Page 43 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“You’re what? Gay? Bisexual?” Tempest asked, eyes bright. Her smile was so wide it looked painful.

Mael shrugged. “I’m Echosexual.”

“What the hell is an Echosexual?” Havoc asked.

“His name is Echo.”

“Talk about on the nose. Lemme guess, he’s got a brother named Flipper,” Tempest said.

“I suppose this means Mom’s rainbow wombdidn’tbirth a straight,” Havoc said to the room, grinning. “She’s five for five on the queer kid meter now.”

“Six for six,”Tempest murmured softly.

Mael closed his eyes at the reminder rearing up again.

“One gay, one lesbian, and nowfourbisexuals,” Havoc said. “Thathasto be a record for one family, I’d think.”

“I never said I was bisexual,” Mael murmured.

“Whatever you are, you’re not straight,” Storm said.

“Heisan omega, isn’t he?” Tempest asked.

“Of course,” Mael murmured.

“Good. Mom’s going to hate him being a dolphin, but if there’s a chance for grandbabies, maybe you can convince her,” Tempest said before a frown furrowed her brow.“Canan orca and dolphin have babies?”

Mael shrugged again. “No idea. They don’t in the wild but… who knows?”

“Is this the friend you’re diving with tomorrow?” Havoc asked.

“He is,” Mael said.

“Does this have something to do with why he was in our waters?” Tempest asked, all signs of humor gone. His deputy was back on the job.

“He was searching for a cave his grandfather claimed was out there, filled with dolphinkind artifacts. I’m going to escort him there, help him search for it, and supervise the whole thing.”

“He could’ve come and asked permission, but instead, he crossed our boundary illegally. Now you’re going to reward his bad behavior?” Tempest asked.

“He was afraid to ask, and I can’t exactly blame him. I doubt Mom would’ve approved his request,” Mael said. “So yes, I’m going to allow him back in, undermysupervision and protection.”

“Why?” Tempest demanded.

“Because he’s my mate,” Mael replied. “This is important to him, therefore, it’s important to me. I want an opportunity to connect with him more and…”

“And what?” Havoc asked.

Mael considered what he’d planned to say next and wasn’t completely sure. “I don’t know.”

“I don’t like lying to Mom, and a lie of omission is just that,” Tempest said. She eyed their brothers before focusing on him again. “But we can give youa littletime, I suppose.”

“Thank you,” Mael said.

“I hope it’s not long. I can’t wait for Mom’s reaction,” Storm said. He turned to Havoc and Rav. “He’ll be in the doghouse, and we’ll be able to get awaywith murderfor months after that.”

“Thanks for the support,” Mael spat.

“Maybe she’ll even stop hounding me to mate and give her granddaughters for a while,” Tempest said with a sneer. “As if I want a rugrat destroying my beautiful vag.”

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