(Darius)
We moved fast. No one spoke. The night stretched ahead, dark and endless. My grip on my knife stayed tight.
Silas glanced at Dr. Harris. "So, teleporting?"
Dr. Harris nodded. "We don’t have time to waste."
Silas sighed, reaching for both of us. "Let’s hope this works."
The pull of magic hit. A rush of energy. A shift—
Then, cold air. The sound of waves. The scent of salt.
I blinked. "Silas…"
Silas groaned. "Damn it."
We were back at the sea. The same place. The same damn mermaids.
Ripples formed. Then they rose.
The silver-haired mermaid from before watched us, her pale eyes unreadable. "You return."
Silas sighed. "Yeah. Totally on purpose."
The mermaid smirked. "It is the full moon."
Silas looked confused. "…Yeah?"
"You owe us a song," she said. "A first song. Not
