I had no idea why, but the creature connected to my soul. As if it were a part of me, I could feel its cry ripping at my heart. I had to go to it. Comfort it. Soothe its fears.
The song burst from me, even as Nox tried to stop me. I couldn’t hold it in. Not when I knew my song could offer even the smallest shred of solace.
The creature was beautiful in its grandiosity. Its huge amber eyes seemed to see into the deepest parts of me. As if its gaze alone could uncover the secrets of my soul.
When the song finally ended, tears streamed down my cheeks. They washed away in the current, but I held the feel of them against my heart. I would never forget the torment that sang through me at the beast’s soulful cry.
The weirdly compelling fish beings had fallen away as my song rose. But now they were back and converging on the monster. Long spears were locked in their hands, arms cocked back as if on the verge of throwing.
Another song rose in my throat. This one had nothing to do with comfort. Only rage and fury coated my tongue. They would die.
The melody rushed through me. It crowded my throat and I gave it a voice. I thrust that song from my body and sent it out into the water. Each being that attacked the creature would feel the wrath of my song.
Within clicks, bodies were either filling up and exploding or deflating until they were nothing more than husks falling to the ocean floor. The Observers shrank back, their giant central eyeballs wide with horror and terror. They hovered in the water now full of internal organs and blood.
“Seren, you have to stop,” Nox said in my ear. “I know they deserve it, but you have to stop. You’re going to get in tro—”
His words cut off as a huge circle of water appeared over the battle. Through it came five beings wrapped in purple fabric. Their entire bodies were glowing and tinged with gold.
“Shit,” Nox breathed beside me.
The last notes of the song dissolved as the beings took in the destruction in front of them. I felt power ripple and pull at me from the inside out.
“Whatever you do, don’t tell them the song came from you,” Nox said softly. “Promise me, Seren.”
I shook my head. That wasn’t something I could promise. I’d done it, I would bear the consequences of it.
The beings moved in my direction. Two males and three females. They were the most beautiful beings I’d ever seen. They all looked so similar, it was as if they could be one person wearing multiple expressions. Long golden hair drifted around their pure white faces. Brilliant purple eyes peered at me from two fin lengths away.
“What is the meaning of this disturbance?” one of the females asked. Her voice was a skip of energy against my flesh. Only her breasts—and the breasts of the other females—marked them as different from the males.
Nox moved forward. “My apologies, Councilor Inella. We were watching the Summoning when it began.”
Inside, I smirked. Technically, he hadn’t lied.
The female turned to me. “Who are you?”
“Seren, daughter of Coventina.” I dipped my head. I wasn’t really sure of the protocol here, but decided to err on the side of overly formal.
I felt pride surge off of Nox.
Mentally, I rolled my eyes. I’d learned a long time ago only to answer the questions asked and not to provide information that wasn’t requested. Experience was the best instructor.
Inella studied me for long moments. “This is your first Summoning.”
I nodded, even though it wasn’t a question. Okay fine, I gave her information she hadn’t asked for, but nothing else.
“What do you think of it?”
“It’s barbaric and horrifying.” I could feel the song pushing at the back of my throat again.
Nox reached out and grabbed my hand.
Inella saw the movement. She was so still, it was like the water didn’t impact her body at all. The stillness was so foreign as to be a little creepy. “Why are there so many races here? This portal is not registered with us.”
Nox’s fingers spasmed around mine for less than a click. “There has recently been some upheaval, Inella. The ruling council is working on rectifying the situation.” His voice was steady and almost bored.
Inella nodded, her golden hair sliding through the water. “See that they do. Why are you in this world, Prince Apparent?”
Nox shrugged. “I got caught up in a net.”
Inella snorted. But it was delicate, regal. “I highly doubt that.” She turned and surveyed the carnage. “What happened to the Amatasata?”
“Killed,” Nox answered.
Inella nodded. “Yes, I can see that for myself. How?”
“Actually, I have no idea how they died. Just that they did. We were staying well outside of the field of battle.” Nox motioned to our distance. “But you’re more than welcome to go investigate if you wish.”
Inella’s nose wrinkled. “I think not.” She turned back to us. “You have one semana to have this portal registered.”
Nox nodded. “I’ll see that they do. Always good to see you, Councilor Inella. Tell Musktafa hello for me.”
For the first time, she smiled. And I sucked in a breath at the sheer beauty of it. “I’ll do that. Will you be visiting us?”
Something inside me balked at the question. But I barely knew this male from a tiger fish, I had no claims to him. I bit my inner cheek to keep from speaking.
Nox shook his head. “No. But do give him my regrets.”
Inella dipped her chin. “One semana, or we begin drafting.”
Nox nodded. “It won’t be necessary.”
Inella swam back to her small pod and spoke to them. With a round of nods, they turned and headed back to their giant portal circle. Before Inella disappeared, she studied the fallen creatures for long moments.
“Just go. Just go,” Nox whispered beside me.
Inella looked over as if she’d heard Nox’s pleas. Her purple eyes narrowed.
Shit, shit, shit, Nox’s voice slammed through my mind. Be ready to run.
Run? I tensed beside him, looked down at my tail. What the hades was going on?
Swim away. Get ready.
One of the other beings came back through the portal. She must have said something, but Inella jerked and nodded. She sent Nox one last wave before she disappeared.
That was close.
The portal closed.
Nox drooped beside me. “That was so close.” He repeated his words from clicks before.
“What was that? Who were they? Why did it matter about my song?” I was this close from shaking the male. Or stabbing him with my knife.
He blew out a breath, a rush of bubbles arrowing towards my face. “That was the Council. The ones that Aibek and Macabee keep mentioning. If they had learned you were an Ajandeva, you would have been imprisoned.”
I jolted. “Why?”
“Because you can kill with just your voice. The Council doesn’t like anything with the power to create or destroy left outside of their control.”
The monster chose that moment to jerk.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Neron, Conlan, Aibek, Macabee, and the rest of the Tops pop into view.
We need to go. Now. She’s about to strike! Macabee’s voice shredded across my mind. Nothing like the normal smooth tones I’m familiar with from him.
But he was right. The creature shook herself. Her giant amber eyes narrowed as she spotted more beings in the seas around her. Us. She saw us.
Nox shoved me behind him. “We need to get back to the kingdom. Now.” With one hand shackling my wrist, I was once more tugged through the water. So fast, I felt tears being pulled from my eyes.
Slow down, I said mentally.
Nox sped up.
Just as we shoved into a sluice, the creature attacked.