I frowned. “A heifer isn’t a pig.”
“It’s not?” Pheolix glanced back at me. “Sounds like one.”
I crossed my arms. “Where exactly does beef come from, Pheolix?”
“Selena’s right,” Cebrinne said, falling into step behind him. “They bring their prizedboors.”
Pheolix smirked at her, but she stared flatly back at him.
“Before we dive in,” Aegir said, ignoring them both. “I’ve been exploring as much as I can. The tunnels run deep.” He hesitated. “So deep, they play tricks with your mind.”
Pheolix raised his brows.
“What kind of tricks?” I asked.
Aegir rubbed the back of his head. His mouth parted, but he didn’t say anything, though thoughts flashed behind his eyes. Secrets he didn’t want to share.
“They whisper,” he finally said. “They whisperDarkness.”
22
Selena
“Whispers,” Ceba repeated, skeptical.
If her tone bothered Aegir, he didn’t let it show. “As a child, we were always taught that water remembers the dead. I’d always brushed it off as old tales. But when I was down there…” He tilted his head, gazing back at the dark cave. “The passages echo, and the echoes bound far away. Water drips on one side, but it sounds like footsteps on the other. The tunnels breathe with the tide. When they start to fill, it sounds like voices, both in your ear and far away.” He sighed, giving himself a small shake. “Are any of you claustrophobic?”
We each shook our heads.
“You will be,” Aegir pointed down at the rock toward the heart of the cave. “Down there.”
Pheolix stretched. “How can we ensure ourselves safe travels through the haunted catacombs? Shall we all get naked and dance around the fire before we make a sacrifice to the Fates?”
"Yes." I shot him an icy glare. "You'll be our sacrifice."
Aegir handed me a bioluminescent jar as though he hadn’t even heard Pheolix. Cebrinne reached for the twine, and Aegir laid his hand over hers, halting her. “I think we should stay together.”
She looked up at him softly, teal eyes delving into his. “Are you all right?” she asked quietly. So quietly, I almost couldn’t hear her.
I’m not sure I’d ever seen her ask anyone that. Other than me.
“I’m fine.” He released her with a soft smile and walked away. All the way to the edge of the island, slender toes hanging off the sharp rocks.
I stared wide-eyed at her. She met my gaze and raised her brows as though to ask,What?
“Found some feelings for old fish king there, did yeh Cebrinne?” Pheolix snatched a pile of rope and began twisting it over his elbow, coiling it in a wide circle.
Ceba smiled, though the grin reminded me of a cat flashing its fangs. “It shouldn’t impress you. Nothing’s as pathetic as the way you hide your feelings behind all your little jokes.” She glanced at me then quickly looked away.
“You’re right,” he said, holding a hand to his heart. Cebrinne stalked away, hardly looking at Aegir, and she passed him and dove into the water. He jumped in directly behind her, and Pheolix turned to look at me, fitting his knife snugly in its leather sheath at his hip. “If those two crazy kids don’t end up together, I’m telling the Fates I want my money back.”
“Piss off,” I murmured, stepping past him.
“The vulgarity.” he exclaimed behind me, but I’d already hit the water.
I’d always found the sea surrounding Laurier Palace cold and gloomy, but it felt bright compared to the water under Paria, quickly losing color as we descended. Green sea faded to gray, darker and darker. Pheolix passed me, his tail’s wave of current fluttering against my face and hair as his steel-clad scales dimly reflected the last of the fading sun’s rays.
It was quiet.
