Page 133 of Storm and Sea

Nephi laughed from the corner of the room. “Easy boys, it’s just me.”

“That doesn’t make me feel any better,” Atreus growled.

Nephi gave a sly grin. “Good.”

“Nephi, what are you doing here?” Nyel asked, trying to calm his exploding nerves. “How did you get up here?”

Nephi pointed behind him. “The stairs.”

“It squeaks like crazy; we didn’t hear a thing.” Atreus bit out, still clutching the homemade spear.

“And how is that my fault?” Nephi replied, “I’m stealthier than I look.”

Nyel rested a hand on Atreus’s arm.

“Easy, Nephi isn’t here to cause trouble. Right?” Nyel said with a pointed look.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, which somehow made Nyel even more skeptical.

Atreus lowered the spear but didn’t drop it.

“What did you say about being Ru— what was that word?” Nyel sat, hoping the other two would do the same. They did, though Atreus’s narrowed gaze didn’t leave Nephi for even a blink.

Nephi made himself comfortable, stretching and crossing his legs like he owned the place. He sat farthest from the fire, and Nyel thought he saw Nephi snarl in its direction.

“He is half Rusalki. They have excellent eyesight in the dark.”

“Oh wow, you never told me that,” Nyel said, going for a light tone.

“I didn’t know,” Atreus growled through clenched teeth.

“Another species of Mer that live in the north,” Nephi filled in. “Big, barbed with a knack for fighting.”

Nyel was amazed. Nephi never spoke about his travels, and now here he was, offering relevant information.

“What else?”

“Well,” Nephi said, considering Atreus, “Your sense of smell isn’t as good as mine and Nyel’s. That’s a Sireni gift.”

“Oh, we knew that one,” Nyel said. “I’ve wondered why Atreus couldn’t follow a scent trail.”

“Yours is better than mine since you’re a pure sireno. I’m a mutt with only half the parts. Plus, I fucked one of my nostrils, so I’m running on fifty percent as it is.” Nephi said, pointing to his disfigured right nostril.

“What can the Ra-Maa do?” Nyel asked before he could stop himself. Nephi stiffened right away, his grin dissolving.

“S-sorry,” Nyel said, ducking his head.

“My mother, a Ra-Maa woman, gave me my red fins. And that’s all the information you’re getting.” He jerked his chin in Atreus’s direction. “And I have no idea what his other half is. Not a Mer I’ve ever seen.”

Nyel didn’t miss the way Atreus’s shoulders sagged slightly.

“You got any food here?” Nephi barked, “I didn’t have a chance to steal anything after I watched your little fiasco at the well.”

“You saw that?” Nyel exclaimed. “And you didn’t do anything?”

Nephi shrugged him off. “What was I supposed to do? I told you this would happen. Lo and behold, it did. You’re lucky only the little woman was with you; if that giant man you live with had been there, you’d have gotten a harpoon through the ribs.”

Nyel’s insides clenched at the thought of Giovanni turning his hulking form against him—harpoon raised, hate burning in his eyes. He shoved the thought away.