Page 116 of Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda

“But what of the fact he carries an orca child,” one of the older councilmen said. “We do not mix our kind. He cannot be allowed to remain in our pod, mixing the blood of the two.”

“Sir, you are speaking ill of my soon-to-be son-in-law and my grandchildren. I urge you to use caution,” Mael’s mother said, a lethal tone to her voice. “Actually, this might be the perfect time to show you these artifacts Echo located.” She turned and waved a hand. “They may shed light on this very issue.”

Havoc and Tempest appeared, rolling a massive white board.

“Actually,”Echo said, leaning into the microphone. “I located the cave using my grandfather’s journals. He’d claimed for many years that it was there, and no one in this pod believed him. They called him crazy. He wasn’t. It was there all along.”

Murmurs swept the room again. As Havoc and Tempest rolled past, Echo saw the photos she had taken blown up to poster size. He scanned them, fearful all would learn his secret—and saw that the area of concern on both heandMael has been blurred. Echo released the breath he’d held.

“Echo, with the help of his grandfather’s journals, found several interconnected chambers under our territory,” Mael’s mother announced. “We’re still not sure how they were created or how they’ve lasted this long under the pressure of the sea, but theyarethere. Each of these small chambers holds a finely detailed mosaic that has been dated to about the year eighteen-thirty to eighteen-forty. Each one tells a story in progression. The first depicts our two pods crossing the sea and living in harmony. The second, our war. And finally the last, two figures—one dolphin and one orca—who we believe to be mates surrounded by their children. This is our story, shown on the walls a hundred and twenty years before it ever happened.”

“Morefantasy,” another councilmember said among rumbling from the crowd.

“Some of you remember the tales of the second matriarch,” Mael’s mother said, her voice booming and authoritative. The crowd quieted to hear her speak. “Her ability to see the future in her dreams. It was she who saw the volcanos destroy most of our island and peoples.Shewas the one who saw that the colonizers would’ve killed off the weakened remnants of our people once they learned what we were. She urged our pod to cross the Pacific to find a new home. She welcomed the dolphin shifters to join us. My ancestors protected your ancestors and ensured their safe arrival here. If not for her,noneof us would be here today.” She turned and looked at the crowd. “I believe these mosaics are more of her warnings. She tried to tell us what was coming, but somewhere along the way, these caves and their truths were forgotten, and we fell into the trap of not remembering the past. Our shared past. We warred amongst our own—and turned our backs on one another. At heart wearethe same. We are both from the same animal family. We might not be the same species, but weareDelphinidae, just as you are. Our lived experiences in both the humanandmarine worlds are much alike. We understand the problems and rewards of having a foot in two worlds. We should be friends and allies as we once were.” She waved a hand at the last image. “And we can be.” She turned to look at Echo. “I believe the two on this final mosaic are my son and his mate, Echo. I believe they are a sign that it is time to let go of the past and forge ahead together. In peace. As we once did.”

His mother walked to the gate, closer to the audience. “If my son found his mate among you, who else might find theirs, too? Not only are we weaker apart, but we are turning our backs on fate. Would you want your child to live a life alone instead of with their mate, just because they were orca?” She turned to Echo. “When I first learned Echo was Maelstrom’s, I did not want to hear it. I was cruel and diminished what they felt for one another because I was taught to hate the dolphins across the bay. I’m sorry I did that, Echo. I wasn’t ready to listen. I wasn’t ready to see that my son has finally found happiness about nearly two decades of pain—all because of a bias built from our own blindness. We have spent over seventy years oblivious to what could have been. Ido notwant to spend another seventy doing the same.”

“But how can we trust the orca?” a dolphin shifter asked, rising from the audience. “When you have one there that killed his own brother. How are we safe from a murderer in our midst?”

“He isnota murderer!” Echo roared, spinning to face the crowd. “He was a child, when the unthinkable happened. He faced a decision not even an adult should have to face. He was a sixteen-year-old boy who was traumatized by what happened and what did we do? We demonized him and turned him into a monster through half-truths, lies, and rumor. I have only seen Maelstrom Marino try his damnedest to protect those he loves and give his all to protect those who cannot protect themselves. In just the few months I’ve known him, not only did he save me, but he swam halfway across the world to save an abducted six-year-old, along with his brothers.” Echo turned to Mael, noticing the shine to his mate’s eyes. “I know him to be loving and kind. Heisincredibly strong, much stronger than I am, but he has never made me feel powerless or weak. He towers over me, but he has never made me feel small. I only hope I give him as much as he gives me.” Echo fought tears. He spread a hand down the swell of his stomach. “One thing Icangive him is a family. Sons and daughters who will grow to be as kind and generous as he is. I love you, Maelstrom Marino. And I will until the day I die.”

Mael took a step forward and pulled Echo into his embrace. He kissed Echo’s forehead. “I love you, too, my little dolphin.”

“I think it might be a bit premature to rush into a reconciliation,” Mayor Ashbridge said.

A member of the gallery rose and booed the mayor. Several others joined him until nearly the entire audience booed the council.

“Alright, alright, we hear you,” the mayor said. He looked at Mael’s mother. “If we agree to sit down with the orca and discuss negotiations for a new treaty, will that get your approval?”

“As long as you’re truly willing to listen and be open to it,” Diego yelled. “Don’t agree to this in name only to appease the crowd and then turn around and make it impossible. The Matriarch has come and shown us what our future could be like. Don’t you dare thwart our chances at peace.”

The entire audience clapped, cheering Diego’s words.

“There are more of us than there are of you. If you wish to remain on this council, do your jobs,” another dolphin rose and said.

“I also think an investigation on your officers who raided Echo’s house and assaulted us is in order,” Mael said into the microphone, glaring at the lead officer who’d pushed Echo down the stairs. “One needs to be charged with the attempted murder of our calves.”

“I did not push him,nordid I know he was pregnant!” the officer yelled.

“He was naked,” Mael roared, lifting Echo’s top enough to show his swell. “You have eyes, don’t you? You knew he was pregnant, you called him an orca whore, and then you pushed him down the stairs and could’ve killed our children.” Mael eyed the council. “Hold him accountable, or someone will.”

“Is that a threat?” the officer asked.

Maelstrom chuckled, the sound sending chills down Echo’s spine. “You’re damned straight it is.”

“We’ll look into the actions of our officers when they entered Echo’s home,” the mayor said. “If there’s no more business to be presented, I will hereby call this session over.”

“Are Echo and I free to go?” Mael asked, lifting a brow.

“Yes, yes,” the mayor said. “Echo Fisher and Maelstrom Marino are free to leave. There are no charges pending.”

“And we’re free to live as mates? Together?” Echo asked.

Mayor Ashbridge eyed the council before turning back. “Given that you’re already with child, I think it’s a bit late for us to interfere.”

The mayor banged his gavel and rounded their chamber table, headed straight for Mael’s mother.

Echo lifted his face to Mael and smiled.

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