Rogue Wave (Waterfire Saga #2)(26)

“Underwater? How did he—”

“I don’t know. I can’t explain most of the things he did.”

“Does he—did he—have magic?” Serafina asked.

Mahdi thought for a minute, then said. “He had love, Sera. So much love. For the sea and all of its creatures. I think that was his magic.”

Serafina nodded.

“He stood there, leaning on his walking stick, looking down at us,” Mahdi continued. “And then he told us that we were disgraceful. ‘Is this how you honor the memory of your friends? Of those villagers?’ he said. We asked him who he was and how he knew about the villagers. He told us about the duchi di Venezia, the Praedatori, and the Wave Warriors. We explained to him that we’d approached the high commander, and the Secret Service. We said we’d even tried to find the villagers.” Mahdi shook his head again, embarrassed. “It sounds as lame now as it did then. The duca told us we needed to do more than try, we needed to succeed. And we would if we joined his Praedatori. So we did. We took the vow. We promised we’d shape up, but he didn’t want us to. He wanted us to keep doing exactly what we were doing. To hang out in clubs. Rub elbows with caballabong players, sirens, club kids, and the lowtiders who hang around them.”

“Why?”

“So we could watch and listen and pick up info. If some lowtider was suddenly throwing currensea around, it was a pretty sure thing he’d sold out a swordfish shoal, or given up a shark to the finners. We’d tell the duca, and he’d have other Praeds follow the guy, nab him in the act, and hand him over to the authorities. That’s what we were doing in the Lagoon the night before Cerulea was attacked. We were hanging out in a club in the hopes of connecting with some sea scum who help seal hunters. I wanted to explain, Sera. So bad. I couldn’t tell you the truth, but I wanted to at least tell you that what you were seeing wasn’t me. Not the real me. But then, well…the whole world fell apart and I never got the chance.”

Sera looked at him now, and knew in her heart that she was seeing the real Mahdi. She wondered if she would ever have a chance again to know that Mahdi, to be as close as they once were, to make up for all the time they’d lost.

“I’d heard so many stories,” she said. “That morning, in my chambers, Lucia was talking about what a great time you’d all had in the Lagoon. And then when I saw you, with her scarf tied around your head—”

“—you thought we had a thing,” Mahdi said.

Serafina nodded.

“I don’t want Lucia.”

“She wants you.”

“Yeah, I know she does. She told me so.”

Serafina’s fins flared. “What? When?”

“In prison. Right before I was going to be executed. Lucia Volnero’s the only reason I’m alive.”





“SERA, LISTEN. Just listen this time, okay?”

“Okay, Mahdi,” Serafina said, trying not to be angry. “I’m listening.”

“When the invasion of Cerulea started, Yaz and I cast transparensea pearls so we could fight without being seen. It was pretty pointless. I mean, two merboys were no match for Traho’s forces. Then we heard you and Neela had been captured, so we went after you and got you to the duca’s. After he was killed, and you disappeared, Verde ordered Yaz to remain underground to direct guerilla operations. He ordered me to get myself captured.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. He thought I’d make a valuable political prisoner. He figured I’d be treated well and could pick up information about the invaders. So I did it. But the plan failed. Traho didn’t think I was valuable at all. He thought I was an idiot. Can’t blame him—I’ve worked really hard to give the world that impression. He threw me in prison and was going to have me shot. Like he…like he had my parents shot.”

Mahdi’s jaw clenched. He couldn’t continue.

Serafina ached for him. She touched her forehead to his and put her arms around him. She knew what he was feeling, knew his pain all too well.

When he could, he spoke again.

“Lucia found out what was happening and got me out. I have no idea how. I do know that the Volneros and their friends have Traho’s favor, though. He spared their houses in the Golden Fathom and they get to come and go when they want. Lucia had me brought to Traho. I saw my chance to win his favor, to get close to him, so I bargained away Matali. I told him I’d give it to him bloodlessly, if he’d let me be a figurehead emperor. I said I didn’t care about the realm as long as I had plenty of currensea so I could keep partying. He agreed to try my plan. He said it would save him the time and expense of an attack.”

Serafina paled. “My gods, Mahdi…a takeover of Matali? When?”

“I don’t know. He’s not ready just yet. He’s still testing me, seeing whether he can fully trust me. He gave me command of two patrols to start with. I must’ve done something right, because he upped it to twenty right before he left Miromara to hunt you and Neela down. Now I’m in charge of sweeping the city. I go out three, sometimes four, times a day. He’s nervous, I think.”

“About what?”

“Talk of a Cerulean resistance.”

Hope leapt in Serafina’s heart. “Really, Mahdi? Who’s leading it?” she asked.