Page 37 of Ensnaring the Siren

She threw a few more pebbles.

An exasperated sigh precipitated creaking bedsprings and approaching footsteps. The door was wrenched open, framing a tired, but alert Coast Warrior on the other side. Reid’s hair was mussed, dark auburn curls sticking up at odd angles, and his clothes a bit rumpled, but otherwise seemed fine. “Starfish? What are you doing here?”

“I had to make sure you were okay.”

A faint smile graced his lips. “You were worried about me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” His brows ticked up, genuinely surprised, like he hadn’t been expecting her to admit it. Sitting down, he dangled his legs over the edge. “Yeah, I’m okay, other than staying up late obsessively checking the news for updates.”

“Did they find anything?”

“No. We’ll see what the next few days bring, of course, but I’m thinking we got lucky. Helps too that the public seems to have latched onto the idea that it was investigative journalists or environmental activists who broke in. People tend to believe the most plausible explanation, and I don’t think a mermaid and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer even qualifies as one.”

Shorewalker had been of the same opinion, but it felt better to hear it echoed by him. This put her at ease about his continued safety. “I shouldn’t have left you behind last night. That’s not what a good podmate does, and you deserve the same courtesy. I didn’t even think, just fled.”

“It wasn’t as bad as you’re making it sound. You warned me. I could’ve followed.”

“This is true. But I am the one who brought you into all this, and I never thought it could get you in trouble with other Surface Dwellers. For that I’m sorry.”

“It was my decision. I knew what I was risking, and you offered me an out, but I appreciate you acknowledging it all the same.”

She dipped her head, accepting this, but promised herself to be more careful about the kind of help she asked from him in the future.

“But thanks for coming to check on me. That was thoughtful.”

Nireed pushed off the stern, preparing to dive. Now that she knew Reid was safe, and probably would remain so for the near future, she needed to return home. It wasn’t unusual for her to visit Shorewalker for a few days at a time, but with Nautic being a constant threat, Aersila would be worried. “I know I can be vicious. But I’m not heartless.”

He watched her, quiet and thoughtful. “No. I don’t think you are.”

The swim home was a long one. And not just because of the distance. Recent failure and the Coast Warrior’s quiet rejection the night before weighed heavily on Nireed’s mind.

She wasn’t any closer to proving Nautic’s murderous designs and, until she did, more and more of her people would die. Though the fault lay entirely with Nautic, it felt more like her own. Because she had an idea. She just hadn’t worked up the courage to attempt it. Yet, the longer she dawdled, the more time Nautic had to exact their ruthless slaughter.

And Reid. Dancing with him had muddied her feelings. This was supposed to be an alliance, and yet, the easy way they moved together made her consider more seriously the possibility she might desire something more from him. Something he seemed to also want but couldn’t, or wouldn’t, give.

Or maybe this was just the beginning of a mating frenzy, and she was confusing it with real feelings. But at least that problem had the luxury of time to resolve. The other did not.

At home, Nireed found both her sister and Undine waiting for her, grimly serious expressions on their faces. She’d expected the former, but their pod leader being there as well could only mean one thing: an intervention. All her shoreside efforts would be questioned, maybe even stopped. All because her own sister didn’t believe she could make a difference.

Her heart sunk to the pit of her stomach.

“Where were you?” Aersila signed. “You were gone for two days.”

“I was with Shorewalker. That’s nothing new. I regularly see her for days at a time.”

Her sister narrowed her eyes. “I smell more than just Shorewalker on you.”

Had his scent rubbed off on her that much? “And?”

“And you need to stop seeing that Surface Dweller.”

“His name is Reid.”

“Fine, this Reid. And Shorewalker too.” Such vehemence, such authority in those demands, and she had no right.

Anger flared hotter than the water near a hydrothermal vent. “Why?” She smacked out the word with her hands, tail twitching irritably.

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