The roar beneath the ocean shook the house.
Windows rattled.
Pictures fell from the walls.
I covered my ears, but the sound seemed to come from inside my own head.
"Make it stop!" I cried.
Shawshank grabbed my shoulders.
"Bjei, look at me."
I forced my eyes open.
"Breathe."
"I can't!"
"Yes, you can."
His voice was calm despite the chaos around us.
"Look at me."
I did.
Slowly, the noise began to fade.
The queen was gone.
So was the blue vision of my mother.
Only Elias remained, staring at me with an expression I couldn't understand.
"What just happened?" I asked.
He looked at the mark on my ankle.
"You awakened something."
"What?"
He didn't answer.
I turned to Shawshank.
"You said we'd find my mother."
"We will."
"When?"
"Tonight."
Elias shook his head.
"You cannot go back beneath the sea."
I stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because the moment you enter the water again, the queen will know."
"I don't care."
"You should."
"My mother is down there."
"And she may not be the only one waiting for you."
I stepped closer.
"What does that mean?"
Elias lowered his voice.
"Your mother didn't go beneath the sea because the queen forced her."
"Then why?"
"Because she wanted to meet someone."
My heart pounded.
"My father?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
Elias looked at me.
"The one she has been afraid to name."
I felt frustrated.
"Why does everyone speak in riddles?"
"Because some truths are dangerous when spoken aloud."
I shook my head.
"I've had enough."
I turned toward the door.
Shawshank followed.
"Where are you going?"
"To the sea."
He caught my hand.
"Bjei, wait."
I looked at him.
"My mother is there."
"I know."
"Then don't stop me."
"I won't."
His fingers tightened around mine.
"But I'm coming with you."
Elias stepped in front of us.
"You don't understand."
Shawshank's voice became cold.
"Then explain."
Elias looked at me.
"Your mother left something for you."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope.
My name was written across it.
BJEI.
My hands trembled as I took it.
"Where did you get this?"
"Angela gave it to me before she left."
I opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper.
I recognized my mother's handwriting immediately.
My dearest Bjei,
If you're reading this, then you already know that I lied to you.
Tears filled my eyes.
I continued.
I didn't lie because I didn't love you. I lied because loving you was the only thing that kept me alive.
I swallowed hard.
Your father is not the monster you were taught to fear.
I froze.
Which father?
The letter continued.
But he is not the man you think he is either.
I looked at Shawshank.
He was watching me carefully.
There are two men connected to your birth. One gave you life. The other gave you the blood that awakened the sea.
My hands began shaking.
And neither of them knows the whole truth.
I stared at the final lines.
Bjei, if you ever meet Shawshank, don't be afraid of him.
My heart skipped.
I looked up.
Shawshank's eyes were fixed on the letter.
"Your mother knew I would meet you."
I nodded.
The letter continued.
He will become important to you. More important than you understand.
My cheeks grew warm.
Then I read the last sentence.
But whatever happens, don't fall in love with him.
I stopped breathing.
The room became silent.
Shawshank looked at me.
"What did she say?"
I folded the letter quickly.
"Nothing."
"Bjei."
"I said nothing."
He studied my face.
"You're lying."
I couldn't look at him.
Elias quietly turned away.
I didn't know what frightened me more—the secrets beneath the sea or the feelings growing inside my heart.
Shawshank moved closer.
"Did she tell you to stay away from me?"
I finally looked at him.
"She said…"
My voice broke.
"She said not to fall in love with you."
His expression changed.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he gave a small, sad smile.
"Your mother knows me better than I thought."
"Why would she say that?"
"Because she knows what happens to people who love someone from another world."
I stepped closer.
"And what happens?"
"They lose them."
My heart hurt.
"Is that what happened to my grandmother?"
He looked away.
"Maybe."
I touched his hand.
"I don't want to lose you."
His eyes met mine.
"Then don't promise me forever."
"Why?"
"Because forever is dangerous beneath the sea."
Before I could respond, the sound of waves filled the house.
Elias looked toward the window.
"The passage is opening."
Shawshank grabbed my hand.
"Stay close to me."
We rushed outside.
The moon reflected across the ocean.
Then the water began glowing.
A path appeared across the surface.
I stared.
"Is that how we get there?"
"Yes."
We stepped into the water.
The moment my feet touched it, the golden mark on my ankle burned brightly.
The sea rose around me.
I gasped.
And then I heard my mother's voice.
Not from a vision.
Not from a memory.
From somewhere beneath the waves.
"Bjei…"
I froze.
"Mom?"
Her voice came again.
This time, it sounded frightened.
"Don't come looking for me."
My heart broke.
"Mom, where are you?"
Silence.
Then one final whisper reached me.
"He's awake."
Shawshank's expression changed.
"Who?"
The ocean suddenly went black.
And from somewhere beneath us, a man's voice whispered:
"My daughter has finally returned."