Salem nuzzled into Aurin, and Aurin slid one arm around him.I can’t believe this is real, Salem murmured.The stars aligned to bring you into my life, I’m sure of it.
Then one of the hatchlings in Salem’s arms began to fuss, making the cutest little snuffly noises before drifting back off to sleep.
They both chuckled quietly, careful not to wake the hatchlings, and Aurin settled against Salem.I love you, he said quietly, his eyes closing.
Sleep, my love, Salem murmured.Sleep well. I think our days of peace and quiet are over.
Aurin chuckled sleepily.I think so too. Isn’t it awesome?
Chapter
Fourteen
CIARAN
Holy fuck,he said quickly, grabbing Tobin’s tentacle. This way, if he used his telepathy, he could see what Ciaran had seen.Look at them. Look at them!
Tobin’s eyes went wide, and then he melted.Awww.
Show me,Fray said as he grabbed two of Tobin’s tentacles and held them to his head, as if using them like antennae would help. He gasped and grinned but looked at Ciaran.Are you serious? Is that... Oh my god. Oh my fucking god, they’re perfect.
Perfect,Tobin echoed as he took turns showing everyone what Ciaran had seen.
Two black like Salem, one gold like Aurin, and one that was kinda hiding, Ciaran said as if they needed help deciphering what he’d seen. They could only see two different-coloured eyes peering out from Aurin’s hold.They’re the cutest things I’ve?—
Then Ciaran was struck by a jolt of fear, as if someone had speared his chest. Not his own fear, but Sawyer’s.
Sawyer!
He shot upwards like an arrow, aiming for the jetty. He could feel Sawyer’s initial surprise turn into relief but with an undercurrent of unease. Ciaran hauled himself out of the water,taking human form in one fluid, easy movement to find Sawyer and... Cern?
“Oh,” he said, going to Sawyer. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Cern just surprised me, that’s all.”
Ciaran smiled at the old man. “Didn’t know we were expecting you.”
Sawyer rushed to give Ciaran a towel, then quickly wrapped a second one around his shoulders. “He got here just now.”
Cern’s smile was slow and wide. “We have good news, boy?”
Ciaran grinned at him, then at Sawyer. “We do. Four hatchlings.” He held up four fingers, and his smile for Sawyer softened. “And they are just the cutest things I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh,” Sawyer whispered, his eyes glassy. “Oh, I wish I could see them.”
Ciaran put his arm around him. “You will. Soon.” He then realised just how rugged up Sawyer was. “You shouldn’t be out here. It’s too cold for you.”
“Yes, yes, the mere human frailties,” Sawyer grumbled. “I’m all too aware.”
Ciaran looked at Cern then. “About the last time we saw you...”
“Your mate here has already apologised,” he said, his pipe bobbing up and down as he spoke. “Four, you say?”
“Yes. Two black like Salem, one gold like Aurin, and one was hiding, so I couldn’t really see. It’s too early to know if they’ll have Mimic abilities underwater or if they can turn into a cat like Salem.”
“Oh, but they are special nonetheless,” Cern said.
Ciaran could hardly reconcile the images Salem had shown them of Cern in his true form, with the hooves and horns, to the old man in front of him and yet... he could totally see it now.
