Five tables up, three to the right, Chidi coached. See him?
“Nah, na-yeah! I got him. Ooh, whattaya think is in the bag?”
A Selkie suit, Chidi sent the thought to Lenny and kept the suddenly curious older gentleman beside her from listening in. How about you?
Water’s wet, right? Think maybe I should go in for a better look.
Is that smart? Chidi asked. Why not just wait to see what he does?
‘Cause that’s not as much fun, Lenny said. Don’t worry, Cheeds. Things go bad, Dolans take care of their own. Stick next to me and ya be all right.
So you’ve said.
Males all promised the same things—protection, freedom, even love. All ended the same way. Only Henry remained.
The mousey man straightened in his chair, glanced over his shoulder again.
For a brief second, Chidi swore someone slipped into the vending area shadows. Len, I think this guy has company.
Maybe Marisa brought—Lenny froze.
The dark wings of fear blossomed inside Chidi. She inched her way toward the emergency exit, not waiting for Lenny to signal whether they should fight or flee.
Lenny reached over his head and slapped Chidi on the hip. She’s still here, Cheeds! Marisa Bourgeois is here!
Where?
The hall entrance. She must’ve doubled back on me!
Chidi saw her.
Marisa had paused just inside the cafeteria. She cocked her head to the side, listening.
This doesn’t feel right, Chidi thought to herself. Why would she still be here after picking up a tail?
Marisa yawned and chose a table near the northern terrace doors. The chair opposite her came screeching out just after she sat. She smirked at the mousey man and waved him over.
Chidi watched the man. Don’t do it.
With a final glance back at the vending area—and another wipe of the forehead—he hastily gathered his things and scurried to join Marisa.
All right, crew, Lenny said. I see our target, so listen up. She’s meetin’ with someone. Might be a second runna. Henry, keep patrollin’ the lake in case she gets past us. Racer, sprint to the north terrace and gimme some eyes out there. Ellie, move over to the Sea Otter trail and back us up. I got point. Cheeds, flank her.
A second runner, huh? Ellie scoffed. Ten anemonies says one is a forger selling fakes.
Fakes? Racer asked.
How can you not know about fakes, pup? Ellie said. Any slave who doesn’t want to worry about running from chasers needs proof they’ve been freed. Otherwise, it’s open season on them to be captured and resold.
I’ll take that bet, chica—
Of course you will, Paulo. Chidi thought to herself. Anything you can do to get closer to Ellie.
You need serious pearls to buy those, Paulo continued. No way a slave has any. Well, unless he killed his owner or a Salt Child. Then they got bigger problems.
Maybe this guy has connections, Ellie suggested.
No slave has connections like that, Paulo said.
Chidi stayed out of the conversation. She preferred to keep an eye on Marisa. This is the Silkie no one’s been able to find? Chidi scratched her neck. She knew better than most not to judge a book by its cover, having seen would-be partners of Henry’s make that same mistake countless times. Chidi refused to second-guess her gut.
Well, I’m going to find a way to buy me some fakes then, Racer said. And once I get them, I’m gone. None of you will ever see me again!
And what if one of us or some Merrows came looking for you? Paulo asked. Or worse…Orcs?
I could outrun and outswim any of them on my worst day, Racer said.
Ya can’t run foreva, pup, Lenny said dryly. Best learn that now. Save ya’self the heartache of tryin’. Ya in position yet?
Just got here, Racer said.
Good afternoon, all. A new voice, one laced with disdain, entered their minds. If any of you would care to see me capture this so-called uncatchable runner, come to the cafeteria. I’ll have her directly.
Lenny rolled his eyes. Hey, Oscar—
How dare you mock me, nipperkin, Oscar said. You do realize I can see you.
Chidi stiffened. She searched for Oscar’s location. This is all wrong! What’s he doing here?
Ah, yes. At least Chidi has the decent sense to look for me, Oscar said. A bit to the left now…there!
Chidi found him before Lenny.
Oscar Collins leaned against the southwest wall, wearing his lavish Harp Seal coat as only an untouchable could.
Oscar waved at them. What’s this, Chidi? Keeping the nipperkin happy, eh? Henry will loathe hearing of it.
