“Can we borrow your flute?!”
Jabir flushed with embarrassment. “I, uh… it’s not mine. I’ve been experimenting. With some of the demented symbiots back home. They respond really well to certain tones. I figured I’d try something soothing.”
Adaline stepped beside him, smiling gently. “You figured right. That was beautiful.”
He gave her a sheepish grin. “Thanks.”
Nali approached. She placed a hand over her heart.
“You have shown again how a gentle touch can calm pandemonium,” she said. ”Thank you.”
He bowed slightly, still flushed. “Anytime.”
“Now I know exactly where they’ll be happy… and contained,” Nali added, her voice rich with mischief.
Jabir tilted his head. “Where?”
Her eyes sparkled. “With the sirens. There are several islands that will make a perfect home for them.”
Jabir started. A sad, wistful smile curved his lips.
“They’ll love it there.”
“I believe they will,” Nali said softly. “Sirens have the perfect voice to soothe even the most stubborn symbiot.”
Drago, arms folded and grinning, added, “So… do we have to tell Ashure? Or can we keep this little flute trick to ourselves?”
Everyone erupted in laughter.
“Ashure deserves sea monkeys turning his ship into a jungle gym,” Orion said dryly, nudging Asahi, who merely grunted.
“Yes, I vote we don’t tell him,” Drago said.
As if on cue, the crate let out a squeaky wheeee from within.
Amber leaned over. “I think they’re playing with one of the lightning feathers in there.”
“Are any of you hungry?” Nali asked.
Jabir flushed when all eyes turned to him. He gripped the flute in one hand and rubbed his hand over his stomach when it growled.
“Yeah,” he said with a wry grin.
“Thank you, Goddess!” Zohar said, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “It’s good to have you back.”
Jabir nodded and grinned. He handed the flute back to the cyclops with a quiet thank you before he laughed when Roam asked him when he had learned to play the flute.
A group of sprites and witches had already begun to repair the damage to the market and docks.
As the group turned toward the palace, walking side-by-side down the sunlit road, Jabir lingered for a moment, watching the crate being loaded into the back of a carriage flanked by gargoyle guards.
Phoenix touched his arm. “You okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I think I finally am.”
She smiled. “Good. Because I have a feeling we’re going to need your flute again. Especially if Jade and Amber don’t quit experimenting on their symbiots.”
Jade shouted from up ahead, “We heard that!”
