We stood in front of the ocean in a line parallel with the water. First Veronica. Then Julian. Nicholas. Elva, and myself.
Veronica raised her book. The book light was no longer needed now and turned off. Veronica read the invitation spell by the bright light of the morning sun.
The words were foreign. Merfolk, probably. When she finished, I held my breath. Waited.
In the distance, I continued to see the Oracle and her entourage bob under the surface of the water. They made no movement closer, nor did they move away.
I leaned forward to look at Veronica. She had a look of confusion on her face.
“Maybe your pronunciation was wrong,” Julian suggested.
“I asked Ambassador Zale on one of his visits,” Veronica said. “The pronunciation is correct.”
Nicholas glanced at me. “Do you feel fea
