Page 150 of Storm and Sea

Not for me.

He ran to the last place where his world was still his own.

He ran to the beach.

Leo needed to fall apart.

And he didn’t want anyone to watch.

Nephi munched on a fried squid on a stick as he slipped around the edges of the festival. It wasn’t bad, though he hated how much oil humans used. He chewed it anyway. Food was food. Nobody blinked at the hooded figure that stalked the square like a wolf. It was too easy to steal tasty treats, enough that he wasn’t even hungry. He just did it for the sake of doing it.

A stray dog sniffed for crumbs behind a stall.

“Here you go,” Nephi crouched down, offering the remainder of his squid. The canine approached him with apprehension in its eyes. Nephi smiled.

“You’re the only smart one here. You know there is something dangerous lurking around. Don’t you?”

Hunger propelled the mutt close enough to snag the treat before running away.

Nephi wasn’t even surprised anymore at the blatant trust the humans had for one another. Not a suspicious bone in their bodies. With the exception of the rich mainlanders who lived on the Estates in the valley, this human settlement was a ‘never lock the front doors’ kind of place. Even now, with families on the brink of losing everything, thievery was nonexistent.

Easy pickings.

So easy, in fact, it bordered on pathetic. His Pod could ascend from the beaches right now, enjoy the festivities, then slit everyone’s throats as they slept. At least the villages they raided in the north were on guard—alert to the potential dangers that loomed in the sea. Nephi had to rely on the powers of a strong drink and Ludo’s charm to inhibit their caution enough to take advantage. But that wouldn’t be necessary here.

It wouldn’t be necessary at all. His Pod, his real family, likely assumed he was dead. Succumbed to his wounds and his broken heart.

Nephi watched a group of human children, their sparklers making light strings as they ran. He wondered if it would even be worth it. What was to be gained from destroying a place like this?

“Less humans polluting the sea is always a victory.”

He could practically hear his Pod leader, Tariq. And Nephi knew if he were still active, he’d agree. He’d listen and end those children without blinking an eye.

Because they’re human. The same humans that took Ludo from me.

One of the children tripped, and as she turned her head, the light of her sparkler illuminated Nephi for a brief moment. He watched with glee as her face went from surprise to terror when she saw the unholy scars and white milky eye.

“Better run. Or I might catch you.”

She didn’t scream as her stubby legs carried her away from him as fast as she could go. Nephi chuckled to himself; with any luck, she’d have nightmares for weeks. Her sparkler sizzled on the ground, and Nephi snuffed it with his bare foot. But terrorizing the little human didn’t bring him as much joy as he’d hoped.

“Damn it all,” he cursed, turning from the square, intent on curling up in his rooftop shelter. Maybe his feline friend would offer him some company.

Voices on the edge of the square made him pause. He peaked around the corner to find his brother talking to none other than the source of his obsessions. Leofel looked terrible, and even from a distance, Nephi noticed how he favored his left foot. He was thinner, too, and Nephi didn’t like the look on him. He wanted his human to be strong, healthy, and full of vigor.

That way, it will be all the more satisfying to make him crumble.

But asserting his dominance over the broken man hunched in the alley held zero appeal. Nephi wished he’d kept his fried squid and offered it to Leofel, who needed a few extra meals.

Nephi blinked, recoiling at his own train of thought.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Now I want to feed him?

This human was too dangerous. First, Nephi saved his life; now, he wanted to bring him back to health. He had to end this soon.

“I don’t want to talk about that,” Leo snapped at Nyel, loud enough for Nephi to hear.

“Okay,” Nyel replied cautiously.