Page 29

Imade my way down the stone staircase, cut into the cliff itself, to reach the fishery. The walk took longer than expected, my legs turning sluggish and heavy with anxiety, but I was finally here. And I’d heard nothing back from Reid to say if he was also late, or if he was already waiting. Nada.

I’m doing the right thing, I told myself. I’m stopping worse trouble from happening. I repeated the mantra, ad nauseum, until it stuck. I wasn’t scared to see Reid again, per se. I was more frightened by the idea of losing Victoria’s trust. Moreover, if anything did go south during this exchange, any kind of cavalry, aside from my two friends and four monsters, was a long way away, with no idea that we’d even left the Institute.

Reaching the wide cove where the fishery sat like a decaying corpse of forgotten industry, I took a deep breath and headed into the decrepit building. On the threshold of the dripping, stagnant hellhole, I pinched my nose and strode into the dimly lit space, but even that wasn’t enough to keep out the pervasive stench of rotting fish. It hadn’t gotten any better since my last visit. If anything, it had grown worse, reeking like a dead whale that had exploded on a beach from natural gas buildup, spilling out putrid scents galore. If I’d dared to take a proper whiff, I probably could have listed the decomposed remains of whatever the dead fish had last eaten.

Where are you? I texted Reid, trying to comfort myself with the blue light of my phone. Even though the sun hadn’t fully set, the cliffs on either side of the cove blocked out most of the remaining daylight, leaving me in an inky gloom that made me want to sprint back to the cliff path.

Almost there, my phone pinged back almost immediately. Good. Then, I could hand over the antidote, make sure he used it correctly, and all of this could be over and done with. I could go back to the Institute, safe in the knowledge that I’d helped a bunch of people without anyone in a position of magical authority finding out and launching a full-scale attack. That had to be worth inhaling some fish stink. Besides, the uneasiness was probably just some residual effect of the mist that Reid had spilled here when he’d been in Fear Dearg mode. Nothing to worry about.

My Persephone. Leviathan’s voice bombarded my brain out of nowhere. He sounded worried, which was not a look I liked on him. Where are you? he asked.

I rolled my eyes. This isn’t the time, Leviathan. I’m busy.

Are you still annoyed because I could not revive your friend? His tone shifted to one of mild amusement. I confess, I was glad to discover that another had aided her. I lingered a while after you sent me away. Apologies. But did you think me oblivious to the parentage of Nathan O’Hara?

I paused, intrigued by this sudden confession. You knew?!

I know much, but I say little. I believed the Atlantean would be in safe hands. He chuckled softly. Although, I was somewhat insulted that you did not try to speak to me in the aftermath. I was looking forward to offering comfort to my beloved.

You think I know how to open up this insane telepathy pathway? I replied, not sure what to make of his admission that he already knew there was a Necromancer nearby who could save Genie. Not that I would do it, even if I knew how, I hastened to add, in case he thought I was going to start calling him for nighttime chats. If I was his beloved, as he claimed, couldn’t he have let me know Genie was safe? To spare me some of the pain I’d gone through?

I could not tell you. It was not my secret to share, he said, reading my thoughts.

Don’t do that! My thoughts are private! I chided. On some subconscious level, I was glad he was there to keep me company, something familiar to lean on amidst the creep factor of the fishery.

He laughed, evidently enjoying himself. You are pleased I am here? That is more to my liking. If only I could actually be at your side. I would relish the chance, my Persephone. I think of you often. I see your face in my mind’s eye and wonder what you are doing. I wonder if you are happy or sad or if you are in trouble. I listen for your heart, reaching out to me an ocean away.

Mind, not heart, I corrected rapidly. Don’t get the two mixed up.

The true heart is in the mind, my Persephone. The physical heart is but a muscle to pump blood around the body. I could almost hear him grinning. Although mine does beat faster whenever I think of you, or when I hear the sound of your voice inside my head. It has beaten for centuries without thought, but now it beats only for you, my immortal beloved.

I hoped he knew I was cringing. Oh, so now you’re ripping off Beethoven? He called his lover his immortal beloved, so don’t pretend you’ve just come up with that. And I’m not your anything, beloved or immortal.

He cackled. You have no concept of romance, my darling. Whoever originated the phrase does not matter, so long as the sentiment resonates. And don’t fear, one day you will be my immortal beloved.

Was there a reason you decided to drop in? I didn’t want to talk about his grand ideas of me becoming his hell queen. That wasn’t going to happen. Period. And this fishery was eerie enough without images of fire and brimstone flashing into my skull, setting my teeth on edge. I’d almost forgotten about him coming into my mind during Genie’s temporary death. Why had he felt the need to remind me of his existence right now?

I felt your anxiety, he replied, his tone softening. I thought you might appreciate companionship. It seems I was right. Although, I have also heard on the monster grapevine that you have been asking about witch hunters. That is dangerous territory, my beloved.

I folded my arms across my chest. Stop calling me that.

Never. I pictured him swaying on his coils, wishing me into his Bestiary box with him. As pleased as I was that he was stuck in his prison, unable to get his tentacles on me, there was a teensy part of my consciousness that wondered if I might feel more confident if he was here in the fishery. I had some faith in Reid, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing this, but having an ancient monster for a bodyguard certainly would’ve stopped the nerves from getting the better of me.

I need you to go aw—My attempt at sending his telepathic ass away was cut short by another voice, echoing between the dilapidated walls of the fishery.

“Persephone?” Reid called. “Are ye here? It’s me, Reid.”

Run! Leviathan’s yell exploded in my head. Run, NOW! I’d never heard him panic before, but the fear in his words flooded my own emotions, ratcheting my anxiety up to terrifying proportions. Persephone, please! This will end badly for you. Run while you can!

It’s fine, I replied defiantly. This is why I came here. I waited for a snarky response or another shout, but nothing came back. I must have pushed him out with those last words, though I had no idea how. Usually, he stuck around for as long as he wanted. Now he was gone, giving me a chance to think clearly as the poison of his heightened emotions drained out of me. I took a shaken breath and peered into the gloom as a solitary shadow crossed the threshold.

“I’m here,” I said, relieved that he was alone.

Reid sighed loudly, pretending to wipe his brow. “I thought ye’d bailed on me when ye said ye were runnin’ late. Did ye bring what I need?”

“I did.” I reached into my pocket for the bronze ball, only to freeze as my fingertips closed around it gently, careful not to activate it. Reid had stepped further into the fishery, moving toward the sound of my voice. And behind him, silhouetted in the dim twilight, more shadows came to block out the light entirely.

I was wrong. I was alone. He wasn’t.