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Tiamat attacked another mer clan. She wiped out about half their numbers, including the entire royal family.
The strangers winced at Hailana’s blunt summation of the facts, but no one said anything. Is this it? I asked, instinctively shifting Liam around so that I could shelter him in my arms. Is this the beginning?
We’d known war was coming, but Hailana had said she’d hoped to put it off until I was better trained. I’d been hoping to put it off indefinitely. I might have power, but fighting would never be something I enjoyed.
Not yet, Hailana answered. I believe she’s just running amok, causing trouble. It’s something she’s infinitely good at.
That’s not—Sabyn started, but a swift look from the merQueen shut him down quickly. I looked back and forth between them, wondering what he’d been about to say. And what Hailana hadn’t wanted to share.
Who is this? she asked, looking at Liam like he was a rare and exotic species she had no interest in getting too close to.
I found him on the path in, I told her on our private channel. He’s lost both of his parents.
Oh, well, that’s certainly a shame. The reply was brisk, without feeling. You should probably get him settled at the tents. We have a lot to do in the next few hours.
I glanced down at Liam. The tears were gone, for now anyway, but he still looked lost. He probably would for a while—his whole world had been yanked out from under him. And Hailana wanted me to just dump him in with all the others?
I knew it was stupid, knew that he probably wasn’t the only child in this situation, but I wanted to help him. And not just in the abstract, but personally.
I didn’t bother telling any of this to Hailana, however. She wouldn’t understand. She was great at doing what had to be done to save the many, but she’d never paid much attention to the individual. And while I recognized that sometimes you needed to be like that, I also knew that sometimes you couldn’t. Sometimes objectivity had to fly out the window.
What do you need me to do? I asked. Do you want me to help out at the tents? I could—
I want you to get the boy settled. And then you need to train. You have to master your talents. Quickly.
I started to protest, but her warning look cut me off. Apparently now wasn’t the time to undermine Hailana. She would never forgive me if I made her look weak in front of another clan. I might not like her, but I understood how important respect was.
Go get the boy settled and get yourself something to eat, she told me. There’s a strategy session in my chambers aboveground in an hour. I expect you to be in on it. You can do a late-night training session after that.
Yes, ma’am.
I reluctantly headed over to the refugee section, everything inside of me crying out at the injustice of leaving Liam. Even if there were people in these tents who knew him, even if I was sure that he would be taken care of, I still didn’t want to let him go. It didn’t seem fair, especially considering the way he clung to me. I don’t think he wanted me to leave any more than I wanted to walk away.
There had to be a solution. Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw Hailana still staring at me, though she was technically engaged in conversation with someone else. I knew she wouldn’t stop paying attention until she saw Liam ensconsed in the refugee tents. Which meant I had to think fast if I was going to find a way around her. There had to be someone I could count on, someone who could help me …
I was searching the crowd when my eyes fell on Mahina. She was working the second refugee line and looked like she was going to cry at any second. Which she probably was—I’d never met anyone more tenderhearted than Mahina. And that’s when the lightbulb went off. Mahina had seven younger brothers and sisters and, despite that, loved children. And they loved her. Liam would be safe with her while I was off following the merQueen’s bidding.
Maybe I couldn’t keep him with me forever, couldn’t keep him safe from all the bad things waiting for him, but I could give him a little time, a little attention, while I tried to find a family member of his to take care of him.
Swooping down on Mahina, I didn’t bother to waste time on niceties. I need your help, I told her.
She turned at the sound of my voice, threw her arms around me and held on as tightly as she could. Where were you? she demanded. I was so worried. I thought … I thought—Her voice broke.
I’m okay, I assured her, pulling back slightly. I was on my own the whole time—I didn’t see anyone.
Thank God. She sniffled a little, then glanced at Liam with wide eyes. Who is this?
Again, I explained his situation, and bless her, Mahina caught on right away. Holding her arms out to Liam, she said, Come on, honey. Let’s get you something to eat, okay?
Liam’s arms tightened around me and he shook his head, refusing to go. My heart melted just a little bit more, even as it ached for him. If he didn’t go to Mahina, I was out of ideas. Hailana was simply being practical, as she always was, but I couldn’t be. Not in this. Not when I imagined Moku every time I looked at Liam. Not when I prayed that my brothers would never be in such a precarious situation. I would care for Liam, because it was the right thing to do. And because I prayed that someone would do the same for my brothers if anything ever happened to my dad.
For a second I was blindsided by the knowledge that something could happen to one of them and I would never know. Rio could get hurt surfing, Moku—who was notoriously clumsy—could fall and hit his head. My dad, well, he was in great shape, but he wasn’t getting any younger. What would I do if something terrible happened? What could I do when I had chosen a life far removed from them?
Tempest? Liam’s little voice tentatively called my name, and I yanked my attention back to him. If I had any chance of maintaining my sanity, I had to let this new fear go. If I didn’t, it would paralyze me.
Yes? I asked him.
I’m scared.
I know, baby. I hugged him tight, then pulled away a little so I could see his face. This is my friend Mahina. She’s really nice.
He buried his face against my neck, but after a second shyly peeked out at her.
Mahina, this is Liam.
It’s nice to meet you, Liam. She held her hand out, fingers curled into a fist.
At first I didn’t think Liam was going to do anything, but at the last second he reached out his own little fist and softly bumped hers. Mahina melted, her expression going all gooey with sorrow and affection.
You want to know a secret? she asked him.
He nodded, his eyes widening.
I have a little brother who’s six years old. And he has the biggest box of toys I’ve ever seen.
Really? Liam asked.
Cross my heart, she answered, drawing an X over her chest. Would you like to see?
He nodded vigorously.
Okay, then. Come on. She reached out her arms and after another quick glance at me, Liam opened his arms up and grabbed on to Mahina.
We both breathed out a sigh of relief. I’ll come get him later, I promised her. Hailana needs me in a meeting and then I have to train more with Sabyn.
Lucky you, she said with a wink. I wish I had some of your powers. Maybe then I’d get to train with him too.
I thought of the session from hell and just rolled my eyes. Believe me, I told her, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
Yeah, well, I’d probably choke on my own drool anyway.
