MERCILESS (The Mermen Trilogy #3) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

use.
    Liv looked at the small opening on the other side and then again at the water. The good news was that there was water on this island to save Roen. The bad news was there were dead mermen floating in it and the island probably wouldn’t let her take any. Not without paying.
    “What’s your price?” Liv asked.
    “Ha. Straight to the point, I see.”
    “Yes.”
    “ Liv, it is no mistake I brought you here to me. I’ve been searching for someone like you for a very, very long time.”
    And I’ve been desperately trying to avoid you . “Searching for me for what?” Liv asked.
    “ Liv, I sensed you the moment your life started. I felt your soul, your energy. You are the one.”
    Someone had been watching The Matrix . “Tell me what the fuck you want, Crazy Dirt.”
    “ Out of all of the women I’ve brought here, you are the first to show promise. You are resilient and strong.”
    “Wow. I’m thrilled with all of the compliments. Get to the point.” She feared the worst.
    “I will let you leave here. I will let you take whatever water you can carry to heal the men. I will cease draining the life from them. In exchange, I want you. Your body.”
    Liv gasped. “My body? You want to—” she swallowed the lump in her throat “—to use me like you used them?”
    “Yes. Isn’t Roen worth your life? Isn’t the livelihood of mankind worth your life?”
    “I don’t believe you are that spark Roen talked about. I think you’re nothing but a parasite.”
    “Believe what you like; however, Roen has but moments to live, as do the other men. Make your choice, Liv.”
    Liv let out a breath. The island was a master chess player. And she had her back tightly against the wall.
    “Fine. I will give up my life for Roen’s.”
    “You cannot tell him, human. You cannot tell anyone about our deal.”
    Liv wouldn’t dare. Because Roen wouldn’t allow her to die for him. It went against his nature—a man who protected what he loved, loyal to a fault. Hell, he’d even give his life to save the men on this island. Many didn’t deserve saving.
    “That’s not a problem,” Liv replied.
    “Good. Then you are free to go.”
    Liv stared at the water, trying not to vomit. “What about the bodies?”
    The island laughed. “They don’t bite.”
    Liv looked up at the ceiling, praying for strength. She then whipped off her backpack, which was now soaking wet, and got out two small water bottles. She poured out the fresh water, cringing and dry heaving as she filled them up with sacred water.
    “How much time do I have?” Liv asked.
    “Days, hours, minutes. I haven’t decided, human.”
    Liv only wished there was a way to kill this thing off. Who was to say that it would keep its word and not hurt Roen again in the future?
    “Now, you’d better hurry. I do believe your lovely merman has stopped breathing.” She chuckled.
    No. No . Liv jumped into the water, the tears streaming down her face. She pushed past the bobbing, waterlogged bodies and climbed up to the other ledge. She gave one last look behind her. This creature was after something more, but what?
    Liv ducked into the small tunnel, trying not to scream as she felt her way through. The floor was wet and mushy like mud mixed with something spongy. The ceiling’s jagged edges scraped her backpack as she passed. Where would this lead to?
    A faint light up ahead gave her hope. But it was still the middle of the night. She pushed on, and when her head popped out, she knew exactly where she was: Roen’s basement. The room where he and the elders had met. Did Roen know this small tunnel existed?
    She got to her feet and rushed up the stairs that led to the kitchen, then through the dining room and upstairs to Roen’s room.
    “I’m here, Roen! I’m here.” She threw off her pack, grabbed the water, and quickly lifted his head. He wasn’t breathing. “No. Don’t go, Roen. Don’t go.” She poured a small sip into his mouth, hoping some would slide down.