Free Forever Breathing (Just Breathe #3) by Heather Allen Page B

over and meet her gaze. I smile pretending like I don’t have a care in the world except to be with her. Realization that I won’t be able to accomplish this by myself hits me. I have to find Alex as soon as possible.
    ***
    Sara was wrong after all. We were met with animosity and serious questions as we entered the city. Guards led us directly to the castle which makes Jaspen’s castle look like a hut. It is covered in white lights. The same luminescence commonly used under the water. The steeples reaching for the surface of the water jut out in all angles. I am more amazed than anything else at the resemblance the building has to a church on land. Windows dotting the steeples are covered with stained glass. If I didn’t know any better, I would imagine they went and took a church from the land and plopped it down here. I must have halted my swimming because I feel a tug on my arm in the direction of the castle. I look at my arm and spot Sara’s eyes pleading with me.  I look over at the guards and they both nod impatiently for me to go. The spears they each hold are threatening so I follow Sara’s lead. We enter through curved, double doors mirroring the windows above. I get a closer look and realize the glass depicts scenes with mer-people.  The doors show a scene that hits too close to home for me. It resembles a battle similar to the one we just finished back north so many miles away. Even worse, these people are proud enough of this violence to forever cement it in a doorway. If I were doing an ‘Ever’, I would vomit right here. I push the thought of my sister away and follow the guards and Sara down hallway after hallway. The walls are lined with red coral, creating more natural looking rock structures than actual walls.
    As we enter a room, I notice other sets of eyes taking us in. One set is familiar and I’m glad that the odds might possibly be in my favor at the moment. Alex nods as I glance his way.
    I scan the other faces, and my eyes meet the gaze of Metea. The disgust on her face speaks volumes about how she feels at my appearance. Sara squeezes my hand but I don’t look over. I continue staring at Metea. Yes, childish, a stare down is definitely not appropriate here but she needs to know I mean business. The silence spreads for minutes but is finally broken when someone enters behind me and clears his throat. When he speaks her eyes immediately avert to him dismissio hrance. Sarng me as if I’m inconsequential.
    His deep booming voice announces, “I’m told we have unexpected visitors.”
    I turn not wanting any kind of threat behind me where I can’t see it. I’m shocked at the resemblance this guy has to Jaspen. He is taller and bulkier but there is a very good chance they are related. I’m wondering now if this plot is about to grow even thicker.
    He speaks clearly, “I heard Jaspen’s grandson had the audacity to come into my city. I had to see this with my own two eyes.”
    I feel Sara’s hand squeezing mine as if her life depends on it. My blood starts to boil just a little at the threatening tone of this guy.  Obviously, I am not welcome here. Before I can answer, I feel a hand on my shoulder and Alex’s voice. This is a good thing because I was planning to tell him off.
    “Roman, I’m so glad you could join us. This is James. Yes, he is Jaspen’s grandson and your nephew. He has come to help us, not harm us.”
    This Roman dude swims around me reminding me of dogs puffing out their chests checking each other out. He is pretty threatening if I’m truthful. Finally, he settles in front of us and looks down at Sara as if he just noticed her presence.
    “Did you bring him here?”
    She looks at me uneasily and unclasps our hands bowing her head to him, “I did, he has been close to Jaspen, he knows how Jaspen plans.”
    It suddenly hits me. Once again I have been used. I glare at her knowing she won’t dare turn her head in my direction.
    Roman looks to me and asks, “Is this