“I really should have planted the flowers on that side of the yard sooner. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier,” Ladonna sighed.
Marina waited until her grandmother finished speaking. She looked down at her bowl, suddenly not hungry. The thought of Geoff being in the Sea Witch’s hands made her sick to her stomach. Closing her eyes, she tried to push the image of Isha and the others frozen in the courtyard out of her mind.
She opened her eyes and lifted her gaze up to Mike. He squeezed her fingers under the table in support. She gave him a grateful smile before turning her attention back to her grandmother who had grown silent.
“Grandmother, one of the Sea Witch’s ogres took Geoff,” she quietly informed the older woman.
“Yes, I know, child,” Ladonna replied. “That is why you are here.”
“Yes.”
Marina blinked back the tears in her eyes. Her grandmother reached over and patted Marina’s hand. The older woman sighed and nodded to them to eat.
“Food first. You will need your strength on the journey you have ahead of you,” Ladonna instructed.
“I came to ask for your help. I created a portal between our world and Mike’s. I… I don’t know how I did it, but if there is a way to do it again—this time to the Isle of the Sea Serpent—we hoped to ask for the Sea King’s help,” Marina explained.
“Portals can be tricky. Lucky for you, I know a thing or two about them. Now, do not worry so, child. Everything will work out,” her grandmother said as she blew on the hot mixture.
“How can you be so sure?” Marina asked.
Ladonna turned her head toward Mike. “Your young man has powerful magic, but it will take the combined strength of the Sea King, the King of the Dragons, and Magna herself to defeat the evil that controls our kingdom,” she explained.
“What are you talking about? Why would Magna help defeat herself?” Marina asked in confusion.
“The Sea Witch either made one vital error when she cast her spell or she did it on purpose,” Ladonna said.
Marina frowned. “I know that she retreats to the palace each night because of the spell that drains us. I suspected that was why she disappeared each day before the sun sets,” Marina said with an impatient wave of her hand. “What use is that if we are too tired and weak to do anything? Even the Sea King and Drago will more than likely suffer from the effects!”
“Yes, Magna’s spell affects her just as much as it does the rest of us, except for your young man. Magna is just as much a product of the magic of our Isle as she is of the sea. She needs both to survive, but the creature that has possessed her can only survive inside her or inside someone else.”
Marina frowned and laid her spoon down. “What creature? What are you talking about?” she demanded.
“I see, though I am blind, Marina, many things that others do not. Isha came to visit me before he was turned to stone. My visions are oft times not as clear as I would wish. I told him the same thing that I tell you now. The Sea Witch is not all that she appears. There is something darker living inside her—something alien to our world. I still see the young girl she used to be locked inside. Magna fights the evil imprisoning her as best she can. Have you never wondered why Magna would create a spell that happens to weaken her as well as others? One that would force her, the Hellhounds, and the ogres back to the palace when darkness falls?” Ladonna asked.
“I—I thought it was just to protect her when she was at her weakest. I was just so grateful that it gave us some measure of relief from the constant threat of attack,” Marina admitted.
Ladonna shook her head. “The spell she cast upon the ogres fades, and she must lock them up so they cannot escape. The Hellhounds are unnatural beasts. They are made from the darker magic feeding on hers. They guard her at night when she is defenseless,” she explained.
“Do you mind if I ask how you can be sure of this information?” Mike interjected when he saw Marina mulling over these details.
“Because I have one of the ogres. They are quite talkative beasts when you get to know them. I found him stuck in the tar pit and took pity on him once darkness fell and he turned back to his normal self,” Ladonna explained with a wry grin on her face. “I’ve always had a soft spot for the creatures. No one can grow mushrooms like they can.”
“Grandmother, you could have been captured or worse! Where is he now?” Marina asked in horror, leaning forward and placing her hand on her grandmother’s arm. “During the day he could still harm you.”
Ladonna shook her head, her clouded eyes swirling with color. “Magna is not the only powerful witch on this Isle,” she said with a shake of her head. “While I’m not as strong as I used to be, I can still protect my home and gardens.”
Marina sat back in her chair. “That is why we need your help. Only the King and Queen together would have been strong enough to defeat Magna. If she had not tricked the King and imprisoned the Queen with her deceit, none of this would have happened.”
“No, child, not even they could have stopped her. It will take more than magic to defeat her. You will be able to see the evil that is inside her. You must not let it escape. If it does, it will only move to another. There is one who is more powerful than even Magna. You must make sure that the evil inside Magna does not touch the Keeper of Lost Souls,” Ladonna whispered, staring straight ahead, as if she could see into the future.
“Lost souls?” Mike asked, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. “Marina mentioned the Sea King and Drago. Can they defeat Magna?”
“Defeat, no, but they can free her and the rest of the Seven Kingdoms with help from you and Marina,” Ladonna said.
“Then, we have to talk to them,” Marina insisted.
She pushed away from her half-eaten meal and rose to her feet. Her hands clenched in determination. She would do whatever it took to free her family and her people.
