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I want to ask about the composite material used to make it, but I realize neither of them are that into science. “I need to find something to change into.”
“You don’t need to.”
“I realize I don’t, but I’m not going out there naked.” I leave the two of them in Holter’s room. Hopefully, they won’t kill each other while I’m gone. I dig through the clothes Kai and Ophelia have sent me. Most of it is brand new. But in it I find a short robe that will work. It’s made out of a fabric that feels like a bathing suit. I string the belt around my legs, keeping it secure from flying up.
The two of them are standing in the hall, naked, near the airlock. The air in my lungs is colder than the bandage gun’s sealant. The guys have stripped in preparation for shifting into their flukes. They’re stunning. Castor with his golden hair and tapered torso. Holter with his broad chest and blue eyes. It’s everything I can do to keep my eyes from dipping down.
“What are you wearing, Belle?” Holter runs his hand along the edge of the robe as it dips down my breasts.
“It’s a robe. It was Kai’s, I think, but I don’t think she’s ever worn it.”
“Well, it looks better on you.” Castor shakes his head. “I’ll have more things sent to you. When things have settled down, we can take you shopping.”
Both Holter and I look at him.We. There is no we.
Holter opens the door to the first airlock, and I follow him through. Castor hits the controls on the side, and the next door opens. He yanks the door closed, and we proceed to the last chamber, the wet one. The one that floods first. Outside, I can see the workmen setting up an enclosure.
“If you’d told me a month ago I’d be swimming in the bottom of the ocean with sharks, I would have called you crazy.”
“You can do this, Belle.” Holter squeezes my shoulder. “Are you ready?”
“As much as I can be.” My hands shake, and I hold my arms around my waist to still myself as much as possible.
Holter hits a button on the far side, and water fills from the bottom up, sloshing around my ankles, up to my calves and then thighs.
When the water hits my chest, Castor cocks his head at me. “You can do this. We’ll be right here.”
“Ready to shift into your gills?”
I nod. I’m not, but reflex has me agreeing. Stupid, stupid reflex. The little girl who just wants to please everyone, to keep out of sight, out of mind. Tension stings my fingers. I’m ready to burst.
Castor grabs my head. The water is at my chin. He holds me. His green eyes peer at me, and then his mouth is on mine as the kiss consumes me, tongues wrestling for control, until the water is over my head, my braid floating next to me. He pushes back from me.You did it.
I’ve shifted, and I didn’t even realize it. Well, I haven’t shifted like they have. Their blue and golden tails swish as the door to the outside swings open.
Holter wiggles his eyebrows at me.I never doubted you could do it.It’s a dig at Castor. Without Nico, it’s more obvious how much baggage they have with each other. There’s a lot. I don’t understand what’s going on between the two of them.
Holter takes my hand and leads me out of the airlock. Every cell in my body wants to explode, but not because I can’t breathe. No, oxygen is flowing to my brain without me thinking about it. And I even managed to push all the extra air out of my lungs without coughing like a crazy person. No, it’s day above, and a small amount of natural light filters through the ocean. The hidden lights of the dome shine upward, illuminating the coral. I’ve loved sitting on the sofa watching the fish swim around it. But being out here, seeing it close up, is something else.
My heart is pounding. I dropped Holter’s hand without realizing it. There are shadows above me, but I’m not paying any attention to them. There are sweet little pink and blue fish swimming around, and I’ve been wondering what their back fins look like. I head for the large reef right outside the dome. It’s not until I’m there that I realize I’ve been kicking like an actual mermaid, with my legs together, using my hands like a normal person instead of flailing about like a drowning rat.
You’re doing great, Annabelle.It’s a voice I don’t really recognize. I turn, and over my shoulder is Castor’s young brother Milo, but he’s not alone. A shark hovers at his side.
“Thank you.” I try to use my mouth, but then realize nothing is coming out.Thank you,I project instead. I’m a bundle of nerves, and I’m not looking at Milo but the large beast over his shoulder.
This is M32. I’ve already trained him on your scent. I’ve been working with my Baba for the last semester of college.Milo smiles at me.
Oh.I’m shivering, and not because the water is colder than an icy drink inside a hockey arena.
Really, he’s friendly to any scent he’s been trained on. Here, give me your hand.Milo reaches for me.
27
Castor
You’re letting your tattoo heal. So smart. When I got mine, I didn’t wait long enough. And poof, it was gone. Having to pay for the same tattoo twice was frustrating.Milo taps the side of his fluke and smiles at Annabelle. My little brother has no game.
Tattoo?I pretend not to know he has one. I’ve seen it.
