Rogue Wave (Waterfire Saga #2)(2)

Vr?ja had told the mermaids that they needed to destroy Abbadon before whoever had woken it could free it. To do this, they would need to find ancient talismans that had belonged to the Six Who Ruled. With these objects, the mermaids could open the lock to the Carceron and go after the monster.

Sera knew her best hope of finding out where the talismans were was in Cerulea’s Ostrokon, among the ancient conch recordings about Merrow’s Progress. She believed that Merrow, the merfolk’s first leader, had hidden the talismans during a journey she’d taken through the world’s waters, and that the conchs might reveal their locations.

Though she knew it was extremely dangerous—and she was scared of seeing Cerulea in ruins—she had to go back home.

But not yet.

There was someplace else she had to go first.

No, Sera! a voice said forcefully.

She whirled around, looking for whoever had spoken, but no one was there.

Don’t go, mina. It’s too dangerous.

“Ava?” Sera whispered. “Is that you? Where are you?”

In your head.

“Is this a convoca?” Sera asked, remembering the difficult summoning spell the Iele had taught them.

Yes…trying…can’t hold it…ember…Astrid…

“Ava, you’re breaking up! I’m losing you!” Sera said.

There was no sound for a few seconds, then Ava’s voice came back. Remember what Astrid said? “The Opafago eat their victims alive…while their hearts are still beating and their blood’s still pumping.”

“I know, but I have to go,” Sera said.

The Ostrokon…safer…please…Ava was fading again.

“I can’t, Ava. Not yet. Before we can find out where the talismans are, we have to find out what they are.”

Sera waited for Ava’s response, but it didn’t come.

“Here, silverfish!” Sera said, more urgently now. Time was passing. She had to make wake. “Here, fish! I have a tasty treat for you!”

“How fabulous! I love treats!” a new voice said. From right behind her.

Serafina’s blood froze. Rorrim Drol. He’d found her after all. She slowly turned around.

“Principessa! How lovely to see you again!” said the mirror lord. His eyes traveled over her face, taking in its pallor. He noted the deep cuts on her tail, made by the monster. His oily smile widened. “I must say, though, you’re not looking very well.”

“You are. Well fed, that is,” Serafina said, backing away from him.

His face was as round as a full moon. He wore an acid-green silk robe. Its voluminous folds couldn’t conceal his girth.

“Why, thank you, my dear!” he said. “As a matter of fact, I’ve just had the most wonderful meal. Courtesy of a young human. A girl about your age.” He burped loudly, then covered his mouth. “Oh, my. Do excuse me. I rather overdid it. There were so many delicious danklings to be had.”

Danklings were a person’s deepest fears. Rorrim fed on them.

“So that’s why you’re as fat as a walrus,” Serafina said, keeping her distance.

“I couldn’t resist. That silly girl made it so easy! She reads these things called magazines, you see. They have pictures in them of other girls, only the pictures have been enchanted to make those girls look flawless. But she can’t see that. All she sees is that they’re perfect and she’s not. She spends hours fretting in her mirror, and I stand on the other side whispering to her that that she’ll never be thin enough, pretty enough, or good enough. And when she’s utterly scared and miserable, I feast!”

Poor thing, Sera thought, remembering how bad it felt to fall short of others’ expectations. How bad it still felt sometimes.

“Isn’t it brilliant, Principessa? Ah, the goggs! I simply adore them. They do so much of my work for me. But enough about them. The things I hear about you these days!” Rorrim said, wagging a finger. “You’ve got Captain Traho tearing up entire rivers looking for you. What are you doing in Vadus? Where are you going?

“Home,” Sera lied.

Rorrim narrowed his eyes. He licked his lips. “Surely you don’t have to leave so soon?” He was behind Serafina before she even realized he’d moved. She gasped as she felt a liquid chill run up her spine.

“Still so strong!” he said unhappily.

“Get your hands off me!” Sera cried, swimming away from him.

But he caught up to her. “Why were you calling my silverfish? Where are you really going?” he asked her.

“I told you, home,” she said.

Sera knew she had to hide her fears from him. He would use them to keep her here forever, like a vitrina. But it was too late; she suddenly felt a sharp pain.

“Ah! There it is!” Rorrim whispered, his breath cold upon her neck. “Little principessa, you think you’re so clever and brave, but you’re not. I know it. And so did your mother. You disappointed her time and time again. You let her down. And then you left her to die.”

“No!” Serafina cried.

Rorrim’s quick fingers probed her backbone cruelly, searching for her deepest fears. “But wait, there’s more! Just look at what you’ve been up to!” He fell silent for a moment, then said, “My word, what a task Vr?ja’s given you. And you honestly think you can do it? You? What will she do when you fail? I imagine she’ll find someone else. Someone better. Just like Mahdi did.”