Page 107 of Daughter of the Deep

‘I don’t have anything for you, Socrates.’ Dev’s hollow expression makes me suspect he doesn’t just mean food. He means he doesn’t have any explanations, or any apologies that would hold weight.

I open the nearest cabinet, pop Luca’s ice chest and grab a frozen squid. I offer it to Dev.

He looks at theLoligo opalescenslike it has fallen from another dimension. I imagine, like me, he’s remembering the last time we stood together, ready to feed Socrates.

He tosses the squid. Socrates snaps it up, because no matter how angry a dolphin is, he will not turn down food. Socrates lets out another scathing tirade of dolphin insults, then turns tail to leave, splashing us both as he submerges.

Dev lowers his head. ‘Okay. I get it. This is the punishment. The cell was better.’

‘No, Dev,’ I say, my voice turning stern. ‘We’re not done. We’re going inside theNautilus.’

Before we even reach the bottom of the staircase, Dev’s hands are shaking.

He stands awestruck in the entry chamber, unsure where to focus his gaze.

I address the ship in Bundeli. ‘Nautilus, this is Dev. I told you about him.’

The ship hums. The lights brighten.

Dev stares at me. At this point, I am pretty sure any thought he had about attacking me is gone. He’s feeling too overwhelmed, too vulnerable.

‘The ship is voice-controlled?’ he asks. ‘In Bundeli?’

‘No, Dev,’ I say calmly. ‘She’s notcontrolledat all. She’s alive.’

‘Alive …? No, that’s not …’

TheNautilusshifts under our feet. A subtle message.Listen to your sister, boy.

‘Come,’ I tell him.

He follows me to the bridge.

‘My god …’ He runs his hand over the back of the captain’s chair. He gawps at the pipe organ, the great eye windows, theLOCUS orbs glowing over the control consoles. ‘Why are you letting me see this, Ana? Is this my punishment?’

He sounds bitter, yes, but there’s more to it. I think he’s starting to realize what he’s lost … and it isn’t just theNautilus. It’s HP. His own future. Maybe even me.

‘I wanted you to meet her,’ I say. ‘And also to show you something.Nautilushas heard about you. You’re a Dakkar. If you like, you can try to give her an order.’

He looks at me sceptically, but his eyes gleam with desire.

‘Nautilus,’ he says at last. His Bundeli is rustier than mine, but he gives it a try. ‘I’m Dev Dakkar. I … was supposed to be your captain. Will you dive for me? Set depth at five metres.’

Nothing happens.

I think Dev expected this. His shoulders slump, nonetheless. ‘You’ve locked me out.’

‘No,’ I say. ‘TheNautilusjust doesn’t trust you. You insulted her, tried to capture her.’

He frowns, dismayed. ‘Ana … I know the story. This ship killed our parents.’

The bridge’s lighting turns a shade of violet.

‘This ship,’ I say, ‘was left sitting on the bottom of the lagoon for a century and a half. She was angry and only half-functioning. She lashed out. Now she’s grieving, just like we are.’

‘Grieving …’ Dev sounds like he’s trying to remember the word. ‘Have you really forgiven the ship?’

‘I’m working on it,’ I say, which is the truth. Dev and theNautilusdeserve nothing less. With my eyes still locked on my brother, I give the ship a command I’ve been avoiding since I first stepped on board. ‘Nautilus, take us to the bottom of the lagoon, please. Show us the gardens.’

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