Fish Out of Water by Maryjanice Davidson

Author:Maryjanice Davidson [Davidson, Maryjanice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440640247
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2008-11-25T08:00:00+00:00

Twenty-six

It seemed a long, long time before his answer came, and when it did, it was full of reluctance. It has been suggested.

Oh, that was subtle. Since Artur and Mekkam were the only ones in these super secret meetings, one of them had “suggested” it. Tricky, tricky, Artur.

Well. I guess I can’t blame you. But he’s only been here for a couple of days. How long have people been disappearing?

For half a year.

There you go. My dad’s been too busy skulking in banishment to be disappearing unsuspecting Undersea Folk. Doncha think? Plus, he’s been on land for most of the last thirty years. Hardly in a position to be am-bushing unsuspecting mermaids.

There is another theory. Now Artur’s reluctance was coming through so heavily, she could practically feel it crawling across her brain. Perhaps . . . perhaps soldiers of the planet’s land countries have been . . . doing things. Secret things.

Okay. That’s not altogether implausible, she admitted. Hell, she’d warned them, hadn’t she? Her mother’s species, in their own way, were even more bloodthirsty than Undersea Folk. At least the UF only killed to feed themselves or defend themselves. The same, unfortunately, could not be said for Homo sapiens.

I am relieved my theory has given no offense.

Tough to be offended by the truth . . . at least, this time. Frankly, it’s pretty plausible that, I dunno, some secret government agency has been stealing Undersea Folk and doing experiments on them. How can we check it out?

I was hoping your friend Thomas might be of assistance.

How could he— She trailed off. Because of his money? No. Artur had tons of it. Because of his education? No. Fred was technically Artur’s subject (though she’d eat a pound of sushi before bowing or referring to him as “my prince” or any of that other nonsense . . . she was an American, dammit!), and her background was as extensive as Thomas’s . . . He didn’t have to seek out a surface dweller. Then what—

It hit her. His dad.

Yes.

Thomas had been a navy brat. His father was some high-up mucky-muck in the U.S. Navy.

Do you think he would assist us?

Let’s ask him.

Artur abruptly stopped swimming, but Fred’s forward momentum shot her past his tail and into his arms.

I was mightily pleased to see you waiting for me.

And I was mightily pleased to have a fraction of your attention.

Only my father’s displeasure and the welfare of my people could blot you from my mind for the merest instant!

Daddy’s boy.

Laughter. Laughter in her head. And with his arms around her, with that rollicking laughter echoing through her brain, she said before she could chicken out, I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll do it.

Do what? he teased. Insult my mighty intelligence? Throw Jonas into the pool yet again? Be disrespectful to your people’s newsmakers?

Reporters, she corrected automatically.

More laughter in her head. Oh, no, you don’t, Little Rika! I have watched much television. When there is no news, your “reporters” make the news.

Can we debate the merits of modern journalism any other time but now? And no, numb fins, none of the above.

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