Page 44 of Kringle and the Kraken

“I’m beginning to think we need to set up a new business boarding up windows.” Kevin hoisted the sheet of plywood into his arms and carried it over to rest it against the side of the building.

Keith nodded, balancing his own sheet of plywood. “I can’t believe they haven’t been able to figure out who is doing this crap.”

Kori pushed through the restaurant door in time to hear what Keith said, and he, Kris, and I shared a look behind the other men’s backs. Until we figured out what exactly was causing the ley line magic in Lifeboat to behave so erratically, there was no chance of stopping the wraith attacks.

“My grandmother would like to see you.” Kori pointed toward the door as he spoke in the worldwide language of the ocean. Each region had a different dialect, but the language was mostly the same no matter where you were in the world. It made communicating with sea monsters that didn’t speak English much easier. It also made keeping humans, like Kris’s brothers, who weren’t aware of our existence, in the dark. We could communicate openly without them understanding. “She has an idea for how to slow down the wraith attacks, but she says she doesn’t think you are going to like it.”

“What choice do we have?”

My friend shook his head. “None.”

Kris watched our exchange, and when Kori went back into the restaurant to finish sweeping up the glass and melted snow inside, Kris stepped closer and whispered, “That’s not Japanese, is it?”

I shook my head. “No, but I’ll explain later. I have to meet with Kori’s grandmother. I’m sorry to leave you to do this.”

“Nah, the boys and I can totally handle it. You go.” He kissed me quickly and caught my hand as I started to walk away, giving it a quick hard squeeze for luck.

In that moment, when I looked over my shoulder at where he and his brothers were working to board up the broken windows, I fell just a little more in love.

My mate was a good man, and his family was pretty amazing too. Kevin and Keith had come quickly without asking any questions that weren’t about the damage and what supplies they’d need to do the job. Kris might not feel like he shared their love for Christmas, but there was definitely a lot of love there. Even his brothers’ good-natured ribbing spoke to the love they had for Kris and the fact that they wanted their brother happy.

I just hoped I could keep the threats at bay long enough to make that a reality.

Kori’s grandmother sat at a table just inside the restaurant rolling silverware and chopsticks into paper napkins. I greeted her in the language of the sea and bowed, waiting until she patted the chair next to her to sit down.

“Kori said you wanted to see me?”

She nodded. “You know you are the only one who can make this right, yes?”

“I know. I just don’t know what I’m doing.”

She set down the silverware roll in her hand and took one of mine where I’d rested them on the table. “What I will tell you is old magic. You might not know it. In the other towns there is no need to remember because the magic is in balance. Here, you must use it.”

“I understand. I will do whatever I can to keep the people in Lifeboat safe.”

Her hand moved to cup my cheek. “You will. You are a good leader and a good man.” She patted my cheek fondly, then picked up another set of silverware, talking while she worked, her hands never idle. “You are in touch with the magic within you, yes?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. You will need to combine that essence of yourself with water from the sea and earth from the town to create a talisman. If the people here wear the talisman or keep it by their door, the wraiths will not be able to cause them harm.”

“Forgive me, obaasan, but that sounds like a temporary solution. I will do it, of course, but how do we fix the problem for good?” Kappas were very particular about titles, so I made sure to use the Japanese word for grandmother to address her. It would have been rude to use her name.

She frowned. “This is a much harder question to answer. The solution is simple, but years of secrets will make it difficult.”

My stomach flipped over.

“What is different here than where you are from?”

I thought for a moment, trying to see beyond the obvious, and she squeezed my hand again. “You are thinking too hard. It is not difficult to see.”

“In Baleen, we live openly. The humans know about us. We coexist and are friends, lovers, and mates.”

“Yes. The magic needs this balance. The humans here need to know us. To believe we are real. To be our friends openly. To be our lovers. To be mates.” She tipped her head toward the door. “Like the Kringle boy is yours. We must change, and you are where we must begin. The magic is only as strong and steady as the bonds between us in town.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” I shook my head. “Delmar has made sure there are no humans left in town that know who we are.”

“You must tell them.”

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