Kissing the Shark (Maritime Monsters #1)

Chapter 20- Razorjaw

CHAPTER 20- RAZORJAW

WHILE KARLO SCRUBS my shirt in the basement, I walk through his parents’ home. The living room is pristine, with white leather furniture and azure walls. Everything seems in working order. I take in the organized room as the evening sun filters through massive windows. This one area is larger than my entire apartment, and it surprises me that this was where my mate grew up. Did someone so frugal truly come from this house?

When I approach the white mantle, my questions are answered: I spot a photo of young Karlo. I smile at the framed picture of a child-version of my beloved. One photo has him and young Myra each sitting on opposite ends of a large plank of wood that is balanced by both of them. I pick up another photo of the four of them, the Castillo family. They are beautiful and seem happy. Maybe one day, Karlo will marry me, and we can raise a brood of shark pups of our own.

I notice another photo of Karlo and a small black-and-white ball for sport. The next picture has him sitting at a brown structure, I believe it is called a piano. Next to the photos is a small, gilded statue that has his name on it, and it reads, “Third Place Science Fair.” This must have been some academic event.

Karlo’s life was so full, so eclectic growing up. While I was trying to catch my next prey, day in and day out, he was exploring arts, sports, and sciences. How will I ever catch up to him in intellect and success?

“He’s very talented.” The voice behind me makes me nearly drop the statuette in my hand. I turn around to see Mrs. Castillo. She approaches me, and no one else is around. “That right there is the proof.”

I look down at the trophy, then replace it on the brown mantle. Then, remembering that I’m hybrid shifted, I quickly shift into human form. When I open my eyes, Mrs. Castillo is staring at me skeptically, and I look down.

Oh, now I recall —I am shirtless.

“If you’re uncomfortable you can go back to your…monster…form.” She waves at me and begins to readjust the photos on the mantle. I shift, as instructed, and try to quell the nerves inside me. I have never spoken to her alone, and this tiny woman is intimidating.

I check to make sure my tail is not knocking over any furniture, then I clear my throat. “Thank you for hosting us, Mrs. Castillo.”

She holds the portrait of their entire family, pausing for a moment to take in the photo. Then she turns to me and smiles. “Of course. Anything for my son.”

“Your son is…special to me.” I play with my fingers for no reason. “And he has quickly become an important part of my life. I would do anything for him. ”

Her smile falls for a brief moment before she regains her composure. “That is good to hear.”

“Your family has been most welcoming.”

“Well, my boy cares about you. And all sea creatures. So that’s that.”

I nod. “He is very generous and intelligent. I am a lucky monster to be with him.”

She pauses and turns back to the photos. “Do you have plans to have any children of your own?”

My throat goes dry at such a personal question. “Um, I have not given it much thought. I am only twenty-one.”

She picks up the framed photo of Karlo playing with the small ball. “When you have a child, you would do anything for them. Even if they don’t like it at the time, their safety and livelihood is a parent’s only goal.”

My heart beats faster; this conversation seems intimidating. “I…understand.”

“Mr. Shaughnessy, I saw your interview at the Institute. The one with several children, hounding you about the terrors of the ocean.” She puts down the photo and readjusts another.

I gulp at the uncomfortable memory. “Yes?”

“Being part of human society…it isn’t for you, is it?”

“I, um…”

“It is evident that you don’t belong on the surface.”

My face goes numb. “But…b-but…I am human.”

She approaches me and gazes at me, a neutral look, biting my very soul. “I need my son to be taken care of. You may be half-human, but can you really support him?”

I nod and my heart hammers in my chest. “I will be there for him, whatever he may need.”

“What if his car gets totaled, can you buy him a new one? Can you pay off the mortgage for a new house? Will you drive him to the doctor and pick up his antibiotics? Will you support his career? Or will your credit score simply hinder him?”

I am frozen as I try to comprehend her words. That familiar shame thrums through me, and my skin prickles. “Judging by your face, it seems you don’t know what I’m talking about. Am I right?” Her tone is neither icy nor gentle, simply factual.

And she is correct. The fear of not being enough for Karlo has been gnawing at me for weeks. And his mother put it into words.

She nods and walks two steps to the door before pausing. “My son might not make the right decisions, but he is deserving of the world.”

I gulp. “I would do anything for him.” My voice sounds so meek in this massive living area.

“Then do what you know is right in your heart, Mr. Shaughnessy. You both can have your fun, but don’t hold him back from a successful future. One with a partner who can give him what he deserves.”

My heart breaks, and after a moment of quiet, she turns and walks away. When she leaves the room, I am more alone than ever. I turn to the photos and gaze at young, innocent Karlo by the piano. My eyes sting when I see my reflection; I am a fish out of water. I do not know anything about his world, and I cannot guarantee him a future. Who have I been fooling trying to be a surface dweller?

