Despite the fact that the guards outside the room have surely heard the wall crashing in, so we should act fast to evacuate, I can't stop kissing Pierce. I mean, just wow! Though I have no experience at this at all, I have a feeling the guy is really, really good at it. Even my toes are melting. I'm running my hands over his biceps, which are like iron beneath his plaid shirt—my favorite one. It still smells faintly of seawater. I know I should ask about where he's been, about the vision in the scrying lamp, about working for my dad, but all those things will have to wait. I think I might have moaned a little just now.

"Ahem." It's the mermaid in the next room. "We hate to interrupt whatever is going on in there, but ..."

Poseidon's beard! Did the merfolk in the next room listen to every thought I just had about Pierce? I need to stop kissing him! The angel chorus will have to wait.

Pierce's lips quiver against my mouth. I can tell he's trying not to laugh.

I pull away. This can only mean ... Are you reading my mind again, vampire? I think at him.

"Perhaps," he says.

"Hasn't it been more than a week since you had my blood?" I think I might have whined a little when I said that out loud.

Pierce's luscious lips form that annoying smirk. "You wish, mermaid."

"Ugh! You're the worst!" I say, even though my body flushes with excitement over the memory of Pierce biting my neck. I might even have cocked my head to make my neck a little more accessible. I force myself to step back, more to protect myself from my terrible instincts than from Pierce's fangs. Poseidon's beard, that vampire is hot!

"If a vampire could blush, Waverly Marie Fishwater, I would be the color of ..."

"Blood?"

"I was going to say the rapturous color of the sky over the ocean at sunrise. But I cannot take your blood right now, mermaid, as much as I'd like to." He eyes my neck and licks his lips. I know there is no, um, evidence of his, um, previous encounter with my jugular, because mermaids heal so fast, but I wonder if he remembers the spot. "You cannot fathom the self-control it takes not to overindulge."

"Excuse me. Mermaid being held in captivity in a tank over here."

"Oh, right. Sorry." I really do need to be able to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. "We'll discuss this later, vampire."

He grins. What nerve! And then kisses me so softly, it's like a feather brushing my lips. Stop, Waverly! Concentrate. We need to get out of here before the guards arrive! Right now!

"Pierce," I say out loud. "We need to move quickly and rescue the merfolk being held prisoner in the next room. The humans have been extricating their tears with that horrible machine you found me in. The humans called it a Lachrystractor. It uses pain to make merfolk cry, then harvests their tears to make Elixir of the Sea, a product they're going to sell to make a fortune. It stops humans from aging."

"Don't worry, Wave. I'm putting out a repulsing energy field. Should hold off the guards for a few more minutes. As for the chair in question ..." Pierce kicks the chair with enormous force. It dislodges from the bolts holding it to the floor and hits the ceiling. Then it drops to the floor and explodes. Shards of glass and twisted metal fly everywhere, but nothing strikes me because Pierce has pushed me to the white-tiled floor and is using his body as a shield.

"Uh, oh," says Pierce.

"What?"

"Someone's coming." He leaps up and pulls me to standing.

"What about your magical repulsion energy?"

"I guess I'm just too attractive sometimes." He grins.

I punch him in the arm. "Men!"

"Awwww, Wave!"

"What?"

"You called me a man. Not a vampire."

I'm about to quip back at him, but when I look up into his beautiful blue eyes with his ridiculously long dark eyelashes, I can see how happy he is that I've called him a man. It seems to mean a lot to him that I see him this way, instead of as a vampire. Being a man describes his essence. Eels meals! Here I am waxing philosophical when I'm supposed to be on a rescue mission. Ugh!

Next thing I know, Pierce is dragging me through the door to the room where the merfolk are being held. He slams it shut, then smashes the lock, rendering it inoperable.

There are six merfolk in the tank—four females and two males, just like we saw in the scrying lava lamp on Mount Olympus. Their hair and skin are so pale, it's as if someone has sucked not only the color but also the life-force from their bodies. And the females' chests are bare. The humans have not only held them prisoner, but they have also stolen their dignity. Mermaids loathe exposing their breasts like that, especially in such tight quarters. A lump grows in my throat. "I'm so sorry," I telepathically say to them.

"That's ..." one merman begins, but his head snaps up when we hear boots running into the lab next door.

