As we neared, Limus sneered and crossed his arms, standing away from the wall. Tammer turned briefly, nearly making me cry out in alarm. His eyes were black.
“He’s pissed,” Ezen whispered and took his place on the other side of the holding cell. Taking his place on the floor, he crossed his legs, rested his hands on his knees and closed his eyes.
“Hi,” I began and Tammer’s eyes changed back to the familiar pale blue I remembered.
“Morgan, I’m sorry I startled you.” He gave me a quick embrace. “I don’t know what else to do. I hope you do.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Limus’ voice was sickening. “Father and daughter reunited after all this time?”
Tammer let go, his eyes turning black again as he focused in on Limus. The hatred seemed to seethe from him. The muffled sound of lightning crackled and the house shook. I placed my hand on his forearm.
“Let it go, Tammer,” I said. His nostrils flared and he remained focused on Limus. A snarl exposed his teeth. I’d never seen him so angry, but he took his position back in the metal chair and his eyes returned to normal.
Changing my focus to Limus, I looked him up and down. Truth be told, I didn’t know what I was going to do next, but believed I would know when I needed. He held his ground and stared back, an evil smirk upon his lips.
“Hello Limus,” I said. He didn’t answer. “You look like Akin.”
At the mention of his son, the smile fell from his face and he narrowed his eyes.
“Do you have any idea what Akin looks like now?” He spat.
“No,” I admitted.
“He’s destroyed. My gorgeous boy looks…” he paused, searching for the words.
“As ugly as his insides?” I suggested and he flew forward, pounding against the glass. Ezen shifted, resituating himself.
“How dare you! You are filth! You have no right to be alive!” Limus screamed.
I moved forward until just the glass separated us. “Limus, you have a lot of anger in you.”
“Yes I do!” He shouted, spittle flying and resting on the smooth surface separating us. “My whole life fell apart when Thayde joined my family. Then you come along and ruin everything that was left! You took away my happiness – both of you did!”
I thought about what he had just said. Even though this might be true from his point of view, I knew that he alone was responsible for his actions.
“You shouldn’t expect things and other people to assume responsibility for your happiness, Limus. No one can make us truly happy or truly unhappy.”
He laughed out loud, taking a step back and covering his mouth chuckling in sarcasm. “You’ve learned such wisdom in the little amount of time you’ve been gone! How wise you are! Don’t kid yourself - you’ll never be The Link, Morgan. The Link is an honor only bestowed upon the truly worthy. You are not worthy enough.”
For a brief moment, the old feelings of hopelessness and fear threatened to return. I looked down at the floor. Everyone was counting on me. I looked back to Limus who watched me with another evil grin splaying about his face.
Don’t doubt yourself for one moment, or you’ll lose. Aletheia’s words rang in my head like a mantra.
You are never alone. Jacob’s voice resounded and instantly, I felt stronger that I had in a long time. I could do this.
“Let me in with him,” I ordered.
Tammer shook his head. “He’s too dangerous, Morgan. He’ll hurt you.”
“Ezen’s controlling the walls isn’t he?” I asked and Ezen opened his eyes, nodding. “Let me in,” I repeated. He hesitated, looking to Tammer. I felt the energy building within me and shivered. It was so powerful my skin was vibrating. “Now, Ezen.”
A ripping sound echoed as a slit in the glass wall appeared before me and I walked straight through it. Limus took a few steps back as I entered and held up his hand. The slit behind me closed noisily. Nothing happened. Limus seemed unsure what to do next, his eyes darting around the glass prison.
“You hold Thayde responsible for the death of his mother,” I began. “You have been cruel to him his whole life. At his one chance of love, you try to destroy it. You have hurt many merpeople and humans in your attempt to create The Link, not understanding the true meaning of the word ‘Link’. For one so gifted, you have squandered your powers and I won’t allow you to continue to spread your evil.”
He snorted. “Allow me? You don’t ‘allow’ me to do anything, you hear?”
Realizing he was not going to understand my point, I shook my head. “Nothing will bring you peace but yourself, Limus. Perhaps that is your lesson for your life.”