The Cursed Mermaid

Chapter 25: demon possession | Nam

"Vic?" Tom and Bob said in unison, staring at their sister's face.

The Demon Queen laughed harder. "Your sister is gone. And for that," her gaze turned to Bob, "I thank you."

Bob was backing away, shaking his head. "No. No. This wasn't supposed to happen."

Tom let go of Arya and grabbed his shoulders before he could retreat any further. "What do you mean? What did you do to Vic?"

"I did nothing!" Bob protested. At the doorway, Queen Snehithaa didn't move. In fact, she appeared to be enjoying this. Tom and Arya glared at him, and he said, "Okay, look. I'm sorry. I'll tell you everything. I was out in the west of Narmia, gathering ingredients for my potions - "

"How were you in the west?" Tom demanded. "It is forbidden. The guards would not have let you through the gates."

Bob hesitated. "I found another way to get there." I noticed that Arya's face fell, as if she'd put the pieces together before Bob said it aloud. "I found a secret passageway."

This was news to Tom. "What? And then?"

Bob flushed crimson, looking ashamed. "She caught me." He gestured to Queen Snehithaa, who couldn't keep that damned smile off her face. "She threatened me, saying she would kill me on the spot, unless I allowed her a way into the kingdom." Tom and Arya froze. They were so still that I wasn't even sure if they were breathing. "You have to understand," Bob pleaded. "I had no other choice."

He didn't have to say it, but it was obvious - he'd let her in. In exchange for his life, Prince Bob had given Queen Snehithaa access to Narmia, and therefore, access to Victoria.

"No other choice. No other choice?" Tom roared, in his rage forgetting that the Demon Queen was watching. "You're our brother, and it's no secret that I'm not very fond of Vic, but how could you? She's our sister, and you did that to her. Imagine if it had been Arya instead. I would never forgive you."

Guilt was as clear as day in Bob's expression, but he continued arguing against his brother. "I didn't mean to do that to her. I was getting ingredients that day, did you know? If I hadn't gotten them, you would've gotten no potion cure." The last part was aimed at Arya. She said nothing, only shook her head at Bob in disappointment and retreated, closer to Tom. This tiny movement alone caused a look of hurt to pass over Bob's face.

"You're a disgrace, caring more about your stupid ambitions than your own family," Tom hissed, and that did it. Bob launched himself at his brother, and they both went down on the floor, squabbling.

"Don't you dare tell me I don't care about Vic," Bob snarled. With his intimidating expression, he looked very like our father.

Queen Snehithaa let loose another round of crazed laughter, and as if by instinct, Tristan, Sreya, Cailyn and I stood around the royals in a loose circle. We had the same goal - to shield them from the demon. "Look at you, behaving like children. And you call yourselves royalty."

Arya pushed past Sreya, even when the other mermaid squeaked in alarm and began to pull her back. "Vic," she began, her voice cracking, "I read your letter to me. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you need it. I'm sorry we're so useless. But please, you have to fight her. Get out of there. I know you can do it. You're not weak. You're the strongest person I know." She stretched out a hand.

Queen Snehithaa only sneered. "You think begging will defeat me?" I noticed that she was cautious of me, making sure to keep her distance. The burns had been an accident on my part. When I'd grabbed her, I thought I could heal her the same way I had healed Tristan, but for some reason, I'd only burned her instead.