"Whoa, man! What's happened in here?" says a guard with a high-pitched youthful voice. He sounds like a surfer.

"Big explosion. Maybe dangerous? Doc and Pellicose ran from the lab just now," says another guard with a heavy accent, who must be from a country near the Black Sea. "I've got a bad feeling; shouldn't be here."

"That Doc dude's spent too much time breathing his own fumes. But I know what you're saying, man. It's like something's trying to push us out of here. But we have a job to do."

"Da." The guard bangs on the door. "Lock is busted. But we need to go in, you think?"

My heart is thumping like crazy. Will they be able to get through? I'm holding my breath and trying not to make a sound.

Pierce shakes his head and mouths, "It'll be okay."

After what seems like an eternity, the Black Sea guard says, "We could shoot the lock?"

My eyes widen. What, no!

"Can't do that, dude. What if we kill whatever's in there? I've always wondered what's the big secret. My money's on Frankenstein's monster. But you know the rules. No guns in the lab. Let's go get the chainsaw from the toolshed."

"Da."

There is the ebb of booted footsteps, and then the lab is silent. I breathe.

"Glad you could join us," says a mermaid.

My hair sparks orange from seeing them like this. I can feel their shock at seeing my hair, but they say nothing. "How does the tank open?" I say. I can't see any way of doing it beyond shattering the thing which I'm happy to do. It would be no problem for Pierce or for me. I just wouldn't want to hurt the merfolk.

"Miss Fishwater," says the large merman.

"Please call me Waverly."

"Of course, Waverly. I'm Fitzwilliam. And this is Avalon. I believe you know her daughter, Shelly?"

Holy crab! It is Shelly's mom.

"How is my baby?" Avalon, I mean Mrs. Sharkweather, asks me. Her eyes look so sad, and her cheeks are drawn, but I can see the resemblance to Shelly, the small perky nose, the full lips. There are traces of the Sharkweather gold shot through Avalon's hair and scales.

"She's fine, Mrs. Sharkweather. She misses you."

Mrs. Sharkweather sobs, her frail shoulders shuddering. There is nothing in the tank other than water, so there is no risk of anything transforming from her tears. Merfolk are immune.

"It's okay, Avalon," says one of the other mermaids, who takes M. Sharkweather in her arms.

"And this is Marina, Nerida, Valerie, and Brine," Fitzwilliam continues.

"Nice to meet you. I mean, it's not nice to meet you here, but I'm glad to ..." Ugh. I can't say anything right. "Anyway, this is Pierce, my, um, boyfriend." They frown at him. Vampires are not that popular in the mercommunity.

"The humans will return shortly," Fitzwilliam says. "You must be gone from here when they do."

"You mean we must be gone, right?"

"We've discussed it, Waverly. We've decided the best plan is for you to leave us here. If you rescue us, the humans will know their security has been breached and will double their precautions. If we escape, they will only kidnap more innocent merfolk. No. You need to return later with backup and destroy this place. Expose them so they can never do this again. It will already be harder to enter because of the damage to the lab; they will be suspicious. If you can put an end to their operation, it will be worth our sacrifice of a little more time here. They won't kill us. They need us. And knowing that you are aware of our plight, that there will be an end to this, will comfort us until our release."

"But ..."

"I know you want to save us, Waverly, but trust me, this is the best way."

"He's right, Wave," whispers Pierce.

"How do you know what he said?"

"I read it from your mind."

"Oh, right."

"We can come back with the others and do the job right," Pierce says.

"But how will we get so many people here with all the security?"

"If I may make a suggestion?" Fitzwilliam says.

"Of course," I say.

"I think it's time for a party."

Pierce and I arrive back at the cabin in the wee hours of the morning and kiss goodnight in the common room. I want to do a lot more of that kissing, but frankly, I am exhausted. I tiptoe into the girl's bedroom, not wanting to wake anyone. The window is open, and the Hawaiian-print curtains unfurl into the room like the wings of a bat ray. I can smell the trees and the soil and smoke from the teachers' cabins in the perfumed air. I sink into the bed, not bothering to change into pajamas or even brush my teeth. Pickles sneezes in her sleep. I listen for the sounds of her waking, but she seems to be sleeping soundly. In moments, I am slipping under.

