Sera placed a gentle hand on Ava’s arm. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”
It was at that very moment, when they were united and supporting one another, that they heard it. A voice, inside their heads.
“Merls? Are you there? Can you hear me? Please say something! It’s me, Astrid!”
“ASTRID!” SERA CRIED, overjoyed to see her, but terrified they’d lose the connection to her. “We’re here! All of us! Can you see us?”
Astrid held a finger to her lips, then said something, but Sera and others couldn’t understand her. She flickered and faded.
“Focus, people, focus!” Neela ordered.
The five mermaids all joined hands and concentrated on Astrid.
“—can’t talk long,” Astrid said, her image suddenly vivid and sharp. “His servants might hear me and tell him!”
“Merl, look at you!” Neela said. “I barely recognize you. That is one invincible outfit! And your hair!”
Astrid looked down at herself and smiled wryly. “That’s what happens when you have a reincarnated death-mage for a stylist.”
She was wearing a fitted black dress and a beautiful pearl bib necklace. Her blond hair was sleek and short. Squid ink lined her eyes; silvery-blue ground mussel shell dusted her eyelids. Rings of obsidian and garnet glinted on her hands.
“Where are you?” Becca asked.
“In Shadow Manse, Orfeo’s palace,” Astrid replied.
“Are you okay?” asked Ling.
“I’m fine. Look, I don’t know how long I’ve got, so”—she gave a wary glance over her shoulder—“I need to convey the essentials. Fast.”
“Go ahead,” said Sera. “We’re listening.”
“Orfeo’s got the ruby ring. I’m going to take it, and the black pearl, tonight. And then I’m going to haul tail for the Southern Sea. Meet me there.”
“Astrid, how? This is Orfeo we’re talking about,” Ling said. “He has powerful magic, you know? He might see this coming.”
“I have magic now, too. Orfeo cured me. We’re super tight.” She smirked, then added, “At least that’s what he thinks.”
“I’m glad to hear you can sing again, Astrid, but you’ve been songcasting for what, a few weeks? Orfeo’s been at it for four thousand years. He has a slight edge,” Sera said, worried about her friend.
“Yeah, but I have a partner in this particular crime, and she has an edge, too. A big one.” Astrid smiled like an excited child, then said, “Sera, it’s Thalassa! She’s alive. Orfeo’s been keeping her prisoner, but she’s okay. She’s my teacher!”
Sera gasped. “Thalassa’s alive?” Her heart swelled with happiness. This was a miracle. She was certain Miromara’s canta magus had been killed by death riders. But her happiness was immediately pushed aside by anger. Thalassa was alive, yes, but she was in Orfeo’s brutal hands. “Tell her I’m going to bring her home, Astrid,” Sera said fiercely. “Tell her I’ll find a way.”
Astrid nodded. “I will, Sera. I promise.”
“Wait, Astrid, exactly how are you going to get the talismans?” Becca asked, always practical.
“Orfeo takes the black pearl off at night, and puts it in a safe in his room. The ruby ring’s there, too. I know because he showed it to me after Traho delivered it.”
“Why would he do that?” Ling asked.
“Because he totally trusts me. I’ve made him think I’m on board with his plan to free Abbadon and attack the underworld.”
“Okaaay,” Ling said, skeptical. “But he’s going to stop trusting you pretty quick when he catches you trying to steal his talismans.”
“But he won’t catch me! That’s what I’m trying to tell you! Thalassa taught me how to cast a superstrong somnio spell. I’m going to use it on Orfeo, make sure he’s sound asleep, and then figure out how to break the safe’s enchantment.”
Sera shook her head. “I don’t like this plan. Too dangerous.”
“Oh, okay. I’ll just reach into my bag o’ plans and pull out a different one, then,” Astrid said, rolling her eyes.
Sera gave her a look. “Does sarcasm really help at a time like this?”
“I know it’s dangerous,” Astrid said in a more conciliatory tone, “but it’s all I’ve got. And I’m doing it.”
“How long will it take you to get to the Southern Sea?” Becca asked. “Where is Shadow Manse?”
Astrid snorted. “The Black Sea. Where else?”
“Wow. That lumpsucker’s seriously hung up on black,” Neela said.
“It should take me about two months to get to the Southern Sea. Orfeo told me exactly where the Carceron is.”
“Where?” Sera asked excitedly.
“At the north face of Bleak Mount, on the Weddell Plain.”
“Astrid, that’s huge! It will save us weeks of searching, if not months,” Becca said.
“You’re welcome,” said Astrid. “I could get there a lot faster if I went through the mirror realm, but I don’t dare risk it. If Rorrim caught me, he’d turn me in in a heartbeat. He and Orfeo are close.”