas relax their weapons. “I’d like to help you, Princess, but let’s confirm one thing: Are you telling me that, should I lend my services, you’ll lift the bounty on me and every one of my barracudas?”
“Consider it done.” Though I may not know what put that bounty on their heads in the first place, it’s not as important as protecting Visidia. Not to mention that if the rebellion’s already tried to team up with the barracudas once, there’s nothing to say they won’t try again.
And something in my gut tells me Shanty isn’t someone I want to make my enemy.
Ferrick’s face retracts. “This doesn’t sound like a good plan—” His words cut off as I give him a swift nudge with my elbow.
“Very well, then. What can I help you with?” A wicked gleam crosses Shanty’s ruby eyes. The music kicks back up, and once again the club is thick with smoke and chatter as everyone slinks away to resume their business.
“We need a way to Zudoh,” Bastian says, rubbing tenderly at his throat.
Her attention bounces to him and she nods, waving us over to two leather booths in the far corner of the club. Taking a seat on the opposite side, she swings one leg over the other and leans back comfortably. She pays no mind to the generous slit of her dress, or the way it exposes a smooth, round thigh.
“The water surrounding Zudoh’s been cursed,” she announces easily. “Unless you’re invited in, it’s nearly impossible to get there without triggering it. Fully manned ships have sunk in those waters. I’ve heard too many stories of curious sailors who have tried to visit, but never made it back. If the curse itself doesn’t kill you for getting too close, it’s said the smell of a thousand dead and rotting fish might do the trick.”
Bastian works at his jaw, the gears in his head visibly shifting. “Surely there’s a way to get around the curse?”
“Around?” She laughs. It’s a soft sound, warm and inviting, but laced with an edge that sends shivers up my neck. “No. But there might be a way to navigate through it. You’ll just need some assistance.”
“Yours?” he asks. “Amora has jewels. We can pay—”
“And you have a pouch full of stolen coin!” I argue, shooting him a glare. He at least has the decency to look mildly embarrassed, and turns his face away.
Shanty’s eyes roam over Bastian curiously, likely looking for the well-hidden pouch. “I would never dream of stepping foot on that ship of yours. And it’s not my assistance you’ll need, regardless. If you want to get to Zudoh, you’re going to need to find yourself a mermaid.”
My blood runs hot. “Absolutely not. Anti-poaching laws were put into effect for a reason; their population is dying out.”
Shanty tilts her chin up proudly. “Ah, but there’s a flaw in that law. It’s only considered poaching if you disturb them while they’re still in the sea. The law says nothing about a mermaid on land.”
My blood boils. “So what, you want us to kidnap one? Just how will a mermaid help us, exactly?” Mermaids are no easy target. They’re rumored to have powerful magic that comes in the form of songs. One that can control the tides at will or summon creatures from the depths of the sea, and another meant to seduce anyone susceptible to a woman’s charm into the water and lure them to their deaths. In exchange for their protection, they’re no longer allowed to use their siren magic against us. But that doesn’t mean they won’t.
“Mermaids can sense magic,” she explains. “Namely ones that make things different than they normally are—like Zudoh’s curse magic and Mornute’s enchantment magic. A mermaid would be able to sense the curse barricading Zudoh, and show you how to navigate a path.”
“And how are we meant to find one?” I press my lips together and settle back in my seat.
“It’s been rumored that there’s one somewhere on Kerost.” Shanty inspects her fingernails as she speaks, watching the color change from a dangerous red to a deep plum. “If you can’t tell a mermaid by her face, you’ll be able to tell by her scars. Once they trade their fins for legs, it’s said mermaids have giant scars running down either side of their thighs—scars on their neck, too, where their gills should be.”
There’s a moment where I almost consider it—because if this is what it takes to save my kingdom, can I really say no?— but I shake the temptation away. There’s no way I’m kidnapping a mermaid.
“Either she comes with us of her own free will, or not at all,” I tell them, leaving no room for rebuttal. “If we have to, we’ll find another way to reach Kaven.”
“No one said we have to kidnap her,” Bastian says. “Let’s just focus on finding one, and then we’ll go from there.”