The next morning my eyes pop open with Pickles' puffy red face right in front of mine. She sneezes, barely covering her nose in time. A bit of fairy dust escapes her sleeve and glitters down to my pillow, which now glows pink and has tiny unicorns chasing one another up the seam. I sit, the bed creaking, and flip the thing over, because dancing unicorns always make me irritated in the morning. No one should have to wake up to something that pink and cheerful.

Then I realize and say, "You did magic!"

Pickles looks down and brushes some fairy dust from her lap. "I can't control it, though. It's like whatever magic I have comes out when I sneeze. And look at what I've done. Cupid is going to kill me."

"What?"

"Look at the curtains."

"Oh, no!"

"Yep." Pickles sniffles.

Cupid's beloved Hawaiian print curtains are now sparkly pink with unicorns dancing in hula skirts. Each time they flutter in the breeze, the unicorns sway their hips awkwardly.

"Maybe we can change them back before Cupid returns from Hades."

"How long do you think Apollo will keep him there?"

"He was pretty irate. But I can't imagine Cupid allowing himself to be imprisoned for long. I mean, if anyone can rock irons and chains, it's Cupid, but they don't go that well with bow ties and Hawaiian print."

"You're right, Wave. Sorry I woke you, but I didn't think you'd want to miss breakfast."

My stomach growls like an angry vampire. When was the last time I ate? Oh, right. When we had Chinese food on Mount Olympus. I scramble out of bed, still wearing my torn and filthy clothes from the previous night. I smell like a combination of wet donkey and toxic waste.

"Waverly, you look awful." She grabs my arms and purses her lips. "What happened last night? We were so surprised when Shelly came back alone! Everyone is super mad at her for abandoning you like that. And here I was feeling sorry for her!"

"I wasn't that happy about being deserted either. I was shocked, actually. But Shelly's been through a lot. Last night I found out so much. It was really worth it." I scour the floor for something not pink. I am determined not to wear anything pink today. I brought so few clothes with me, locating them is like uncovering a specific grain of sand on the beach, so I quickly give up on being reunited with them anytime soon. I scoop up Shelly's black leather bustier.

"You wouldn't," Pickles says. I can tell it's a challenge.

"Humph!" I put my hands on my hips and stare back at her. The mood I'm in is exactly the type that requires one to don leather clothing. I scrounge around and find Shelly's matching black leather miniskirt, knee-high boots, and a leather jacket.

Pickles watches me with great interest and a crooked smile. "If you're going to wear that, I can't even imagine what happened last night. I don't think this is the same Waverly. My Waverly wouldn't dress like this. What have you done with her?"

"I have to gear up mentally for what's ahead. No better way than to look the part."

"Let me help you with that," Pickles says, untying the laces on the bustier. "Tell me what happened."

"Well, the humans are working out of a barn only a few miles from here. They're pretending it's a working ranch to avoid questions from the locals. They've even hired horses and a donkey from Hollywood to make it all look real."

"Why couldn't they just get local animals?"

"Poseidon's beard! I never thought about that. Stupid city humans! Anyway, they are manufacturing a product called Elixir of the Sea. And Pickles, the key ingredient is merfolk tears! That's why my people are disappearing. And Shelly's mom is one of the prisoners! There are six in total squished in a tank about a quarter the size of this room, and there's nothing in it to make them more comfortable—no sand, no kelp, nothing. Even goldfish kept in bowls have it better."

"You saw Shelly's mom?"

"Yes."

I give Pickles an abbreviated version of events. When I'm done, Pickles places her hand over her heart and sighs.

"Pierce rescued you? That's so romantic."

"Did you hear the part about the hostages and torture?"

"Of course, Waverly, but I'm so glad Pierce saved you. I told you he loved you, you idiot!" Pickles elbows me in the arm. "But do you think they'll allow him back in school? I mean, he was expelled."

"I think they will, Pickles. There are bigger things to worry about than who stole a wand. We have to expose and take down the DOT Corporation. We have to rescue the merfolk. We have to save the bay." My stomach grumbles again.

"And we have to eat breakfast," Pickles declares, holding up each boot for me to slip into.

When I walk into the cafeteria dressed to kill, everything stops. Forks are poised, chewing halts, and conversation hangs in the air so thick you can almost see it. It's like the universe is on pause. I zero in on one face across the room. Once I see Pierce watching me, his sculpted jaw dropping, eyes wide, I smile and walk past everyone as if my outfit is no big deal. Shelly gasps as I pass her table. She's sitting alone. I look at her, daring her to say anything about me borrowing her clothes.

