That actually just happened.
Okay, then.
“Thought I best come see the news for myself,” Cern said, looking down at the water. “It’s not every day a new god is born.”
Sawyer still wasn’t sure what to say about that. “You know,” he said. “Since I moved here, my life has gotten really freaking weird.”
Chapter
Thirteen
AURIN
A faint tapechoed through the chamber, and both Aurin and Salem froze.
Another tap.
Aurin darted forward so swiftly, he nearly collided with Salem. He quickly entwined an arm with his.Did you hear?—
Yes.
The biggest egg trembled in its cradle. A hairline crack split across the shell.
For one suspended moment, neither of them moved. The entire ocean seemed to hold its breath with them.
Then the crack widened. A tiny tentacle punched through.
Aurin made a sound he’d never heard before—something halfway between a laugh and a sob.Oh my stars, he whispered.Oh, look at you.
The little tentacle waved furiously through the opening. Another followed, and then a very offended and furious chirping noise came from inside the shell.
Aurin was already grinning helplessly.Determined.
Salem’s voice trembled.He gets that from you.
The hatchling spilled into Salem’s waiting arms in a tumble of uncoordinated limbs and big yellow eyes. Tiny as he was,his chromatophores flashed rapidly between varying shades of black.
Aurin stared like he’d forgotten how to breathe.
He had Salem’s eyes.
The baby blinked up at them once before immediately shimmering again and blinking, and oh my, was that a smile?
Another wet pop sounded behind them.
The second egg rocked violently, and then the third, both splitting open and tiny tentacles emerging. Then two tiny babies shot out into Salem’s waiting arms. One was black, and one shimmery gold like Aurin.
Aurin’s eyes burned and his hearts were so full, they could burst. He turned to the fourth and final egg and held his breath. And... nothing.
Is it okay? Is there something wrong?He reached out and gently touched it, caressing, cradling it.Are you ready, little one?
The egg remained still, quiet.
Aurin turned back to Salem and repressed a sob.I think he’s sleeping.
Salem slid a tentacle around Aurin.Oh, my love...Then he gasped.Aurin, look!
The little egg rocked, then it stretched, and a bulge protruded, and then, finally, it split, and a small tentacle emerged, then retracted back into the egg. Then, after a moment, two tentacles widened the tiny hole, and a timid eye peered out.
