Page 20 of Riding the Tide

Brett sat down. “Thank you for letting me join you. I hate to interrupt your breakfast, but I saw you sitting here and wanted to check on you again.”

“I appreciate that, but I really am okay. Last night was—exhilarating, fascinating, thrilling— unsettling, but I bear no ill effects from it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Good. So why are you here?For the life of him, Blair couldn’t figure out why the owner of the resort sat across from him. Blair might have money, but he certainly didn’t move in the same circles as this guy did. “So…?”

“So what am I doing here, you must be wondering.” Brett suddenly smiled, his white teeth flashing in his darkly tanned face.

“I have to admit, the thought crossed my mind, yes.”

“Well then, let me share with you this interesting thing that happened this morning. You see, my best friend lives on this island. He called me with a very… unusual request. One I can promise you I never saw coming in a million years.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes. My friend, Kannon, asked me to reserve an out-of-the-way spot for Marcus and you for tonight.”

Blair shifted in his seat. Surely not. “I see.”

“I wonder, do you?” Brett asked quietly.

“Probably not, but this isn’t the first time I’ve been thrown into the deep end of the pool. I know how to swim.” Blair calmly put his coffee down. Things kept getting weirder. “What are you?” Blair asked just as quietly.

“Interesting choice of words. Are you finished eating?”

“It appears so. Why?”

Brett’s smile was all teeth. “Can I interest you in joining me for a walk?”

Blair shrugged mentally.Why the hell not?There was something going on, but he didn’t sense a threat from Brett. At least, not a threat toward him. “Sure. Just let me pay—”

Brett waved his hand and caught someone’s attention. A server hurried over to him. “My treat.”

Blair hiked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything until after the bill was taken care of. He took one last sip of his coffee. “You must know I am more than capable of paying for my meals.”

“Oh yes, I thoroughly checked you out. But as I said, my treat. Shall we?” Brett stood.

Blair stood also. “Lead on.”

He followed Brett outside and away from the resort. Slowly they made their way toward the jungle. Blair noticed how isolated they were, which was probably good, considering Brett obviously wanted to speak to him. It was also a little unnerving. It wasreallyisolated.

“I guess the first thing I should say is they rarely let humans know of their existence. It’s against their rules. From what I’ve read on you, you seem like an intelligent man, so I’m sure you can figure out why they’re so careful.”

“Yes.” Blair didn’t say anything else.

“The Islanders know what they are, of course. The natives were here long before the white man stepped foot on their shores. They jealously guard the merfolk’s secret, too. I should also point out they don’t think like humans. Their morals, value system…” Brett waved his hand aimlessly. “Their concepts are completely different from what you’re used to. You need to be aware of that.”

Blair slipped a hair tie off his wrist and pulled his hair back. Here in the jungle it was much more humid. “Okay, that’s at least the third time you’ve use the word ‘human.’ You speak as if you aren’t. Human, that is.”

“I’m not.”

Blair nodded. A chill raced across his skin. It certainly explained why Brett made his nerves jangle. “Then what are you?”

“I’m… I guess hybrid would be a good description. I’m not a full-blooded merman. I can’t transform like they do.”

Blair wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, about that. I saw Marcus changing.”

Brett cringed. “Not the best introduction to them.”

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