He wiggles his wrists and tests the ropes on his ankles. Somehow they feel even tighter than before. Then he remembers that Tyrden noticed his efforts to loosen the knots. Was that before or after he drugged me? Galen can’t remember.

All he knows is that he has to get away. Life or death. If Tyrden dials Grom, Galen has to warn him of danger. He can’t let his brother walk into the trap that is Neptune. He squirms in his seat, not caring if Tyrden notices or not. The ropes hold him in place, offering no comfort for what’s coming.

It’s not ideal circumstances for his escape, not by any means. The ropes are inflexible, no matter how hard he strains against them. Tyrden is armed and hostile, getting angrier by the second as Galen struggles to free himself. But it’s his last chance. His only chance. He feels it in every cell of his body. There is a crisp look of irrationality in Tyrden’s eyes, of instability.

This is going to hurt.

Tyrden holds up the phone. Grom’s name and number light up in front of him. One touch to the screen is all that stands between Galen and Grom.

“Listen to me very carefully, Galen.” Tyrden’s voice is calm. Controlled. “Before we call Big Brother, I want to rehearse what you’re going to say.”

Galen licks his lips, then makes a show of eyeing the blade in Tyrden’s hand. He needs the element of surprise. Tyrden needs to believe I’m afraid, that I’m cooperating.

And I have to get closer to him.

A brief look of relief flashes across Tyrden’s face. “Good.” He clutches the phone against his chest, tapping his index finger against the back of it. His eyes go blank for a few seconds. “You’re going to warn your brother of an attack.”

Galen blinks. “What?”

Tyrden nods hurriedly. “Yes, yes. That’s what you’ll say. That you and Emma are being held hostage in Neptune.”

“Emma? Where is Emma?” His gut flips over in his belly. All this time, he’d assumed she was safe, what with the barrage of pictures of her and Reed that Tyrden insists on showing him. But something has definitely changed. Something that Reder has done.

“Shut up, boy!” Tyrden springs from the chair, sending it sprawling toward the wall behind him. “I’m talking.” He scratches the back of his neck. “You’ll tell Grom that you are hostages. That Reder is holding you. Yes, tell Grom that when he comes, he’ll need to bring plenty of reinforcements. That the best strategy is an offensive attack on Neptune. To take out Reder first.”

What? Now Galen is conflicted. This is exactly what he was going to tell his brother, provided he had time to fit it all in—and with the exception of eliminating Reder before hearing his side of the story. Now Tyrden wants me to warn Grom of danger? Something is off.

Galen works quickly to process this new information. In his grueling experience of Tyrden, he’s learned that the old Syrena doesn’t have a charitable bone in his body. What’s more, he’s displayed a vendetta against Reder the whole time. Is Reder really holding me here? Or is Tyrden?

Whatever Reder has supposedly done, it has foiled Tyrden’s plans—which Galen hasn’t quite figured out yet either. “Why do you want to help Grom?” Galen blurts.

Tyrden stops pacing and gives him a severe look. “We’re friends now, remember, Highness? We’re on the same side, you and I.”

Galen nods slowly. Tyrden really has lost his mind—or what was left of it. Somehow he has to earn Tyrden’s trust. Somehow he’s got to close the physical distance between himself and his captor. Not yet, he tells himself. Be patient. “I couldn’t help but notice that I’m still tied up. That’s not very friendly, if you ask me.”

Tyrden shakes his head slowly. “You think you’re so clever,” he growls.

“I’m clever for wanting to be untied?”

Tyrden considers this. The fact that he considers this alerts Galen to the possibility that Tyrden is not paying as much attention as he should. “I’ll untie you as soon as you call your brother.”

“What if he doesn’t come?” Galen tries to sound concerned. This is what Rachel used to call buying time.

“It’s your job to convince him.”

Galen shakes his head. “But what if Emma and I are not important enough to him to risk coming to land? Or what if he wants peace?” He nearly rolls his eyes at that unlikely scenario. Grom will come, and he’ll bring an army with him, just as Tyrden wants.

Tyrden’s face darkens. There are shadowy circles under his eyes that Galen hadn’t noticed before. His mouth tugs down in a scowl, the lines of which cut deep into his features. It would appear something has been bothering his captor. “If you and the girl are not important enough to Grom, then you’re not important enough to me. I hope we understand each other.”

He said “me” not “Reder.” Reluctantly, Galen nods. “I’ll need one of my hands untied. It will sound more natural to Grom if I’m holding the phone.” He glances meaningfully at Tyrden’s own hands, which are now shaking uncontrollably. “Do you need help dialing?” Galen offers.

“Why do you want to help me now, Triton prince? What game are you playing at?”

Galen keeps his expression solemn. “Emma is my life, Tyrden. I can’t let you hurt her. If calling Grom is the only way to prevent that, so be it.” The sincerity in Galen’s voice is bittersweet and genuine. Emma is his life. But he’s not going to call Grom.