Away in a Tentacle Lair

25. Leo

Chapter twenty-five

Leo

I am worried sick about Kai, and all his family has been able to do is sit in a tank of water. Now that Kai’s human form is back, I need to search for him, but I have no idea where to look first.

“Leo. I understand how you feel.” The family matriarch places her hand on my shoulder. I want to snap that she has no idea, but I bit my tongue. She was young and in love once. She met a was cursed to spend his nights in another form. I'm sure this family has seen many nights where a loved one has stayed out too long and been forced to shelter in the ocean. But I haven't.

“He will come home.”

“They put him in a box. What if he’s in a sealed tank?”

“Are the tanks there sealed?”

“Well, no,” I confess. “I expect they would have thrown him in the open tank. But he’s still trapped in the marine centre.”

“If anyone is going to be stuck out overnight, it will be him. His soul belongs to the sea.” Rogan sympathises.

“I don't understand.” My knees buckle, and I drop down into the chair. “You all belong to the sea.”

“No. We all belong to the curse, but that boy belongs in the sea. He spends so much time under the water; I swear he’s more fish than boy.”

“Granny!” Jonus huffs. “That isn't helping.”

“I'm just telling the truth. The boy was born wet.”

“Leo, walk with me.” Nicholas turns, gesturing for me to join him. We all take turns cleaning the bay. Even if it's just an hour a week, the whole family pays our penance to the curse. As a boy, Kai would always tag along with whoever was diving.”

The fact that Kai can hold his breath for so long indicates how much time he spends under the water, but none of this stops me from worrying. A pep talk from the head of the family isn't going to help, although the break from the rest of the family does quieten my mind a little.

“I want to thank you for accepting me here so openly.”

“We know Kai's sexuality is different, but it doesn't change anything. You are as welcome as anyone who has fallen for a Briareus, even if you did start out with the enemy.”

“Kai said how much you hate the Research centre, and I understand why.”

“Nicholas,” a frantic voice calls as footsteps chase us down the long hall. “Uncle Nick.”

We turn as Millie comes to an abrupt halt, panting at our sides.

“Miss Winkle from the post office just called. She said some people came from the marine centre talking about the mermaid.”

“Mermaid?” Nicholas questions.

“They have a display take in the main area where they pay people to pretend to be mermaids,” I explain.

“Sounds… interesting?” Nicholas puzzles.

“She only called us because they said it was a merman, and he hadn't needed to breathe the whole time they were queuing to buy a toy in the gift shop.”

“And she thought any young man who didn't breathe would be Kai?”

“Yes.” Millie nods keenly.

“Well, we can't just wander In there and check.” Nicholas turns to me. “Would you be interested in a little recon?”

If he wants me to go to the research centre and find my man, he doesn't need to ask twice.

“Sure. I won't stop until he's back in my arms.”

I don't know how easy that will be. I know access to the mermaid tank is via the floor above, which is strictly staff only.

“You're not doing this alone.” Nicholas rests a hand on my forearm. “You just need to confirm he is there, and we'll do the rest.”

“No. You may think you're big mafia whatever, but I know my way around, and I know how to open the back doors. I'll confirm he's there, and then I'll get you all in.”

“Glad to have you in the family.”