Ignoring them, I let myself into the bathroom and found the druids facing off with Miranda.
“You’re done using our bathroom. Get out now or I’ll let Adira know what you’ve been doing.”
Lauv laughed.
“Do you honestly think she doesn’t know? She has eyes everywhere. Why do you think the Council’s keeping Megan away? They know half of Uttira is doing shit that would piss the newest fury off. But the Council continues to let us use this room. Do you know why? It’s better to make mistakes here, where they can cover up for any missing humans, than it is to make mistakes out there where it could cost us more than our lives.
“What do you think the humans would do if they found out that a lake full of mermaids existed? They’d shock your asses, collect your unconscious floating bodies without resistance, and make a Lake World exhibit where you’d be jumping through hoops all day for a fish head and applause. Is that what you want?”
Miranda hissed and took a step toward the three druids.
Meg lifted her hand and blew some powder in the mermaid’s face at the same time the other two murmured a chant. All the aggression visibly left Miranda’s body.
“We argued with you, but you made your point clear,” Lauv said. “We aren’t welcome here. However, we were able to negotiate a deal, which you loved. In exchange for the continued use of this bathroom, we agreed to leave a packet of fish food at the pool door every morning. You understand that you spoke on behalf of all the mermaids at the Academy when you agreed and will defend your deal so you don’t look like an idiot in their eyes.”
Meg blew some more dust at Miranda.
“Thank you for agreeing to work with us,” Lauv said.
Miranda narrowed her eyes and reluctantly reached for Lauv’s proffered hand. Just as they shook, the door behind me swung open and knocked me aside.
Janette hissed at me before noticing Miranda and Lauv.
“What are you doing, Miranda? Mark them. Mark them all. There’s no way Adira will miraculously show up before the poison kicks in again.”
“No.” Miranda released Lauv’s hand and grabbed Janette by the arm. “Plans changed.”
“River’s not going to be happy.”
“River’s going to need to learn to deal with it.” Miranda glanced back at Lauv. “Payment starts today.”
“We just made the deal. We’ll bring two packets tomorrow morning to make up for today and to pay for tomorrow.” Lauv crossed her arms, looking angry.
“Fine. First thing.”
The mermaids left, and I looked at the druids.
“What was that about?”
The three girls started snickering.
“They think they’re so smart with their journals to remind themselves if they get memory wiped. So we upped our game and implanted a reason why she changed her mind. They’re going to be so busy fighting amongst themselves this week that they should leave us alone for a while.”
“Does Adira really know what we did?” I asked.
Lauv snorted.
“No. Fish are gullible. Come sit down. We have everything ready.”
I exhaled and moved to the circle. Before they joined me, I sent a quick text to Fenris.
Me: If I go missing, it was the druids.
“An unnecessary precaution,” Anne said with a roll of her eyes. “Ashlyn was a one-time fluke.”
“I don’t care if it was a fluke or not. It needs to be undone. Have you figured out how to do that yet?”
The three exchanged looks.
“We spoke during the spell when we shouldn’t have,” Anne said. “That’s what messed up the spell, but we’re unsure how.”
“So we used a spell to view the past last night,” Meg said. “It took more supplies than we could afford to use. Thankfully, with our barrier spell done, we can get more once we leave. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather just come with us and stay out there? Considering the banshees’ warnings, it’s the safer option.”
The door burst open behind us, and we all turned to look at Fenris.
He was barefoot and shirtless, steam once again rolling off his torso.
“Damn,” Anne whispered. The scent of her lust clouded the air.
“Tone it down, Anne,” Meg said. “You know what she did to your brother.”
I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at Anne, and blushed.
“I didn’t—”
Anne waved a hand at me.
“Don’t bother explaining. He told me what he was going to try to do. His failure taught us a valuable lesson.”
“They won’t underestimate you like he did,” Fenris said.
“So, about our offer? Are you sure you want to use the spell supplies for this instead of escaping Uttira?” Lauv asked.
“What’s the point of leaving when she’s tracked?” Fenris asked.
Instead of questioning me further, they each picked up a bowl.
“Ready?” Lauv asked.
Fenris leaned against the sink and watched me with an impassive expression. Knowing he’d run from wherever he’d been, just to be here to support me, did weird things to my insides.
I gave him a small smile then faced the druids.
“I’m ready.”
“Focus on the flames. Whatever you do, don’t look away.” Lauv put a match to the central bowl, and purple flames danced to life.
The low murmur of a chant filled my ears. Then, the druids repeated the verse. This time, I felt it on my skin. Then in my skin. The flames licked higher in the bowl. The words became the flames. Inside of me. Heating me. Burning me.
Sweat broke out on my brow.
The druids’ voices grew in volume, murmuring the same words again and again.
A small whimper of pain escaped my lips, but I didn’t look away from the flames. I didn’t want to end up like Ashlyn, a casualty of a spell gone wrong.
My skin burned hotter and hotter, and my vision sharpened in response. I could see the edge of the pink centers of the purple flames and how the very outer edges of them had a hint of blue. I panted, feeling like I’d go crazy if I had to endure another second.
Then, the flames exploded. Inside the bowl and inside me.
I cried out and fell back into a shivering heap. Fenris was there, scooping me up.
“Is it done?” he asked.
Lauv sounded weak when she answered that it was.
He strode out of the bathroom, and without any warning, plunged into the pool. His arms kept my head above water but only for a second.
“Big breath,” he warned.
I inhaled and held it a second before we both went under. The water felt like heaven against my hot skin. Our gazes held as small bubbles floated between us. His dark hair drifted around his head like an angelic halo and made me smile slightly. He didn’t smile back. Instead, he pulled me close and hugged me as we resurfaced.
“Let’s hope you never have to go through that again,” he said softly.
“Agreed,” I whispered, hugging him back.
“Fenris, if you want to have water sex, any one of us would have willingly volunteered. No need to resort to succutrash.”
“Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep it in mind for the next time,” he said with his usual grin. It didn’t reach his eyes, though.