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Chapter 26

Dad swims up to the stands, and once he’s seated the five mermen all release their chains, race back through the doors, then slam them shut. The screens all focus on the sea dragon—or dragons? I get two in one. Glass walls raise up in front of the onlookers.

I’m now caged in with the monster.

The creature roars, exposing three rows of razor-sharp teeth in each mouth, and rushes toward me. As it does, the chains all break off and sink down to the ground.

Muffled gasps and shouts sound from the crowd.

I hold up the trident. “You’ve been through this before? She had to battle a two-headed beast?”

Yes. But you’ll end up more powerful than any other, and you’ll rule all the oceans.

If I survive. And given how angry both heads of the sea dragon look, I’m not willing to bet on my chances. I dart out of the way just before it crashes into me, then it slams into the glass behind me. Its bones crunch, but the thing isn’t deterred. It turns around and growls, blood dripping from the sharp rows of teeth.

The crowd grows louder, even through the glass separating us. Merpeople are waving their arms and shouting. The nasty creature lunges for me. I hold out the trident. Its tips sink into the monster’s chest, but the creature doesn’t even seem to notice. Both heads reach for me, snapping the rows of teeth. One comes dangerously close to my face.

I yank my weapon free, and blood drips into the water, dissolving from sight almost immediately. I swim away. It chases, gnashing its teeth and grunting hungrily just inches behind me.

Use your magic!

Right. My Ayers power.

Heart thundering, I swim as fast as I can to get away. No way I can use magic with it so close in pursuit. I have to do something to get it to stop, but I’m going to have to fight it first. Building the magic is going to take time—not much, but more than I have.

Its teeth crack together behind me, and it sounds like it’s gaining on me. My heart races, and I glance back. It’s closer. I whip around and slice the trident through the water, and manage to cut a leg. It howls and keeps coming. I stab it again, this time lower.

The dragon breathes heavily and snarls. All I seem to be doing is angering it, or them, whatever. Both heads go for me simultaneously, growling and biting. I dart back, barely escaping the teeth of the left head. The other one dives toward me, those sharp teeth nearly taking off my arm.

I jab the trident in its face, just barely missing an eye. It screeches in pain, and as it does, the other head comes at me. I swim around the side of the injured one and dig the tips into its side. Again and again.

Both of them scream, the sound piercing.

Now’s my chance. I stick my weapon between my side and my arm, and focus my attention on my power. Clench my fists and focus on my anger, my will to survive. My hands flicker a faint green.

The monster turns, still bellowing, and charges at me. Its blood turns the water around it pink. I leap out of the way just before it slams into me, then it crashes into the glass which protects everyone except me. It staggers, shaking one of the heads.

I take advantage of its distraction and ball my fists. Think about how it wants nothing other than to kill me. Let the anger fester, grow. My hands glow green, but before I can harness enough magic, the creature comes after me again. I grab my trident, but not fast enough.

One of the razor-sharp teeth pierces my arm. The pain is searing, like its enamel is made from poison or some type of deadly magic. The tooth glides down my arm, tearing my leather sleeve. I can’t move. The pain is too much, and it’s getting worse by the moment. I take a deep breath and try to focus.

Too late. One of the massive heads shoves me into the wall. The back of my head hits with a sickening thud. My vision doubles. Sparkling dots dance before my eyes between me and the four heads. One of the mouths opens again.

I have to get away. Kill this thing before it kills me. With shaky hands, I aim the trident at its mouth. Shove it out as far as I can reach. Before it can react, the spikes dig into the roof of its mouth. Poke up through its skin. Its eyes widen, and it hollers loudly enough to make my ears hurt.

I wrench my trident from its snout. Blood clouds my vision. It’s everywhere. I hold my breath and swim away, mentally preparing myself for the next attack. After I’ve put enough distance between us, I lean against my trident and focus on my emotions, my racing heart, and the agonizing pain in my arm and my head. My back aches, making it hard to catch a full breath. The water feels thicker and tastes of blood, even at this distance from the monster.

It turns around and finally sees me. One head and neck is limp, the other erect, its angry eyes focused on me. It charges for me. My entire body tenses in anticipation. My spasms of pain intensify.

I squeeze my hands and try to conjure the Ayers power. But it isn’t working. A thought strikes me. I’m not furious with it. The dragon didn’t ask for this battle any more than I did. I feel sorry for it.

And I’ll never be able to use my power without a strong emotion—the threat on my life isn’t enough. Not when I know the creature is only lashing out because of this horrible situation.

The monster lunges, reaching for me with those massive jaws and teeth. One grazes my good arm, slashing my sleeve but missing my skin. I hold up my trident to protect myself.

My weapon glows before tiny bolts of bright lightning spark from the tips. The sparks meld together into one bright ray which aims straight for the dragon, slamming into the remaining head. Its chin explodes. It gives a final shriek, then slumps to the ground.

The second trial is over.

Now to see if I can beat the third without killing my dad.

Will my plan work?