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The ocean waves crashed against the rocks below her. As she sat on a ledge overlooking the water, she realized the place that had been her second home for so long had felt like a giant universe full of fierce creatures. She’d always considered herself one of the most fearsome beasts in the water. Now, she realized she wasn’t invincible out there. If anything, she was in much more danger.
Keelan Kane had saved her life. Her big brother had protected her. After helping her get back to the island, he’d kissed her forehead and had promised to check in on her later. He had needed to get back to the mainland and deal with the cops who’d be buzzing around the beach, trying to figure out exactly what had gone on. It was his job, after all, to protect people from sharks. And yet, it had been humans who’d done all the damage. Not a single shark attack had occurred on a human that day.
“Maybe humans are the real monsters after all,” Kalina had whispered as he’d placed her inside Horace’s tent.
“Maybe you’re right,” he’d replied. “Maybe you’re right.”
As he’d started to walk out of the tent, he’d looked back at her once more and said, “Once you’re completely healed, I’ll show you everything I have about our family.”
The thought of learning about her mom, her dad, and her big brother helped her get through the pain of the blue mist mending her mind and making her as good as new. But then she’d found out that her eye couldn’t be fixed. That was going to be permanent. Both in human form and in her shark body, she’d be half-blind.
I’m repulsive to look at.
She looked out at the horizon and thought about all the mirrors she would avoid, and what being single again would mean if and when Rafe decided to leave her.
“I love you, you know?” Rafe asked from behind her.
His voice scared her, and she nearly fell off the ledge.
“My God,” she said.
He jumped when she did and reached out a hand as if he would have been able to stop her from falling over.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I was trying to be romantic.”
&nbs
p; She calmed her breath and laughed.
“It was romantic,” she said. “It was sweet.”
He sat down next to her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m alive,” she replied. “So that’s doing well I’d say.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder and they both watched a seagull cruise through the sky and past the sun. Almost falling to her death had made her forget what Rafe had said when he’d first walked up behind her. Now, she remembered, and she wanted to hear him say it again.
“Wait,” she said. “What did you say?”
“I asked if you’re okay,” he repeated.
“No, before that,” she said. “When you first snuck up behind me.”
“I didn’t sneak,” he said. “I kind of—”
“Shut up,” she said. “Seriously. What did you say?”
“I said I love you,” he said.
She reached out and touched both sides of his face with her hands.
“Do you mean that?” she asked. “I mean look at me. How could you possibly—”
He shut her up with a kiss that was so deep and so passionate, she once again thought she might faint and plummet to her death. Rafe was there to secure her as he reached behind her head and pulled her closer to him, squeezing her body tight to his and making love to her with his tongue. When he pulled away, her good eye remained closed.
“I love you too,” she said, trying to catch her breath. “I really do. I love you, Rafe.”
