I don't think either of us got any sleep that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Della with the dagger pressed against Ani's neck. I saw the tears in the latter's eyes as she begged me to believe her when she revealed her shameful secret.

I heard my words, fueled by fear and love. "'Caspian manipulated you into thinking he was your savior, the one who had saved you from those feelings that were close to consuming you. He convinced you to turn your back on your sister, telling you he would never leave you and that you were safe with him. Does this look safe to you?'"

I knew the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. I'd heard the stories of Aunt Izzy and Uncle Kai about their rocky start, eventually leading to a loving and trusting relationship. I'd even heard about the early days with Mom, Dad, Aunt Nerissa, and Uncle Jay. Their friendship had been incredibly rocky at first, but when I looked at them now, all I saw was their love for each other.

I spoke into the darkness when I heard a deep breath intake followed by a sniffle. "Are you awake?" If the tossing and turning I had felt throughout the night was any indication, sleep wasn't coming any easier for her.

"I can't believe I was so blind. All I could think about was how happy I was to have my sister back. But when she held that dagger to my throat... I'd never felt so powerless. And when I saw her in the hospital, all I saw was the mermaid who'd stared at me with such emptiness in her eyes." Her voice was so small, so... scared. I'd never heard her sound like that.

I knew exactly how she felt. As I opened my mouth, I was surprised to find the words waiting on my tongue. I hadn't spoken them aloud in years; I'd kept them locked away to avoid that outcome. "The weeks following Carla and Ella's murders were some of the darkest weeks of my life. The self-hatred and guilt had nearly consumed me. I was right there, and they still died. Faye was barely a year old, so she didn't have the memories and regrets I had. I envied her so much for that.

"I wished more than anything that I didn't have the image of..." I closed my eyes, swallowing hard. "Of Noah snapping Ella's neck right in front of me burned into my mind forever. Even though he later apologized, there was no bringing her back. After losing my wonderful, loving mother and two amazing sisters, I went from being surrounded by the warmth of family to feeling the weight of being an orphan without any siblings."

I took a shuddering breath. "I'd never felt so alone. I love Mom and Dad and wouldn't trade them for anything, but... Gods, I wish I could go back to that moment right before Noah killed Carla and Ella. I would draw my dagger and end his life right there. And I'd be glad. I would be relieved if I had rid the waters of his cruelty."

Ani rested her chin on my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her. "You're not alone, though. You have me, your parents, your aunts and uncles. You have an entire family who loves and would die for you." A pause, then, "Did I wake you?"

I shook my head, refusing to let the memories overtake me again. "No. Do you think Della would have made the choices she had if she hadn't met Caspian?" The words were purely curious.

She exhaled shakily. "I honestly don't know. Della is only two years younger, yet I know she took the divorce harder than me. I think that was the catalyst for her relationship with Caspian. She was hurting and needed something—someone—to take away her pain. I just wish she had felt comfortable talking about it with me."

My heart broke as I heard the pent-up pain, grief, and anger in her words. "I think we should—"

A noise—like someone was leaning against the suite door—cut off my words. The sound startled both of us, jolting me out of bed and propelling me forward before I was fully conscious of what was happening. I cautiously swam to the door, my heart pounding. "Hello?" I called out, trying to keep the unease out of my voice. "Is someone—"

I heard a sharp, pained breath and then, "Drew?" I choked on my breath as my heart slammed to a stop in my chest. Waverly. Ani was right behind me as I threw the door open, my eyes widening in horror as a bloodied and bruised Waverly literally fell into my arms. Her head lolled on my shoulder, and I knew she'd held on long enough to make it here.

I didn't know it yet, but the injury that Waverly had sustained was identical to Faye's in all but one way—the crossbow bolt had pierced Waverly's spinal cord. I wondered how she'd swum here at all. "Waverly? Waverly, can you hear me?"

No response. I gave Ani a sidelong glance, but she was already moving. "I'll get your parents. Go." Anxiety lined her face, but she managed to keep her voice steady.

I nodded and swam quickly but carefully. The trip took no more than five minutes, but it felt like an eternity had passed when we finally reached the infirmary. "Help!" I called out as I burst through the front doors. "Someone help!" At that point, Waverly was deadweight in my arms.

It wasn't until Dr. Murphy swam up and saw us—her eyes widening in alarm as they scanned my body and Waverly—that the blood covering my hands and body registered. I saw it, but I didn't feel it. She and another doctor carefully took Waverly, supporting her between them, and she shot me a worried glance as they swam away.

I sank into the cushioned chair in the dimly lit waiting room, feeling the weight of exhaustion in every limb. As I lifted my hand to rub my tired eyes, the sight of blood on my trembling fingers froze me in place. A million memories rushed through my mind in a single heartbeat, too many for my shocked and numb body to process.

Glass shattering. Launching myself at Faye to shove her out of the way. Seeing the crossbow bolt zoom through the water and embed itself in her back. Hearing the unearthly scream followed by a choked cry as she slammed into the seafloor, trying to flip onto her back with arms that wouldn't work.

