Theron's POV
"You let her escape."
My uncle's voice was cold as ice. Admiral Kade Ashcroft stood behind his desk in his office, staring at me like I was a traitor instead of his nephew.
"The situation was complicated," I said, keeping my voice steady. "The mer-forces counterattacked. We had to retreat or lose half my men."
"You had her. Right there in front of you. A royal princess." Kade slammed his fist on the desk. "Do you have any idea what we could have done with her? The leverage she would have given us?"
"I'm aware."
"Are you?" He moved around the desk, getting in my face. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you chose to let her go. My best captain. My own nephew. Choosing a mermaid over his duty."
The accusation hung in the air like poison.
"That's not what happened," I said, even though part of me wondered if it was true.
Had I let Morana escape on purpose? In that moment, when she'd looked at me with those silver eyes, when she'd saved my life even though she hated me—had I made a choice without realizing it?
"Then tell me what did happen." Kade crossed his arms. "Because the story I'm hearing doesn't make sense. You, the Siren Slayer who's never failed a mission, suddenly can't capture one unarmed female. Explain that."
I couldn't. Not in a way that wouldn't sound like I was losing my mind.
"She had magic. She was stronger than I expected. And the mer-guards—"
"Were fighting for her. Because she's important. Because she's powerful. And you let her swim away." Kade's eyes narrowed. "What did she say to you?"
"Nothing important."
"Theron." His voice dropped dangerously low. "What did the mermaid say?"
I thought about Morana's words. I'll die before I let you take me. Next time we meet, I won't save you.
"She threatened to kill me next time," I said. It wasn't a lie. Just not the whole truth.
Kade studied my face for a long moment. "The council wants you stripped of command. They say you're compromised. That maybe the mermaids have gotten in your head, made you soft."
My stomach dropped. "I'm not compromised."
"Then prove it." Kade returned to his desk and pulled out a folder. "We've received intelligence about mer-activity near the Shattered Isles. Refugees, exiles, probably scouts. I want you to take your ship, hunt them down, and bring back prisoners. Real prisoners this time. Show the council you're still the Siren Slayer they can trust."
He was testing me. Seeing if I'd follow orders or if I'd hesitate again.
"When do I leave?"
"Tonight. And Theron?" Kade's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Don't disappoint me again. I'd hate to lose my best captain because he developed a conscience."
The dismissal was clear. I left his office, my mind racing.
Declan waited for me in the hallway, his expression grim. "Bad?"
"He wants us to hunt refugees. Prove I'm still loyal."
"And are you? Still loyal?" Declan's question wasn't accusatory. Just honest.
I didn't answer. Because I didn't know anymore.
We walked through the naval headquarters toward the docks where Leviathan's Fury was moored. Around us, other sailors went about their business—cleaning weapons, carrying supplies, laughing about their latest catches.
Three mer-prisoners sat in a cage near the entrance. They looked at me with pure hatred.
I used to not care. Used to tell myself they were the enemy, that this was war, that I was just following orders.
But now all I saw were Morana's eyes. Her voice asking me why I hunted her people. Her saving my life when she had every reason to let me die.
"Captain Ashcroft!"
A young sailor ran up, breathless. "Sir, there's been a development. A merchant ship captain just reported seeing suspicious activity near the northern reefs. Said he saw someone—maybe a mermaid—transform into human form and board his vessel."
My heart stopped. "What?"
"He said it was probably nothing, just weird light playing tricks. But he thought we should know since we're hunting mer-spies." The sailor shrugged. "His ship is headed to Stormhaven Port. Arrives in three days."
Three days. Someone transforming into human form. Coming to Stormhaven.
It couldn't be.
Could it?
"Did he describe this person?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Said it was a young woman. Dark hair. Pretty. Claimed to be a marine biologist named Marina something. But he said there was something off about her. The way she moved. Like she'd never walked before."
Marina. Morana. Close enough to be suspicious.
"Thank you. Dismissed." I waited until the sailor left, then turned to Declan. "It's her."
"You don't know that."
"I do. She's coming here. To Stormhaven." My mind raced. "But why? Why would she risk coming to the most dangerous city for merfolk?"
"Maybe she's on a mission. Spying. Sabotage." Declan's face was troubled. "Or maybe she's coming for you."
"For me? Why would she—"
"You tell me. You're the one who can't stop thinking about her."
He was right. I'd been obsessing over Morana since the moment I met her. Her courage. Her defiance. The way she'd looked at me like I was more than just a mer-hunter.
"If she's coming here, she's walking into a trap," I said quietly. "The city is crawling with mer-hunters. If anyone discovers what she is—"
"Then she dies. Which is what's supposed to happen to enemy spies." Declan grabbed my arm. "Theron, listen to me. I know you're conflicted about all this. I know you're questioning everything we've done. But if that mermaid comes to Stormhaven, you have two choices: capture her, or help her. There's no middle ground."
"I know."
"So which is it going to be?"
I stared out at the harbor, at the ships bobbing in the water, at the city I'd sworn to protect.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Then figure it out fast. Because in three days, you're going to have to decide whose side you're really on."
He left me standing there, alone with my thoughts and my guilt and the impossible choice ahead of me.
If Morana really was coming to Stormhaven, she was in terrible danger. The city had mer-detection spells at every entrance. Guards who could smell magic. Hunters who'd kill her on sight if they discovered the truth.
She wouldn't survive a day.
Unless someone protected her. Someone who knew the city. Someone who could keep her hidden.
Someone like me.
But that would make me a traitor. Would prove Kade right—that I'd been compromised, that I'd chosen the enemy over my own people.
I walked to the edge of the dock and looked down at my reflection in the water. I barely recognized the man staring back.
When had I become someone who questioned orders? Who felt guilty about his victories? Who couldn't stop thinking about a mermaid princess who should be his enemy?
The compass around my neck—the Tidecaller Compass I'd inherited from my parents—felt heavier than usual. I pulled it out and looked at it.
Just a simple navigation tool. Or so I'd always thought.
But lately, it had been acting strange. Pulling toward the ocean. Warming against my skin when I thought about Morana. Like it was trying to tell me something.
I was losing my mind.
That was the only explanation.
"Captain!" Another sailor approached. "Admiral Kade wants you to set sail within the hour. Are we ready?"
"Yes. Prepare the crew. We leave at sunset."
The sailor nodded and hurried off.
I looked back at the water one last time. Somewhere out there, Morana was coming closer. Swimming or sailing or somehow making her way to the city where I'd either save her or destroy her.
And I still didn't know which it would be.
But I did know one thing.
In three days, when she arrived in Stormhaven Port, everything would change.
For both of us.
Whether that change would bring salvation or destruction remained to be seen.
I just hoped we'd both survive long enough to find out.
The compass pulsed warm against my chest, like a heartbeat.
Like it was counting down the hours until I'd see her again.
And deep down, in a place I didn't want to examine too closely, I realized something terrifying.
I wasn't just curious about Morana anymore.
I was desperate to see her again.
And that desperation might be the thing that finally destroyed me.