Page 3 of Chasing Tail

“The council won’t talk about it and refuses to teach it, but sometimes, people don’t feel at home in the sea. Everyone tries, and no one can make that feeling go away. So they generally slip out in the night and are never heard from again. The council won’t help them, but a lot of the sea witches do.

“We understand that sometimes, people are born in a body they aren’t meant to be in. Mermaids have options, but other sea animals don’t. We help them. That situation is not the two of you. Kishi, you are a proud mermaid who has made it clear you have an immense disdain for anything related to land. Taron, you’re only going for revenge.

“I agree with both of you that the druid king needs to be stopped, or more ships will be sent. The mutilation of Seira and the sharks need to be paid in blood by the right person. You both need to be prepared for the fact that the ocean might not welcome you back if you do this.”

I squared my shoulders and swished my tail.

“The ocean is a big place. I can make my home anywhere. I’m doing this.”

“My family is gone,”Taron said.“They came out when they saw the ship. I barely avoided that net. Kishi is right. If I can’t make my home here, we can find a home together somewhere else. We are friends, and we will always be friends. There are worse fates than being banished with Kishi.”

“I’ve advised you both of the risks. If you are willing to accept the costs, then I will do the magic. Come alone when you come to me. The council will cover it up and make excuses when Kishi disappears. They will post their sentries and act like everything is normal. Everyone will assume Taron left when his family was murdered. I drew attention to myself supporting you and leaving with you when they dismissed you. They will come sniffing around my cave. I know this needs to happen, even if they don’t want me on their precious council, but I’m not getting banished for this. I have my cave just the way I like it.”

“How much time do you need?”

“Give me a week. And for Triton’s sake, pretend like you are okay with the sentries and not attacking. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Do not give anyone the excuse to spy on you and follow you here. They will stop you if they think you are trying to disobey.”

I could do that. I knew Taron. He was a hothead, but he was also an excellent warrior. He wouldn’t have accepted that particular price unless he knew he could handle it. Talora was right about several things. First, I might not be welcomed home as a hero if I killed the druid king, even if it saved many lives.

I still had to do this, and if I had to get banished with someone, well, Taron wasn’t a terrible choice.