Page 96 of The Princesses of Ruin
Infuriating.
“Our trade with the Nimpoi people is more complicated than that,” Vek’ihr says in response to more of Reina’s questions. I’m not sure what she asked…
The water pushes us through the primary opening of the tallest tower, and Vek’ihr waits at a vertical tunnel. The current pulls the water up the tube, disappearing creatures into the ceiling of magus crystal.
“We are good at hunting their preferred fish. They possess knowledge—like the Fynish language—that we trade for.”
“But you eat them alive?” she asks with a more appropriate level of disgust.
My gaze darts to a figure moving in the corner. They appear to be going about their own business, slipping into another watery tunnel.
“They have willing vessels that offer their flesh. Large portions are not required if we are allowed to feed multiple times.”
Vek’ihr gestures for Reina to approach the tunnel. I hold her back.
“Where does it go?” I ask.
His coloration shifts, but I don’t know what it means. My mother would know what it means…
“It ascends to the Conclave of Currents,” he says.
I swim closer to the opening and brace my other arm on the wall to keep from being pulled in. The water is moving too swiftly for me to get any information back from the other side.
“Jasper.” Reina’s soft voice only puts me further on edge. I can’t guarantee the safety of the space above. I can’t sense the size of the room. It could be something like a reception hall, or it could lead to a prison cell.
“You first,” I tell Vek’ihr.
“As you wish.” His diamond pupils constrict, and he approaches the opening. “Do not resist the water’s flow.”
His body goes limp and he’s sucked into the tunnel. His silhouette tumbles up the tube and into the ceiling, then out of sight.
“You next,” I say to Reina.
I don’t want to go at all, but going last will allow me to ensure she’s not snatched from behind while I’m whisked away. But if it’s a trap up there—
Reina squeezes my shoulder. “Breathe, Jasper. We are royal guests.”
She says it as if the titles alone protect us.
Reina swims forward and my heart plummets into my gut.
“Please,” I say, grabbing her arm.
“Jasper, we must do this,” she says, the kindness in her face waning. “They’re depending on us.Everyoneis depending on us.”
I swallow my fear and release her arm. She swims into the opening and I follow behind her quickly. She twirls through the rushing water, pointing her webbed feet to get more speed as she giggles.
Giggles.
She’s having fun.
If only I could make her understand just how serious this is. Howdangerous.
I use my magic to keep myself upright, not tumbling around as Reina does. There are several openings I take note of, not that I could get to them easily. The flow of the water is fast and heavy. The openings are only sucking in more, creating an ever-increasing current.
We’re spit out into a massive chamber. I snatch Reina by whatever I can get my hands on. I drag her to my side as I take in the new space.
Wide open. Five visible exits—but all narrow. At least twenty enemies.
