Page 80 of Surfaces
I’d messed up.
But around me, my men grabbed the ice and did exactly as the crowd had against the ship, they grabbed the balls of ice and hurled them at their targets, bellowing curses as they did so.
Watkins grabbed five and hurled them in quick succession at a single lionfish, until I watched the thing float up toward the surface, dead as a doornail.
“More, Avia!” Valdez ordered, wrapping his arm more securely around my waist.
Another blast, and I created more balls of ice. A third. A fourth.
The water chilled with every blast, but I didn’t stop even when my limbs grew tired and shaky, or my betta fins ached and felt like they might crack from the cold.
It was us or them.
I kept going even when the voice of the sea started to sound strained, scratchy, as if my connection with her was weakening along with my body. I clenched my teeth and tried to tell myself I was one of those machines I’d seen in Navagio, automated.
But my concentration was interrupted by every scream of horror—my fingers contracting, even though I couldn’t grab onto anything because I had to keep on with the magic.
I saw one siren body float up from our group toward the sun, the blackened husk casting a shadow over us.
I had no idea who it was, and I strained my neck to look until a lionfish floated too close overhead.
I didn’t strain my neck for the second, the third, the eighth body to float up from our ranks and hover at the top of the water’s edge, blocking the light like mottled storm clouds.
Tears streaked down my cheeks as I sent out yet another round of ice projectiles, this set smaller than the last as my energy flagged.
Would it be enough?
Misery and fury rollicked through my system.
Another round.
Another.
More bodies floated up until I worked in a daze of disbelief, shock finally taking over and insulating me—far too late.
Finally, someone—it sounded like Lizza, yelled out, “They’re all down!”
Immediately, my limbs went limp, and I clasped Valdez for support, a raw sob making my chest shudder.
But I only allowed myself a few seconds of weakness, because Queen Gela’s voice goaded me.
“A queen lends her strength to her people—she remains calm so that they can quell their own panic. A queen must remain confident. Provide direction. And guidance.”
As much as I wanted to curl into a ball and cry, I couldn’t. Because if I did, I’d prove the rebels, and Gorgono—and anyone else who thought I was unfit—right.
I took a deep breath, thanked the song inside my chest, and slowly let it fade to a hum as I straightened.
Then I swam out of Valdez’s arms, and slightly up above the crowd, peering about for lionfish but seeing none. It looked like they really were gone.
Of course, the pirate shadowed my every move, as did my guards, and Watkins. But I didn’t look down at them, I stared down at the tear-filled eyes of everyone else.
“It’s going to be okay—” I started to say, but then a devastating flash of fury swept over me and I imagined attacking the throats of entire towns, dragging mermen out one by one and slitting their throats.
Through my horrid vision, I saw one more person float up through the crowd, his bronze cheeks turning black, his eyes glazing over as his mint green hair wavered in the current.
I watched in disbelief, as Julian floated up to the surface and his soul faded away.
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