The storm outside gradually died down, but the night remained hazy and thick.I pushed open the balcony door and walked back into the living room. Twelve was leaning against the wall, watching me silently.He'd been listening the whole time.I didn't pay it much mind. As I walked past, he caught my hand."When?" he asked.He meant—when did I figure out he was the escaped beastman.I frowned, thinking.I couldn't really pinpoint the exact moment.Maybe when I noticed he wasn't like other mermaids. Maybe when I heard that emergency broadcast. Maybe it was just how obvious his tension had become.But none of that mattered to me.Twelve or Orion—to me, they were just themselves.I turned to look at him. "Twelve, the past doesn't matter. What matters is now. What matters is what comes next."I asked, "You were that blackwater crocodile back then, weren't you?"He kept his eyes down, silent. That was confirmation enough.Outside, beyond the tall glass windows, red lights began to flash.I'd
Read more
LOGIN
