Page 80 of Oceansong
Behind Kaden, two more heads poked out of the water. Adrielle and Cyrus.
“I didn’t realize our meeting was going to become a family gathering.” Kaden’s gaze slid to Angie.
“I didn’t either. I wanted to introduce my sister and her kid to you. Show her that your people aren’t the bloodthirsty murderers she believes your people to be.” Angie dropped her gaze.
“A noble intent. Except I assume my brother and Adrielle are not here to exchange pleasantries.”
“Angie,” Cyrus began, “and more humans.” He and Adrielle stayed back. “I knew you would bring reinforcements. Raiding our sanctuaries.Stealing fish like the treacherous landwalkers you are. I knew you couldn’t be trusted.” He aimed his question at Angie, scowling.
“And now they’ve lured you here to murder you, I presume,” Adrielle added, her voice tight.
“Angie, what is he talking about? Sanctuaries?” Mia hissed into her ear.
“You remember when Nick showed up with the fish last night? That’s where he got them from,” Angie replied in a murmur, never taking her eyes off the three mer.
Mia sucked in a sharp breath. “They’re angry. We should leave.”
“Not yet,” she said, hopeful. Angie didn’t bother to mention how Cyrus almost killed her when they first met. If she did, Mia would try to kill Cyrus herself.
Kaden’s voice drew her from her conversation with Mia. “She,” he looked to Cyrus, and he motioned with his head to Angie, “isn’t directly responsible. I will find out who is. They’re not here to murder me.”
Adrielle nudged Cyrus with her shoulder and whispered something into his ear. His harsh expression visibly softened. “I suppose the little one doesn’t look like a threat. Too small to be a soldier.” He jutted his chin toward Rosie who had watched the entire scene by peering out from behind Mia’s legs. She appeared both riveted and confused. “Is she the meat shield?”
“They’re not, brother.” Kaden swam to Cyrus and put a hand on his shoulder. “That’s Angie’s sister and her sister’s child.”
“I see.” Cyrus tossed a weary look at Mia whose steely gaze pierced through his chest and struck Adrielle behind him.
“Are they–are they safe?” Mia hissed in Angie’s ear.
Angie looked to Kaden who looked to Adrielle and Cyrus. They stayed still, but their necks and shoulders appeared relaxed.
Mia crept closer to the shore, and in equal measure, Adrielle and Cyrus approached. Both sides now at the shoreline, no one moved. A tense stillness befell them.
Beside Angie, Mia let out a breath and coaxed Rosie forward. The two bum-rushed the coastline and pelted the three mer with an unending stream of questions. Adrielle appeared to warm to them as she swam closer to shore, and Cyrus followed at her tailfins. His gaze briefly met Angie’s, and his head moved into a slight bow. Unlike their hostile, violent first meeting, this time, so close to land, Cyrus didn’t seem so threatening.
Mia hovered, watching Rosie like a mother hawk whose chick could be snatched up and eaten any minute.
Adrielle’s gaze darted to Rosie’s wrist where she had the gold, seaglass-studded bracelet donned. “May I see it?”
“Sure! Angie ayí got it for me a long time ago,” Rosie explained. Angie broke into a warm smile. Only a child would think that one and a half months felt like a long time. “She said it came from the sea.”
“It did. Because I have its twin.” Adrielle held out a wrist encircled by an identical bracelet. Rosie and Angie sucked in a collective gasp. “I had lost it some time ago when I was nearly caught in a landwalker net. Cyrus pulled me out before I was dragged to the surface with it. He crafted it when he was courting me.”
“Do you want it back?” Rosie began to slide the bracelet off, and Adrielle stopped her with a hand to Rosie’s wrist.
“No, no. Keep it. Think of it as a gift. You’re an honorary mermaid now.”
Tears gathered in Rosie’s eyes. “Oh, thank you! Thank you so much!” She ran forward and threw her arms around Adrielle’s neck, tiny feet splashing shallow waters, and Adrielle’s slender arms encircled the little girl. Angie’s heart warmed at the sight. This time, Mia hung back, her shoulders and neck relaxed.
Cyrus leaned toward Angie and Kaden, keeping his eyes sharply trained on Adrielle and Rosie. “Human children look so bizarre,” he mused, cocking his head to one side. “She has such short legs and awkward, ungraceful movements. Are you sure she won’t accidentally trip and smack her?”
“They are strange little things, aren’t they?” Kaden nudged his brother’s shoulder with his.
Adrielle interrupted the reply creeping up Angie’s throat with a loud, “We can hear you!”
And Cyrus’ chest deflated. “I suppose that one is cute. In her own peculiar way.”
Angie stifled a laugh and turned her attention back to Mia, leaving Cyrus and Kaden to their own conversation, they switched to mer language. Angie and Mia sat in the sand, Mia’s gaze still glued to Rosie. She switched to Mandarin for her next question.
