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“Yes. Miranda. Do you have any idea what I could promise her to get her to pay me a visit?”
My brow furrows at the question, and I look into her face. “You already have Eliza, don’t you? So you already know. It’s her people. Safe. That’s what Miranda cares about most.”
Her mouth widens into a bright smile. Her teeth are brilliant white, and her canines look too pointy. She cocks one eyebrow. “You’ve been very good, docent. Is there anything I can give to you in return?”
My jaw drops. I stammer. “I, I, um.” I don’t know what to say. I know what I want, but I don’t know how to tell her.
She throws her head back with a laugh, and I trace the skin of her throat with my gaze. When she looks at me, her eyes are dark blue, the sea at night. “You’ll have to come to visit me at my home to get what you want, docent. I’d love to add you to my ever-growing collection.” Again, that wicked, crooked smile.
My phone begins to buzz in my pocket before I can ask a collection of what. I pull out my phone and see Benjamin’s name pop up on the caller ID. I don’t have time to wonder why my predecessor is calling because Beatrice is fading away, her hand up and giving me a cute little finger wave. A cheery smile on her flawless face.
I give myself a shake and answer the phone. “Benjamin? What can I do for you?”
A panicked voice answers. “Oh, George! Thank the gods you answered! Is Miranda okay? I need to talk to her. I need to talk to you both. How soon can you get out here?”
“Benjamin, I’m sorry, but we can’t. Miranda is on vacation. And trying to find her best friend who is apparently missing.” Then, almost as an afterthought, I ask, “What’s going on? Maybe I can help you.”
After a moment of silence, Benjamin’s strained voice cracks. “It’s Joanna. She’s missing.”
The stacks of books swirl around me. Beads of cold sweat break out on my brow.
Ever-growing collection. Could Beatrice have Joanna, too? How could the siren have drawn her down there? What could she have promised her?
While my mind is racing, Benjamin’s voice pulls me from my spiral. “George there’s more.” He takes my silence to mean he should continue. “Are you sure Miranda is okay? Because Joanna left a note. All it says isBe back soon. Miranda needs my help.”
I pinch my eyes shut, trying to focus, trying to keep my thoughts straight. Everything I’ve been researching, everything Miranda has told me, everything going on has become a mass of knotted yarn in my head, and I’m having trouble finding an end so I can begin to untangle it. I need help.
I ask for it, “Benjamin, how soon can you get here? I think you should pack a bag. We need to go to the shore. Oh, if you have any information about how to track, fight, and maybe even kill a siren, can you bring that along too?”
After a moment of silence, Benjamin sucks on his teeth. “Sirens, huh? They can be the worst. Real assholes. But don’t worry. I have something even better than information. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
I’m curious what my predecessor has for me, for us. I am nervous about what this sea witch is up to, particularly what she has planned for Miranda. But I am also super psyched to see how my Guardian is going to take her down.
Chapter 21
Miranda
I’mtreadingwater,andmy lungs expand larger than my chest can comfortably handle as I take a deep breath and fight to stay afloat. With every second that passes, I lose more hope that Rory might be okay. I’ve already dipped beneath the surface many times, searching for some sign of him. Now I’m searching the surface for ripples, bubbles, anything. But the black water and the waves rolling in rhythmically are trying to push me back to shore, trying to exhaust me, trying to make me forget why I’m here.
I look at my watch, but it died as soon as I crashed in after Rory, so I have no idea how much time has gone by. I close my eyes and inhale the salty air. It stings the back of my throat that’s scratchy from screaming. I concentrate on the water as it rushes toward me, feel it pushing me back toward land. A moment later, the waves push me again, but gentler, this time back out to sea. Keeping my eyes closed, so I can focus my senses on the sensation of the water moving all around me, I count the space between waves.
Five seconds.
How many waves have crashed into me while I’ve been floating here, doing nothing useful. In four more waves I’m going to dive in after him for real. I open my eyes and stare into the depths before me.
One.
Come on, Rory. Tabby needs you.
Two.
I must be the worst Guardian ever. How could I let him get lost right in front of me?
Three.
Oh god oh god oh god. If Rory is gone this fast, is there any hope that Eliza is okay?
Four.
