Prey

Chapter Four: Special Features.

Larose's Cove.
September 10th, 2023.
9:58 am.

We had woken up around three hours ago, and Larose dragged me out into the open sea to meet the four from yesterday. It was a different path that we took, but also a different destination. This home was made from coral, a huge reef that expanded more than three strip malls, housing many fish and other sea creatures within their banks. We were the first ones to arrive, and I saw Odeum making food and passing around plates.

After we had come in and sat down, Kamara swam in and stayed by Odeum's side. Soon, Tallese, and then Kanto swam in, sitting on the sandy beach as we all wait for the two to come to the table. Kamara and Odeum finally came to the table, but they were both carrying bowls of something.

"Kelp and fish," Odeum announced and they both sat their bowls in the middle.

I looked to Tallese, who was directly across from me, and then to Larose as she picked some up herself. When she noticed me looking, she motioned me forward and I drew some of the kelp and fish into my mouth, savoring the flavors. It was a plain and flavorful appetizer that looked like a clamshell on the outside but was soft on the inside.

As we each dug into one of the four bowls, Larose speaks, "So, I have decided who will teach what to my freshling." We all looked at her, all of them in excitement or notice as I looked at her in confusion.

"I will be teaching her our ways, Tallese will be teaching her magic," the mermaid nods her head with a smile as Larose continues. "Kamara will teach her fashion and our sexual features," the blonde smiles a bit before wiping it away.

"Odeum will teach her some of our cultures," the green merman smiles, looking at me before nodding, "—and Kanto will teach her strategy and combat."

I straightened my spine when he looked down at me. He was on my right just as Larose was on my left, so it was awkward to even be near him at the moment. His tail still brushed mine, but instead of it fully embracing the scales, I found it slithering against them ever so slightly. I turned away from him to avoid his scales, but they only follow me until they rest next to my own.

"Now, we will start with Tallese for the time being. I have situations I must deal with and I'll see you all soon." Larose smiles at me, nodding to everyone, and then gives Tallese a glare as a warning.

Soon, she's gone and Tallese smiles openly at me. "Let us get going, shall we?" She asks softly, motioning for me to rise. I do as she wants, reaching for a few more pieces of kelp and fish before I untangle my tail from Kanto's.

As soon as we leave, I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I catch up with Tallese and follow her to a secluded area that involves open space and a flat surface. Tallese stops abruptly, turning to face me.

"Let me show you magic."

I was dumbstruck at the thought of this actually happening. A smile placed itself on my lips as I watched her play in the water. White smoke was released from her hand and into the open blue. I watched it swirl around, creating shapes, then finally sparking out. A smooth current rushed by, taking the white smoke with it as more trailed after it.

The smoke finally stopped, then twirled around in a circle as a figure appeared in the smoke. I watched as it formed until I saw another figure with light tan skin, beautiful curves, and a stunning face. I take in the dark scales flickering with gold, taking in the body before me. Plump breasts define her torso with plenty of scales to accent the curves. Her skin was succulent and clear, the black tendrils of her hair framing her golden eyes that shine brightly in the vast abyss.