“It may come to naught, Queen Akamaii, but we believe the disappearances of some of the members of our tribe over the centuries are not random accidents and may be stopped if the source of such atrocities is identified.”Therin paused, as if considering how forthright to be all at once. In true Therin fashion, he was honest and blunt to a fault.“While not all members of our tribe share our assumption, we have hopes that by speaking to other tribes, we might combine our knowledge and locate the cause.”
For the first time, the queen’s expression was no longer friendly and welcoming.“What part do you expect the Scarus tribe to play in this? Why come to us?”Her eyes narrowed at Wrell in accusation.
Wrell balked at the reproach, but Therin interceded.“In all transparency, my queen, it was a matter of position. We know of but two tribes that remain in one constant location. The Scarus tribe and the Synchi. When the time arrived that we were able to embark on this quest, we were considerably closer to your tribe than the Synchi.”
Akamaii glanced briefly at Therin but kept her eyes trained on Wrell, even as she spoke to Therin. Probably trying to see truth from Wrell if Therin was lying.“And why seek out either we Scarus or the Synchi first? There are other tribes that may be able to offer their experience. I would go so far as to say they would have more experience with what you are describing, as they are out in the open sea, as is the Chromis tribe. Both we Scarus and the Synchi are protected to a greater degree.”
Therin glanced over at Nalu, then back.“I was under the impression that your tribe may have suffered the same tragedies that we have.”
The queen abandoned staring at Wrell to glare at Nalu. She paused for long enough that she was obviously debating what to say next. Whether she was doing that in her own mind or conferring with her mate or Nalu, I couldn’t tell.
“Even if that is so, it does not answer my inquiry. Why do you begin your search with the Synchi or us?”She finally looked Therin fully in the face.“I will confess, your presence here, knowing your purpose and that you bring a new type of creature”—for the first time, she looked at me, though not in the eye—“brings me fear. I cannot say I trust that your intentions do not hold harm for my tribe.”
“I assure you, there are no harmful intentions. No intentions at all, with the exception of saving our people by stopping whatever is causing the disappearances.”Therin looked over at Wrell, Lelas, and me, as if we could corroborate his story. “We are beginning our inquiry with the Scarus and the Synchi because we knew where to find you. As I said before, your tribe just happened to be closer to us than the Synchi. Indeed, we were aware that both tribes may have less information for the very reasons you claim, but it still seems the most logical place to begin. There is a chance we may encounter other tribes on our journey to the Synchi. We had no such fortune while traveling to you, but as there is a vast increase in distance to reach the Synchi, the chances increase, if Moheetla wills it.”
The queen seemed to relax somewhat at Moheetla’s name. It seemed the Scarus tribe had the same god as the Chromis. Maybe he was the god of all mers. I hadn’t really cared to learn much more about Moheetla on the shark hunt than I already had. I’d had my fill of religion on land. I didn’t need more of it under the water. Now I wished I’d taken the time to ask. It might prove vital in our interactions with other tribes. If we were even allowed to leave this one to find the others.
Again, it looked like the queen and Laban were speaking. From the corner of my eye, Nalu shook his head. Apparently he was included in the decision as well. Maybe the entire Scarus tribe was discussing it now, only the four outsiders excluded.
The longer the silence, the more certain I was that we were going to have to fight our way out of here. I went back and forth in my head, debating the benefits and drawbacks of my powers and which would be the most useful. I was more confident with my fire, I could control it better, but one wrong move and I could just as easily kill those I loved instead of those trying to hurt us, especially in such a confined space. Controlling the water seemed a safer option, less lethal—however, I had little chance of controlling it at all. I cursed myself for my lack of preparation. Maybe if I’d spent more time in the practice with Wrell focusing on whatever I was trying to move—instead of on his body—I’d be able to help protect us now.
Would Lelas even leave with us, now that she was mated? As I looked over at her, she seemed as nervous as I felt, but her fingers were still intertwined with Nalu’s. Beside me, I saw Wrell’s quills tremble. I knew he wasn’t afraid, so I could only assume he was getting ready to fight if needed. His pledge to offer his life for mine, in payment for saving him during the shark hunt, came back to me. Please don’t let him do something stupid trying to save me.
