He pulls on the first pair of jeans he can find and slides into a worn T-shirt. He tests out some of Reder’s shoes and finds them a bit big, but if the laces are tight enough, they won’t fall off.

Galen had hoped to find Emma here. It’s the one place he thought she would be. Now that she isn’t, he’s not sure where else to look. I’ll try calling her.

He eases his way back down the stairs and into the kitchen where he remembers seeing a telephone hanging on the wall. Dialing her number, he holds his breath, knowing already that it would be too easy if she answered, that tonight is not going to work out that way.

When it goes to voice mail, he hangs up and dials Dr. Milligan. Though he’s quite certain no one else is in the house with him, he still whispers when his friend picks up.

“Dr. Milligan, it’s Galen. I need you to come to Neptune. Kennedy is here, and he’s taken Reed. He’s going to expose the Syrena.”

“Galen? Neptune? What?”

“Kennedy—one of the men you were snorkeling with when we first met—he’s here in Neptune. Neptune is a town in Tennessee full of Half-Breeds and Syrena. He’s got Reed. And I can’t find Emma.”

After a long pause, Dr. Milligan says, “Okay, okay, just calm down.” But to Galen, it’s Dr. Milligan who seems alarmed. “Kennedy you say? Greg Kennedy? I haven’t seen him in years.”

“He’s been busy hunting Syrena. And now he’s found some.” Galen describes all that has happened in short, choppy sentences that may or may not serve as a decent explanation. He’s hoping Dr. Milligan can follow—and that he picks up on the urgency of the situation. Apparently, he does.

“Oh, dear. This isn’t good.”

Galen nods into the phone. “I know. Can you come?”

“I’ll catch the next flight out.”

When they hang up, Galen dials Grom. He’s surprised when his brother answers. “Galen, where are you?”

“I’m in Reder’s house. I can’t find Emma and she’s in danger.”

Galen hears a slight shuffle on the other end of the phone, and suddenly he’s talking to Nalia. “Emma’s in the basement of city hall.”

“How … How do you know that?”

“We’ve spoken on the phone. Go get her. And tell Toraf we don’t need a hostage.”

“Toraf? Where’s Toraf? A hostage?” Didn’t he tell them not to come to Neptune? Still, he’s glad they didn’t listen. He could use their help right about now. Especially since they’ve been in touch with Emma.

“He’s on his way to town to kidnap someone for us. We were going to do a hostage exchange.”

Galen shakes his head. “Nevermind. I don’t even want to know. I’m going to find Emma. Where should we meet you?”

“We’re in a picnic area right outside of town. It’s a little off the road.”

Galen nods. “I remember seeing a sign for it on the way in.”

“Good. Hurry. Oh, and Galen?”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to beat you senseless for leaving Emma all alone there.” And then Nalia hangs up.

Galen beats his head against the wall. How could this possibly get worse?

Before he leaves, he takes the magnetic dry erase board from the refrigerator and scribbles a message on it. Hopefully someone will come home and see it before anything else bad happens.

Tyrden and Kennedy are your enemies.

He places the board on the kitchen table and leaves.

* * *

When Galen gets back into town, he’s forced to dodge into alleyways between buildings. The streets of Neptune are flooded with people wearing orange vests and carrying flashlights. Probably search parties for Reed. By their downtrodden expressions, they haven’t found him yet.

Galen ducks behind a dumpster just as a couple passes by on the sidewalk in front of him. He has to get to city hall without being detected, but he’s not sure exactly where it is.

“I knew I smelled something,” a voice says behind him.

He turns to face Toraf. “How long have you been there?” Galen hisses. Still, he’s never been so glad to see his friend.

“I was here first. You almost stepped on my foot. Not very observant, minnow.”

“Have you found Emma yet?”

Toraf shakes his head. “She’s not at city hall. I already checked.”

“How did you know where city hall was?”

Toraf shrugs. “I asked someone. They’re pretty friendly here.”

Galen massages his temples with his fingers. “And have you already gotten yourself a hostage?”

“Nope. That’s what I was in the process of doing before you almost head-butted me, trying not to get noticed.”

“You can’t just take someone out in the open in the middle of town.”

“I was going to call a cab and get them to take me to the picnic area where everyone else is. Boom. Hostage taken. What’s with your face? I hope the other guy looks worse.”

“This town is too small to need cabs.” He wonders where Toraf learned about calling for cabs but decides to put the question off for later. Now is not the time to go off on a tangent especially where Toraf is involved. Still, his friend’s plan was rather impressive.

“Um, minnow? Not to interrupt your expert strategizing, but…” Toraf points to the street behind them. “Isn’t that Emma?”