Page 19 of In Your Light

Shoot. “Uh, he’s my brother. And the leader of our camp.”

“Was he with you and Cern the first time? To take Salem back?”

Fyn nodded. “He was.”

Sawyer studied him for a long moment, then looked back out over the cove. “So what brings you to town today?”

“I was hoping to see Salem and Aurin. I wanted to ask them something. Will they be down there long?”

“Hard to tell. The little ones do prefer being in the water.” His smile turned sad, his brow pinching as he frowned at the water.

And Fyn realised something then...

“You’re the only human here,” he said quietly.

Something flashed across Sawyer’s face before he schooled it away. “I am.”

“Must be hard,” Fyn murmured. “I know what it’s like to be the odd one out. It’s not fun.”

“Not just the odd one,” Sawyer replied. “Different species.”

Just then, the water splashed beneath the pier, and red tentacles hit the boards before morphing into human hands. Then, in one fluid motion, a man pulled himself out of the water with practiced ease. His eyes zeroed in on Fyn, but he spoke to Sawyer. “Everything okay?”

“Yep,” Sawyer replied. “Ciaran, you remember Fyn. Fyn, this is my partner, Ciaran.”

Ciaran, who stood there dripping wet and completely naked.

“Um, sure, yep,” Fyn managed.

Sawyer snorted and threw some shorts to Ciaran. “Put some pants on.”

Fyn didn’t want to say it was more than fine if Ciaran didn’t, but he was sure the blush on his cheeks said it for him.

Sawyer laughed and nudged Fyn’s shoulder as he got to his feet. “How was it all down there?”

“It’s fine,” he replied, now wearing shorts. “I could feel your sadness,” he told Sawyer. “What happened?” It was then that he turned his attention to Fyn, as if Fyn was to blame.

Sawyer waved his concern off. “Just me being human,” he said. “Fyn here was hoping to speak to Aurin and Salem. Will they be topside anytime soon?”

“Uh, I’m not sure,” Ciaran said cautiously. “Fyn, is there something we can help you with?”

Fyn felt foolish for thinking he could maybe stay here. “No, no. I was just passing by. Thought I’d say hello. I should get going back. Pax already wants my hide, so I better go face the music.”

Sawyer frowned at that. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh, sure,” Fyn said, aiming for his brightest smile. “Tell the others I said hi, and give those little godlings a... hug, or something.” He took a step back, needing to leave. “Please tell Aurin and Salem that I wanted to...” He took another step back and shook his head. “Never mind.”

He turned then, and the tree line seemed so far away. Each step a mile.

“Fyn, wait,” Sawyer called out.

Fyn stopped and turned back to see Sawyer walking toward him.

“Hey,” Sawyer said with a smile. “So, you know I’m a cop, right?”

Fyn blinked. “A cop? What is⁠—”

“A policeman,” he clarified.