Page 26 of Surfaces
“My whole family denounced me the first time I tried to use an electric eel to power a lantern,” Julian contributed. “Of course, it did scorch mother’s hair off, turned it all black, and made it float right off … but still, you’d think after five years, she’d be willing to forgive and forget.”
I struggled not to laugh because while I felt bad, based on the resentment in his tone, his mother was otherwise unharmed, and picturing the incident itself tickled me.
I could just imagine a younger Julian, gangly and buzzing around his shipwreck home in excitement, little bits of experiments scattered along the floor. I could see him calling in the entire family to watch his grand scheme come to life. And then I could imagine the arc of electricity zagging through the water and then lighting his mother up like a fire catching in a fireplace. Apparently, Stavros felt the same way.
“Her entire head?” His hand reached up to cover his mouth but a guffaw escaped.
“I mean, there was a little patch of bangs left at the front. I tried to tell her she could start a new trend—”
Stavros collapsed in laughter and I struggled to contain my own glee, which surged, picturing Julian’s mother with only bangs and a look of fury in her eyes as she screamed and pointed, “Out!”
“I’m sorry,” I said, reaching out and patting his arm, trying not to undermine Julian’s wistful sigh. “I’m sure she’ll come to her senses someday.”
“I don’t know. Sirens are pretty particular about their hair.”
At that moment, Humberto came up to join the conversation. “What are we laughing about then?” he asked Stavros as he swam up. The cardinal fish shifter’s black zebra stripes stretched as his puffy cheeks bit into a skewer of cooked scallops before realizing it was me he was next to. He bowed with his mouth full before rising, swallowing, and saying, “Well, they didn’t skimp on the food out here in the open water at least.”
I grinned, relieved to be able to switch topics. “How’s our resident hero this morning? I’m surprised you don’t have twenty women swooning after you right now.”
He pursed his lips into an exaggerated grimace, just as something, indigestion or heartburn, soared up through my throat. I had to fight the strange and unexpected urge to gag as I listened to his response.
“I’m just glad I’m not suiting up again.” He patted his belly, which was definitely round in comparison to the other competitors as Humberto was fond of a good meal. But he was brave and decent, which lasted a lot longer than muscles. He took another bite from his skewer, releasing the pungent scent of oily scallops, and chewing as he watched the crowd. My eyes followed his.
“They’re much more subdued than yesterday,” I noted.“They’re on alert,” Humberto replied. “One good thing about living around the reef is that people watch out for one another.” He gave a yawn. “Wish the match wasn’t this early though. It’s nearly my bedtime.”
“Bed?”
“Been up all night visiting family,” Humberto said. “They swam over to check-in. We went down to this little grotto. It’s got the most amazing honey bubble. Of course, it costs a fair bit. Honey is hard to get after all.”
“Sounds delicious,” Julian agreed with a nod that sent his pale green hair wavering. “I’ve only ever had honey once, after a big storm washed up a ship. Very good stuff.”
I made a mental note about setting up a trade for honey. “Anything else from land you all adore?”
“Boots,” Humberto said immediately. “There’s nothing quite like a well-roasted boot.”
I managed not to cringe as I asked, “What about meat?” I immediately thought of Macedon. Perhaps, through Mateo, I could instigate a trade for goat meat and milk. “Have you ever had goat?”
Humberto looked intrigued, but Stavros wrinkled his nose. “Beef is better.”
I nodded. I could set up a line of trade with Evaness for cows but perhaps negotiate with Macedon first, to establish relations with that country.
Before I could ask for additional suggestions, the herald blew on his shell, announcing the start of the tournament.
We all turned, shoulder to shoulder, to watch with bated breath.
Two swordfish ridden by competitors swam through the vast space of the open ocean. Each man wore armor as he straddled his beast, gripping the reins tightly. Metallic coverings over the swordfish noses gleamed sharp and dangerous as the beasts swam forward slowly, each swish of their tale ominous.
The circle of spectators separated on opposite sides, letting the jousters enter. Anticipation hissed and crackled inside my stomach as the competitors lined up on either side of the tournament circle as the crowd closed up the gaps behind them.
My stomach clenched and suddenly a new vision ripped through my mind. I imagined the two racing toward one another at top speed, the noses of their beasts tilting up as they yanked on the reins, and a delicious spray of blood as one beast sliced through his target, half beheading the other man so that his neck broke and his skull became nothing more than a floppy appendage as the water turned purple.
Sarding hell. What is wrong with me?
I clutched at my stomach, sickened. Where were these thoughts coming from? First Radford, now this? Something was happening to me. I wasn’t certain exactly what. But I had a sinking suspicion that it had everything to do with my forsaken heart. Dread curled its fingers around my neck. Everyone had said that a sea sprite only lost her humanity if she used her powers.
Could they be wrong? Could giving up my heart alone turn me into a monster?
I needed to speak with Lizza as soon as possible.
