Reed nodded. “The shifters I spoke with in town say that we are all sea creatures with magic, the ability to come and go on land. Part of an extended family of sorts.”
“ I would be honored to escort anyone from your pod to our town and show them around,” Elliot added. “We would be honored to have your pod join us, if you so choose.”
“Very well, then,” said his mother, her tone more curious than resigned.
“We can go?” cried Celeste and Lumina at the same time. “To land?”
Lady Serena nodded. “You are to observe everything relevant to the pod and report back your findings, your thoughts on the safety and location of this land town.”
“We can do that!” giggled Lumina, flashing a smile at Elliot and Reed.
“As you wish, Lady Serena,” Celeste looked to their pod leader, speaking softly. “We will gather the information you seek and return home shortly.”
Reed noticed that the sea lion shifter had begun to look a bit uncomfortable. “It seems we need to get back to the surface, Mother. He requires air.”
“Shall we join you?” asked Lumina.
“How about we go back to Crescent Cove and prepare a place for you?” Elliot asked. “I will secure accommodations and clothes for when the mermaids choose to walk on land. If you’ll give us two days, we can have everything ready.”
Reed’s mother met his eyes. “Very well. You are responsible for their safety and well-being while they are on land, guppy. Take care of them.”
“I swear that I will,” the merman replied immediately. Having come to an agreement, they were given permission to leave the pod’s caves and head back to town. The sea lion shifter took a huge gulp of fresh air from the surface when they reached it,again and again until his breathing regulated. Reed wondered what it must be like to be a creature of the sea that still required the air of the land above. He hadn’t struggled too badly with his transition back and forth, but each form inhaled easily from the world around him.
Still, the pair dashed and raced back toward Crescent Cove, whooping in triumph. He could see why his Tempest got along so well with the sea lion shifter. The man had a fun-loving and outgoing personality and loved to play in the ocean. Reed wondered if the two of them might even become friends, now that he was staying in Crescent Cove.
He certainly hoped that would be the case.
Little Storm
TEMPEST
W
hile Tempest waited for Reed and Elliot to meet with the Cascadia pod, the sun set in a spectacular riot of pink, orange, and purple. She sat on her porch swing, rocking back and forth as she stared out at the sea, wondering how things were going for the boys. The stunning sunset washed across the sky then faded away into a dark night.
The waves lapped at the shore as the horizon swallowed the sun. She took comfort in the predictable, reliable sea.
Her porch light offered little illumination against the dark sky and darker sea, but she remained waiting even as the temperature dropped. Tempest wanted to be right there when her sweet merman returned.
No amount of cold or dark would deter her from being there to greet him as soon as he arrived.
“We’re back!” called a voice out of the darkness.
“Tempest?” came another.
Her heart leapt. “I’m here! On the porch. Welcome home.”
“Home,” whispered Reed as he stepped onto the porch and reached for her. “I like the sound of that very much, Little Storm.”
Behind him, a chuckle gave away Elliot’s position before she
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could catch sight of him in the dark. “Is that your nickname for Tempest?”
“Of course. She controls the storms,” the merman said matter-of-factly.
“I think I’ll head home and get some rest,” the sea lion shifter said, patting her on the shoulder. “See you in the morning, Little Storm.”
