Chapter 7
Vivian rushed to unbutton Adrian’s collar–only to see a massive, clam–shaped sigil, glowing red
on his chest.
Adrian coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His eyes glazed over.
“It’s the Shell Siren… It’s draining his life–drinking his blood!”
Vivian spun toward Lydia, who had collapsed beside him, rage blazing in her eyes.
“You said you were blessed by Poseidon! Then why is Adrian still being consumed by the curse?!
Answer me!”
But Lydia couldn’t. White foam leaked from the corners of her lips. Her long black hair fell from her scalp in thick clumps until her head was bare.
Terror flooded her eyes. She tried to scream–but no air came.
Dark purple veins began to crawl across her skin like poison.
Vivian’s expression twisted in horror. She grabbed Lydia’s wrist. The mark that once glowed ocean
blue had turned blood red.
A cursed sigil. One used only to claim souls.
“This… this isn’t Poseidon’s blessing. This is a death mark.”
“Those cursed by Poseidon are doomed to die at sea. Their bodies consumed by his wrath- their souls scattered into nothingness, lost forever. Lydia–what have you done?!”
Just then, Lydia and Adrian both coughed up thick, purple–black blood.
Poison.
As a Sea Nymph herself, Vivian recognized the signs instantly. The toxin came from Sea Nymph blood–when given to one outside the bloodline.
Before she could speak, I stepped forward and cut her off.
“Lydia took my blood. I warned them. Sea Nymph blood isn’t for them. But Adrian–he threatened
me with the Elder’s life…”
Before I could finish, Vivian dropped to her knees at my feet.
Chapter 7
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“Please, child. This is our fault. Please save Adrian–didn’t you once say you loved him? How can you just stand there and watch him die? I’m begging you…”
I quickly helped her up and slipped off the charm bracelet from my wrist, fastening it around Adrian’s.
The blood–shaped sigil on his chest stopped expanding.
“You know how this works, Vivian. A Sea Nymph can only bond to one person in her lifetime. I can’t save him anymore. This charm will protect him–for the next 24 hours.”
Sebastian’s hand trembled on his cane. He swayed, nearly fainting.
“Guards! Get that woman out of here–now!”
Lydia, bald and covered in deep purple blotches, let out a broken, garbled moan as she was dragged
away.
Adrian, now slightly more lucid under the charm’s protection, turned his head and shouted in panic.
“Lydia?! What’s happening to you? Hang on! You’ll be fine–you’ll be fine!”
Then he looked up and spotted me, his voice dripping with hatred. He lunged for me, but Rowan was already there, pushing him back with a cold glare.
“What did you do to her, Serena?! Why won’t you leave her alone?! I will never love you–you’re not even good enough to kiss the ground she walks on!”
I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face, cutting off his rant.
Then I turned toward Sebastian and Vivian, lowering my voice politely.
“If he won’t learn respect, then allow me to teach him. I’m sorry, but I can’t save him. When the charm’s protection ends, the curse will finish its work. He has twenty–four hours. You should start
making arrangements.”
With that, I took Rowan’s hand and walked out of the banquet hall.
Behind me,
Adrian’s furious voice still echoed, “Serena Hayes! I’ll never forgive you!”
