"Mom?"
Angela wouldn't look at me.
The sea was strangely quiet after Azrael disappeared.
Shawshank stood beside me, still staring at the place where his father had vanished.
I turned toward Angela.
"What did he mean?"
She swallowed.
"Bjei…"
"How was I born?"
She closed her eyes.
"Not here."
"Then where?"
"At home."
"That isn't what I mean."
I stepped closer.
"Why does everyone act like my birth is some terrible secret?"
Angela's eyes filled with tears.
"Because the truth could put you in danger."
"I am already in danger!"
My voice broke.
"I've been chased beneath the sea, attacked by creatures, hunted by a queen, and told that my father is some ancient being. I deserve to know the truth!"
Angela looked at me for a long moment.
Then she whispered,
"You weren't supposed to survive."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
"You were born during a storm."
She looked toward the ocean.
"The night you were born, the sea rose higher than it ever had before. The entire coastline flooded."
I listened silently.
"Your grandmother knew what was happening. She came to the house and found me holding you."
"Was Azrael there?"
"No."
"Then who was?"
Angela's face became pale.
"Darius."
I looked at him.
He lowered his eyes.
"He was there when I was born?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he was protecting us."
I frowned.
"From Azrael?"
Angela shook her head.
"From the prophecy."
My heart began beating faster.
"What prophecy?"
Angela took a deep breath.
"It said a child would be born carrying the blood of the sea and the soul of the land."
I touched my chest.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"What happens to that child?"
"She would have the power to open the ancient gate."
I remembered the enormous door.
"And that's why the queen wants me."
"Yes."
"Why does Azrael want me?"
Angela looked toward the ocean.
"Because he believes you belong beneath the sea."
"And do I?"
"No."
Her answer was immediate.
"You belong wherever you choose to be."
I looked at Shawshank.
He was watching me quietly.
"What about him?"
Angela sighed.
"That's where everything became complicated."
Shawshank finally spoke.
"Tell her."
Angela looked at him.
"You don't understand what happened."
"Then explain it."
She took a shaky breath.
"Azrael and I never had a normal relationship."
My eyes widened.
"You and Azrael?"
"No."
She shook her head.
"Not like that."
"Then what?"
"Years ago, before you were born, Azrael made a pact with your grandmother."
"What kind of pact?"
"He promised to protect our family if we gave him something."
"What?"
Angela's eyes met mine.
"You."
I felt as if the world had stopped.
"My grandmother agreed to give me to him?"
"No."
Angela began crying.
"She refused."
"Then what happened?"
"Azrael threatened to destroy the kingdom and the surface world."
I stared at her.
"Grandma chose to fight him."
"Yes."
"And you?"
"I ran."
"You ran with me?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"To the surface."
I looked at Darius.
"And he helped you?"
Darius nodded.
"We hid you."
"From Azrael?"
"And the queen."
I swallowed.
"But if everyone was trying to protect me, why did you let me grow up knowing nothing?"
Angela touched my cheek.
"Because I wanted you to have a normal life."
I pulled away.
"My life was never normal."
"I know."
"You should have told me."
"I was afraid you'd hate me."
I stared at her.
"I don't hate you."
She began crying harder.
"I was just angry."
"I know."
For a moment, mother and daughter simply stood there.
Then Shawshank spoke.
"We need to get away from the shore."
Darius looked toward the water.
"He's right."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"The queen knows we're here."
"How?"
Darius pointed toward the sky.
A dark cloud was forming over the ocean.
The waves began rising.
Angela grabbed my hand.
"We have to go."
We ran toward the house.
But before we reached it, a strange sound came from behind us.
A soft melody.
Someone was singing.
I stopped.
"Do you hear that?"
Shawshank froze.
"Yes."
The voice sounded like a woman.
Beautiful.
Sad.
Familiar.
I looked toward the ocean.
"Grandma?"
Angela grabbed me.
"No!"
"But I heard her."
"That isn't your grandmother."
The singing became louder.
Then a woman's figure appeared on the surface of the sea.
Long black hair.
White dress.
Her face was hidden.
Shawshank pulled me behind him.
"Don't go near her."
The woman lifted her head.
Her eyes were completely black.
Then she smiled.
"Bjei…"
My blood ran cold.
"Who are you?"
She laughed softly.
"I've been waiting for you."
Angela whispered,
"It's impossible."
I looked at her.
"What?"
She was trembling.
"I watched her die."
"Who?"
Angela's face went white.
Then she whispered a name I had never heard before.
"Seraphina."
The woman smiled.
And the sea behind her suddenly turned red.