Book Seven: Chapter 44

“Excuse me, what?” Mike almost stood, his hands balled up beneath the table in anger.

Keilani licked her lips again. “While my daughter is with you, you must leave one of your own with me.”

“I volunteer as tribute!” Beth rose with one hand in the air, slapping the other against the table. Her cheeks were the color of roses, and her pupils had dilated. “Me, me, me!”

“Your majesty,” Mike said, trying not to grind his teeth. “I, uh...” He wasn’t even entirely certain what he wanted to say, but leaving Beth with the merfolk while actively trying to slip his leash had completely derailed his plans. When he looked at Ingrid, he saw the shadow of a grin behind her stony facade.

This had been planned. Either the Order knew he was going to pull a fast one, or they were hedging their bets. Damn.

“I have some concerns.” Ratu shook her head slowly. “As a family and a team, we are very knowledgeable in terms of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. We had intended