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with the massive fish tail swayed and clapped his lower half in frenzy, creating waves higher than Syrena’s head. She struggled, bobbling in and out of water, in and out of seeing what transpired. She caught a glimpse of Firebringer, and then another brother appeared, aiding Firebringer by commanding the wind. Brother Wind’s translucent hair whipped wildly about him. Usurping the elements, together they worked against the waves Dagon created to douse Firebringer’s fury.
    Dagon and Syrena were knocked from each other’s clasp.
    “No,” the merman shouted as he scrabbled for her.
    Syrena tumbled over and again in the whitewater so that she could hardly catch a breath. “Help!” Her gurgling cry barely came out.
    In the undercurrent, Syrena saw Dagon. His mouth stretched and he produced a high-pitched screech. Even she could hear it in the instantly pounding surf. The sound was strange to her ears. In the distance, she heard an echo. In a heartbeat, another creature rose from the deepening water in response. A mammal with a beaklike snout that went aloft and danced upon its tail.
    It spoke. “I’m Shimmery Blue. I’ve been called to you. Shimmery Blue, Shimmery Blue.”
    Conical teeth formed the creature’s upper jaw. The mammal moved with swiftness and played in the very waves that threatened to drown Syrena. Its eyes glistened and snout beamed. Through the waves, Syrena could see the sun sparkle off its skin as it chattered in unusual song.
    “Shimmery-shim-shimmery blue. Shimmery-shim-shimmery blue. I come, to rescue you. Come-come to rescue you.” It danced closer, presenting its back.
    Syrena questioned Dagon with her eyes. He caught her and boosted her upward. “Go with Blue,” he demanded. He helped her wrap her legs around the unusual creature, and then placed her hands around its sleek, satiny fin. Before she could blink, Blue slipped beneath the surface like a harpoon, taking her with it. Together they leaped and plunged, touched the sky and dove again—in and out of darkness and daylight—zipping through a breach in the wall of fire.
    The ocean deepened and widened. Syrena and Shimmery Blue raced far from the three brothers. Two combated against one. Dread overcame Syrena’s heart. It took all her willpower to hang on as they sliced through water with such lightning speed. All the while, Shimmery Blue sang its song of encouragement. If not for that, she’d lose all hope.
    As they journeyed, the waters grew warm and crystal clear. Shimmery Blue slowed down. The floor of the ocean rose to meet them some. An island loomed in the distance, but Shimmery Blue didn’t take her there. Instead, he dove. Syrena gaped in awe at the beauty and expanse of the Pink Coral.
    Through a multitude of colorful tunnels, fish, and flora, like a painting come to life, Blue popped out of the water and nudged Syrena onto a smooth surface.
    She inhaled deeply. “Where are we?”
    Blue slipped into the water again.
    The strange thing was she could see. She now sat in a vibrant cave of some sort, but in a bubble, too, for natural openings, like windows, wavered on the far sides revealing water. At times, fish swam by, and once an eel, giving her a view into the oceanic realm. Yet, she sat in a dry environment.
    Alone.
    “Shimmery Blue?”
    The creature popped up and tossed something at her.
    Syrena fingered the slimy item. “You can’t mean for me to eat this?”
    It seemed to laugh at her. “G-g-g-good for you.”
    “Hum.” She smiled. “Okay, I guess I’m just hungry enough that I’ll have to try it.”
    The mammal changed its tune. “I’m Shimmery-shim-shimmery. I’ve delivered now away goes Blue.”
    “No, wait!” Syrena slapped the water, but the creature had already wriggled away, bolting toward the open sea. She scarce had opportunity to thank Shimmery Blue. Besides that, she had to know . . .
    Bowing her head, Syrena whispered, “What about my Dagon?”

Chapter 10
    Love’s Mutiny
    Sitting back