was no one out there.
Sophie twisted around to look at me, but Jack did not.
“The mermaids are dangerous,” Jack said, his voice eerily calm. “I need people to believe me.”
“The mermaids aren’t killing anyone,” I said, closing the gap between us.
“They have before,” he said. “They will again.”
“Tell me what you want. Just let Sophie go.”
Jack tightened his grip on her wrist, but Sophie said, “Stay away, Lily. Pavati needs to talk to Jack. I’m helping. I don’t need you.”
“I want the lake searched,” Jack said. “I want her found. I want her to suffer for what she’s done to me.” He reached down for the chain and turned to face me. His face was sunken, his skin red and splotchy. “She promised she’d come back.”
I took ten steps closer and Sophie said, “She did. And she’s here again. Under the water.” She pointed with her free arm down at the lake. I couldn’t see the spot because their bodies blocked my view. Was Sophie trying to distract him, or was Pavati really there, using the lake as a filter so she could better look at Jack?
“If Pavati promised you,” I said, holding my hands out, moving closer, “you know she’ll make good on that.”
“Then where is she?” His voice cracked, the pain cutting through as a dark head broke the waves. It was only a silhouette. I couldn’t tell who it was, but whoever it was, he or she was listening. I was sure of that.
“She couldn’t come before. You wouldn’t let her come,” said Sophie.
Jack jerked in surprise and let go of Sophie’s wrist. “I’ve begged her to come!” he said as I silently pleaded with Sophie to run, but she stayed by his side.
“You’ve been too angry. She can’t get close to you when you’re like that,” Sophie said, squinting at the ground. “Even now you’re making it hard. Please look. She’s there. She’s trying her best.”
He raised the chain toward Sophie’s neck while I ran toward them.
“Run, Sophie!” I slammed into Jack and shoved Sophie out of the way, but Jack lunged for me. One second later, I was in a choke hold, staring out at the lake.
“Let me go! This isn’t going to help.” Jack yanked me closer to the edge. I struggled and he tightened his grip. “Even if you convince someone the mermaids exist, even if they search the whole lake, what is catching Pavati going to do? You know she’ll end up dead in the end.”
“Good!” he said, spit flying past my face. “If I can’t be with her, no one can. Besides, we don’t belong with their kind. You don’t know how they mess with our minds. Not yet anyway. I’m doing you a favor. I’m putting you out of your misery.” He dragged me a few feet to the right and grabbed the length of chain from the ground.
“No, Jack. Don’t! Pavati. She’s there.” I was gasping. Tears distorted my vision.
“She wants to be with you,” Sophie said, pulling at Jack’s fingers around my arm. “She came. She just can’t get close to you when you’re like this. Calm down.”
“Shut up! Shut up! You’ve learned to lie too well.” He yanked my body, tossing me off balance. “I suppose he taught you how to do that.” The chain looped around my neck and shoulder. Sophie closed her eyes and pulled at his elbows, but he kicked her aside.
Jack shoved the cinder block into my arms and pushed me closer to the edge of the rock. I planted my feet and refused to move. I tried to sit down, but he was too strong.
“I never meant to kill anyone,” Jack said. “Connor was an accident. I kept him down too long. But then … at least that got people’s attention. For a while. Brady and Chief Eaton—they were easier. People can’t keep thinking it’s an accident forever! But no. You wouldn’t even side with me when I grabbed one of your own friends.”
“Your mind is clouded, Jack. Open your eyes. Open your eyes! Pavati’s there. Do you see her?”
“Shut up!” he yelled. “There’s no one down there.” I bent my knees, trying to anchor myself to the ground, but he grabbed me under the arms, lifting me off my feet.
For the first time I focused on the water, so clear I could see the bottom despite its great depth. Pavati stared up at me from the sand, through the rippling water, her eyes red with grief, her mouth open in silent