The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,49
Alfred snorted. “They rarely make it back out.”
“They can’t find their way out again?” She glanced at Alfred, and he smirked.
“No, they’re dinner.”
She stepped back from the tank and looked around. At the end of the narrow room, there was a staircase she assumed went to the top of the tank. Across from the giant glass window, the wall was covered with mirrors that reflected the water and fish, making the entire room appear to be under the sea.
A sudden movement in a mirror drew her attention, and she turned back to peer into the glass. A long sleek body shot up to the surface, then dove back down. A seal.
Maeve planted her hands on the glass. Can you hear me? Are you all right? Are you trapped?
The seal zoomed around the perimeter of the tank. Who are you that you can speak to me?
I’m a selkie.
The seal came to a stop close to Maeve and peered at her with glistening black eyes. You.
Yes. Are you trapped in there? Don’t worry. There is a way out.
Without answering her, the seal curled under and swam away, back into the murky depths of the tank.
Maeve leaned against the glass, trying to see where the seal had gone. A sudden flash of light made her turn her head and close her eyes.
As soon as she opened her eyes, a huge purple mass slammed against the glass. She jumped back with a gasp. Thick tentacles slithered like snakes across the glass, the suction cups gripping the smooth surface to propel the large, quivering body closer to Maeve.
It was an octopus, the biggest one Maeve had ever seen, possessing a body or mantle as large as an adult human and tentacles as long and thick as a man’s legs. The mantle undulated, turning until the creature’s head pressed against the glass and one huge eye focused on Maeve.
She swallowed hard. Still, the octopus remained, its eye watching her intently. Should she try communicating with it? Why are you staring at me?
No answer. She glanced at Alfred. “When is the queen going to arrive?”
With a snort, he leaned against the door and crossed his arms.
“I thought she was taking a morning swim. Will she be safe in there with this giant—” Maeve stopped when the octopus suddenly pushed away from the glass and disappeared into the murky depths.
Another flash of light brightened the room for a few seconds. Maeve stepped closer to the tank, but couldn’t see anything inside but a few fish, darting about as they tried to find the way out.
“It won’t be long now,” Alfred said softly.
Maeve’s stomach rumbled, a reminder that she was hungry. She glanced at the mirror across from her and winced as she caught sight of her tangled hair and tired features. But she couldn’t let hunger and exhaustion beat her down. She squared her shoulders. After answering the queen’s questions, she would have to find a way to help the children.
A slight swishing sound drew her attention to the staircase. It was the rustling of silk. A figure came into view, a woman dressed in a purple, hooded robe. She was tall and slim, but the voluminous hood was hiding her face so that all Maeve could see was her chin and mouth.
Alfred bowed, so Maeve sank into a curtsy. This had to be Queen Cahira.
The woman came to a stop at the base of the stairs. “Where did you come from?”
She had a pleasant, melodious voice, Maeve thought. “The Isle of Moon, Your Majesty. I grew up in the convent there.”
Queen Cahira’s hands curled into fists. “Did you now? And how old are you?”
“I’ll be twenty on the next Autumn Embrace.”
The queen stiffened. “And what name did they give you at the convent?”
“Maeve, Your Majesty.” When the queen was silent for a moment, Maeve continued. “I had a good childhood there, filled with laughter and love. Quite the opposite of the way the children here—”
“Enough.” Queen Cahira waved a dismissive hand. “You’re a selkie who can talk to seals and other sea creatures.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Can you shift into other creatures?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
She scoffed lightly, turning her head away. “And he said you would be more powerful than I.”
“Excuse me?”
Cahira didn’t reply, but walked slowly toward her. Maeve could feel the woman’s intense gaze boring into her.
“Why have you come here?”
Maeve winced inwardly at the sharp tone the queen had suddenly adopted. “I . . . was curious.”
“Why?”
“I read about an old legend that claimed there was once