"You ... um ... you look amazing, Waverly," she says.

"Thanks."

"I'm sorry about last night. I knew my dad would get suspicious if I weren't at dinner. I realize what I did was totally wrong, though."

I kneel next to her, the leather squeaking. "It's okay, Shelly." I hold her arms, really more to keep my balance in her super high-heeled leather boots than for affection, and whisper in her ear. "They have your mom. She's okay. She will be okay."

Shelly sobs. I really feel sorry for her. She is so lost.

Suddenly Cupid comes bounding through the doorway in his bow tie, galoshes, Hawaiian-print board shorts, and bronze bare chest. "Show's over, people!"

The conversation starts back up, and people pretend to eat. I can tell they're all still waiting to see what'll happen next.

Cupid saunters past the tables, heading straight toward me. He reaches a hand down and helps me up.

He whistles. "Waverly Marie Fishwater!"

"Cupid?"

"Honey, you are a sight." He puts his arms around me and plants a kiss right on my lips!

The room swirls. I am overcome with the oddest sensation. I want to kiss him back! But part of me knows this is wrong. I'm not supposed to want to do that with Cupid! I'm in a love-drugged haze and can barely stand. Cupid steadies me as I awkwardly try to kiss him. But before I can, Pierce has knocked Cupid across the room, swept me up in his arms, and is kissing me madly. In front of everyone. I feel his fangs with my tongue.

Eventually, I have to breathe. So we pause. I look up to see Cupid rubbing his chin and grinning.

"I still have the touch," he says proudly. "Good one, Pierce."

I've come out of my Cupid-instigated fog of love enough to realize that we shouldn't be acting like this. I jump from Pierce's arms and fix my outfit, tugging on the skirt and straightening the bustier.

"Everyone mind your own business," Cupid's voice thunders over the room. Now people are vigorously eating and talking loudly. The room is abuzz. Pierce, Cupid, and I take a seat at the table with Pickles, Fintan, Lily-Bella, and Thunder.

"How was hell?" says Pierce, his fangs still out.

"Hades," Cupid corrects. "And it was an utter bore. As soon as Apollo left, I pulled the arrow out of my chest. That Hades has no imagination. It's always 'I'll spear you to a rock with your own arrow for all eternity, blah blah blah!' Anyway, I healed it right up and headed back to this realm. So much more civilized. Gods! So tell me, my lovelies, what have I missed?"

Pierce, in a very stilted tone, with his jaw set and his eyes dark, quietly fills Cupid, Thunder, Lily-Bella, and Fintan in on last night's events. I can tell Pickles and Fintan are holding hands under the table. Pickles sneezes intermittently, and it's having an interesting effect on the napkins at our table, which are now covered with sparkling unicorns.

In the meantime, I'm cramming food into my mouth: blueberry pancakes loaded with butter and maple syrup, bacon, scrambled eggs, wheat toast with strawberry jam, a few croissants, and a giant glass of orange juice. Even though Pierce is still talking, everyone is watching me eat.

"Could you guys stop looking at me?" I ask.

"Nope," says Thunder. "I'd like to place a bet on when you're going to burst open. I say the rest of the bacon will do her in."

"I think she'll make it through that mountain of toast first," says Lily-Bella, wiping a bit of raw meat from Thunder's mouth with her unicorned napkin. He smiles at her.

I put down my fork. I'm eyeing the rest of my breakfast longingly, but when your friends are making bets on your food consumption, it's time to show a little restraint.

Pierce finishes the story.

"Oh my goddess," says Lily-Bella. "That's horrible! How can they do that?"

"I will make them pay!" says Thunder.

"How will we get in?" says Fintan.

"We will have the Halloween party in their barn," Pierce explains. "It will be the cover for our operation."

"This is going to be the best party ever," says Lily-Bella. Yeah, she has that wild, shiny, 'let's go kick some ass' look in her eyes.

"I already have some thoughts on explosives," says Fintan.

"Will there be trees?" says Thunder.

"There's a gigantic oak on the property," I promise.

"Excellent," says Thunder.

"You're sure the merfolk will be okay until Halloween?" says Pickles.

"It won't be easy, but this is what they want," I say. "It's the only way to destroy the operation. It's for the greater good."