Odette tapped her chin. “Ithinkso. I mean, therusalkaand I share druid blood. And I’m a prophet, so they have to come when I call, right?”
“It’s at least worth a shot. We don’t have any other plans,” Theo offered.
“Then we’ll see therusalkastraight away,” Ethan decided. “There might be a chance they can point us in the right direction. Finding that crown is our top priority.”
Odette nodded, before she whispered, “If therusalkawant to give it up.”
“We can’t sit here debating about it,” I said. “Our time is running out. We need to find therusalka.”
We weren’t quite sure what river to try, seeing as howrusalkawere rare. We might not be able to locate them at all. The fae mermaids only lived in Eastern Europe, and Malovia wasn’t safe, so we decided that Poland would be our best bet to find arusalkato speak to.
The Vistula was one of the longest rivers in Poland, and it flowed through many different countries. We figured it’d be a good idea to start there. I conjured a portal, which took us to the outskirts of Krakow, and we headed into the forest to find the river. The river actually streamed through the city itself, but as our work was supernatural, we figured it’d be best to contact therusalkain the middle of nowhere, and not risk being caught by humans.
I heard the rushing of water long before we came to the river. I kicked up a bit of snow as I hastened my steps. When the pine trees broke, I stopped at the forest’s edge to observe the sight before me.
The Vistula was extremely wide, and looked deep. As winter was ending, the ice was starting to melt. If there wererusalkastill left in Poland, they’d be here, submerged in a river that was expansive enough to hide them all.
“You boys have to stay back,” Odette said. “Rusalkadon’t like men. It’s safer if you stay at a distance.”
“We’ll be hiding in these trees, just in case you need help,” Theo said. He and Ethan were both in their shifter forms, ready to fight if they had to. He dipped into the forest, and Ethan followed him.
When they were concealed from view, Odette waddled up to the river and called out, “Yoo hoo! Ladies, it’s me!”
There wasn’t an answer. Odette tried again. She knelt by the water and cried, “I’m a druid prophet! I’m here to talk about the silver crown! I know I lost it… but I’m sorry, and I’m here to make things right!”
Still no response. I was wondering if we were talking to anyone.
“Are you sure they’re here?” I asked.
Odette put out her hand. She laid it on the surface of the water, and stared into its depths. Her eyes took on that hazy sheen whenever she was scrying.
Suddenly, Odette jerked her hand back, like she’d been stung. She clutched at her wrist and nodded. “They’re here, somewhere at the bottom. I can feel mydrycapowers calling out to them.”
She rose to her feet and stomped her foot. “I know you can hear me! Please, we need your help!”
My heart dropped as a rusalka failed to appear. They didn’t want to talk to us. Maybe they were mad that Odette had lost the silver crown, and didn’t think we were capable of having it in our possession, since we’d lost the Crystals of Harmony.
Odette stuck out her lip. With a determined expression, she began walking out into the water. She gave a slight whimper at how cold the water was, but didn’t stop, wading up to her hips.
I frowned. “Odette, the water’s freezing. You’re going to catch a chill.”
“I don’t care. Nothing’s more important than this crown!” she insisted.
“Odette, be careful,” Theo whispered. He poked his head out of the branches, appearing concerned.
The area around us was completely silent. I realized I couldn’t hear any birds, or wildlife. It was as if the world was completely silent.
“Get out of the water!” I yelped. I hurried toward Odette, the river splashing my ankles.
Odette opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, she was yanked underneath the water. I gave a scream, and Theo came galloping out from the woods with an alarmed cry.
He skidded to a stop at my side, and we searched the water, looking for where she had gone. Ethan hurried to the shoreline, pacing back and forth and giving low whines.
A second later Odette came sputtering up to the surface, flailing her arms. “I saw one! It grabbed my ankle!”
A hard lump grew in my throat. I watched as a fish-like figure emerged from the water, dragging her body onto the shore.
Therusalkawas gorgeous and hideous at the same time. Her skin was a rich dark blue, covered in scales, while her hair hung down her back in an emerald mane. She had pitch-black eyes with no pupils, and a dress made of netting. A long fishtail started at the middle of her body, ending in sharp barbs that dripped with black poison.
