Page 18 of Whispering Waves

Kimo frowned. “That’s horrible. I mean, my brother is an ass, but he’s still my brother.”

“You have a brother?”

“Yes. He and I are twins. He lives on one of the other islands and broods as he looks out over the ocean.”

“Does he have any specific... uh... points of interest?”

“Ocean storms. I am below the water, and he is above it. He has a friend who helps maintain him when the depression is high. He really needs a mate.”

She blinked slowly. “Oh, dear. Does he ever go into town in Wonder?”

Kimo frowned. “No. Why?”

She picked at the roll on her plate. “No reason. He’s running out of time, though. I think her visa expires in a week or so.”

He straightened. “There is a beta like you?”

“She’s not like me, but she is a beta with island designs on her back.”

“Where is she?”

“Near the resort on Wonder’s main island. I think she’s working in the tourist village.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s never idle. So, she’s running around and doing what she can so that she doesn’t go out of her mind with nerves.”

“Why doesn’t she come here?”

“Because I didn’t know that this is where someone of the description you mentioned is. We get ocean. I wasn’t looking for you; I went to visit my brother for a few weeks.”

Kimo cocked his head. “So, if my brother went to the tourist village, he might find her?”

“He might, but he should take his friend who is the bright stars.” She looked at him. “I don’t know how long she is going to be there. Her visa was expiring pretty quickly.”

“So, you have seen her mark.”

“Oh, yes. Ocean storm and brightest star.”

He nodded. “Do you mind if I...” He tapped his phone.

She nodded. “Go ahead.”

She waited while he called his brother. She popped a bit of the dessert into her mouth and chewed slowly.

He was speaking slowly, and then he sighed, exasperated. “Fine. Miss the chance, then. See if I give a fuck.”

She blinked when he hung up and sat back down. “Wow.”

“Oh, that’s just the way we communicate. He’s going to go.” He shrugged. “Keanu is stubborn and moody. Ayan usually talks him down, but he’s working on a project.”

“Oh, so starlight isn’t going to go?”

“Not this time.”

She shook her head. “This is going to suck.”

“Why?”

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