“What do you wish for?”

Jazayeri smiled, his unnaturally sharp teeth forming two razor sharp rows.

Along the walls were a row of lantern fish heads, their lures emitting a dim cold blue light. To anyone else, the choice of decor could only be described as grotesque, but to Jazayeri, it was adorable. In the center of the cave was a large slab of dark blue sea glass perched on the base of a fallen stalactite. It formed the table that you were sitting at, your seat right across from Jazayeri’s.

“And,” Jazayeri leaned forward, his lips stretching impossibly wider to reveal even more teeth.

“What would you offer for it?”

With a wave of his hand, the cave rumbled, walls shifting to reveal rows upon rows of hidden shelves. Jars filled every free inch of the shelves, each one containing a different precious item belonging to another mer that had entered the cave before you.

With another flick of his hand, the jars lifted themselves, floating towards Jazayeri to line up behind him.

“Your eyes…” Several jars turned, angling the eyes contained within them towards you.

“Your voice…” The eyes drifted backwards, and replacing them were another set of jars filled with lines of vibrating energy. Some screamed, reverberating with sharp harsh lines, while others wept quietly, their lines softly fluttering.

“Or something else?” Once again the jars floated backwards and others replaced them. This time, they were filled with hands, fins, and tongues. Things that other mers have traded away for their wish.

“I don’t take just anything. So think hard, little one.”

Jazayeri leaned back in his seat, the innards of the shell cushioning his tail perfectly. The jars shifted again, moving in one large mass to form a ring around the table, preventing your escape. They drifted through the water, carouseling around the both of you slowly.

“So, what will it be? Your wish and your offer?”