Chapter 29
Danica
Ienter the dining hall, and my jaw nearly hits the floor.
The room is a friggin' underwater paradise, with a long table stretching out before us like a damn runway, groaning under the weight of a seafood feast. Lobsters the size of small children, oysters that glisten as if polished by a battalion of pearl-obsessed elves, and fish that look like they were plucked straight from a damn rainbow.
At the head of this oceanic feast sits Calypso, resplendent in a gown of shimmering black scales; the front is daringly open, barely covering her assets. Her mermaid scales creep up her torso, catching the light like an array of glittering gems.
She flashes us a dazzling and terrifying smile, her teeth glinting like sharks in the soft light. "Ah, my honored guests," she purrs. "Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss."
As I scope out the room, I am immediately drawn to the gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows offering a jaw-dropping view of the underwater world.
The vast expanse of the sea stretches before me, an endless canvas of deep, rich blues that seem to darken and intensify as dusk settles in.
It's like being in a high-end aquarium, minus the screaming children and overpriced souvenirs.
Dining with the fishes?
The scene's beauty is almost enough to make me forget the gravity of my situation.
Almost.
I glance over at Lucian, who shrugs and plops his ass down in the nearest chair, sprawling out like he’s the king of this underwater castle.
I let out a sigh that comes from the depths of my soul. This should be interesting.
I was scrubbed within an inch of my life by a bunch of handsy attendants—which was all kinds of awkward—combed through the tangled mess of my hair like it was nothing, shaved and trimmed me up in all my nether regions, and then stuffed me into a dress.
I must admit that the gown is beautiful—black and sleek, with sequins that catch the light.
It's got a slit up the left leg that goes on for miles, showing off a generous slice of skin.
No shoes, though. Apparently, mermaids don't believe in footwear.
Not to be outdone, Lucian is decked out in an outfit that screams "underwater royalty." The bastard looks fresh as a damn daisy—like he just stepped out of some high-end Merman spa instead of being kidnapped and dragged to the bottom of the ocean.
His usually unruly golden blonde hair is now perfectly coiffed, slightly spiked in the front in a way that probably took an hour and a metric ton of hair gel to achieve.
The arrogant ass spent the entire time trying to charm the pants off me (figuratively speaking, since I was already in the gown) with his over-the-top flattery and cheesy one-liners.
He continued about how stunning I looked and how he'd love to parade me around like some trophy girlfriend.
But I shut down his advances like a boss, deflecting his flirtations.
Not to mention sulking and pouting as I allowed the attendants to help me with my bath instead of him.
After chatting with Rhyland and trying to calm his Viking temper, which did jack shit for my Berserker Bae, I’m still dreading the moment I have to drop the bomb about Lucian biting me—nearly killing me—and then playing vampire nursemaid with his blood.
Rhyland is going to shit a damn Viking longship when he hears about that.
And let's not even start on Lucian kissing me. Actually, on second thought, I'll just file that spicy little detail under "need-to-know basis" and call it a day.
"Yeah, so what's with the fancy getup and the whole 'trying to impress me' act?" I snap.
"I see you didn't take kindly to my necklace." Calypso notices.
I immediately grab my neck, glaring fiercely. "I'm not some pet you can just slap a collar on."
Calypso shrugs, "Very well, then. It was strictly for your safety. I meant no harm."
"Let's cut to the chase and tell me what this whole kidnapping bullshit is about. Not to mention, why the hell did you send that Bloodbane prick after me?"
Calypso smirks, sipping from a black goblet adorned with seashells and intricate designs."Patience, little guppy. Eat, please. You must be starving."
Come to think of it, I am starving. The mere mention of food makes my stomach growl like a caged beast. Attendants glide around the table, bearing trays laden with mouthwatering delicacies.
I load up my plate with a lobster the size of my head, a heap of mussels, a couple of crab legs, and some other weird-looking dishes that smell like heaven.
I don't hesitate to dig in, tearing into the food like a starving animal. I need to keep my strength up, after all.
As I take my first bite of the lobster, an explosion of flavors bursts across my tongue. The meat is succulent and tender, with a subtle sweetness perfectly balanced by the rich, buttery sauce it's been bathed in.
