Once again, so sorry for the extreme hiatus. I'm trying to find a suitable updating schedule, but things just keep coming up.

Anyway, enjoy the next chapter!

o0o

The streamlined forms of eight mer-people shot toward the city of Oceana. Annalise swam powerfully, just ahead of everyone else. Her hair whipped in bright pink ribbons behind her. Her mouth was set in a grim, straight line. Within her mind, however, she was panicking.

Why would the queen have done this? Was it intentional? Did she even know that the spell didn't work? If she did know, then what reason could she possibly have had to conceal Jeanette's magic, and lie about it? Why would Queen Marjorie, their sweet, honest, warm hearted ruler, lie to them all? Could this…could this have something to do with the threat?

Anna's questions remained unanswered as the group came to the city's entrance. As they zipped past the merfolk on their way to the castle, the sound of a royal trumpet filled the water. Everyone halted, watching in amazement as Queen Marjorie herself swam cordially through the street, making her way to the Pavilion.

"What's going on?" Eleanor asked.

"She's headed toward that gazebo," Theodore noted.

"An edict? Why is the queen passing an edict?" Ripple said in an incredulous tone. "She never makes new laws unless there is unrest!"

"Could there be unrest now?" Anna looked around. "Everything seems fine…"

By now, a large crowd had gathered around the Pavilion, which was a coral gazebo reserved for royal public decrees and announcements. These announcements were usually made by one of the royal advisors, and not the queen herself. Marjorie only came out when there was serious trouble.

"Be still, my subjects," the queen said. Her voice silenced the crowd. "As High Mage and Ruler of Oceana, I, Queen Marjorie, hereby declare a curfew of the Twilight Hour to be in effect until further notice."

Confused comments and groans came from the crowd.

"Silence, please," Marjorie continued. "All merfolk are to be within their homes by twilight, and no-one is allowed to enter or leave the castle or the city except authorized personnel. This law is being set for the safety of every habitant of this city. You need not know what danger approaches, but know that suspicious behavior and disregard of this law will result in harsh punishment. That is all."

More confused voices rose from the crowd as the queen and her guards swam back to the castle without another word. Jeanette and her friends all exchanged surprised looks.

"A curfew? Why?" Alvin asked.

"She said danger was approaching…what could that mean?" Simon looked toward the castle. "Could it be the same dark magic that attacked Jeanette?"

Annalise and Ripple said nothing. They were in shock; never had they seen their beloved queen so blunt, so grim. The two mermaids stared at the castle until Jeanette waved her hand in their face.

"Are you two alright?" she asked. "Do you have any ideas on what to do now?"

"I…" Annalise looked down. "I don't know. This has never happened before. At least, not as long as I've been around."

"Well, how are we going to talk to her now? No-one's allowed into or out of the castle."

"We need answers," Ripple said firmly. "If they won't let us in, we'll let ourselves in."

"You aren't suggesting we…" Brittany said skeptically. Ripple nodded.

"We're going to sneak in."

o0o

"I hope this works," Jeanette whispered to Annalise, who was drifting right next to her. The two mermaids were swimming just outside the second floor window of the throne room. Down below, Ripple and Alvin swam in front of the doorway. They stuck to the shadows, careful to avoid falling into the vision of any of the castle guards. When the coast was finally clear, they waved to the girls above them. Jeanette entered first, Anna close behind her. They swam quietly into the large room, guided only by the faint light coming from the glowing crystal walls. Utter silence overtook them as they crept to where they hoped they would find the queen. Annalise finally took the lead, swimming ahead to a long corridor. She and Jeanette pressed their backs against the wall, listening hard for the guards that were surely down the hallway. When no sound came, the pink-haired mermaid peered out. The hall was deserted.

Baffled, the two girls swam slowly down the long, dimly lit hall. The silence was so heavy that the friends were almost afraid to breathe. There was an almost eerie feeling around; as if the water itself knew something they ought to have known. The mermaids finally came to the end of the hall, where they were met with a large, ornate door. Jeanette recognized it vaguely, then decided it must be the back entrance to the queen's private conference room. With a quiet deep breath, each girl pulled on the door, wincing each time it made the slightest sound.

They finally opened it wide enough for both of them to slip through. As they entered the total darkness of the room, an ominous feeling washed over them. The girls cautiously swam to the middle of the room.

"I thought you might come."

If it was possible to jump three feet up when you're underwater, Jeanette and Annalise did so just then. Whipping around, they saw the solemn face of Queen Marjorie floating patiently behind them. Her eyes were tired, her mouth thin.

"Y-Your Highness," Annalise stammered. "We…I mean…"

"We needed to speak with you," Jeanette added. "B-but the edict, and the guards, and-

"I know why you're here," Marjorie said gently. "May I first start by saying that I'm sorry? You have surely figured out by now that I did not remove your magic. It was never that simple, you see."

"Queen Marjorie, why did you fake it?" Annalise asked. "And why have you passed a curfew edict? Is there a threat on Oceana?"

"Yes, there is. A threat has been made against not only our city, but against the ocean's power as a whole."

"The…ocean's power?" Jeanette blinked, confused.

"All will be explained to you in time, Jeanette. However, I am afraid that this is not the time. All you must know now is that there is danger here. This is very important for both of you," Marjorie subtly clenched her fists. "You must gather your friends and leave this place. Head to the north, as close to Europe's coast as possible. Remember your allies, and you will know who your enemies are. You must also take this." The queen held out a small, gently glowing object to Jeanette; a little white shell with a golden tip. "Use this only when you need it. Help will come to you."

"Queen Marjorie…" Before Jeanette could say anything, a high-pitched whining sound filled the water. At the same time, the queen's head shot up in alarm.

"Now! You must-

A deafening crash drowned out her words as two tiger sharks crashed through the glowing coral walls.

o0o

Uh oh… well, next chapter shouldn't be too far away. Again, I'm sorry!