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was planning a coup. And if Roen lost power, Shane might kill him and then do whatever he wanted with her and her sister.
    The only problem now was she wasn’t sure what to do. Running to Roen might be exactly what Shane wanted.
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Trying to keep her head out of the meltdown zone, Liv followed Jason into the dimly lit, narrow corridor lined with cabin doors, up several flights of carpeted staircases, and out onto the deck. Once her eyes adjusted a little to the darkness, more of the ship came into focus, including the hot tub, lounge chairs, shuffleboard, and bar. The place was a regular Carnival Cruise ship. With scary mermen.
    Her eyes then spotted an even larger yacht moored at the pier. Dozens of boats filled the massive harbor.
    “Holy crap,” she half gasped. She really couldn’t believe all this was here. The first time she’d come, none of it had been visible. Just one big island with a giant peak in the middle and a few cabins sprinkled around the forest.
    Jason smiled at her. “The big boat’s Roen’s.”
    She almost wanted to laugh. Of course it was. That man didn’t believe in small.
    “Where is everyone?” she asked, noticing the empty ship. More importantly, where was Dana?
    “Our guests are in their bungalows, getting ready.” He pointed to the forested hillside overlooking the marina, glowing with lots of lights. “And, of course, the ladies are in their usual spot, so don’t get too close.” Jason pointed to the water. “Hi, ladies!” he said cheerfully.
    Liv looked down into the black water, where thousands of big yellow eyes bobbed in the gentle waves. “Holy shit!” She instinctively jumped toward Jason. Of course, the moment she realized it, she stepped away. But not too far away.
    “Don’t worry,” he said, “they’re forbidden from going on the piers or land during the Collection. Otherwise, they’d eat all the guests. But don’t get any ideas about going out for a midnight sail; they’d eat you faster than you could say ‘hungry, hungry mermaid.’”
    Liv nodded absentmindedly, staring at the flickering orbs. As frightening as the creatures were, her heart went out to them.
    “So do they know what’s happening?” Liv asked.
    “Of course. They’re mermaids, not mindless fish—hell, most of the newer ones have college degrees.”
    Oh God. They were women like her, trapped inside those bodies. Except they eat anything that moves.
    Liv carefully disembarked the ship, staying in the center of the gangway and dock, closely following Jason. If they make a move, I’m throwing him in the water. Those sharp teeth were literally four feet away, lurking between the boat slips.
    Jason and Liv then made their way out of the marina up a windy dirt path toward several clusters of cottages. She still couldn’t believe all this. The place looked like a five-star luxury island retreat.
    “Is that how this all works?” she asked, slightly winded from the climb. “You comb the beaches for women and tell them they’re going to some exclusive resort?”
    “No. We do not comb beaches. We have standards. And we have scouts with very good instincts who go out and do a little preselection. Here we are.” He stopped in front of a brown cottage with white shutters, nestled between two colossal pine trees that soared toward a star-filled sky. Potted flowers, with little lights around the edges, illuminated the flagstone walkway to the front door.
    “I’ll wait outside while you get ready,” Jason said. “You’ll find the ceremonial dress and white sandals you’re to wear in the bedroom closet. There are snacks and beverages in the kitchen. I suggest the champagne—it’s a favorite with the ladies.”
    Liv glanced at Jason skeptically.
    “I meant the human ladies,” he added. “Mermaids don’t drink. Not alcohol, anyway. Blood is another story altogether.”
    Liv made a sour face—“Thanks”—and walked toward the front door.
    “The back door is bolted,”