“Hey, I think I got it all.”

I quickly wipe my eyes when I hear my beloved’s voice. I spin around and notice him rubbing the fabric of my shirt together. “But one more wash tomorrow and it’ll be good as new.” He looks content and smiles, handing me the shirt. He is so perfect.

I lean in and, tipping up his chin, I kiss him slowly. When I pull off, he says, “Wow, I ought to stain your shirts more often.”

We both laugh and my face slowly falls. “I saw my mom as I was coming in here. What were you guys talking about?”

I shake my head and take his hand. “Nothing of importance. Come, let us go chat with your cousin.” I lead him out the door, intent on making the most of the rest of this family party. My beloved deserves at least that much.

“Are you alright?” We have been driving for about an hour. I continue to stare out the window at the winding coastline.

“I am fine. Just…thinking about work.”

“Same. It’s so lame we only have two days off. But hey, we can have lunch and dinner together, so that would be fun.”

“Mm,” I reply. I stare at the waves crashing in the darkness, wondering what my fellow sharks are up to right now. “Are you…all set for your presentation?”

“I am.” He taps on the steering wheel with energy. “To think, our names could end up on a real policy bill.” He glances at me. “Um, a bill is like, almost a law. A law is a bunch of rules set forth by the government.”

“I do not need you to clarify,” I mutter.

“I was just trying to help. There’s a lot in the surface world you don’t know about.”

He is not wrong . Hearing him say those words breaks something in my soul. I spot an unoccupied public dock down the highway and make a decision .

“Pull over,” I say.

“Huh?”

“That dock.” I tap on the window. “Please pull over.”

“Oh, right, a fishy break.” He giggles and turns the wheel. “Aye aye, captain.”

I gaze out the window as he drives closer to the shore, unable to look him in the eye. I need to muster up the courage to do this now.

When I get out, I shift into my hybrid form and stride straight for the dock. “Wait up!” he hollers, but I do not slow down.

Once I’m standing at the edge, I stare at my reflection in the dark water. The salty air calls to me. The unfortunate truth breaks my soul: I do not belong on the surface.

“Do you…have enough research from me?” I ask, my voice nearly breaking.

“Huh?”

“Do you and Skyler and Ardsley have enough…information about…marine life?”

Karlo shrugs and I gaze at his reflection. “I suppose so. This research presentation is basically done, but that’s for sharks. With you and any new monsters, we can help protect other species. There’s always more to learn tomorrow.”

I bite back a sigh and try to memorize his scent. “I…will not be with you tomorrow. Or anywhere this week.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“I will not see you,” I mutter, my eyes burning.

“What do you mean? RJ, look at me.”

“No.” I sniff and step closer to the dock, teetering on the edge. “I am leaving the Institute. Thank you for all the learning opportunities, but I prefer…being in the ocean. So th at is where I will go, because I have nothing else to do here on land.” My throat closes up on the lie. It feels as though my very heart is falling out of my chest.

“What?! RJ, what are you talking about?”

“I will not be back, Karlo Castillo. I am a shark, you are a human, and…”

“Wha…wha…where is this coming from?” The despair in his voice jabs at my core. I sob and take the plunge, splashing deep into the water.

When I resurface, he is on his knees, looking down into the water. “RJ, this isn’t funny!” The panic in his eyes is unmistakable, but I need to be strong. For him.

“It is no joke. I have decided to return to the ocean, forever. I will not be seeing you or the others anymore.” I wade in the water, gazing up at his pained, beautiful face.

“But…but what about our research? What about your apartment?”

“The OME can have it.”

“But what about your friends?”

“Say goodbye to them for me —”

“But WHAT ABOUT ME ?!” he shouts and keels over, and I fear he might end up in the water.

“Karlo…we are too different. I see that now.” I stare down at the sea below me, unable to look at him anymore.

“What…wha…” He sniffs and his voice picks up. “Did my mom say something to you?”

I wade in silence, trying to will myself to swim away.

“She did, didn’t she? What did she say? What did she say? Razorjaw, what did she say?”

“She…said nothing I did not already know.” I sob through my lies. “Goodbye, Karlo Castillo.”

“Whatever she said, it’s not true. Razorjaw, look at me! It’s not true!” He whimpers and sobs, and I dive underwater.

Even through the barrier of the ocean, the sounds of his cries are audible. The last words I hear are my beloved saying, “It’s not true, please. Please come back.”

One droplet breaches the surface, and I know it is his tear. I shift into full shark and swim away as fast as I can. Somehow, miles away, I can still taste the salt of his teardrops, trickling into the sea. I fear his pain will haunt me in every corner of the ocean, and I have no one to blame but myself.

Karlo deserves the world, the human world, and I could never be the one to give it to him.