“Let me offer this solution. Not so much a solution as a temporary reprieve.”
I was so caught up in my fears and plans I flinched when the queen spoke. So much so that she looked at me, startled. She must have been as ready for me to attack as I was prepared for the whole Scarus tribe to descend on us. When she was certain I wasn’t an immediate threat, she directed her words back to Wrell.
“I confess that I feel the weight of your arrival. As I have already said, I cannot discern if your presence is salvation or destruction. While I consider you a friend, Wrell, our interaction was brief, and it seems lifetimes ago. I want to trust you, but I cannot let my emotions put my tribe in peril. However, there is no choice or deception in a mating like the one that has transpired.”She inspected Lelas and Nalu, as if hoping to pick up on some evidence of deceit.“Such a mating is the work of Moheetla. It is not for me to question.”
Akamaii paused again, taking the time to look each of us in the eye. Even me.“While I do not want to classify you as prisoners, I request that you remain in our residence. Insist, actually. Give me the night to consider and see the will of my people and our God.”She addressed her next words to Nalu.“They shall stay with you. You are to be with them at all times. Regardless of your mating, you are to tell me if there is any action of deceit or concern.”
Nalu nodded but never let go of Lelas’s hand.
The queen returned to Wrell.“We will meet again at the birth of the new light. I do hope we can continue to call each other friend at that time.”
Eleven
BRETT WRIGHT
A billion-and-a-halftunnels later, we followed Nalu into a smaller offshoot that led into a wide saucer-shaped room. We’d traveled quickly enough and it had been such a maze that I soon realized I couldn’t look at much more than Lelas’s tail in front of me if I didn’t want to get lost. The only thing I was certain of was there were enough passageways that it was a miracle the island wasn’t collapsing in on itself. I was also fairly confident I’d figured out how the mers were getting light into this world cut off from the sun.
Lelas turned as she reached the opposite side of the disc-room.“This is where Nalu resides.”She turned back to him, apparently listening to whatever he was saying.“It is where we will stay while we are with the Scarus.”
I gave the space a quick once-over. Even here, I saw stuff. Not to the same proportion as in the large chamber, but enough to make it look like a teenage boy’s room. Not so much in the half-naked-girl-posters way, but more in the sense he needed a mother to tell him to clean his room. I nearly laughed when I spotted a tarnished bowling trophy leaning against the wall, mixed in with several stones and pieces of coral. At any other time, I would have loved to ask him what he thought it was, ask them what they thought all this stuff from the human world was supposed to do. Strangely, it brought my grandfather to mind. How he would have loved me to have earned a trophy of some kind, even a bowling trophy. Of course, knowing all I know now of why he kept his distance, maybe being a sports prodigy wouldn’t have made a difference.
A white eel darted its head out of one of the holes in the side of the wall. I jerked back, a rush of bubbles zipping up from my hands’ flailing motion. The eel stretched out its jaws, exposing small sharp teeth and pink flesh inside its mouth. A few more swishes with my arms, and I was safely halfway across the room. From the new perspective and realizing the thing wasn’t chasing me, the animal was rather beautiful—snowy white with small black dots covering its face.
Lelas’s warm laughter filled my mind.“Nalu says her name is Alaula.”
I gaped at her.“He has an eel as a pet?”
She cocked her head at me, and I realized my mistake before she needed to ask.
“A pet is an animal a person keeps with them for… for companionship. Like a friend, kinda.”
She turned to ask Nalu, but of course he’d heard what I’d said since I couldn’t direct my thoughts. He nodded.
“I must confess, I have not heard of such a thing… keeping an animal.”Lelas turned her attention from both of us and swam over toward the eel. It had been nearly back in its hole, but at Lelas’s approach, it slithered a couple more feet out into the open. Even with so much of it exposed, I couldn’t see any sign that the tail was beginning to taper off. Lelas stretched out a hand and stroked the flaring jaws.
