Restless Waves

Chapter 27

Almost forty minutes dragged by until Rowan could stand. He felt weak, and his muscles were sore. Kaerius stayed close until he was sure that Rowan wasn't going to collapse on him again.

"Where go now?" Kaerius asked, shielding his eyes from the sun when they left the storeroom. There were more humans awake and out in the streets. Nobody really paid them much attention. Kaerius had never met a human who wasn't a hunter. Rowan claimed that he wasn't a hunter, and he was turning out to be a lovely human. Kaerius wanted to know how many people were like Rowan.

"Well, we could go and find vampires, but I don't think I'm strong enough yet. We can go to the beach, so you-"

"Yes," Kaerius interrupted. "Ocean."

"Alright," Rowan smiled, seeing his excitement. He also craved the salty air and the sound of the waves and the sun on his skin.

The beach was a twenty-minute walk away, but it took the boys almost half an hour. Rowan had gained more strength when he could hear the waves, but Kaerius was slowing down. His feet pulsed from the shoes.

They climbed along the rocks, and Kaerius started to strip. He threw his clothes at the human and stood on the edge of the rocks. Rowan glanced around, thankful that nobody could see them from where they stood. Kaerius seemed pleased with himself when he was completely free of clothes. Rowan envied his confidence.

He folded the clothes and sat down, just as Kaerius dived gracefully off the rock and cut through the water. Rowan was left to look at the ripples ruining the calm surface of the low tide.

Under the water, the sea creature's breath was taken away by the cold temperature. The salt baths never reached the unbearable cold of the ocean. Kaerius's skin was made for freezing temperatures. It felt good. He kicked his useless human legs until they knitted together, and his tail returned.

Rowan could see Kaerius when the sun shone through the clouds. His turquoise tail shimmered in the light. Rowan watched with a gentle smile as Kaerius spun around like a dog catching his tail. He was stroking it and kissing his fins.

Rowan watched until Kaerius sank low until he was too deep for Rowan to see.

Kaerius swam until he reached the ocean floor. The water cooled to the point where it would hurt a human. He wasn't human, and even when he was on land, Kaerius wasn't human. He took great pride in being able to reach parts of the ocean that humans couldn't.

Kaerius moved his tail back and forth as he weaved through the plants and skimmed his fingers in the sand. He eyed some fish on his way to the caves. He inhaled generous amounts of water, so he could enjoy the feeling of it flowing in and out of his gills.

The chaos of the land was silenced by the water. Hearing the noises of humans and their creations were as annoying as swimming with dolphins or whales.

Kaerius kept swimming until he reached the kelp beds. He ran his fingers along the slimy plant and was pleased to see Laiken circling the entrance to the cave. Laiken was even more delighted to see his nephew.

"Kaerius!" Laiken gasped and hurried to wrap their tails around each other. His red tail stood out against Kaerius's shimmering turquoise tail. "Where have you been? I've been so worried!"

"I've been on land, trying to get rid of the bond. Didn't Jaiker tell you?"

"No, he did not!" Laiken sulked. "I thought something terrible had happened to you. You should have told me that you were going away for a few days. I was close to going on a search!"

Laiken had always been a worrier, and it often got on Kaerius's nerves. Though now, he appreciated the concern. Their group had abandoned them, so it was only natural for Laiken to fear being left entirely alone.