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“Was—was it the…?” Dad’s voice wavered as he struggled to find the right words. He didn’t need to finish. I already knew what he wanted to ask.
“Yeah, it was them,” I confirmed, and a sharp sniffle crossed over the line, followed by the abrupt, deafening sound of Dad blowing his nose.
“I knew it,” he whispered and blew his nose again. “I knew they’d come for you. Jeanette kept saying it wasdamnpicaroons—well, you know she don’t know everything there is to know about where you came from, but you’re doing okay? They didn’t hurt you or nothin’, did they?”
Eyeing my bloodied knees through the rips in my jeans, I swallowed down the lump forming in my throat. “Nope, they didn’t hurt me. You don’t need to worry, Dad. I’ll be back home as… as soon as I can.”
“Holy heck, Claira, you know we can’tnotworry.” My words sank in, and he panted out an exuberant breath. “You mean they’ll let you come back home to us?”
“Yeah, Dad. I—I know you can’t help but worry, but just give me some time. They want my help, but it isn’t something I can actually do, you know? You… you know how I… how I can’t…”
“There’s nothing you can’t do, Claire-bear,” his low voice soothed, and my chest tightened. I cupped my hand over the phone and turned away from Leander’s probing gaze. Dad always thought the best of me, but even he didn’t know how useless I was in water. I’d always been so careful not to let him see.
“Y-you’re right, th-thanks, Dad. Tell Gram I’m all right and that I’ll be home soon, okay?” I chewed my lip a moment and added, “And please tell her I’m sorry I lost her slow cooker.”
Dad’s muffled laugh echoed through the speaker, and I couldn’t help but crack a tiny smile myself despite my tears.
“You know she ain’t worried about that damn slow cooker, Claira. And don’t you worry about it, either. Just be safe out there, kiddo.”
“I will, Dad. I love you both. Don’t let Gram shoot at any boats while I’m away,” I said and glanced over my shoulder. Leander was leaning against the counter, his arms folded casually over his chest. An inscrutable look blanketed his face.
“We love you too, Claire-bear. You be safe now.”
“I will.” The phone clicked off, and I let out a heavy breath. “Thank you,” I mumbled, holding the phone out to Leander.
“So that’s acall?” He took the phone and slipped it back into his pocket. “Interesting. I wondered why Queen Javalynn gave us these little boxes. She said they were only to be used in the event of a calamity, but Father won’t stop messing with his. He’s determined to figure out how it works.”
“What?” My brow quirked, my eyes narrowing. “So, you’re saying you don’t even know how to use your phone? Uh-huh, sure. Then why even keep it in your pocket?”
“You never know when a calamity might strike. Or should I say, aClairamity.” He grinned, and I groaned as satisfied amusement lit up his annoyingly pretty face.
Merfolk with cell phones? Really? I supposed that was one way for them to keep in touch while stuck up on land. But was some merqueen really out there paying a giant family plan just so their kingdoms could keep in touch? Whatever—it didn’t matter. They’d survive on land on their own, just like I had.
“So, I heard you say you’re staying?” Leander asked, and his arms tightened back over his chest. “Sorry for listening, but I half thought you were trying to find help to get back home. That means you’re gonna accept my father’s deal? Endless fish is, well, endless.”
Leaning on the other end of the counter, I collected my strength. “Leander, if you were paying any attention, you would have heard that there’s no possible way for me to do what you’re asking. You get me out in the water, and I’m sinking to the bottom. And then what? It’s not likeyoucan swim down there to save me,my dear prince.”
Leander’s eyes lit with a fiery interest at that little designation I’d added on to his title, and I threw a scowl at him in return. He clearly didn’t understand an insult when he heard one. “I’ll be fish food, sunken like an anchor, then all of us are screwed.”
“I don’t believe it. You haven’t even tried in—how long?”
Irritation swelled through me, and I fought a losing battle of personal restraint. “Fine,”I growled through bared teeth. “You want me to show you, Your Highness? Let’s go see just how useless my tail can be!”
I went for the door like a bolt, my boots kicking through the heaps of trash and possible raccoon villas as I went. When I pushed through the door, I didn’t even stop to see if Leander was following me. A brisk wind hit my face as soon as I passed the threshold, but I set my jaw in the air and pressed forward.
Earlier, I’d recognized the ocean air the moment I’d slipped out of the warehouse. The light from the streetlamps did little to illuminate the open surroundings, so I squinted out into the night and took in another deep whiff of the air. The ocean was near, all right. Choosing the most probable direction, I went for it. I could barely make out what looked to be a strip of docks in the distance, but I kept on until gravel turned into pavement under my feet.
An empty warehouse next to a harbor. I supposed it made sense for a group of misplaced merfolk to settle close to the ocean. I slowed my steps, walking along the pier front, and let the salt air blow through me. The unease in my shoulders practically melted as breaths of misty sea spray sank into my lungs, but I shook my head.
“I don’t belong in the water,” I whispered out to the night, clenching my eyes shut. Now that I’d seen Papa again, looking down at the dollops of foam as they fought up the side of the pier was like reliving the moment he’d dragged me up from the depths. The unbearable agony of being cast away. My arms trembled.
“Oh yeah?” Leander chuckled, suddenly appearing at my side. “Didn’t you storm out here to prove it?” His wide hand slid down the small of my back, the gentle press of his fingertips urging me to the edge of the pier. “Well?”
“Just give me a second.” I eyed the water and thought about the best way to go about proving my point.Idiot. Even the waves hit more than a few feet from the top of the pier, and I sure wasn’t going to dive in. Maybe I could swing my legs over the edge until they transformed? Then I’d show him how my tail refused to move. I’d look ridiculous, but—
“If you’re having second thoughts about jumping, I might have a better idea.” The hand on my back tightened, closing around my waist, and we both turned. My gaze slid down the sinewy lines of his muscular arm as he pointed down the unlit stretch of the harbor. “There’s a boat.”
“A boat,” I repeated, and he nodded firmly.
