“Greetings, brother.” Xanthus barely heard Gael’s shout over the ringing in his ears. He emerged from the crimson cloud to find his brother with a small spear gun pointed at Sara’s temple. Xanthus caught Sara’s eye. The relief that came over her face was overwhelming. He had no idea why she was relieved, given the fact that he’d failed her.
“Her scream packs a punch down here, doesn’t it?” Gael said. “It’s deafening, literally. I should have known what she was the moment I heard her scream before, but it wasn’t until I saw her with the sharks that I knew. And then those beasts wouldn’t let me near her.”
Xanthus shook his head. The ringing in his ears was deafening. He could barely catch what his brother was saying. But his hearing was the least of his worries. Sara’s life hung precariously in the balance. One false move and he knew his brother wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. It would be the last thing his brother ever did, but that would be little consolation to Xanthus if Sara were dead.
“The last time she screamed like that,” Gael said, “it took me a full two hours before the ringing stopped and my hearing returned. Thank the gods I have some ear plugs this time or I’d be having the same problem again.”
The coppery taste of blood was thick in the water. The limbs and bodies of three dozen dead soldiers floated around them in a haze of red. Xanthus had killed nearly all of them. Sara’s high, wailing scream had driven the rest of them off. But that didn’t make any difference in the end. Xanthus had no choice but to submit to his brother. His mind was working hard to figure out how to get her out of this. Right now, nothing was coming to mind.
If the counsel were honorable, he could tell them what and who Sara was. Honor would demand they turn her over to her father. But the counsel was less than honorable when it came to the Mer. Their hatred ran deep. Telling them Sara was a mermaid would end very badly. The council would be safe from Triton’s wrath if he and Sara were both dead. Dead men tell no tales. Yet, if he held his tongue, they would be sent to Panthon Prison to await execution. It would be hell, but at least they would be alive. And while he lived, there was always a chance of escape. Xanthus had never thought so before, but then he’d never been so highly motivated.
“Lead. Brother, you…” Gael spoke too softly for Xanthus to catch every word.
Xanthus shook his head in confusion.
“Oh for the love of…” Gael shouted, “P-a-n-t-h-o-n P-r-i-s-o-n.” He enunciated both words loudly and gestured in the direction of the prison. Xanthus understood and nodded. With a lump in his throat, he led them on to their doom. Gael followed, dragging Sara along, his hand clamped over her mouth and the point of the harpoon digging into her temple.
Gael didn’t give Xanthus any window of opportunity for escape. Gael was very careful not to loosen his grip or turn his attention from his prisoner. Xanthus knew as long as his brother kept her in close peril, he would have no choice but submit.
On their way to the prison, they were met by other soldiers who surrounded them. One look at Sara’s blue eyes and the shouts of outrage began. Xanthus looked up and saw Kyros among the men. His friend was white with shock. Xanthus saw him speak with a guard, who was snarling in anger. Kyros shook his head in disbelief. He gave Xanthus a desperate look. He didn’t move for several long minutes. With a sigh, he swam towards Xanthus’s home.
If only Xanthus could have given Kyros a message. But they were not alone. He couldn’t chance it.
The scene unfolded in horror before him. Word spread quickly that a half-human had been captured. Crowds gathered, lining the road to Panthon Prison. The Dagonians shouted, taunted, and hurled out threats. It took all of Xanthus’s control not to retaliate. The only thing he could be thankful for in this situation was the fact that Sara didn’t understand the sick and horrific threats they were shouting. But she could see the anger, and she looked terrified.
Sara kept darting desperate glances over to him. He was her only hope. And he couldn’t help her. Despair slammed into him and he could scarcely breathe.