Book Three: Chapter 50

“Mike.” Naia was by his side, her hand on his wrist. “Get her in the water.”

Beth’s eyes were focused on Mike, her hands clenching and unclenching. She stepped into the fountain, moving toward Mike and Naia. Tiny spheres of water rose into the air, circling the homunculus like angry birds. Beth swatted them away, causing large chunks of flesh to vanish into the magical swirling orbs.

“Hold on to me,” Naia said, throwing her arms around Mike. Already, he could feel the swirling current on his legs, threatening to suck him under. He held her tightly, the waters of the fountain churning around them, forming a large vortex. Beth’s body thinned away, the water quickly sucking away her sandy exterior. She fell apart like a sand castle blasted by ocean waves, vanishing beneath the surface. The brackish water swirled violently around them, Beth’s hands attempting several times to reform at the edges of the fountain only to be swept up once more.

“What are you doing?” Mike