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Autumn spun around, facing the ocean and the fiery mermaid coming toward her. Soulara pushed out of the water, her tail instantly transforming into legs as she strode forward with purpose in each step.

Autumn’s heart clenched. She shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “I didn’t lie.”

“They came today. Were you just distracting me earlier? Feeding me lies to throw me off their trail?” Soulara’s nostrils flared, her skin shimmering in the fading sunlight.

“I didn’t know they were going down today.” Autumn bit her lip and shoved her hands into her pockets. Her heart was shattering into a million little pieces and she hadn’t even known that was possible. “I promise you.”

Soulara stood over her, towering, her breath brushing across Autumn’s cheeks. But the anger softened, the hardness easing slightly. Was Soulara really mad? Or had she been…worried?

“I didn’t lie,” Autumn reiterated. “They don’t tell me everything. Hell, they barely tell me anything.”

Soulara’s lower lip quivered. “Mermaids are dead.”

“I wasn’t there,” Autumn whispered. Soulara had to understand. Hadn’t they been making progress toward that? “Can’t you use magic on me and find out? I didn’t know about the collectors going down today.”

Soulara halted. Her face morphed from angry to something aghast.

“My magic?”

“Yeah, can’t you use it or something? I swear I’m telling the truth.” Autumn reached for Soulara’s hand, twining their fingers together. The tension between them was palpable. “I promise.”

Soulara locked her eyes on Autumn’s. “Are you sure?”

“Whatever it’ll take for you to believe me.” It felt so good to be believed. She couldn’t live without that again.

“I might see something else entirely.”

“I don’t care.” Desperation clung to each of Autumn’s words.

Soulara stepped even closer. She brought her hand up to Autumn’s neck, sliding her fingers to the back and into Autumn’s hair. “This could hurt.”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Autumn answered defiantly. Nothing could hurt as much as that look of pain crossing Soulara’s features when she’d emerged from the water. Nothing was as bad as Soulara thinking that Autumn had purposely done this.

“This won’t be pleasant,” Soulara whispered, her lips a breath away from Autumn’s.

“Just do it.”

The instant Soulara’s magic hit her, Autumn gasped. It was like being doused in cold and fire all at once until it subsided. Her knees buckled, and she grasped onto Soulara’s sides to keep upright.

The moment when General Chalmers gave her the orders.

Talking to Soulara on the beach.

Then working and preparing for the tour.

Marshall and his stupid jokes.

It all flashed through her mind like recorded moments that went by in seconds. The further they got into the day, the warmer Autumn became. The calmer and more relaxed Soulara was, the easier it was to stand there.

The news of the attack.

Autumn’s sorrow and anger mixed.

Her desperation to find Soulara.

Her attraction when Soulara emerged from the water.

Autumn clenched her jaw hard. She hadn’t wanted Soulara to see that, to feel what Autumn was feeling. Embarrassment stung, and she wanted to turn tail and run. But she shouldn’t be embarrassed by feelings, and if Soulara was looking for truth, there it was.