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My stomach knots, but to my surprise, several of them smile at me. I return the gesture then give Bash a confused glance. “That’s different.”

“Everyone is thrilled about Tiberias reigning again—and you played an important part in that.”

I frown. “Don’t remind me. Everyone may love what I did, but I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. Not that I regret standing up for you and Halen.” My voice cracks. “It’s just that he was my dad. I had to stand up for you two, but I hate what I needed to do.”

Bash kisses my palm. “I get it. It only makes sense that you’re conflicted.”

“I appreciate that.”

We enter the empty weapons room.

“Mr. Brant?” I call.

Nothing.

“Should we come back?” Bash asks.

“No.” I make my way over to the cabinet and place my palm in front of the lock. My hands glow green for a moment before the lock clicks.

“I’ll never get used to that,” Bash mutters.

I open the door. “Why? People use magic around here all the time.”

“Not all the time. We’re not supposed to use it outside of class unless we’re studying, remember? And besides, nobody has ever been able to get into these cabinets without a key. I think they’re protected with magic.”

I shrug. “Not from the Ayers power.” Then I stare at my trident. My heart races.

Will grabbing it trigger my full powers?

My mind spins as I recall it changing me the first time. It was overpowering—will it be the same way again? Or will it be more subtle?

“What are you waiting for?” Bash asks. “Want me to grab my aqua sword?”

I shake my head no. “I’m not here to spar.”

The trident glows. It wants me to pick it up. Does it know what I’ve done? And to think it was Queen Sirena’s very weapon. It blows my mind.

I reach for it, and it becomes brighter the nearer my hand comes. Then I wrap my fingers around it. Warmth spreads through me, starting at my palm and radiating out in every other direction from my head to my tail. I inch to the middle of the room so I’m not next to anything else if something goes wrong. Everyone would definitely hate me if all their weapons were destroyed.

The heat intensifies, but otherwise, everything seems completely normal. Too normal. The trident isn’t even talking to me like it did before.

What do you want me to say?

At least it’s still reading my mind.

I wish you wouldn’t refer to me as ‘it.’

I hold back an eye roll. “Are you going to give me my full power?”

That’s on you. I’m merely a tool at your disposal.

A tool that doesn’t want to be called an it.

I heard that.

Bash inches closer. “Is anything happening?”

“She’s being sarcastic.”