Page 58 of Surface Pressure

“All right, men.” General Chalmers’s voice rang out around the troops who silenced for his command. “Let’s save our people. Be safe and return in one piece.”

“Yes, sir.” All the soldiers chimed in, the speech a tradition for all dives on all planets. Just like the reply.

Autumn took a deep breath and followed Marshall and her two fellow soldiers into the collector. The four of them would have no choice but to get used to each other’s presence for the next three days.

Or until they died after being attacked by mermaids.

The thought was the last one Autumn had before the metallic door at the side of the machine closed, sealing tight with a loud hiss.

She was as good as dead.

She was ready to drown.

18

Athousand thoughts raced through Soulara’s mind as she swam toward the surface. The sun’s light filtered through the topmost layers of water. It was beautiful, and the idea of losing it formed a permanent stone in the pit of Soulara’s stomach. But she couldn’t linger and enjoy the streaks and shards of light.

She was already late. So much for being a great leader. She would have settled for a mediocre one right about now.

Negotiations had seemed never-ending. She’d barely heard back from her father about the Kwights or from Makryn before she’d slid from the palace walls. Fuck mermaids all wanting more than what they were offered.

No, she didn’t resent their taking advantage of the opportunity to make demands. She understood she was asking a lot of fellow tribes who'd had little to do with each other for generations. But she would have appreciated if some of them understood this wasn’t a war she’d instigated. It would be a war she fought instead of allowing her people to succumb to a massacre.

Most of her people had returned with positive news.

Pregtox’s mood had been as bitter as Soulara had ever seen it. But he confirmed that the Kwights would be joining them before the next sun break. This sun break. She hadn’t checked in again with Pregtox before she escaped the last round of negotiations and headed directly for the surface.

Blind trust rankled against her scales, making them itch. But she had to have faith in her father and know he would greet the Kwights as he’d promised. She hadn’t asked what had happened, but she suspected she would hear about it all soon enough. Assuming they survived the attack.

Just another thing she hadn’t realized the importance of—honesty in those she appointed, because there would always be too much for just one person. Again, she realized just how remiss she had been in learning her role as leader of her people.

“I never wanted to be the leader,” she muttered on a stream of bubbles that brushed past her cheeks as she pushed herself as fast as she could.

The light that danced through the water mocked her as she slapped her fluke down. Her body screamed for a break, but she couldn’t stop. She might never be able to stop again.

Nylah appeared beside her and images of Autumn sitting in front of a clear barrier beneath the surface caught Soulara by surprise.

Was Autumn in danger?

As though Soulara had asked the question aloud, feelings of calm replaced her panic. She breathed easier as she sent Nylah a mental thank-you.

The ray swayed back and forth, one side lifting and then the other. Soulara smiled—Nylah was dancing. Because of her thanks? Soulara didn’t ask. She pushed forward to get where she was going.

“Can you take me to her?”

Nylah stopped dancing and sped off. With a quick flick of Soulara’s tail and twist of her hips, she pivoted to follow.

By the time they reached the strange obstruction of metal and glass that seemed to float independently of any coral or land or anything within the water, Soulara struggled to catch enough oxygen in the water.

But she could find more air later. She had to see Autumn one more time.

No. She sharply reprimanded herself.

She would see Autumn again. Soulara would find a way to save her.

A smile spread across Soulara’s face as she drew closer to the clear wall. Autumn’s back was turned toward her, but Soulara recognized the fall of dark hair and the strength in those broad shoulders.

Nylah sent out a panicked cry in her mind.

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