Hours, minutes, or days later, I saw Ani bend down and meet my eyes. I only realized I couldn't breathe when I felt her hands on me and saw the worry in her eyes. Voices swam in and out of my ears as I struggled to focus. "Drew?" "Oh my gods, Drew..." "Son, can you hear me?"

I felt a comforting warmth as a familiar hand gently rested on my shoulder. Despite the immense effort required, I summoned the strength to shift my gaze and lock eyes with Dad. He was speaking, but it took a minute before I could focus on the words. "You need to breathe, Drew. Take a breath, son. I need you to breathe."

As the words left his mouth, I did what he said—and was overwhelmed by such intense nausea that I barely managed to turn my head before I vomited. Despite not having eaten since last night, it was several moments before the images—and the nausea—subsided enough for me to draw in a shaky breath.

"Drew?" When I heard her voice, I immediately searched for her face, clinging to it like a lifeline in a stormy sea. Ani's eyes searched my face, traveling down to my tail and back. "What happened? Are you okay?"

I heard more than saw Dad take Ani aside; their whispering barely penetrated my shocked haze. "It's identical to what..." "Oh, gods..."

When she pulled me into her arms, I couldn't hold it in anymore. Great, gasping sobs tore from my throat almost quicker than I could bring water in and push it out. The haze was rapidly wearing off, and hysteria was on its heels. Waverly's blood was on my hands, and she was in the hospital fighting for her life just like Faye had, and she could... She could...

I was out of the chair and moving in a heartbeat. I couldn't even fully form that thought; the possibility of it coming true was too real. "Drew!" My breaths came in ragged gasps as Ani's hand grasped my arm, bringing me to a stop. "Dr. Murphy has an update on Waverly."

When I finally met her eyes, I immediately wished I hadn't. Her face was pale and pinched; her eyes were wide with worry and fear. I knew what she was thinking because her thoughts mirrored my own. She vehemently shook her head. "No. We can't think like that. We have to believe she'll be okay. We have to."

That last sentence was so quiet that I almost didn't hear her—like she was trying to convince herself. Her grip on my hand was like a vise. The distance between the waiting room and Waverly's room seemed endless. As Dr. Murphy's face came into view, followed closely by Laguna, my heart lurched.

Dr. Murphy had an arm around Laguna, and I knew it was the only thing keeping her upright. The latter's gaze was blank as she stared at nothing; she didn't even look up as we approached. The former was trembling, and her face was deathly pale. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

"What happened? Is Waverly okay?" I heard my words, but my voice sounded faint. When Mom and Dad swam up on either side of us, we all moved closer to one another. We subconsciously knew we'd need each other's strength for whatever came next. A beat of silence passed before Dr. Murphy opened her mouth again.

I saw the tears form in her eyes as she took a shaky breath. Her voice was halting and brittle when she finally spoke, barely a whisper, yet it felt like she had shouted. "The crossbow bolt nicked Waverly's spinal cord, shattering her lumbar vertebrae. She's in surgery right now, but..." Dr. Murphy trailed off, inhaling a shuddering breath. "It doesn't look good."

When she locked eyes with me, I sucked in a breath so hard I coughed. I was sure she could see the hopelessness and guilt in my gaze because her voice was soft as she spoke again. "I'll let you know immediately when she gets moved to recovery. You'll be the first ones to see her." She transferred Laguna's weight to Mom, who led her to a chair and gently set her down.

Ani sat beside her, reaching for Mom's hand while linking her arm with mine. Dad sat beside me, gripping my hand. We were all supporting one another through one of the most challenging days of our lives. Sometime later, I looked up as low, worried voices reached my ears. "Bella? David?"

Aunt Izzy and Uncle Jay swam toward us, and Uncle Kai and Aunt Nerissa trailed them. The former had concern written on her face as she glimpsed the worry and fear on our faces. Elle was nestled in her mother's arms, sleeping softly, and I noticed how Aunt Izzy held her close to her chest. Her eyes flicked over to Laguna, who hadn't moved a muscle.

I looked up at them but didn't speak. Aunt Izzy looked at me and Ani, her eyes softening with concern. "When was the last time you all ate something?" Concern laced her words, but I sensed worry buried underneath.

I don't think any of us were surprised when we all shrugged. Between Della and Waverly, it was a miracle I was still functioning. Aunt Izzy nodded and squeezed Uncle Kai's hand before swimming away. The latter looked from face to face before he spoke. "Any news?" His voice was low and soft.

Mom took a ragged breath and rubbed her eyes. "Dr. Murphy said..." Her voice wavered, and she had to take a breath before she could speak again. "She said the bolt nicked Waverly's spinal cord and shattered her lumbar vertebrae. She's still in surgery, but it doesn't look good." Her voice broke on the last word, and she crumpled in Dad's arms, her sobs loud and heartbreaking.

Aunt Nerissa swam to me and pulled me into her arms. The second I felt them around me, I crumpled. Ragged, tight sobs tore from my throat, fueled by grief and regret.

Despite everything, we all loved and were concerned about Waverly. I knew we were all hoping against hope that she could survive this. But what if the outcome was worse than any of us could imagine?

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