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“I was spelled not to. It’s one of the punishments for merpeople who get into too much trouble. I’m marked for life as a delinquent.”

“Not if I have anything to say about that.”

“You think you can fix it when you’re worried about passing the remedial magic class?”

I straighten my back. “I’m following the path of Queen Sirena, am I not? I have the Ayers power, right?”

He nods. “That’s all true, but I still don’t think you have to kill your dad. You’re your own person and can decide your destiny.”

If only that were true. I keep that thought to myself, however. “With everything going for me, I see no reason I can’t undo your spell.”

“The only problem is you’d have to know the spell cast on me in order to fix it.”

“Do your aunt and uncle have any spell books?”

“Probably. Who doesn’t? What are you thinking?”

“Show them to me.”

He rakes his fingers through his hair. “I’m not so sure about this.”

“My uncle cast that learning spell on me. If we’re going to do this, now is the time. Especially if we decide to head to land. Humans can’t see a merman. They would turn you into a science experiment.”

Bash’s eyes shift back and forth. “Or we could stay here. No harm in that. It’s not like anyone else is here, or even knows about it.”

“Where are those spell books?”

“You really don’t have to—”

“Where are they?”

“You’re sure persistent.” He sighs. “This way.”

“Who put the spell on you?”

“I really don’t remember.”

I halt. “You don’t know?”

He shrugs. “My aunt dragged me, flailing and screaming. I didn’t want it, and I wasn’t paying any attention to where we went or who was there. Whoever did this to me never had a harder time casting a spell. I can promise that much.”

“Was it at the castle? In some dark alley?”

“I could ask my aunt, if anyone lets me near her in prison.”

“Well, it would be easier if I knew more, but going to the castle is out of the question. And I highly doubt anyone will let us near the dungeon.”

He shrugs. “We really don’t have to worry about the spell. How many people actually ever make it to the surface to shift, anyway?”

I grab his arms. “What if I go back? I can’t go without you!”

Bash helps me sit on the couch. “Maybe your dad is right. We should wait this out and see if it blows over.”

“Don’t tell me you think that’s a possibility. Everyone hates my dad, and have you already forgotten about them breaking down the door of my suite? I felt like we were in the middle of a zombie movie.”

“Zombie?”

“See! This is exactly why you need to come with me to the surface. There’s so much you need to catch up on.” I leap up. “Time to find those books.”