Page 167 of Tiger's Voyage

“What present?” I asked.

“Youknow… something bright and living?”

“Uh … sorry. We didn’t bring you anything.”

She pouted. “Then I guess I can’t help you after all.”

“Wait,” Ren said. He opened his bag and took out Durga’s lotus lei. “The prophecy said to lay the wreath on the Sea of Milk. Is this what you want, Kaeliora? Flowers?” He placed the flowers on the milky water, where they floated to the mermaid’s outstretched fingers.

“Oh!” She picked up the wreath and cradled the blossoms to her face. “I haven’t smelled a fresh bloom in thousands of years. It’s perfect.”

She settled the lei around her neck and splashed her tail happily.

We stood around for a minute waiting for her to notice us again. The mermaid admired the reflection of herself, the flowers, her hair, and so on.

Finally, I said, “The key?”

“Oh! You’re still here? Very well,” she mumbled as she studied her hair for split ends. “It’s back there at the bottom of the lake.”

“The bottom of the lake! How do you expect us to get it?” I asked.

She raised her head and grinned. “By swimming, of course. What a silly question.”

“But the water is frozen, and it’s too deep!”

“It’s notthatdeep. Only twenty feet or so, but it is cold. Whoever goes in will probably freeze before getting back to the surface.”

“I’ll go,” Ren softly volunteered.

Something snapped inside me, and I couldn’t stop it from bursting out. “Ofcourseyou’d say that!” I yelled. “Always willing to put yourself in harm’s way, aren’t you? Can’t resist a worthy cause, no matter how dangerous! Why not? He’s faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings.Naturally, you want to go.”

“Why should I stay?” he asked quietly.

“No. You’re right. You have absolutely no reason to keep yourself safe. It’s just another day at the office for you, isn’t it, Superman? No, Iceman would be more appropriate in this case. Why not? Go ahead! Fly off and save the day, like you always do. Just make sure you don’t come back as Mr. Freeze. He was the bad guy.”

Kishan stepped in. “I think you’re overreacting, Kells.”

“Sure I am. But we all have our roles to play, don’t we? I’ll play the part of the irritating girlfriend who holds everyone back. You can be the nice guy who stays behind, consoles the girl, and pats her hand, and Ren can go off and save the world. That’s how all this works, am I right?”

Ren sighed, and Kishan looked at me as if I was out of my mind,which I was, and the mermaid wrinkled her nose and giggled. “Isn’t this fun?” she said. “But it doesn’t matter anyway.Hecan’t go. Only this one can.” She pointed to Kishan and then became fascinated with her fingernails.

“What? Why him?” I asked.

“Becausehedrank thesoma. If this one tried to enter the water,” she pointed to Ren, “it would kill him immediately.”

“Drank thesoma? You mean that drink at Phet’s house?”

“I don’t have any idea where he drank it. I just know he did. The power just shimmers on his skin. Can’t you see it? It’s very enticing.”

I peered at Kishan. “Nope, can’t really see his power.”

“Well, the water is full of it. Power, I mean. My job is to stir it once in a while so it doesn’t settle to the bottom. Dip a finger in, and you’ll get the shock of your life. An arm, and your brain shuts down. Your entire body? Zap! You’re just nutmeg floating in the eggnog.”

“Great,” I mumbled.

“But the water does do wonders for a girl’s scales. Milk baths are all the rage when your tail dries out. Don’tyoutry it, though. There’s not just creamy goodness inthatlake. All kinds of special powers are in there, and only an elite few can access them. You might call it the swimming pool of the gods, and only those who have a pass can enter. It’s a members-only kind of thing. Neither of you belong to the club. He’ll probably still freeze anyway, but at leasthehas a sporting chance. Oh, and I forgot to mention, you’d better make it quick. My toes are freezing already, and if the fountain refreezes before you get back, you can’t enter or exit the lake, and I won’t be able to tell you how to get the Necklace.”

We stood there dumbfounded.