Page 90 of Midnightsong
“We heard there was a tsunami.” Mia spoke at the same time as Angie, her words and tone harried.
“Everything’s flooded. I have Lulu, my car’s gone. I might—” Angie surveyed her disaster-struck surroundings. She might what? “I’m coming home. What about you? What happened there? Where’s Bàba?”
“Okay, good. I’m glad. Looking forward to seeing you.” Mia paused. “There was a severe storm at the docks and rough seas. Two of our ships were pulled under along with a docked military ship, and the people on those ships. And Bàba, h-he got hurt.”
Angie stopped short. “What?”
“He was on one of those ships doing inspection, but he barely made it off with three other workers.” Mia’s voice had dropped to a murmur, a tinge of sadness lacing her words. “He’s in the hospital. His back is hurt, and his right leg is broken.”
No, not Bàba. Her chest constricted.
“Okay.” Angie straightened, resolute. “I’ll book a flight out. Wait, I have no way of getting to the airport.” She groaned. “No way are there any taxis or buses in the area after this.”
“I’ll talk to Sonny, see if he can call in a favor from one of his pilot friends and come get you.” Mia cleared her throat and Angie heard Rosie and Jack talking in the background. “Get somewhere safe, mèimei.”
PART TWO
The
Last
Frontier
Thirty-Eight
Kaden
The hushed whispers lingered in Kaden’sears as he paused in front of the council’s nondescript, rock doors.
Rumors swirled amongst palace staff and sentinels of Saeryn planning another attack with plans to strike at a larger port. “Vengeance for my sister,” he had purportedly said. “Show the landwalkers they cannot destroy our queen and expect no repercussions.”
Kaden reminded himself Saeryn wasn’t wrong to want revenge. Neither was Cassia.
But if there was going to be another attack, were Cassia and Varin planning another, as well? How many mer and humans had to die before their quest for retribution would be complete?
He wasn’t going to sit on his tail and find out.
Yet before he pushed the council doors open, he hesitated. The pesky feeling of unworthiness wormed its way into his head again.You’re not good enough for the throne, it said.You’re making a mistake.
Kaden quashed it.
Angie’s assurance she would lend her support, no matter what, and Cyrus’ affirmations lifted his spirits. Kaden had to believe he could, at least, do an adequate job as King.
He should have accepted the throne from the start; regret ripped at his chest like an angry, hungry shayu.
If he wasn’t the one who would swim forward and make a change, who else could?Cyrus was still infirm and unfit to rule.
Kaden pulled the doors open.
The five councilors floated in a circle, each holding their slates, deep in discussion, and Kaden approached, catching their conversation.
“Fish are scarce at the surface again,” Oryma said.
Alasdair spoke next. “But the deep-sea fishers and our mer at the surface are cordial to each other.”
“We should never have allowed landwalkers to fish so freely in our waters,” Allie grumbled. “Perhaps we should reinstate the late Queen Serapha’s order to release fish to the humans again only as needed.”
“King Saeryn repealed that though,” Hylin cut in. “We’ll set up a meeting with him to discuss.”
