Page 63 of Monster's Pet

His eyebrows rose. “Why not see it?”

“This side world?”

“How to find?”

Aiden raised his hand. “Math. Find three point, triangulate, calculate.”

“Good thought.”

Queen Aquilia smiled. “Tell us what solution. Will help where possible.”

“Thank you.”

“Time for feast,” the queen told us. “You will stay?”

“Yes,” Professor Akhtar signed. “Magic dam waited two moons, can wait two days.”

I gripped Aiden’s hand excitedly. We had a plan of action! After two months of stagnating ideas with no answers, we could finallydosomething!

The main hall had been transformed during our conference, many Atlanteans having entered and transformed the orangey coral into a riot of color from their various fin colors. We were greeted happily and pulled into conversations.

I recognized many of the faces from our day visiting the town, from the teacher, to the farmers, to Rhea, the leaders, thekids with their parents… It was really nice to see everyone again and a beautiful way of saying goodbye.

There were platters of food passed around from person to person, and if you wanted to eat something from it, it was easy to grab a bite and pass it on to the next person.

It wasn’t until the third platter came to me that I realized that food shouldn’t stay on it in water. When I asked Wade about it, he laughed. Minor magic to keep things in place was prevalent throughout the town. He was surprised I hadn’t noticed it.

When I explained that we had to use a spell in order to see or sense magic, he nodded thoughtfully. He thought it was interesting that we had powerful magical items—like my necklace of water breathing—but were so limited in our senses.

After thinking it over, I came to the decision that I’d rather be able to turn off the ability to see magic. On land, in the academy, it would constantly overload my senses. Here, when I’d used the magic sight spell, everything was muted. I wondered if it was an effect of the water or because the magic used was of lower intensity.

I asked Wade for his thoughts, and he looked at me admiringly. “You smart. Spells use the natural magic around us.”

Ah, ambient magic.

Wade swished his tail, bringing him closer to me. “Smart is attractive,” he signed. “Courting?”

I flushed at his attention. “Grateful,” I signed courteously. I did the sign for soulmate that I had been taught and pointed to Aiden. “Love,” I signed, to be clearer.

“Lucky,” Wade said, nodding. “Wish long love.” He swished his tail again, backing off. “But if not, come back.” He winked and I laughed.

It was sweet, but I don’t think a human could live down here for a long period of time. I wondered if there was a more permanent transformation that could be made if someone didwant to move here. That felt like too complicated a question to sign, so I made a mental note to ask Professor Akhtar when we got home.

After the feast, we said our goodbyes to everyone, and then we were escorted back to the portal by the queen, the leaders, and Merle.

“Welcome back any moon,” the queen signed in parting. “Joy, community, grateful.”

Professor Akhtar made a sign of deep respect. “Many thanks,” he signed. “Return gesture.”

Merle flipped in the water. “Me first!”

Aquilia laughed. “More moons first, child. We will discuss.”

“We will prepare.”

The professor took the berry that Merle offered and ate it, transforming back into his two-legged form.

“Professor,” I signed. “Take magical measurements before leaving?”

---