Chapter 49

As Skelmis plunged them into the water, the shock of the cold froze Rory's thoughts for an instant. All he could see in his mind was Rani's face as he disappeared over the edge. Skelmis swam faster and faster toward the deep, the darkness folding over them like a blanket. Rory felt both despair and deep humiliation. He had failed completely. Now he would never save his family, rescue future merpeople from the awful diseased water, or even save himself. He had failed to bring a human to Skelmis; this, however, he did not regret so badly. In his time on land, he had spoken with humans, ate their food, marveled at their civilization. He had seen kindness and anger, beheld breath-taking art, listened to the heavenly music of the violin; surely he could not take a human life now.