Whattaya doin’ here, Oscar? Lenny asked. I gave ya the post up at the Dryback security station.
I assume you’re referring to the all-important post? Fantastic joke, Oscar said. My father’s going to love it.
Henry. Chidi realized. He must’ve told Oscar about the fake position. Young, rich, and stupid—the perfect target.
This is my crew, Lenny, Oscar said. My father even said so.
Ya fatha said we were co-captains.
And you believed that? Oscar asked. So it is true what the other slavers say—nipperkins have more height than sense.
The metal bar Lenny held crinkled like tinfoil.
I’ll be the one catching her, Oscar said. You’re just a tracker. Congratulations. You’ve done your job…now stay out of my way.
Nobody’s sayin’ ya not in charge, Lenny said. But something wicked is goin’ down with Marisa and that guy. Ya move in now and we could lose both of ’em. Ya fatha won’t be happy with that! I’m askin’ ya…wait and see what they do.
Oscar put his hands in the Selkie pocket around his belly.
What’s he playing with?
Fine, Oscar said after a long pause. But if they don’t do anything soon, I’m going in…and you will obey my orders.
All right, Lenny said. Racer! Ya outside the terrace yet?
I’m here!
Gimme an—
Us, Oscar corrected. Give us an update.
Okay, Racer said. Right now they’re just talking. But I can’t hear what they’re saying. I can get closer if you wan—
No, Lenny said quickly. Stay there. Just keep feedin’ us.
Sure thing. Marisa just took a couple notebooks out and scooted them across the table. New guy’s opening one now…Len, I…I think this guy is crying.
Slaves weep all the time, Oscar said. And I tire of this waiting game, Lenny. How much longer?
Chidi watched the veins in Lenny’s neck pulse.
Crew, listen up, Lenny said. Oscar’s gonna cock this up. Everyone stay in ya positions till after he rushes her. He wants to take a runna down, let him find out they got some fight in—
Chidi watched Oscar push off the wall and sprint for the table. He made it halfway across the cafeteria before pulling something black out of his Selkie pocket.
“He’s got a gun!” a girl screamed.
Still, Oscar continued on, a malicious grin spreading across his face at the chaos he just created. Patrons cleared from tables every which way. Many screaming. Others dove to hide under tables. Chidi even saw one fool raise his phone to record the happenings.
Lenny dropped from the railing, his earrings flashing. Paulie, get inside now! Henry and Racer stay put!
Chidi left without waiting for Lenny to give her an order. She ran directly at Marisa. The oncoming tide of those trying to escape hampered her efforts.
Ellie, Lenny continued to bark commands. Move west to block the hallway.
I can’t see anything out here, said Racer. Too many Drybacks.
Faster. Chidi urged her legs. Take her down!
Marisa swiveled toward her oncoming attacker. Rising from her seat, she grabbed the table with both hands and hurled it at Oscar like a Frisbee.
The table hit him square in the chest. The force of it caused his head to snap back and rebound off the granite floor. Chidi
heard the cracking sound from fifty feet away, even above the ongoing screams.
At least she shut him up.
Chidi reached into her Silkie pocket for a clear, palm-sized ball. Finding the orb, she threw it down. Though soundless and odorless, the contents wafted through the room, rendering the remaining aquarium visitors unconscious. Chidi looked at the now clear path to her target.
Marisa Bourgeois remained upright. So, too, did the mousey man, cowering behind her, clutching at his canvas bag.
Chidi! Where did you get a forgetty? Racer asked.
Who cares, Lenny said as he jumped over a sprawled body and kept running. Paulie, gimme an update.
This place is loco, Paulo said. The guards won’t let anyone through! Everyone outside is talking about guns and making phone calls. I’ll have to find a different way in. Better move, Len!
Marisa locked eyes with Chidi and winked. Then she bounded away for the aquarium’s central area.
Don’t let her get away, Cheeds! Lenny said.
Chidi hurdled a table with graceful ease and trained her eyes on Marisa’s backside. Ellie! She’s leaving the cafeteria!
On my way, said Ellie. Run her to me!
Marisa disappeared around the corner.
