“Fyodor,” Chance repeated in acknowledgment. He spoke silently to the child. You are my last guide. Will you come with me?

He waited, straining to sense the reply. There was the bewilderment of one who had been in the world too briefly to understand it, but also relief and acceptance that what had been done was done and nothing worse could follow. There was curiosity too, that after a life of knowing nothing but the whims and demands of others, a single, simple choice was finally being offered.

I will.

Chance reached out his hands, his human hands, but when he came close to the child he dissolved and dispersed them into indigo ink that surrounded and swaddled the small body in a coat of imperial hue. He carefully gathered the bundle to himself.

“Let us go back,” he told the Mermaid.

Not much had changed on the narrow ring of beach. Julian had paused his breakdown long enough to sit up, hugging his knees and gazing with pathetic eyes at his former victims, who huddled together, still arguing over his fate.

“Come,” Chance interrupted them. “It’s time to go forward.”

Baffled faces turned to him.

“Into the water,” he clarified. “The inner waters.” He waved a hand at the lagoon, cool blue and still except for the occasional stir from a gust of ocean breeze.

Their expressions turned from confusion to the vague regret of those who must leave an enjoyable but somewhat formal party.

“Well,” said Danil. “It’s been a kindness—no, really,” he protested in answer to the puzzled rise of Chance’s eyebrows. “What you’ve done here . . . you’ve helped us too.”

“No one wants a walk-on role,” Galina said. “Now we know why we died—it restores a little pride, a bit of self-esteem.”

“Oh,” Chance said. For a moment he could not think what to say. “I . . . thank you for allowing me to meet you and pay my respects. Thank you for guiding me.”

He stepped forward abruptly and placed the bundle of indigo into Galina’s arms; she took it in bemusement, instinctively holding it with motherly care.

“Take this with you,” he said. “The water won’t be so frightening when you’re holding it.”

She gave him a nod of gratitude, still uncertain but trusting.