I pounce forward and tackle the Headmaster away from Kole. I know Kole wouldn’t have been able to do anything from his position, so I take it in my own hands. As the Headmaster and I crumble to the floor, Kole becomes an afterthought. Why did I just risk my life to save a man I hadn’t met once before today? And why is all hell breaking loose on my birthday?

A strong hand tangles in my hair and pulls me toward the nearest door, so I instinctively kick everything around me, hoping to eliminate the threat. My eyes fill with tears and I feel locks of my bleach blonde hair rip from my scalp. I open my mouth in a silent scream. Kole chases after me and Domino picks herself up from the ground. I must have flung her from my shoulder when I went for Kole.

When my hair is released, I jump from the ground and run to the opposite side of the room. Kole and Domino join me as we stare at the Headmaster. I hold the back of my head where my hair was yanked from my head and groan in pain. Kole pulls me to his side and I push Domino behind me protectively.

It’s a three-on-one stare down until the sprinklers spring to life. I fall to the floor, legs no longer present. My long, heavy tail squirms beneath me and the Headmaster takes a step forward. Behind him, a black haired Laithe steps through the door. I soak the water into my skin and it gives me strength. “Do you even know what you look like?” I ask Laithe, irritated by his constant change of appearance.

“I avoid mirrors,” he says with a cold smile. “So I’m sure you are all dying to know why I’m doing this, am I right?” He asks.

“Not really. Where is Keagan,” Kole asks from above me.

“He got lucky. That Keagan is a survivor if I must say. Humans had taken his eye before he got here, but that didn’t stop him. He escaped before I could get to him. He won’t be coming back. He wanted out from the start,” Laithe hisses. “Now I only have to kill three of you.” My eyes widen and I ball my fists, ready for a fight.

Kole runs across the room at full speed toward Laithe and I’m left alone, facing the Headmaster. He takes a step forward, taking advantage of my weakened state. I try to scoot backward, knowing that I currently have no leg function.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Laithe says, looking past Kole and into my eyes. The Headmaster picks me up with an arm around my neck and another around my waist as though I weigh nothing. Without my tail, I weigh about one-hundred and ten pounds. With the tail, I weigh well over two hundred. Mermaid tails are heavy and long. They are full of solid muscle. “One wrong move and I will snap her neck,” Laithe begins, “or rather the Headmaster. It’s basically the same thing at this point.”

I realize that Domino is no longer behind us and I hope that she has a plan. Without her, I don’t know how we will get out of this situation. “Does he even know what he’s doing?” I ask angrily. The Headmaster tightens his grip slightly and I grab at his arm. It’s more uncomfortable than painful, but I don’t like the compromising position.

“To answer your question, Snow, he does not know what he’s doing. Do you want to know what’s different between us and most duos?” He asks rhetorically. “With the Headmaster, I don’t need to speak my commands. I just think them,” He says with pride evident in his voice.

I’ve heard of assassins who are controlled on a cellular level by their counterparts. It is actually quite common, but Laithe acts as though he has made an astronomical accomplishment. I try to think my way out of this situation, but no matter what we do, there isn’t an outcome that will secure our safety. “You’re sick,” Kole says, venom oozing from his voice.

I jerk backward when Laithe’s eyes become a fiery red and he grows fangs, much like vampires do when preparing for a fight. He bulks up and swings his arm at Kole, who takes the hit standing. I’m sure the jab didn’t even tickle Kole, but he looks absolutely furious that Laithe would try.

And when Laithe looks in my direction, I am terrified.

The grip around my throat tightens immensely and I can’t catch even the smallest tendril of air. I claw at the Headmaster’s arm, but know it won’t do any good. “Stop. Stop hurting her,” Kole shouts in agony. The grip doesn’t loosen and I open my mouth, trying to find oxygen.

“Say you’re sorry,” Laithe says. My vision is blurry and turning black, but I hear the teasing in his tone. I pray he lets me go.

“I’m sorry, Laithe. Just let her go,” Kole pleads. I imagine it’s the closest to begging Kole has ever come. My hearing begins to fade and the pressure around my neck does not seize. I feel myself spasm, but can no longer control my limbs as they drop to my side.

“I’m not cruel, but it’s due punishment to kill her first. She seems to be the most intelligent of all of us Elites. She’s my toughest competition,” Laithe says. I miss the tail of his sentence as my ears go out of focus. The pressure in my head is overwhelming and I try to hold onto consciousness—I really do—but I lose my grip and fall headfirst into the pit of darkness.