Ladonna sighed and nodded. With a wave of her wrinkled hand, the dishes on the table disappeared and a set of brilliant green and blue stones appeared. Ladonna slowly rose, the chair behind her quickly stepping backwards out of her way, and nodded for Marina to pick up the stones.
“I store some of my magic in the stones. Remember, you must convince the Sea King and Drago to attack before the dawn of a new day. Once Magna’s spell lifts, she will be too powerful and will have the armies of the ogres and Hellhounds to protect her. Be careful, though. If the creature inside her feels threatened, it may destroy the stone statues held prisoner. If that happens, the King and Queen will be lost forever. Take the stones and place them in a circle and repeat after me,” Ladonna instructed.
Marina nodded. She scooped the stones up into her hands. Carrying them, she quickly moved to stand in front of the hearth. Handing some of the stones to Mike, they carefully laid them on the worn rug in a circle and stepped inside. Marina held one hand out to Mike. He placed his hand on hers, and she grasped it firmly. Turning, she called to Mr. Bow to come to her. Once she had a grip on both Mike and her bow, she murmured to her grandmother that they were ready.
“Be safe, child, and remember, I will always be in your heart,” Ladonna whispered before she began chanting in a low voice.
Marina’s gaze jerked to her grandmother’s face. She parted her lips in protest, but no words would come. The serene look on her grandmother’s face etched into her memory as her grandmother began to weave her spell. Through the swirling colors of magic, she could see her grandmother begin to fade.
She trembled as the quaint cottage shimmered, growing old and crumbling before her eyes. The outside gardens became visible. Near the creek, the ogre that her grandmother had saved looked up from where he was tending a small bed of mushrooms. Deep sorrow darkened his eyes as his features began to change. The protection of her grandmother’s magic faded, and he was once again bewitched with the Sea Witch’s curse. Her grandmother gave the last of her magic to Marina.
“I love you, child. Save our kingdom and tell your
father that I will miss him, but will always be there in his heart,” Ladonna whispered.
“Grandmother….”
Marina’s soft cry of protest faded with the last of the magical garden that her grandmother had created. She closed her eyes and focused on the magic swirling around Mike and herself. She felt his hand tighten on hers as the colors of the magic began to change to those of rich wood and stone.
A hoarse sob caught in her throat, and she forced herself to stand strong as the wave of grief swept through her. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks, and she had to blink to clear her vision. Her gaze swept around the room before returning to Mike when he swayed and bent forward to brace his hands on his knees. Resting her hand on his back, her gaze locked with a pair of brilliant light blue eyes.
“The Sea King,” she whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
Mike swallowed down the wave of nausea that churned in his stomach. That damn portal should come with a warning label that said ‘Intense, swirling colors may cause nausea and disorientation’. He took a deep breath when he felt Marina’s hand on his back.
“I’m okay,” he muttered, taking another deep breath and slowly straightening.
“The Sea King,” Marina murmured.
“Oh shit,” Mike said, freezing when he saw that they weren’t alone. Not only were they not alone, they were surrounded by a large group of people. He rolled his shoulders, wincing when he felt his stomach twist in protest for a moment. “Marina…”
“I know,” she responded in a soft voice. She wiped the dampness from her cheeks and turned until she was facing the tall figure standing on the platform above them. “Your Majesty, I beg forgiveness for intruding on you without warning, but my people need your help.”
“Detective Hallbrook?!” a startled feminine voice said.
“Shit, she is here!” Mike whispered, staring at the redhead standing next to the man on the platform. “Jenny Ackerly.”
“Who are you?” the male demanded as he stepped in front of Jenny.
“Your Majesty, please… I beg a moment of your time. I am Marina Fae, a witch from the Isle of Magic. Our visit here came at a… at a great cost. Please, we need your help,” Marina said.
Mike saw a tear slowly slip down Marina’s cheek. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to him. His sharp gaze met that of the man watching them.
“My name is Mike Hallbrook. We must speak with you about an urgent matter,” he added, shifting everyone’s attention to him when he sensed that Marina needed a moment to contain her grief.
Personally, Mike didn’t give a damn who the man was as long as he could help them. He could feel Marina tremble under his touch. Something had happened as they were leaving. He’d heard Marina’s strangled cry and saw everything changing around them as the colors intensified.
“Kapian, clear the room,” the Sea King ordered.
Mike watched as another man stepped forward. He heard the doors open behind him and the excited voices of people as they filed out of the room. He turned his gaze to the woman slowly descending the steps. It was obvious from the smothered curse of the king that he wasn’t happy about her decision.
“Jenny,” the Sea King growled in exasperation.
“It’s okay, Orion. Detective Hallbrook is not a threat,” Jenny said.
Mike waited until she stopped in front of him. He released Marina and reached for Jenny’s extended hand. She held it for a moment, studying his expression.
“You really are here,” she breathed.
“Yes. We need the Sea King’s help and that of a man named Drago. It is important,” Mike replied.
“Orion, I think we should have this discussion somewhere more comfortable,” Jenny said, releasing Mike’s hand and looking with concern at Marina’s distraught face.
Orion’s lips twisted in disapproval. “You are from my wife’s world,” he stated more than asked.
“Yes,” Mike replied, gripping the other man’s hand in a tight handshake.
