A few minutes later, Drustan thudded to the ground next to the lake. The trees here were the same kind Kiora had admired on their way to the island—brilliantly colored. Their leaves had begun to fall, painting the ground as well.
Kiora slid off Drustan, stretching her legs and back. Her legs protested, determined to remain in the same position they had been in for the last nine hours or so. Despite alternating bubbles with Alcander, her magic was building up underneath her skin. She looked forward to releasing some of it.
“I can build the concealment farther within the tree line,” she said, pointing to a place where the foliage thickened, naturally concealing what lay behind it.
Alcander scowled. “No. Anyone looking for us would expect us to be hidden farther in. Build it here, right on the edge of the trees. It will be the last place they look.”
“Yes, there is a good reason for that,” Drustan said, shifting back to human form. “Camping on the edge of the trees increases the likelihood that someone not looking will walk through the enchantment.”
Alcander’s eyes slid over to Drustan. “When I want your opinion, I will ask for it.”
“Alcander—” Kiora began.
“Is it too much to ask for the two of you to defer to someone who has more knowledge of this land than you do?” Alcander snapped.
She blinked, crossing her arms. “I trust you. I was only asking if you could take over the bubble so I could make the concealment.”
Alcander shifted on the balls of his feet. “Of course.”
After Kiora had set up the enclosure for the night, Drustan grabbed one of the packs Alcander had insisted they take. “Any water in here?”
“No, we will have to collect it. I assumed that’s why you landed here.” Alcander grabbed the pack from Drustan and pulled out a clay jug. “Here you are,” he said smugly. “Watch out for mermaids.”
“Mermaids!” Kiora and Drustan both said at the same time.
“Why didn’t you tell me there were mermaids?” Drustan shouted.
Alcander, looking supremely amused, shoved the jug into Drustan’s hand. “I would have, had you asked my permission to land. But since you didn’t, I didn’t have the opportunity.”
“I have never seen mermaids,” Kiora said.
“Trust me,” Alcander said, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the enclosure. “You don’t want to.”
Kiora attempted to lock down as much magic as she could. Regardless, it still flowed between the two of them. She slipped her hand free. “What’s wrong with mermaids? Drustan had a alliance with them at home.”
Alcander chuckled. “You’ll see. He certainly doesn’t have an alliance with these. Go on, Drustan,” Alcander said, waving towards the lake. “You can bubble long enough to take care of it.” His eyes twinkled with laughter. “We will watch from here.”
Drustan’s mouth twisted before vanishing into a bubble.
Alcander settled down onto the grass. “Sit,” he said patting the ground beside him. “Watch.”
Kiora frowned but sat anyway, looking towards the lake. She couldn’t see Drustan since he was bubbled. But the second the jug broke the water’s surface, the middle of the lake began churning. Rising up from it came three of the most beautiful ladies Kiora had ever seen. One a shimmering redhead, another with hair as white as Alcander’s, and another with hair the color of chestnuts. Their features were pert and perfect. Glistening scales of red, green, and yellow were laid artistically over their chest and shoulders.
“They are beautiful,” Kiora whispered, leaning forward.
Then they started to sing, a haunting melody that slithered into her ears. Everything around her disappeared under the song, and Kiora rose to her feet.
Alcander laughed, grabbing her hand and pulling her back down.
“What are you doing?” she grunted, struggling against his grasp. “I want to go.”
He pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her. “They want you to go so they can drown you and eat you.”
She jerked, trying to free herself from his grasp. She needed to go to them.
“And they won’t make it fast,” he added. “They like to play with their food.”
“They . . . what?”
“They will eat you,” he repeated. She turned her head to look at him with wide eyes. He gave a soft smile, pushing her hair out of her face. “I am glad I didn’t send you with Drustan. I had no idea you would be so susceptible.”
The music still haunted her, pulling her towards the water. But knowing what it was gave her more control. “What about Drustan?” she realized,