Almost immediately after I open my eyes, I know I'm dreaming. For one thing, I'm floating above the Whispering Reef in a purple-and-grey gown, twin to Jay's normal attire as the king of Aegrem. But I wouldn't be wearing this unless... unless...

As I look down at the crowd gathered around the Whispering Reef, my heart stops. A strangled cry escapes me as I recognize the mermaids and merman floating inches off the ground, their tails tucked underneath them. Familiar faces, marred with blood and dirt, stare at the seafloor. David doesn't move a muscle, his face blank. The only sign of the suppressed anger inside him is his furrowed brow.

The world stops as I stare at Bella and Meri's faces, tear-stained and pale. Their expressions are identical to David's, though tinged with fear.

Though they try to stifle them, every so often, a stray tear finds its way through the blood and dirt on their cheek and falls onto the ground. A merman (whom I quickly recognize as one of Tiger Shark's minions) swims in front of them, a cruel grin on his face. He opens his mouth and starts speaking. I read his lips as best I can, trying to suppress the anger building inside me.

"Citizens of Aegrem! We are gathered here today to witness the execution of traitors to the realm. These mer were caught trying to betray the ruler of their respective realms. As the law states, the perpetrators must pay with their lives." He turns to Bella, Meri, and David, all of whom are staring at him with blank expressions. I look around for Jay, but don't see him anywhere.

I choke as my eyes fall on a familiar face filled with glee. Tiger Shark. My hands clench into fists as I ready myself to swim over to him. Before I so much as take a stroke forward, however, he pushes a merman forward, also wearing purple-and-grey attire. Jay. His face is tense, his body rigid as he sinks to the seafloor. He scans his surroundings, eyes darkening as he notices Bella, Meri, and David.

I jerked awake, my heart pounding. My head was still a bit foggy, but other than that, I was perfectly fine. Jay was instantly awake, putting a hand on my arm as he sat up. "You okay?" He asked.

I nodded as I got out of bed and got dressed. The terror and dread from my dream hung over me as I got dressed and swam downstairs. After so many mornings with Bella, David, and Meri, it was weird not having them here with us. Meri was staying with Bella and David in Pelathas. After a lot of back-and-forth, we all agreed that it was the safest option.

As much as it terrified me, I was going to go back to Rosewood Manor and see if anyone was still there—if it was even still standing. Maybe Eliza could help me figure out what to do.

The pendant thrummed with power as I swam, my body taut with anxiety. Every so often, I would see a ghost or two appear out of the corner of my eye and it took every inch of willpower I had to block them out. By the time I arrived at Rosewood, I was panting heavily.

My hands shook as I swam inside, the manor just as imposing as the day I'd first arrived. The inside was pitch-black, all the lights on the walls blown out. All my senses were on alert as I swam, my eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness.

I was so focused on not bumping into a wall that I didn't hear someone come up behind me until a hand clamped on my shoulder. Light suddenly flared in front of me, illuminating a familiar face filled with malice as I turned around.

"Hello, Nerissa," Naia said. If only I'd known what I was getting myself into.

Read and review!