Free Perilous Waters by Diana Paz Page B

mountain of water that crashed over her even as she turned to escape. So much water! So much freakin’ ocean! The thought of jellyfish and crabs and whatever else lived in the sea suddenly took precedent in her mind as she tried to free her tangled mess of waist-length hair from her face. Not to mention, the ocean was every sea creature’s toilet. What the heck was she thinking?
    “Screw this,” she muttered as saltwater streamed down her face and body. She turned back to the shore.
    A thick coil of slick seaweed wrapped around her leg as she tried to walk. She kicked it off, irritated and grossed out at the same time. With each step, more gunk washed around her body, and she silently vowed never to jump into the ocean again unless her life depended on it. “Get off,” she muttered, shoving off a particularly stubborn bit of seaweed, but it stuck to her leg. The rising water churned with sand, clouding her vision below the surface. But something wasn’t right about this. She took another step forward. The seaweed tightened its hold on her leg.
    “Julia,” Angie called from the shore. “Are you all right?”
    She glanced up. Behind Angie she caught sight of Brian. Their gazes locked.
    A vicious yank from beneath the waves stole her breath. She hit the water with a harsh slap.
    “Wh-wha—”
    Brian’s startled expression was the last thing she saw before being pulled under.
    The seaweed coiled so fiercely around her leg, she cried out in alarm. She kicked the slimy thing, trying to stand back up, but whatever it was wouldn’t let go. Panic took hold. She tore at her leg, unable to get a handle on the slimy sea plant. Especially because it was now moving, wriggling, inching its way up her thigh. Her mind went blank at the realization. Her body froze as she tried to make sense of what this could mean.
    The distinct impression of an icy hand on her calf shot ice up her spine.
    Creatures.
    She was yanked by both legs this time, dragged deep into the ocean.
    Her mind reeled at the memory of merfolk, their viperish fangs glistening with venom. “No,” she gurgled, the word a garble of helpless noise and wasted oxygen beneath the surface. She kicked out at the creature, trying to get a hold of her magic. Her palms glowed as she thrust them out.
    Water and light shot out from her hands. The force shot both her and the creature skyward in a blast of sea spray. Julia sucked in a breath of air before landing in the water again. “Help,” she screamed as the demon dragged her under.
    There were more of them now. They sped her along the ocean floor until her ears throbbed with pressure. How could this be happening? The magic hadn’t summoned them—they weren’t breaking the oath to the Fates. Creatures couldn’t breach the timeline, they could only target the past.
    Uh, does any of that matter at the moment? Creatures were dragging her through the ocean and she was going to drown if she didn’t do something to stop them. She tried to build up her magic again, but her lungs burned and her head screamed for oxygen. The power wouldn’t form. Blackness edged hungrily against her mind as she fought to remain conscious. She kicked against the fierce grip the creatures had, knowing it was no use. Her rubbery limbs posed little threat to the creatures. Her heartbeat came in erratic spurts. The blackness now enveloped all but the basic functions of thought. Without oxygen, it would swallow her whole.
    A harsh noise pierced her skull. The creatures let go of her, responding with snarls as they thrashed. Julia clutched at her ears, writhing against the horrible sound. A clawed hand returned to her leg, but only momentarily. The merfolks’ monstrous faces twisted in revulsion as they fled.
    Julia realized her body was descending. Hazy, golden light floated up from below as the terrible noise faded into echoes. But the light… it calmed her. Her need to breathe had subsided in the turmoil. Her mind was clear.
    She glanced up.