Chidi slowed. She swung wide before making the same turn in the event Marisa lay in wait. The hallway before her lay empty and silent. Chidi tiptoed toward a pair of restrooms. She reasoned Marisa had to have entered one of them, but which?
“Marisa Bourgeois,” Chidi said, her voice sharp. “I know you’re in there. Come out!”
As jy so se, a satiny voice purred.
If you say so, Chidi’s mind translated.
A violet marble rolled out of the male restroom entrance.
Squid Ball! Chidi fell to the ground just before it exploded, blanketing the area in an inky smoke. Her eyes clenched, she clapped her right hand over her mouth and nose to avoid inhaling. Chidi heard footsteps run past. She swept her left hand about in the hope of tripping Marisa. She found nothing but air. Her earrings flashed.
Ellie! She must be getting close!
Chidi crawled forward. She risked a peek. The smoke had dissipated enough for her to resume the hunt. Not far ahead, she saw a shaggy hooded figure. Chidi leapt to her feet and ran.
Marisa had slowed. She stumbled, coughing as she ran.
Her lungs are filled with ink! Chidi pushed her body harder to close the gap. She closed within five strides by the time Marisa reached the stairwell.
Hearing Chidi’s footfall seemed to give Marisa new life. She took the stairs two at a time.
Three. Chidi stopped at the bottom to catch her breath. Two…
Marisa reached the top. She cautioned a look back.
Big mistake, sister.
Ellie stepped out of the shadows to envelope Marisa. She lifted her off the ground and smothered Marisa with forearms the size of a normal person’s thighs. Ellie did not relent until Marisa passed out. “I’ll carry her to the bus,” she called down to Chidi. “You help Len with the other runner…”
Chidi turned to go.
“Chidi!”
“Yeah?”
“Feel free to leave Oscar behind.”
The thunder of gunshots rang up the hallway, followed by an all too familiar bellow.
Chidi rushed back to the cafeteria. She rounded the corner and entered a freak show.
Lenny and the mousey man hid beneath the same table. Both fought for control of the canvas backpack. Near them, an eleven-foot long Leopard Seal bared its canines at an aquarium security guard.
The guard’s gun shook in his hand as he fired it. He missed and took woeful aim again.
Don’t shoot. Run!
The seal slithered its hind flippers across the waxed floor. It dove for the guard and clamped its eight pairs of teeth down on his arm. The seal shook him to the ground.
The gun skittered across the floor.
Curiously, the seal released the guard. Its grey and black-spotted skin loosened and fell away like an oversized robe.
How did he…Slaves can’t do that unless—He’s not a slave!
The seal reverted to human form, yet no one had been there to release him from his Salt form. Chidi watched the sealskin shrink until it lay flat against a man’s lean, human body. Grey and black-spotted, she recognized the make. He’s a Leper.
Her earrings flashed. We need Henry!
Where the Leopard Seal had been now stood a white man, over seven feet tall. Long, ratty hair streamed across his face. He took one long look around the room and saw Lenny struggling with the mousey man. He ran at them.
A personal Leper? Racer asked. He’s not messing around, that’s for—
We’re not messin’ around, Lenny yelled. Get. Hen—
With one hand, the Leper flipped the table over. He dragged Lenny out by his hood and flung him away.
Chidi watched her captain land three rows over. The fall seemed not to bother him. He scrambled to his knees and reached into his Selkie pocket. From it, she watched him pull a Dryback dagger. Small by any other standards, it resembled a broadsword in his hand. He brandished the blade and circled the opponent three times his size.
Cheeds!
Chidi gathered what Lenny wanted. She swung wide to flank the Leper.
Their opponent wheeled to face her and swiped with his yellowed fingernails whenever she drew near.
Chidi backpedaled.
The mousey man sputtered nearby in a language even Chidi did not recognize.
The Leper turned passive. He ran to his wan benefactor’s side and pulled him to his feet. Stroking the mousey man’s face, the Leper responded in an unknown tongue.
Cheeds, what’d he say?
I—I don’t know, Chidi replied. I don’t understand that language.
The Leper shoved the mousey man toward the stairwell. He wheeled, slicing at her with a crude dagger, rusty in color, filled with porous holes, and he grinned at Chidi with blackened teeth. The tip of his blade ushered her come closer.
