Page 49 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“Can you see into the seabed with echolocation?” Mael asked.

“A few feet,” Echo replied.

“Orca can only see a few inches,” Mael said. “Your ability to see under the ocean floor means you’re going to catch things we don’t. If all three of us use our echolocation together, our clicks might boost yours and you might be able to pick up on open chambers or tunnels.”

“My grandfather mentioned there was a great deal of sediment inside the entrance and that was over seventy years ago. It could be fully packed at this point and if it is, there might not be open chambers to find.”

“This late in the day, I don’t know if we’ll finish that grid, though,” Tempest said. “Wouldn’t it be smarter to do a quick sweep of the whole area to check for chambers first—just in case there is something you can see? Our time out here could be limited—” She paused to look at Mael. “The longer we’re out here, the more chances of Mom finding out what’s going on.”

Echo’s gaze flicked to Mael’s. The hint of strain on Mael’s face wasn’t missed.

“Would it be bad if she found out?” Echo asked.

All three siblings grew quiet again. A chill washed over Echo.

“I can handle my mother,” Mael murmured. “Let’s just focus on finding this cave if it exists.” He tapped the map. “Since we have limited time today, it makes sense to search for air pockets and chambers first. I think we can manage another visit next weekend.” Mael glanced at Havoc. “Do you have a dive class this Saturday?”

“When don’t I?” Havoc snapped.

Mael glared at his brother.

“Yes, I have a morning class,” Havoc said. “It should be wrapped up by one.”

“Who do you teach?” Diego asked.

Havoc’s nostrils flared. “Not too many orcas left who don’t already know how. I mainly teach humans now.”

“I don’t know many dolphin shifters who dive. Echo and his parents are the only ones,” Diego murmured.

“I doubt I’d be welcome in Dolphin Bay,” Havoc said, glaring at Diego. “So humans it is.”

Diego eyed Havoc a few seconds before glancing away—but his gaze drifted right back.

Echo turned to Havoc—who was staring at Diego.

Not just staring.

They wereeyefuckingone another.

He turned his shocked gaze to Mael. Both Mael and Tempest wore the same stunned expressions as they looked between Havoc and Diego.

“We’re wasting daylight running our mouths,” Tempest said, breaking the awkward silence. “Let’s get on with it, hmm?”

Diego sat at the table and set his radio and radar tracker down on top of the map. He handed the markers to Echo, who then handed Mael and Tempest one each.

“Clip this to your wetsuit,” Echo said. “Diego can track our location and tell us where the grid perimeters should be through my earpiece.”

Mael urged Echo toward the gear organized at the end of the boat. While Mael and Tempest pulled on their wetsuit tops, Havoc handed him one as well. Echo eyed it, and a mild panic coiled in his belly. He dragged it over his t-shirt, hoping no one would say anything.

“No clothes under the wetsuit,” Havoc barked. “It’ll prevent it from insulating you as well.”

Mael marched over and urged Echo into the stairs to the lower cabins. He blocked the entry, his wide body giving Echo cover. “Lemme help.”

He reached for the hem of Echo’s dark t-shirt and pulled it off.

Echo slithered out of the plain sports bra. As he pulled on the wetsuit top, Mael folded the t-shirt and bra, tucking the latter into the pile to hide it.

“Thank you,” Echo murmured.

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