Page 55 of Claimed By the Deep
"Has anyone else seen him? In either form?"
"Just that journalist, Donovan, and Pete Miller—but they only saw him in human form, on the dive platform. They have no idea what he really is."
Fergus studies the houseboat designs again. "These are remarkably well-conceived. The engineering principles are sound, if unconventional."
"Cyreus helped refine them. He has knowledge of materials and structural engineering that goes beyond anything we have. His people have been building underwater habitats for millennia."
"And you trust him completely, Meridian?"
It's not a question, but I answer anyway. "With my life. Multiple times over."
Fergus is silent for a long moment, then sighs deeply. "I've seen strange things in my seventy years on this coast, Meri. Lights on the water that moved against the current. Shapes beneath the surface that matched no known marine species. Rescue stories that defied rational explanation." He meets my eyes directly. "I've always believed there's more to this world than what can be easily categorized or explained away."
Hope rises cautiously in my chest. "So you believe me?"
"I believe you believe what you're telling me." He holds up a hand before I can protest. "And I'm willing to be convinced of the rest. But I need to see him for myself."
"That's why I'm here. He's waiting for your answer." I check my watch. "If you're willing, he'll meet us at your cove in one hour."
Surprise flickers across his features. "He's nearby?"
"He's been monitoring the waters around your property for days, making sure it's not under surveillance. The research vessel's drones haven't mapped this far north yet."
A smile touches Fergus's mouth. "Thorough. I appreciate that in a business partner." He rises from the table, decision made. "Let's go meet your alien."
***
The walk down to Fergus's private cove takes us along a winding path through pine trees that shield the approach from casual observation. The moon is nearly full, providing enough light to navigate without flashlights that might attract unwanted attention.
"This place has been in my family since before the American Revolution," Fergus tells me as we descend toward the water. "My grandfather used to tell stories about rum-runners using the cove during Prohibition. Said there were caves along the shoreline where they'd hide their contraband."
"Are there?"
"Never found them myself, but the old boat house has some interesting hidden storage areas beneath the floorboards." He glances sideways at me. "Could be useful for your construction project."
The implication that he's already considering how to help creates a lump in my throat. "Fergus."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he cautions. "I haven't met your friend yet."
The cove opens before us, a perfect horseshoe of protected water nestled between rocky outcroppings. The old boat house sits at the water's edge, its weathered frame silhouetted against the moonlit bay. Waves lap gently against the shore, the sound peaceful in the otherwise quiet night.
"How will he know we're here?" Fergus asks, scanning the empty water.
"He'll know." I step to the edge of the small dock extending from the boat house. "His senses are far more acute than ours, especially in the water."
As if on cue, the surface ripples about twenty feet out, disturbed by something large moving beneath. Fergus tenses beside me, his hand instinctively gripping my arm.
"It's all right," I assure him. "He'll appear in human form first. I don't want to overwhelm you."
The ripples grow more pronounced, and then Cyreus surfaces in the center of the disturbance. In the moonlight, with water streaming from his hair and shoulders, he looks like something from mythology, like a sea god rising from the depths. Heswims toward the dock with powerful strokes, his movements efficient but deliberately human.
When he reaches us, I offer my hand to help him up. He takes it, pulling himself onto the weathered planks. Thankfully, he remembered swim shorts this time.
"You must be Fergus," he says, extending his hand once he's standing. "Meri speaks highly of you."
To his credit, Fergus steps forward without hesitation, accepting the handshake. "And you must be the reason my best salvage supplier has been finding artifacts from depths that should be impossible for conventional diving."
A smile touches Cyreus's lips. "Guilty as charged."