Just reached the bus, Ellie said. Heard someone say S.W.A.T. is coming in. Whatever that means.
The Leper’s eyes flitted between Chidi and Lenny in debate. He settled on Chidi.
She watched him wet his lips and readied to defend a blow that never came.
A blond-headed teen speared the Leper before he could attack. Both crashed over a tabletop. The assailant used the momentum to somersault away.
Racer landed on his feet. “Heard you two found a Leper.”
The Leper grunted in defiance.
Racer bounced from one foot to the other. “Come on,” he dared, feinting in and out of reach with lightning speed. “Time to prove Lions are better than Lepers!”
Chidi, Lenny said. Go get Oscar. We gotta move!
Chidi abandoned the fight and ran to Oscar’s side. The table Marisa had thrown lay cracked in two on either side of him. Oscar showed no signs of bleeding, but Chidi reckoned he would have an unrelenting headache when he woke. She slapped his face to rouse him, but it had no effect. Chidi knelt and put her shoulder under his armpit. With a heaving grunt, she lifted him and struggled to stand.
Hang on, Paulo said. I’ll get him, chica.
Chidi saw him come around the corner carrying the mousey man on his shoulders. The man’s canvas pack had been trapped between his body and Paulo’s, and his Selkie outfit remained inside alongside notebooks threatening to fall out. Chidi shoved them back inside.
“Found him going the other way on my way in,” Paulo said. “Saw the sealskin and thought—might need him. Whew. This guy’s heavier than he looks,” Paulo paused to catch his breath again. He pointed at Racer and the Leper. “Looks like our pup’s tiring.”
“Yes.”
While Racer had used his speed to dodge, the Leper had conserved his energy. Though slower, Racer still danced away from the Leper’s attacks.
Paulo cracked his knuckles. “Time for the big boy to step in.”
“No,” Ch
idi said. “We need to leave.”
Their argument came to a sudden halt when a blue dart struck the Leper’s right thigh. He yanked it free.
Lenny aimed the tranq gun at the Leper, the same gun Oscar had used to start the panic. He took another shot. The Leper dodged it, now alerted to the new attacker.
Outnumbered, the Leper snarled. He threw the dart aside and ran for the southern exit.
Paulo started after him.
Chidi jumped in front of him, waving her arms. “No, Paulo! We need to go. Now!”
“She’s right, Paulie,” said Lenny. “We’re outta here.”
Uh, Len, Ellie’s voice cut into their minds. You’re not going to like this…I see Henry. He’s walking toward me right now.
Lenny’s face turned a furious shade of red. What’s he doin’ outta the water?
Dunno, ask him yourself, Ellie said. Meantime, Henry says cops formed a perimeter at the south terrace. I saw a whole team come in the front too. You need to move.
Paulo tossed Chidi the canvas backpack. “Time to get wet.”
Chidi secured it across her back, then moved in to help steady Paulo as he balanced the two unconscious Selkies on his shelf-like shoulders.
Ellie, get the bus to the rally point, Lenny ordered. “The rest of ya with me. We’re goin’ east and ova the wall! Where’s Racer?”
“Here…”
Their sprinter lay flat on his back, his breath raspy and quick.
A sprinter with asthma. Wonderful.
“Cheeds,” Lenny called. “Get him!”
She followed his order, much as she would have rather ran for the wall and safety of the water. Some escaping tourist had flipped the fire alarm on their way out. Chidi couldn’t discern how much time had passed, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before Dryback authorities stormed the area.
Chidi ran to Racer and threw his arm over her shoulder. She hauled him to his feet before he could utter any kind of thanks. Together, they limped toward the terrace.
Uh, crew, Ellie said. I have some more news you’re not going to like.
Not now, Ellie, Lenny said.
Okay, but you might want—
Not now!
Chidi kicked the glass doors open and led Racer onto the terrace.
The weather had turned sour on them. Sunny when first Chidi entered the aquarium, it had turned to a torrential downpour. Wind whipped at her hood with no buildings to break up its force. Even so, Chidi welcomed being outdoors. She turned east for the lake and saw Lenny and Paulo paused twenty feet from the edge.
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