Page 59 of Surface Pressure

Soulara turned sharply toward the ray, just in time to see them hide behind a clump of seaweed. The seaweed had a strange color to it. Too light, as though it were a sick version of her favorite treat at home.

The panic radiated from the ray once more, and Soulara took heed enough to move quickly, dashing behind the seaweed to find Nylah curled up in ways she had never seen a ray behave before.

With trembling fingers, Soulara reached out to touch the creature. She hadn’t realized how much she took Nylah’s beautiful appearance for granted until her fingers hovered near the outline of them. There should have been solid resistance, but of course, how could there be? Nylah was a soul. They had no body or form, yet they were more real to Soulara than the other humans Autumn came to her planet with.

While there had been no connection with Nylah’s solid form, there had been something. A tingling sensation not entirely dissimilar to her own magic.

“It’s okay, my friend,” Soulara spoke softly, little more than a trill easily hidden behind the other natural sounds of the water.

Nylah uncurled just enough to lean one fin against Soulara’s hand. Without needing to ask, Nylah sent an image of a man turning toward Autumn, his eyes narrowed on Autumn. But Soulara understood. He faced the water—one flick of his eyes, and he’d have seen Soulara as she drew closer.

But Soulara’s skin crawled at the sneer the man wore. She had to make sure Autumn was safe. Hadn’t Autumn said being in one of the collectors didn’t make them friends? Something along those lines anyway. Soulara couldn’t remember, and her heart sped up with concern.

“I need to check.”

Nylah pushed more of themselves against Soulara’s hand, the concern radiating up her arm.

“I know. I’ve gotten quite used to you, too.” Soulara laughed a little as the ray pushed out of her hand, obviously unimpressed with Soulara’s downplaying of the emotions Nylah had sent to her.

“I’m kidding. I like you, too.” Soulara reached her hand out again and enjoyed the soul’s easy forgiveness. She knew no one else who could have such extreme emotions and allow them to shift so easily and seamlessly. Perhaps having a body did little more than limit their own hearts.

“Autumn.” Soulara took a gulp of the water, this time prepared for the thinner quality and that her head would spin soon.

Nylah didn’t try to stop her again, but stayed at her side, brushing their incorporeal fin against Soulara’s rib, back and forth as they crept out of their hiding space.

The space where Autumn had been was now empty but nearby movement pulled Soulara’s attention: a kraken moving away from that strange metal and glass space.

Nylah tucked under Soulara’s hair, hiding almost in plain sight. Soulara’s lips quirked up at that as she followed the kraken farther into the sea.

They were so close to the monster.

How she hadn’t been seen so far was beyond her. They’d never seemed to miss the mermaids before, always finding them even when hiding.

Soulara struggled to breathe as she got deeper than she normally dove, having to take shorter breaths to keep up and squint as the darkness surrounded her. Closing her eyes, Soulara focused.

If she could use magic to make herself breathe above the water, couldn’t she do the same for the deep soundings?

Pulling the tendrils of magic into her body, Soulara put every bit of focus she had on it. Nylah warmed her as the chilled water brushed against her skin. In an instant, it was already easier to breathe. Soulara pushed forward, following the kraken that held Autumn inside.

She didn’t want to let it out of her sight.

Mark it.

She needed to mark it so when the battle began she would know which one Autumn was in. Grabbing some coral in her hand, Soulara squeezed it hard and mashed it in her fist until there was a neon red paint in her palm. Once she did this, it meant war.

Pushing her fluke down hard, Soulara swam to catch up with the machine that was ahead of her. Nylah gave her extra energy, compelling her to push herself harder. Soulara picked a direct path, swimming until she was right on top of the beast. Two more inches and she’d reach the dome that held Autumn inside and any of the humans in there would be able to see her.

As gently and firmly as possible, Soulara pressed her hand right to the center of the kraken’s head, her palm leaving a mark in its wake. A loud crunching noise caught her attention. Soulara stopped moving, the kraken she’d marked pulling on ahead of her.

A mechanical tendril swiped through the water, and it was too late when Soulara finally saw it. It caught her in the stomach, wrapping around her and pushing her backward. Her breath knocked out of her. Her ribs nearly cracked. But she was shoved back and the mechanical arm left her body.

Soulara held still, watching as the kraken continued forward and deeper into the soundings. It faded into the darkness when Soulara finally tasted blood in her mouth. Reaching up, she brushed her fingers against her lips.

She must have bit her lip when she was hit.

Frowning, Soulara held her ground.

Did Autumn just try to save her?

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