The Beast Keeper's Code

At dusk, I got a call from the courier.

"Jenna Hart? You've got a live delivery. Come sign for it."

Before long, a fish tank nearly six meters long was hauled into my living room.

The water was murky from the long journey. I could faintly smell blood.

Through the streaked glass, I could make out a man sleeping beneath the surface, eyes closed tight.

He was curled up, suspended in the water. A massive tail covered in black scales hid most of his body. The lower half of his face was locked in an iron muzzle, but even so, I could see the sharp lines of his features.

I pressed my palm against the glass.

That's when his eyelids fluttered. Slowly, they opened, revealing pure gold eyes.

I stumbled back a step.

But the man made no move toward me.

He just stared. Hollow-eyed. Detached. Like a body with no soul inside.

A glint of light caught my eye. I noticed the collar around his neck.

It looked like some kind of new-tech device—simple, sturdy, with a small light in the center, glowing steady green.

Above it, a number was engraved: Twelve.

Something in my chest tightened.

Mermaids were supposed to be gentle. Why did they need all these restraints?

After a moment, I tapped on the glass.

"Hey, Twelve. I'm going to let you out for some air, okay?"

Mermaids preferred water, sure, but in today's world, it was common for them to walk around in human form.

A tank like that was far too cramped for them.

The light on Twelve's collar flicked to yellow, then back to green.

After a long pause, he gave a small nod.

I started figuring out how to open the tank.

It seemed custom-made. No instructions. Thick chains wound around the top, layer after layer.

Total overkill.

I grabbed my electric saw, climbed up on a stool, and spent a good while cutting through each lock.

When I finished, Twelve broke through the surface and landed silently on the floor.

He'd shifted fully human, save for a few patches of black scales still clinging to his cheek and calf. Soaking wet.

Water dripped from him, pattering onto the thick rug and disappearing into the fibers.

"Hungry?" I asked. "Want to eat first?"

His lips parted, but no sound came.

I introduced myself. "I'm Jenna Hart. From now on, I'm your owner."

Finally, a reaction.

"Owner?"

"Yes," I repeated. "Owner."

The next second, I was on the floor.