“How did you get here?” he demanded.
“It is a long story but a very interesting one,” Mike replied.
Orion gazed intently at Mike, trying to read him, and must have been satisfied with what he saw. The other man gave a brief nod and released his hand.
“I look forward to hearing it. But know this—Jenny stays here. If you try to take her back with you, I will kill you,” Orion warned.
Mike raised an eyebrow at the threat. “My job is to find her and make sure she is safe. It is up to her if she wishes to stay,” he replied with a shrug.
Orion nodded. “Follow me.”
Mike wrapped his arm around Marina’s waist again. She leaned against him and sniffed. They waited until Orion and Jenny were several steps ahead before following them. The man Orion called Kapian followed at a slight distance behind them.
“What happened?” Mike quietly asked.
Marina drew in a deep breath before releasing it in a shuddering sigh. She wiped at the fresh tears that escaped. Concerned, he wished they could stop for a moment so he could hold her.
“Grandmother… gave us the last of her magic. She… she has passed on to the next life,” she said in a halting voice.
Regret flashed through him. Uncaring of what Orion or the others thought, he stopped and pulled Marina into his arms, holding her tightly against him. Pressing his lips to the top of her head, he gently rubbed her back.
“I have lost so many of my family. When will this ever stop?” she choked out.
“Soon. We’ll convince this Sea King and Drago to help us. We’ll free your brothers and parents. I won’t stop until they are free,” Mike promised.
He lifted his gaze and he stared intently at Orion. The other man had turned to see why they stopped. The grim expression on Orion’s face and the one of compassion on Jenny’s told him that they had overheard Marina’s impassioned, choked plea.
Marina trembled before she took a deep breath and composed herself. Mike tenderly wiped the dampness from her cheeks with his thumbs and leaned forward to brush a light, gentle kiss across her lips. She gave him a wavering smile of thanks. Turning to look at Orion and Jenny, she briefly bowed her head.
“My apologies, your Majesties,” she said.
“No apologies are necessary. It is I who should apologize.” Orion looked at the man standing quietly behind them. “Kapian, send a message to Drago. Tell him the time has come. He will understand. This time, we will not stop until my cousin is vanquished.”
“Right away, your Majesty. I will also assemble an elite team of warriors,” Kapian stated before he turned on his heel and strode off.
Mike watched the man named Kapian disappear down the long corridor. He turned back to Orion and Jenny. Jenny had walked over to grasp Marina’s hand.
“I can’t wait to hear how you met Detective Hallbrook and how he ended up here,” Jenny said with a smile.
“Call me Mike. I have to admit I’m a little curious as well. Do you know if Carly Tate is here?” Mike asked.
Jenny nodded. “Oh yes. She is married to Drago,” she said with a huge grin.
“Let us retire to a more comfortable area to discuss what has happened,” Orion suggested, wrapping his arm around Jenny’s waist.
“Thank you,” Mike replied.
* * *
“I guess you’ve been searching for me in addition to Carly since I disappeared,” Jenny said as she handed a drink to Mike.
“Yeah. I have to admit this has been one of the strangest events of my life,” Mike said.
“Tell me about it! If anyone had ever told me that I would end up in a magical world and fall for a merman, I’d have pointed them to the nearest door or maybe a psych ward,” Jenny replied, sitting down in the chair across from him.
His eyes strayed to where Marina and Orion were quietly talking. He could hear their conversation and understood that the Sea King wanted to hear what had happened over the past year. His stomach clenched as Ma
rina shared the horrors of trying to keep herself and the group of children safe.
“So, is he really the Sea King? I mean, is it just a name or is he really a… you know….” Mike waved his hand as if he was swimming.
“Yes, he really is a merman,” Jenny replied, looking over at Orion with an expression that showed her love for the man. “So am I, now.”
Mike turned back to look at Jenny with a startled look. “He turned you into a mermaid?” he asked in surprise.
“Well, my legs don’t change into a tail; but yes, I can swim and breathe under the water like a mermaid just as Carly can change into a dragon and fly,” Jenny said with a grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yesterday, one of her kids came down with a cold, and Drago insisted that they return home, or you would have met them today.”
Mike took a deep swallow of his drink before he lowered the glass to the table. Mermaids, dragons, witches, Hellhounds, ogres, and the list just kept growing. He studied Jenny’s glowing features as she bent over to pick up the infant lying in the bassinet who had begun to fuss.
He didn’t need to ask if she was happy here. The contented smile on her lips was more than enough of an answer. From the little she had mentioned of Carly, it would appear the other missing woman was just as happy.
He moved his gaze to where Marina was standing near the balcony doors. A warm glow spread through his body. He now realized the attraction he was feeling for Marina was deeper than infatuation. He was falling in love with her.
“Do you think Orion will help us?” he asked in a quiet voice.
Jenny nodded, glancing at Orion as he listened to Marina with a tight expression. “Yes,” she replied in a confident tone. “Yes. He knows Magna is his responsibility. He told me that she changed years ago when they were teenagers. He doesn’t understand why, but he realizes that it is his responsibility to stop her.”