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I opened my mouth to argue against that idea, despite it being in the past, but she clamped her hand over my mouth.

"I know what you’re going to say. You said it in your letter. I didn’t care then, and I don’t care now. I wasn’t going to let you throw your life away like that. Not for me. Not for anyone."

She pulled her hand away, but it hadn’t been necessary to begin with. I was at a complete loss for words.

She scooped up Finley and nuzzled him. "But this little guy wouldn’t let me. He told me about the siren patrols and the risk I’d be taking. He also told me about the contract you signed."

My shocked gaze turned to Finley. "How did you know about that?"

I followed you, of course, his tiny voice chimed in my mind.I couldn’t let Rissa get trapped, too.

Marissa stroked his head. "So instead of heroically storming into the witch’s cave and demanding she let you go, which would have felt really fu—um, freaking good, I told Cal everything."

"Everything? Or just enough?"

"Everything. And he and I’ve been trying to figure a way for you to get out of the deal. A magical loophole or something.But good thing you got out on your own because things weren’t looking good on our end." She paused and eyed me with suspicion. "Wait, you got out of it, right?"

I nodded slowly, still stunned. Good thing indeed. I could only imagine the even bigger mess we’d be in if Finley hadn’t stopped Marissa from following me.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved her for even trying. But her headstrong nature and impulsivity would have had catastrophic consequences.

Or maybe she would have saved me after all. We’d never know, and that was definitely a good thing. All that mattered now was that my contract with the witch had ended when she sold me to King Ateleíotes, and I’d gotten my magic back. Win-win.

Marissa held up the talisman. "You ready?"

That was a good question. I took a last glance behind me, gazing across the ocean until it met the horizon. Even now, the vastness of the underwater world called to me, singing of endless possibilities. Full of mysteries and dangers unknown.

Was I ready? I’d wanted to return to land ever since I’d gotten myself into this mess. But after everything I’d learned over the past few weeks, I wasn’t as sure anymore.

Something had happened to the Naftes kingdom. Someonehad happened—Calypso. In theory, my father should have been more than powerful enough to stop anything she’d attempted.

So, why did I feel this uneasy?

Likely because I’d learned firsthand just how slippery that snake of a witch could be. My father’s magic was powerful, but hers was stronger than the last time she’d tried to take over. I had no idea what she’d gotten from Ateleíotes in exchange for me.

There was only one way to find out, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for that return either. I was trapped in the jaws of thetide and I didn’t know which way to go first. I had to find out what evil plan Calypso devised for our father, but I also needed to make things right on land. I had a list of people I needed to apologize to.

The more I considered it, the more I realized I would need backup to stop Calypso. Not to mention moral support just to face my father.

Knowing I would return to the ocean soon, I nodded to answer my sister’s question. I was ready. As ready as I could be.

Marissa draped the talisman over my head. A tingle spread through my body before sizzling heat tore my tail in two. I bit back a cry and clenched my eyes shut, holding onto my sister for dear life.

Good gravy, this was such a painful experience. I had no idea how other shifters got used to the pain, if they ever did.

When the pain finally subsided, I was human again. Mostly. A few scales glittered along my forearms, reminding me that my time on land was limited no matter what I wanted. At least we only had one talisman failing to worry about.

Unless Calypso had lied about a potion yet again and Marissa’s tail made an unexpected appearance. But that would have to be a future-us problem. I had enough to worry about in the here and now. First, I needed to tell Dominic what I’d learned about the pyrocrystals.

I hated knowing I was going to disrupt his life once again, but he had to know what I’d found out.

Except, what if he already knew? Maybe he’d already handled that whole crystal situation. Me showing up with old news might just rip open wounds that were healed. For him, anyway. My heart was still a fractured mess.

What if?—

"Wanna see something cool?"

Marissa’s question startled me out of my thoughts. "Always."