“It is not imaginary, Grandfather.” Reed insisted, frustration mounting. “I’ve been there and I’ve spoken with a sea lion shifter and an octopus shifter who have grown up there, lived their whole lives in Crescent Cove. Free to change forms at will and live wholly in both forms.”
“An octopus shifter?” gasped Celeste in disbelief.
“That’s absurd,” muttered Lumina with a shake of her head.
He took a deep breath and steadied himself. “I assure you, it is true. His name is Octavius and he owns a business in CrescentCove, where he cares for magical creatures and magical humans—witches, they’re called. He is happy there and proud of his work.”
“That…it’s unheard of,” Lady Serena frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. “How can such a thing be possible?”
“There are shifters there who live on land and sea in equal parts, mother. They care for the ocean nearest to their shores and heal the waters with their magic. It is truly incredible,” Reed insisted.
His mother frowned deeply, her brow wrinkling as she considered this. “Guppy…”
“They are protected from mundane humans by magical wards around the town that keep them from being discovered,” he added. “They will keep our secrets. They will allow us a place to shelter from storms and prevent us from starving when the fish become scarce.”
“How can you possibly know that? Why would you trust them at their word?” demanded his mother.
“I have seen the way they treat the other magical creatures in their midst. There is no judgement or cruelty. They are a community of magical beings of every kind, living in harmony,” Reed insisted.
His father raised a bushy eyebrow. “How can you be sure this is the truth?”
“I entered their world, looking like one of them, and observed them up close,” he replied. “I offered rare pearls for those fish and watched the interactions between those who appeared human and those who were clearly shifters.”
“You…walked on land?! You gave yourself legs?” Lady Serena narrowed her eyes at him, her voice rising sharply.
“Mother, I’m sorry, but I had to. I needed to find out if this could be a viable option to save the pod if the seas deteriorate further. And it is!” said Reed, his tone pleading.
Chatter erupted around the room, too many voices talking overone another. He could not keep track of the conversations, which voices said what, as they all spoke at once. He waited as they squabbled amongst each other, the older and wiser among them sounding fearful and furious in turn.
His grandfather grumbled in a low, frustrated tone. The mermaids from oldest to youngest argued amongst themselves, their faces pinched. Some sounded close to tears; others looked furious at the idea of him walking on land, breaking their sacred rules.
When Lady Serena’s eyes found his again, Reed braced himself for disappointment.
“If all you say is true, then send a shifter to speak with us. Someone from your magical town,” she intoned, face a mask of neutrality. “Find someone who can prove it to us and we will consider it.”
Reed took a deep breath, pleasantly surprised by her words. “As you wish, Mother. Please allow me three suns.”
“Three suns. Bring us a shifter from this town that can answer our questions. There is much we need to know before we can even consider such a drastic change to our lives,” Lady Serena said sternly.
At her nod, the bargain was sealed. He had three days to convince one of the shifters of Crescent Cove to speak to his family and change their minds about the necessity of this adjustment.
It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. He knew this would be his last chance. If a firsthand account did not sway them, then Reed would leave the pod behind and move to Crescent Cove with his Tempest.
He would likely be banished from the pod for his disobedience, but he could live with that. As long as he made sure they knew where to go when things became too difficult at sea.
With that, he said goodbye to his family and slipped from the caves. He had work to do.
We Have to Do Something
TEMPEST
T
he Crescent Cove Wildlife Rescue Center buzzed with activity as Tempest entered the main office that morning. A few people called out greetings as she passed by, offering a small smile and a restrained wave.
“Good morning, Tempest!” came the familiar chipper voice she knew so well.
“Elliot. Good morning, indeed,” she replied.
