“I understand.” In a way, Loriun really did understand. Family was everything to his species, especially now, on this alien world. “Thank you for trusting me.”
“Yeah, well. You’re a good boss. And this,” he gestured to his phone, “isn’t going to do anyone any good.”
Loriun gave a slight nod. “We are in agreement. I will leave you to your evening. I apologize for the late intrusion.”
“It’s okay, Mr. Kolhn. You’re just looking out for Beau. Good luck.”
The walls of the exterior hallway spun as Loriun walked to the apartment building’s exit. Ashford Montgomery, the product of the first wave of gene altering. An Omega who had mutilated his body to conform to human expectations.
An unexpected wave of sorrow twined with the tongues of flame which fueled his rage. Had Ashford been born just a little later, into a more accepting environment, could he have lived a happy life? Could he have accepted himself? Loriun supposed it was too late to spend his energy on these thoughts. The damage had been done, and now it was his job to undo what he could.
His bare feet struck diamond-pale sand. The sea beckoned him closer, calling him below. Without hesitation, Loriun launched himself into the depths. Inky blackness stretched in every direction without moonlight to filter through the waves. But Loriun did not need his eyes to find his way. The powerful muscles in his lower back contracted and his tail whipped into motion.
The speedboat trips he’d been taking with Vuos and Jaime had hardened his body into a weapon of speed and strength. At first, he could only go part of the way before needing to turn back and breathe his mate’s summer fruit scent. With each venture, he was able to go further and further, until finally, he’d managed to get all the way to Gainesville without suffering any consequences. He still couldn’t be away from Beau for long, but he was certain this task would not take much time at all.
Loriun allowed his mind to fade into the currents, all conscious thought swept away by Noivux’s domain. Before giving himself entirely over to the basal instinct that drove him through the water, he whispered a short prayer to an abandoned goddess.
“Aen’e Turys, yai dreiswe. Eroudae Ileana teru soifoa’xosa Turys’asi kir’e nuonumsh.”Loving Turys, I beg you. Guide Ileana from this life to your serene depths.
Hours, or possibly minutes later, a familiar dock rose in the darkness. Orange, artificial light pierced the surface overhead. He paused, taking deep draws of water across his gills. Normally, a car awaited him here, but not this night. Loriun had seen Ashford’s office on the news, and knew there was a pool connecting to the ocean somehow, built for Mer guests and diplomats.
Following his inner compass, Loriun glided along the shoreline, searching for the closest inlet to Beau’s former home. Eventually, a small, blue light caught his attention. It was Mertechnology—made to meld with the colors of the sea. The bubble of electricity lit the mouth of a large, marble tunnel. This had to be it.
Loriun’s body swayed from side to side, propelling himself along the passage. More bubbles of light floated every few feet, highlighting elegant carvings of their home planet, of ancient legends, and of Mer that made history. Any other time, he would have stopped to appreciate the artistry, but he had a much more crucial task at hand.
It took longer than he expected for the tunnel to curve up, angling toward a distant square that had to be the pool. Loriun slowed his pace. He did not know what to expect when he surfaced. Would Ashford be asleep in his room? Stumbling around his mansion, drunk? Would he be at another hate group rally and away from home altogether?
Loriun’s face broke the surface without a sound. The office was dim, but something was casting the room in a yellow glow. Loriun’s fingers curled around the pool’s rim as he peered over the edge.
There he was—Ashford Montgomery, slumped over on his desk with a bottle of something brown in his hand. It dangled precariously from his fingers and the sound of snoring echoed through the high ceiling. It was a stroke of luck Loriun hardly dared believe.
He pushed himself from the water, bringing his feet squarely on the tile floor. Ashford did not stir. If that bottle had been full when he started, he would be very drunk indeed.
Loriun stood by the enormous desk and stared down at the pathetic man in its matching leather chair. He almost felt pity, seeing a once-powerful figure in this state. But a louder, more vicious part of Loriun felt satisfaction at his enemy’s downfall.
In a split second decision, Loriun slammed his tail against the desk.
“Wha’ the fuck!” Ashford half leapt to his feet but stumbled, collapsing back into his chair. He squinted bleary eyes up at the Mer standing in front of him.
“You…”
“Yes,” Loriun said, his voice quiet. “Me.”
A chilling laugh left Ashford’s lips. “Saw the news did you? Ileana…” He took a swig from his bottle. “She’s dead. Died a few days ago. Knew it was coming, but one day she was there and now… Now she’s not.”
“You did not tell Beau.” Loriun had to fight to keep his tone level. “He had to learn that he lost his mother from a news story about your new political stance on interspecies relations.”
The dismissive wave he got in response made his blood boil.
“Beaumont is the least of my concerns. He’s busy becoming a woman, too busy to be with his mother when she passed—”
“Beau is going to give birth any day now,” Loriun snapped. “It was no longer safe for him to make the journey. You had no right to keep this from him.”
“I owe him nothing,” Ashford spat. “The little slut couldn’t keep his legs closed, could he?”
Crash.
Ashford’s body hit the floor with a thud. Loriun’s tail throbbed from the contact with the old man’s sharp cheekbone.
