CHAPTER 60
She saw no ship and she saw no mermaid. And though it was late in the night and she had a man on her couch, she left the lighthouse once more and went to their normal spot. The waves already looked calmer.
Kallias was already waiting and her head immediately whipped to the lighthouse behind her. What if the man woke up and could see Kallias?
But her heart stilled as she realized she couldn’t see the lower windows or even her bedroom ones at all because of the drop in the rocks. And weak as he was, she doubted he was going to go snooping up into the tower—though she would not put it past him if he was hale.
“You’re okay,” Kallias beamed, and any and all harsh, chiding words dropped from her lips and she leapt into the water.
“Daria,” he gasped, helping her to the surface.
But she just held him.
“Aren’t you cold?” he asked. “You feel cold.”
She wasn’t sure. She also wasn’t sure she cared. “No one saw you, right?”
“No,” he soothed. “I hid when you said.”
“He said there were others, but I never saw them,” she murmured into his skin.
His hold tightened. “Well, depending on how far out they were, there are a lot of sharks and they’re not per se friendly.”
“Do not tell me that,” she said, her hand instinctually going to his scar.
“I’m fine,” he laughed. “If I’m not trying to fight a few off, there’s no problem. I can easily outsmart a shark.” He smirked knowingly. “Or do you doubt how clever I am?”
“Never,” she murmured.
She knew he was trying to make light of it so she wouldn’t worry, but seeing it wasn’t working, he sighed and stroked her hair. “I’m careful. Don’t worry too much. Should I…should I go look for them?”
She wanted to say no if there were sharks about or even no for the fear they might see him, but how could she just leave people to die? “Only if you’re careful. And don’t let them see you and…and…”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be careful, Daria, and as long as they’re not about to die, I’ll come get you.”
“Okay,” she mumbled, hating everything about it—the words, the fear, the danger. But she knew they must.
And she also knew her next words were selfish when lives could be at stake but she couldn’t help herself. “Just hold me for a minute first.”