Page 23 of Away in a Tentacle Lair
“My family isn't the local mafia.”
My mind stalls. He confirmed he wasn't in the mafia but wouldn't confirm or deny turning into a monster.
“I would tell you right now if I could. Please, I'm not afraid of your reaction. My family are afraid for the area. If the marine centre finds out… And you're one of them...” Kai gives a heavy sign. “You've been invited to Christmas dinner to see if they can trust you. Uncle Nicholas will decide if I'm allowed to tell you.”
But he couldn't deny turning into a monster at night.
“I'm going to take a dip. I swear I won't leave the bay, but you look like you need a minute.” Kai finally pushes past me; my mind is whirling too much to react.
He has to be home by sunset or becomes a monster.
The Marine Centre would be very interested in the family if they knew.
They all have fish tanks in their bedrooms.
“It's you, isn't it.” He is the creature that has been maintaining the bay. He's my ticket to winning the job at the marine centre. “Are you a mermaid? Man. Merman?”
He pauses, takes a deep breath, and steps into the water.
Not a merman.Okay, Rowland, think.
It has to be something small that could take care of a reef bed. I doubt I can guess, but I don't think I need to be afraid of it.
I grab a scuba tank and breathing apparatus, surprised and relieved to find it full.
I run into the water and start swimming. I'm not chasing Kai, just enjoying the water.
Chapter sixteen
Kai
Swimming in this bay is second nature to me, the minimalist approach of a man who's spent more life in water than on land. Leo swims across the bay, staying on the surface above me. He's either leaving the bay or wants me to join him on the surface. I head up, and he turns towards me, treading water.
"Ready, Aquaman?" Leo grins up at me, his deep blue eyes teasing. His emotions have evened out.
The devastation that had filled his expression when I refused to deny being a werewolf is gone. The confusion that replaced it when I confirmed my family isn't in a criminal organisation has also gone. He's back to the smiling, happy man who walked down the cliff path with me.
"Born ready," I shoot back, giving him a thumbs-up. "But the real question is, are you?" I tap his borrowed air tank, and it emits a hollow, reassuring thud.
"Let's see if this high-tech gear can keep up with a merman," he retorts, and we laugh.
As we set off, we stay close to the surface. I play tour guide, pointing out the jagged cliffs that guard our coastal haven. Eachlandmark feels like an old friend, with secrets of the bay that only I know.
"Bet you a beer; I'll spot more fish than you," I tempt as we work our way out of my favourite bay into open water.
"Challenge accepted." Leo's smile is wide confident. "Just don't get distracted by your reflection down there."
"Ha! As if I need to look for beauty when I have the whole ocean showing off for me." My grin matches his as we swim away from the awkward issue I created in the cave.
Leo flips over to dive under, lifting his feet as he submerges head first. His feet kick at the surface, splashing me with water before he disappears below the surface.
I follow, slipping quietly into the embrace of the familiar coolness below, with nothing but a deep breath. Underwater, the world transforms; the soothing silence of the depths replaces the chatter of our banter.
I glance at Leo, who seems enraptured by the vibrant coral reefs sprawling like underwater metropolises—neon fish dart through their nooks and crannies, flashing colours against the muted blues and greens. A school of silverfish moves as one, a fluid mercury ribbon threading through the water, and I can't help but feel pride in sharing this tranquil wonderland with Leo.
He catches me staring and grins, bubbles escaping from around his regulator. Then, something remarkable happens. Curious and bold, a tiny octopus ventures out from its rocky hideaway. It's a small, eight-armed wonder, tentacles tasting the water cautiously. I'm no stranger to these intelligent creatures, but seeing one up close always feels like a secret shared with the ocean.
Leo watches, enraptured, as I reach out a hand. The little cephalopod approaches, tentative at first, then with more confidence, its skin shifting colours in a mesmerising dance of pigment and light. I reach out, and the little sea creature slidesits tentacle around my finger. As it crawls gently across my hand as if I'm part of the landscape here, I glance up at Leo, and our eyes meet. I sense a feeling of understanding in his expression, and then he moves closer. With the octopus half on my hand and half gripping the rock, I'm prepared to push my breathing, but Leo slips the regulator from his mouth and offers it up to me.
