Deception had sliced me open like a dagger through cloth, ripping at the seams. First, Aggie, who’d taken me under her wing. And now Gavin.
My friend.
My partner.
The man I trusted most in this world. The one I would have shared my heart with, if he'd given me the chance.
I tried to still the ragged sob in my chest. Cass, Reid, and Bowen were innocent. Along with the crew aboard the ship. I couldn't let my mistake ruin them.
“If I give you the comb, you have to spare my friends.” I swallowed hard. “And you have to release me. Change me back.”
Tivara's brow wrinkled. “I can’t release you, Marin. That purple hair of yours carries my mark. I own you. But you’re not my prisoner.”
She lifted her bare shoulders in a shrug. “But Ididturn you in, or Aggie did. Showing my true face around here would get me a matching cell, and not even a witch such as myself can break enchanted coral bars. You're accused of aiding me. And you're serving a life sentence for treason.”
“What?”
My mind reeled.A life sentence?
Panic climbed into my throat. “I could shout for the guards. They’ll arrest you.”
“And your friends will drown if you open your mouth. It’s really simple: your friends for the comb. Choose wisely. Youwon’t have another chance to save them.”
There wasn’t a choice. I couldn’t sentence them all to death.
“You can have it,” I said quietly, my tone laced with defeat.
“Say the words, so I know you mean it.”
“I’m giving you this comb freely.”
With shaking hands, I slid the comb through the bars into the witch’s waiting grasp. Magic surged when it touched her skin, still anchored in my grip.
The transfer of power was clear andterrifying.
“Good choice. Now rest. You have served me well.” Tivara's smile was razor-thin. “And for that, I will return the gift.” She snapped a pearl from the comb and pressed it into my palm. “You’ll be forgotten here, Marin. No one is coming for you. But while others forget, I'm giving you the gift of memories.”
The pearl pulsed warm against my skin. My eyes slid closed. Visions slammed into me like merciless waves, each one salting my wounds with the sting of betrayal.
Her laughter echoed down the passage as she melted into the shadows. But the visions continued to swirl, slowly solidifying into a recent memory. I sank into the sand as my cell disappeared. The scent of the jungle, hot and sticky, filled my senses.
I moaned faintly, losing myself to the memory.
Gavin propped his head onto his hand and rolled to face me, firelight flickering over his features. He removed the compass from around his neck and passed it to me, our fingers brushing softly.
“It’s your turn to chart the course. Where do we go this time?”
I smiled and lay back, sifting through the tales in my mind, before settling on one of my favorites. I checked his compass, running my finger over the raised center, then pointed to adistant star.
“East, until we reach the twin mountains. Then down into the cave and—” I checked the compass again and moved my hand toward a different star. “we’ll go south underground until we find a mystical garden where there lies a hidden lamp.”
“I know this story. The magic lamp holds a genie waiting to grant a wish.”
I nodded.
Gavin shifted closer. “And when we find this lamp, what will you wish for? Riches beyond your wildest dreams? Wisdom to rival the greatest minds?” His gaze darkened, turning molten in the firelight. “Maybe a dark-haired traveler, handsome beyond compare. Who’ll fulfill your every desire?”
Even though I was bathed in heat, I shivered from his words. I leaned in, my voice almost a whisper. “Well, that’s easy.”
