The Taking by Terra Harmony

Author:Terra Harmony
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, fantasy, magic, young adult, werewolf, mermaid, ocean, ya, eco
Publisher: Terra Harmony

Chapter Twenty-Five

Serena leaves Liam to wrangle his wolves out of the water—she needs to make things right with her maidens. But when she approaches the pier, they are all already boarding the ships. They follow the same protocol as earlier, splitting themselves up among each vessel, and sticking to only one side once they are aboard.

Standing at the end of the pier, Serena watches as more maidens pass her. They give a slight curtsey in her direction but never make eye contact. It can't be outright labeled as disrespectful, but Serena can feel their cold shoulders as much as if she were laying her cheek on them.

The last of them board, and Serena is left staring at their backs, just as she did in her caste days as the youngest at the back of the formation. A lump of frustration filling her throat, Serena turns to look at the wolves. Their matted fur is sopping wet, but they look invigorated by the short romp in the sea. Dragging themselves toward the beach at Liam's insistence, they keep glancing back as if they are debating which call takes precedence.

Colin, Darcy, and their boys emerge from the tent set up for the family. As their parents are occupied with breaking down camp, the boys take the opportunity to rush into the water themselves. The newcomers give the wolves an excuse to reignite the mad scuffle for last minute ocean fun. From across the beach Liam gives Serena his best 'what-can-I-do' shrug, then takes off his shirt and joins his pack mates.

Watching her brother tackle another wolf directly into a large, breaking wave Serena boards the tugboat, the vessel that contains the most maidens. She continues to watch the wolves, smiling and laughing every now and then. She waits until she can see most of the other maidens watching as well, then she turns to face them.

Serena points to the open ocean behind her. "They deserve to say goodbye to her, too," she says, looking from maiden to maiden. Her gaze falls on the healer who refused to share her stock of ginger with the wolves. "And they deserve our medicine when they are sick."

The healer gives Serena a sharp glance, then trains her eyes back on the floor in front of her.

"What they deserve," a small voice slips out from the back of the ship, "is retribution."

Stepping around webbed feet, Serena moves closer to the maiden that spoke out. Orange scales glimmer under the setting sun as Sophia straightens her back and looks Serena in the eye. "They killed my sister."

"And our king—your father," says the maiden next to Sophia.

Serena addresses the easiest concern first. "Were my father still alive, he would have never agreed to The Migration." Serena fixes the maiden with her best Nerin-like stare. "And we would have died in the caves beside him of starvation or sickness within a year."

The maiden flinches at Serena's sharp words.

Taking a deep breath, Serena turns to Sophia, forcing a softer tone into her voice.

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