Page 73 of Prince of Never

Agnes folded her arms over her chest.‘How’s the ritual s’posed to work if you don’t do it proper?’

‘It’s close enough.’

She shook her head.‘You’re half-arsing this like you half-arse everythin’ else.’

‘Maybe this isn’t a good idea,’ I said, looking at Tarian uncertainly.

‘Haddock,’ Tarian said, a warning clear in his voice.

‘It’ll work, it’ll work.You’ll see.I’ll hold up my bargain, just like I said,’ Haddock said.‘Drink.All of it.’

I looked at Tarian and he nodded just once, but it was enough.I threw the liquid back, drinking it fast, shuddering against the sour taste.The saucepan was snatched from me and tossed on the ground.Then Haddock took my hand and pulled me towards the lake.

‘Wait, what are you doing?’I asked, yanking my hand back.

‘We go into the water.I’ll submerge you, we go to the’—he paused, eyes darting to Tarian before deciding his next words—’spirits.They’ll tell you your fiorainm.Or they won’t ’cause you’re human...’

‘What?’

‘In.In.Best to do it before the moon is high,’ Haddock said, tugging me towards the lake again.

The water was icy cold as it swirled around my ankles, my calves, up to my knees.I shivered as the wet fabric of the dress clung to me.My chest began to tighten as I stared into the inky depths.What was I doing?This was a terrible idea.It probably wouldn’t even work for me as a human.I’d never even believed in any of the gods in my own realm, why would the ones here help me?And who ever heard of gods interacting with people?Only crazy people thought they could commune with gods.I took slow, deep breaths as best I could while trying to hide the fact that my anxiety was spiralling.If it didn’t work, then I’d just end up cold and wet and none the worse for wear.But if it did work…

The water had reached my waist and Haddock stopped and turned to me suddenly, startling me out of my thoughts.‘You’re going to float on your back.I’m going to put one hand on your forehead.You’ll close your eyes.When we get to the realm of the gods, it’s important to stay close to me, understand?Or I can’t guarantee you’ll return.’

‘What happens if we get separated?’I asked, my anxiety coiling tighter.

Haddock waved a hand and shook his head.‘Oh, it’s not likely to happen.Just stay close, yes?’

‘Alright.’

‘In the water now,’ he said, giving me a nod that I assumed was supposed to be encouraging, even as every cell in my body was telling me to run to the shore.I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and brace against the biting cold that awaited me.I lowered myself into the water, hoping that no one would notice that it was fear and not cold causing me to tremble.Haddock placed his hand on my forehead and began to chant in a strange language I didn’t recognise.I took another deep breath and closed my eyes.

The cold seeped into my bones, tingling through me, and I felt myself drifting.It was a strange sensation, like my consciousness was going somewhere and leaving my body behind.When I opened my eyes, I blinked against bright light.

‘Where are we?’Haddock asked, looking around him.

I smiled to myself when I recognised the clipped grass, the carefully placed trees and the white pillars picked to make the building look like a modern version of an Ancient Greek philosophy house.‘We’re at my university.’

‘Uni-whaty?’

‘It’s like a school.I work here,’ I said with a twist of sadness in my voice.‘Or, I used to, anyway.’

It almost felt like another lifetime.So much had happened since I’d last set foot in this place.My whole life had been here.I’d met all my friends here.Outside of my job and my study, my life was pretty sparse.My love life was catastrophic at best, and I never saw my family because I was determined to put that misery behind me.Beyond the university, I was like a puzzle piece for another picture, trying to fit somewhere I never could.But as I stood staring up at the place that had been my haven, I realised I didn’t feel like I fit here either.I was back to not knowing who I was or what I was supposed to be doing.

‘Hey, hey, hey!’Haddock said, racing after me as I moved through the courtyard.‘Remember what I said about wandering off?We can’t be separated here.’

‘Sorry.’I waited for him to catch up.‘So, where are we supposed to go now?’

He shrugged.‘It’s your journey, you tell me.’

I frowned at him.‘I thought you were supposed to be some sort of guide.’

‘I’m more of a travel agent.I got you here, I’ll get you back.What happens while we’re here, that’s all you.’

A will-o-wisp suddenly hummed into existence, its ghostly blue light completely out of place in my mist-filled university.‘And is that good or bad?’I asked.‘Because last time I saw those things, I nearly died.’

‘Soul eaters.Nasty little buggers.But in this case, probably okay to follow.’

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