Page 98 of Voice of the Ocean

“Sorry...” She sighed, throwing both legs over the creature’s back. She looped her arms around its neck and squeezed her legs together.

“Take me to the island,” she said.

With a booming neigh, the great beast took off across the water.

Celeste had used animals for transport before. Dolphins, whales, and even the occasional shark, when sung into submission, could help sirens traverse great distances. But nothing compared to this. The Hippokamp beat its tail through the water at an alarming pace. Wind whipped through her silver hair, drowning out all sound. She’d expected such a beautiful creature to have a smooth gait, like glass, but it wasn’t. It rode wildly. Untamed. But they joined into a rhythm together. And above them, the summer sun burned punishingly as it slid across the sky toward the rising moon.

Before long she saw theRed Revenge, a black mark on the horizon. She leaned forward, pressing her body against the Hippokamp’s neck so she could be heard over the howl of the winds.

“Don’t let them see us,” she warned.

The Hippokamp let out a sudden force of breath through its nose, as if in understanding. As they drew closer, it reared back and dove beneath the clear blue water. Celeste hardly had time to suck in a breath before they were submerged. Her eyes squeezed shut against the rush of water. She tightened her grip on the Hippokamp. After a somewhat excruciating minute, when she could hold her breath no longer, Celeste tapped on the side of the Hippokamp’s neck. At once the beast rose, but only enough for the siren to stick her head above water and gasp before they plunged again.

The journey continued like this. The sensation of racing through the water was so overwhelming she could think of little else. It was hard to gauge how long they swam, how far they’d gone, or even if they’d passed the ship.

At last the Hippokamp broke through the surface and did not submerge again. Celeste blinked open her eyes, disoriented. TheRed Revengewas nowhere to be seen. Above, the moon slid forward, darkening the edge of the sun. On they swam, until for no discernible reason the Hippokamp slowed to a stop.

Arms loosening, Celeste looked around.

And found nothing.

No island or land broke the endless blue.

“Do you need a break?” Celeste asked, stroking the creature’s neck with her hand as she scanned the sea around them. But the Hippokamp did not seem tired or out of breath, despite the long ride. If anything, it looked annoyed. Celeste rubbed her hands against her hips. “I don’t think this is the place—unless?—”

She fell silent, listening. The sound of the Hippokamp’s breath, low and steady, came first. Then the gentle sound of the wind, sweeping along the water around her. But after—after there was something else. A third sound. A melody so quiet one could almost believe it was an invention of the mind. A trick of the sea.

Lunapesce. It was there, calling to her. And yet she saw nothing.

Of course, she thought, remembering.The island can only be accessed during a solar eclipse. When the sun and moon meet in the sky.

“Don’t suppose you know the way in?” Celeste asked the beast beneath her.

The Hippokamp turned its head to look at her with one withering eye.

“Right.” She sighed, watching the sun’s reflection in the water. With the moon covering half of it, it was crescent-shaped. And each moment brought the full eclipse closer. Time was running out.

Perhaps she should have listened better during lessons about the Goddess and her history. Maybe then she would know what to do. But after a moment, an idea came to her. Perhaps her grandmother’s song would work here as well? It was better than nothing. She took in a deep breath and let the music pour from her.

Once there was darkness

before there was light.

The world lay embraced by shadows.

She scanned the waters around her and saw no change. But something in her urged her to keep going, and without any better ideas, she continued.

She who ruled darkness

would sing through the night.

Till one day another listened.

The Hippokamp let out a snort of frustration. Celeste sighed and stopped singing.

“Well? I’m singing the song! Why isn’t it working?”

As expected, the great beast had no insight.

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