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Oh, what are the other ones called?Annabelle asks.
T12 and C19.Milo shrugs as he scratches around the shark’s fin.They’ve been in the training program a while.
T12 and C19. They roll right off the tongue, or projection.She laughs, her mouth opening. And I can’t help but smile at her.
I’ll see you later.Milo looks at me. It’s been quite the topic around the dinner table, where I’m living and where I’m spending my time. And while he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he tends to mimic everything our parents say.
I’ll see you later, brother,I respond.
Milo nods and swims over to the other installer, who has been watching from near the windows the entire time.
Is there anything else you want to do while you’re out here?Holter is swimming backwards. His eyes on the shark, he maneuvers his body between the shark and Annabelle.
I’d love to see more of the reef.
And I’d love to show you.Holter guides her away from me. My stomach twists. I haven’t been to this section of the reef, ever. When I was young, we had a private reef farther out, one we can see from the top windows of my mother’s apartment. I suppose we still have the same reef. It’s just I haven’t visited it recently.
Over here,Holter calls.
I bring up the rear, following them. The corals are lovely, and the sea anemones bloom like flowers of the ocean. I can feel the excitement projected from her. She’s gliding through the water, and I almost forget she doesn’t have a fluke.You’re really getting the hang of this.
Thank you. Her tone is soft and delicate.Wow, look at those!She points to the anemones.They’re fascinating!She claps her hands together.What happens if they don’t receive enough nutrients?
That’s not a problem, Holter answers.There are gardeners basically who take care of the reefs. They manage everything inside the productive dome.
Really? I’ve been watching out the window, and I haven’t seen anyone out here.There’s a tremor in her tone. She has been watching out the window since they moved into the apartment because of the tampering with the airlock. Damn my family. I should be down here protecting her, not alone in my apartment upstairs. Oh, the champion of Hestertåtten is here. Holter wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Still, he’s only one person, only one male. Two to protect her would be far better.
I join them at the reef. Yellow box fish swim around our hands.Which is your favorite?I ask her.
I like the blue ones.She glances at Holter, whose eyes are as blue as the fish she’s called her favorite. I’m a bit jealous.
I’m to be king of the Veiled City. I can’t be jealous. It is not the Dorian way. Kings don’t pine over mermaids they can’t have—that will be better off without them.
I’ve been busy combing through other domes’ lists of eligible males to find one that will be the best suited for her. As of yet, each and every one I’ve found has issues. Too poor or has a temper. I won’t have her living in the basement apartment of Tinom. I glance at the outside window. There’s a difference. This was the only one open. And I know Soren will find her something better once construction is ready.
A school of painted parrot fish flits by. All these fish wouldn’t normally live this deep in the ocean, but with our outer dome controlling the current, light, and temperature, they are able to survive.
Holter holds out his cupped hands in front of Annabelle’s face; she taps on the top, and he opens them. A half dozen cardinal fish swim away. Her smile radiates brighter than the pink of the pink scorpion fish.
You must be hungry,I say.
Annabelle looks up.
Are you, Belle? I’ll make some lunch as soon as we get inside.
I’m fine.She darts away from us both, over to the side of the dome.
Her motion attracts more than our attention.M32swims along beside her. The two are keeping pace.
Holter and I are right behind them, but the beast really is giving her space. The shark’s acting more as her bodyguard.
She flips and swims back the other direction.This is crazy how much fun this is.
We all follow her.
But I suppose we should go in. My skin isn’t as used to being underwater as yours.She touches the bandage of her supposed tattoo.
We can go in if you’re ready.I say.
