Page 26 of Call of the Fathoms

Her eyes found the box of medicine that she’d left in the pilot’s chair. The drugs were stronger than her usual dose, thanks to Doctor Barker realizing she needed a lot more than normal. But because she’d been rationing all of that as well, she’d been using the same amount of medicine as she always did.

She had too much time to think. Her mind wanted to wander back to memories that she knew were dangerous to linger on. Memories of how Harlow had never really appreciated her or how Harlow had gone through more guards than any other Original, and that’s why Alexia had more generations than the others.

Her mind always rounded about to what Harlow had said when she’d seen Alexia hurt. She would not let Alexia die until she said she could. What did that mean?

Would she be forced to live an unnaturally long life just because Harlow wanted her around? She didn’t want to do that. She wanted to die early, if she had a choice. This life wasn’t the one she wanted to endure forever.

The swishing movement of a tail beyond the front windows of her ship caught her attention, and she was ashamed to admit it made her heart lurch. A week of silence with nothing but the sea to keep her company was making her mind do strange things.

With the right amount of medicine, she wouldn’t have been having these thoughts at all. Back in training, they’d put her in isolation for months on end. They’d made sure that no one could ever torture information out of her, and even staying alone wouldn’t make her think differently.

But now, she wanted someone to talk to. Even if it was the undine who thought nothing of tormenting her for hours on end. At least that was still a conversation, as fucked up as it was.

He appeared on the other side of the glass, lighting up bit by bit. He always did it in the same way, and she wondered if that was on purpose. First the lights on his massive fluke, and then they trailed up his entire body. Every time it was shocking how big he was, no matter how far he was from the glass. His arms would glow. Then finally, the fins around his face would glimmer with a strange purple that filled the darkness of the water.

He was like a god, illuminating out of nothing. But those were stupid thoughts she never would have had if he hadn’t stuck her in this predicament.

He floated a little closer, that grin on his face already angering her. “Are you ready to give up yet?”

Of course, that’s what he asked. He knew she had been in the darkness, enduring the abyss on her own for a week. This had been part of his plan. “Not yet, undine. I’ll let you know when you’ve bested me.”

He seemed frustrated by her response. His brow wrinkled, and the muscles on either side of his jaw jumped. “I’ll make you a deal, virago.”

She hated that he had a pet name for her, and something in her snapped. “Alexia,” she hissed. “My name is Alexia.”

All of his fins flared out around his face. In shock? She thought that’s what it was. She’d been watching him just as much as he watched her. It was easier to read him now.

He hadn’t expected her to tell him her name. And now he was wondering what to do.

She stood, taking the three steps to the pilot’s chair and sitting down in it. “I told you my name, soldier. Usually this is when you’d tell me yours.”

“I’m not telling you my name.”

“Then we are not bargaining if you are unwilling to even make yourself seem like a real person. I could continue calling you fish man, but I don’t think you like it when I call you that.”

Again, those flared fins. She wasn’t sure if he enjoyed it when she talked back to him, or at least, that’s how she was taking that reaction. Alexia wanted to scream at him all the time, though, and at least barbs thrown like this wouldn’t get her killed.

At any point, they both knew he could flip this ship right over the edge of the cliff she was wedged on. Alexia was well aware her situation was precarious.

He floated a little closer, his tail flicking with what she was certain was annoyance. “I am called Fortis.”

“You’re not like the other undine I’ve seen before. I mean, I’ve seen some that look like you, but not a lot. Why is that?”

If he had eyebrows, that expression would have arched one. “This is not a chance for you to ask me about my people. I have you trapped. You are the one who will answer my questions.”

“I suppose that’s fair. What if I answer a question and you answer one of mine?”

“No.”

She blew out a frustrated breath and slumped back against the chair. “You are the worst person to bargain with. Are you sure you don’t want to just give me an ultimatum and get this over with?”

“I don’t understand your words.”

“You could just tell me you’re going to kill me unless I do what you want. Get it over with, considering we both know thatI’m going to die a slow death in here, regardless.” She waved her hands at the air around her. The hollow chamber wouldn’t last much longer.

“I’m not going to do that.” All of his lights flared a little hotter at her suggestion that he threaten to kill her.

Interesting. Clearly he didn’t want her dead, which went against everything that she assumed. Here she had been believing this was all in retribution for taking the reborn back. But as she watched that discomfort rolling through him, she realized that this situation was entirely different.

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