Even as I savor the delicious flavors, my mind is racing, trying to figure out what Calypso wants from me and how the hell I will get out of this mess.
"Bloodbane is a loyal pirate to my needs, getting things done with hardly any payment.
Once I heard of your arrival, I knew I needed to speak with you," her tone flat.
"Anyhow, you vanished, and then suddenly you were back," She shrugs like she's discussing the weather, not my interdimensional field trip.
I stare at her, my brain doing mental gymnastics to keep up with this fishy fuckery. "Hold up, rewind, and freeze. How the hell did you know I was even here? Or left, for that matter? What, did you install an interdimensional LoJack on my ass when I wasn't looking?"
Lucian lets out a hearty laugh, his mouth half-full of whatever aquatic delicacy he's currently demolishing.
I'm half expecting her to pull out a crystal ball or reveal a network of spying clownfish. Because apparently, in this neon fever dream of an ocean, privacy is about as absolute as my chances of growing gills.
Then it dawns on me—the Soul Stone. Azrael always knew when I tore open a portal. Maybe Calypso's little trinket has the same party trick up its sleeve.
I lean forward, my eyes narrowing. "Do you know what that asshole did to me?" I bark. "I mean, seriously? Sending Captain Hook's rejected cousin to rough me up? That's your grand plan? What's next, hiring the Kraken as your personal Uber driver?"
My words drip with sarcasm thicker than tar on a beach. "If this is how you treat guests, I'd hate to see what you do to people you don't like. Do you feed them to the sharks, or is that too cliché for Your Royal Fishiness?"
Calypso flinches at my words. "I gave strict orders to bring you in unharmed."
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "Well, obviously, he didn't get the memo. Next time you want to chat, try sending a fucking e-vite. Or hell, a singing telegram. Anything's better than your current 'kidnap first, ask questions later' policy."
"My apologies for how he treated you. I've been surrounding myself with pirates my whole life on Blood Reef—Bloodbane wasn't supposed to harm you—only deliver you to my doorstep."
Huh—lived her whole life surrounded by pirates, has she? What is she, the queen of Blood Reef? Where scallywags haul in souls to trade with this walking, talking soul slurper?
Give me a break.
Quickly changing topics, "Do you want to know what I desire?" Calypso asks, with a sickly sweet tone as she sips her drink.
I glance up from my plate, my eyes landing on a small fishbowl sitting next to her, filled with live fish darting around in a panic.
"Yes, by all means, let’s drag this out all night. It’s not like I’m being held here against my will or anything," I quip.
Calypso's lips curve into a smile that is cruel and sinister. She reaches into the fishbowl, plucking out a bright yellow fish, and tosses it into her mouth, swallowing it whole with a single, sickening slurp. I can't help but wonder if she just devoured Flounder, Ariel's loyal sidekick.
"Have you ever heard of the Siren's Lyre?"
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Seriously? That's what she's after?
The same damn thing Gideon told me to swipe to get in line to meet the Queen of this underwater shit show? It makes me wonder why Calypso thinks so highly of herself, like she’s the goddamn ruler of the seven seas.
"Yeah, I've heard of it," I reply, with nonchalance as I crack a king crab leg in half, popping a flaky, tender piece into my mouth. I almost moan in bliss at the sweet and delicate taste.
Calypso fixes me with a piercing stare, her eyes boring into mine like she’s trying to read my soul. "Do you know what it does?"
I take a moment to mull it over, recalling the info dump Gideon had given me.
"Something about a long-lost sea goddess, Lyria, who handed the Siren's Lyre over to the Merfolk's ancestors and juiced it up with some potent mojo," I quip.
"But it's hidden somewhere, and no one can get their hands on it. "
Calypso's wide, predatory smile sends a chill down my spine.
"Incorrect, little guppy. The Siren's Lyre is precisely what it sounds like.
Lyria's gift was crafted for the Sirens—not the Merfolk.
The tales from the land have been twisted into falsehoods, which doesn't surprise me, among other lies.
But I know you can obtain it, and I need it. "
I'm stuck between believing Gideon's version or trusting this sea witch's twisted tale.
With a dramatic toss, I throw my crab leg down and lean back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest. "And what makes you so sure I'm the one for the job?
Last I checked, I'm not your personal treasure hunter. "