Page 141 of Storm and Sea

“I know Marina said to meet her at the festival, but can we check and see if she is okay now?” Nyel asked tentatively, and Atreus was relieved to hear him say it.

He couldn’t spend another minute in this lighthouse, not knowing if he had a home to return to.

“Yeah. Let’s go,” Atreus said. They had no possessions to gather, and after making sure the fire was completely smothered, they descended the winding stairs. Normally, Atreus relied on his masterful staging to ward off any curious humans, but given the circumstances, he took extra precautions. Only after he was sure the door’s jam would hold did he turn his back on the home he’d known for over a decade.

“Let’s do this,” he said on an exhale. Nyel nodded, looking just as uncertain as Atreus felt.

Removing his shirt, running onto the sand, and diving into the water was a relief he couldn’t quite explain. As he dipped his head beneath an oncoming wave, Atreus sank into the salt water, his fins flaring, relieved from the confines of human skin.

“No matter how much time I spend on land, this always feels right,” Nyel said beside him, black-tipped fins flared and jade scales sparkling.

“Yeah. Can take the Mer from the sea but can’t take the sea from the Mer.”

“Can take— what?” Nyel asked as they swam to Baia Vita, tails swishing in synchronized strokes.

“Nevermind. Human expression.”

“Do you think she will see us differently?”

“I don’t see how she couldn’t. We aren’t human.”

The reality of that grew all the clearer as they approached the bay, dodging fishing boats and nets. There were hardly any fish to catch, and as they passed a net, Atreus tried to herd a few straggling mackerel into its clutches. It was better than nothing. The fact of the matter was that the fish were taken long before reaching the safety of the bay.

Under the water, even this far away, Atreus listened to the steady thrum of massive engines. He couldn’t fathom how something so large and made of metal could float, but it did. And it consumed everything in its path.

It was an insatiable maw.

The fact of the matter was this —the smaller fishing boats of Baia Vita couldn’t compete with the power of those ships.

They dried in a hidden alcove between dark rocks, where Atreus slipped on his shirt before stepping onto the open sand. The square was lively with movement, families preparing booths, and city volunteers stringing lights for the night’s dancing. Tonight would kick start the celebrations, with the Bayallon taking place the following morning. The streets were abuzz with energy, and upbeat chatter filled the air. There were no screams, no fear, no worries that monsters walked among them.

She didn’t say anything.

Even so, he put himself between Nyel and anyone who walked too close. The last time he’d been this wary walking through his home, he was a starving kid. He hoped he’d never have to relive those days as they opened the pescheria doors.

Giovanni was hard at work, preparing food at the counter.

“There you are, ragazzo! I hope your family is well,” he asked sympathetically.

At Nyel’s confused expression, Atreus cut in. “They’re great. Sorry for leaving the day before everything.”

“It’s no problem. Family comes first, yes?”

Atreus agreed, and he and Nyel shuffled up the stairs.

Marina sat at the kitchen table, stringing together paper flowers in a long rope for the kids to break through at the finish line. She stopped as they approached. Once again, Atreus put himself before Nyel. The sireno was the one she witnessed fully transformed. He might be the one she was wary of now. Atreus needed to reassure Marina, to make her feel safe, and remind her they were still the same—that he would never hurt her. But as her hazel eyes pierced through him, all he could muster was a weak, “Hey.”

“Hey,” she mimicked, then waved to Nyel. “Hey, Nyel. I’m glad you came.”

Nyel waved back but stayed a few paces away.

Marina groaned, dragging her fingers through messy hair, shaking it into an even messier nest of curls.

“Aaah, just come sit down! Jeez, I’m not going to batter and fry you like the fish downstairs.”

Atreus laughed even as she cringed.

“Oh good, you thought that was funny. I worried maybe it was too soon.”