Journey into the Realm: The Stolen Child (Journey into the Realm Series) by Markelle Grabo Page A

scream. “The mermaids are coming. This is your only chance to save me. Waste time and we’re both dead.”
    I wondered how I had ever missed this bold side of her before. I nodded to her and placed my hands tentatively on Orrin’s face. He couldn’t say anything, but his eyes spoke volumes. They darted back and forth like a caged animal. He growled madly, the sound sending chills throughout my body. I jumped back and hugged my arms to my chest.
    “Ramsey,” Elvina said quietly.
    I blinked a few times and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to back down. I swallowed and repositioned my hands on the Prince’s face. Slowly, I pried open his mouth further, which was difficult because it was already pretty wide. Blood began to flow freely as his teeth disengaged from Elvina’s flesh. I groaned as I continued to push and pull. The immobilization spell made it difficult for me to move him without a struggle.
    “Ramsey!” Elvina cried in warning.
    I turned to see a mermaid darting savagely toward us. She opened her mouth to strike, and I had no choice but to remove the immobilization spell. It was Elvina’s only chance to get away while I fought off the mermaid. I quickly brought my hands to my chest. The spell was reversed just as the mermaid crashed into me. I kicked and punched to avoid her vicious biting. I felt my skin tear, but luckily she hadn’t clamped on to me like Orrin had to Elvina. I shoved her out of the way and immobilized her before she could attack again. Leaving the unmoving mermaid behind, I swam to where Elvina lay floating in the water.
    “Are you all right?” I asked, peering nervously at her still bleeding neck.
    “I’m alive. Let’s go,” she insisted, taking my hand while the other was pressed to her wound.
    “Where’s Orrin?” I wondered, scanning the sea for his frightening appearance.
    “I performed an offensive spell. A current of water carried him off, but won’t hold him for long. We need to move.”
    I smiled, impressed by her strength even after suffering a nearly fatal attack. But my smile fell rather quickly. “We don’t have the crown. Orrin does. And Nathan and the others….Elvina, what are we going to do?”
    Elvina closed her eyes briefly. The stress and loss of blood seemed to be eating away at her. “Let’s just get out of the city. We’ll figure something out then.”
    I nodded and took her hand. We made it past the border with little trouble and no sign of Prince Orrin. But we were still stuck here, and I doubted that Queen Naida and her followers would give us up so easily.
    “Elvina, let me heal you,” I offered.
    She shook her head, the motion only increasing the flow of blood from her neck. “No. You have to save your strength. We haven’t seen the last of the mermaids.”
    “But you need strength, too,” I argued. “I can’t fight off a dozen mermaids on my own.”
    She laughed lightly. “You would be surprised by the power you possess, Chosen Daughter.”
    I lowered my head. “I’m not what you all say I am. I’m not invincible or any more powerful than the average fairy or elfen.”
    Elvina’s fingers grazed my chin, bringing my eyes level to hers. “Only because you haven’t accessed that part of yourself. When you do, you will be all that they say. I promise you that.”
    “How do you know?” I asked pleadingly. “Is that what Eder told you?”
    Elvina smiled. “Eder doesn’t form my every thought and opinion. This, I know because I know you . I’ve watched you grow so much since your first visit to Tarlore. I’ve watched you change.”
    “I still have a lot of growing to do,” I realized. “I should never have attacked you, Elvina. It was selfish of me. I was willing to risk anything just to know everything.”
    “It’s all right. I should have been more patient with you,” she admitted. “You stand in a very difficult position, having to be so much while knowing so little.”
    I nodded, blinking back tears of