We broke into a frenzy when we discovered you were missing. Scoured the kingdom day and night, asked every mermaid, merman, fish, for anything, a clue, a sighting, anything.
Where is she? Where is she? Where is she?
My gaze landed on that book you were reading.
The Mermaid and the Human Soul.
I picked it up, almost in disbelief. There was a dog ear at a page, almost unreasonable for someone such as you, who would keep her books in pristine condition. I opened the page.
This human soul can be obtained by visiting the sea witch—and by making a deal with her.