“Dear Mahananda, you were so much more agreeable when you were cognitively challenged.” Kanti’s comment causes Ceres’s mouth to thin and Reid’s eyes to slit.
But in Agrippina, all it triggers is a giant smirk.
Kanti asks for someone to fetch her a chair and some tapioca pudding. When they glance at me for approval—which I give them—annoyance flushes her cheeks.
Once seated, she says, “I heard you made new Serpents.”
At least she doesn’t—how did Taytah used to say? Ah, yes,beat around the Amkhuti. “News travels fast.” I glance at Aodhan when I say this, but he’s busy heaping grilled cheese onto his flatbread.
“Was it supposed to be a secret?” she asks.
“If it was supposed to be a secret, I wouldn’t have transformed them on the beach for all to see, now would I?” I lean my forearms onto the polished stone that remains cool however much sun beats down on it. “Since you’re here, perhaps you could weigh in on something that’s been troubling me.”
The line of her shoulders harshens. “Perhaps.”
“It’s come to my attention that serpents—the animals—have been acting out of character.”
Her pupils contract, but aside from that, her expression remains perfectly neutral. “In what way?”
“They’ve been sinking boats and drowning humans.”
“Have they?” Her lack of emotion is just as damning as her lack of surprise.
“You wouldn’t know who’d command them to do such a thing, now, would you?”
“You may think yourself superior to the common serpent, but you’re not. Serpents are extremely perceptive creatures who’ve always protected our island. If they’re keeping boats at bay, then it’s because they sense incoming danger.”
“Keeping boats at bay would be one thing, murdering humans is quite another, Kanti,” I say.
“Humans aren’t taught how to swim in the Fae lands, so they died from their own shortcomings.”
Cathal rolls his neck. “Crows saw them drag people into the deep.”
“They were probably trying to ferry them back to Lucin shores but forgot they couldn’t breathe underwater.” Kanti shrugs. “Once you’ve constituted your Akwale, Daya, you should put a ward up around Shabbe to prevent any more deaths. Though you are Meriam’s daughter, so perhaps you don’t need an Akwale to create such a massive spell? And since we’re on the topic, how is your Akwale formation going?”
The fevered smile curling her lips tells me that she knows exactly how it’s going. The two sorceresses Asha had in mind ended up not showing. When she asked them why, they told her that Shabbe belonged to sorceresses not to shifters. I suddenly wonder if they’d change their minds if I offered Kanti her seat back.
I almost ask Cathal’s opinion on the matter, but then picture having Kanti living in the Vahti again and shudder. “Well, I was hoping to elect an equal number of sorceresses to Serpents, but it seems as though it’ll be mostly Serpents.”
Kanti seizes a glass filled with water and raises it so fast, half of it sloshes over the rim. “Hear, hear. To peace and harmony between the Shabbins and Serpents.”
Though I comprehend full well she means my kind and not the mammals inhabiting our waters, I say, “I didn’t realize we were at war with the animals so intent on protecting our land.”
A spasm disturbs her cheek.
“Oh, did you meanus?” I gesture to my bright-haired denmates. “Just call us Shabbins. After all, that’s what we consider ourselves. Isn’t that right?”
“Absolutely,” Agrippina says.
“Yes,” Enzo says without stutter.
Another tic agitates Kanti’s cheek.
“Wait. Keep your glass up. I’d like to propose a toast.” Agrippina boosts her coffee mug. “To widening narrow minds and promoting inclusivity.”
“Beautifully put, mate.” Reid reaches over and clinks his mug with hers.
Enzo agrees with a nod and a gulp of his juice.
