Flipped Off (2 page)

She was going to have a chat with Lorai in the morning.

* * * *

Lorai tidied up her shop and was putting the broom away when Juno came striding in.

“Thanks for the dress. It worked a treat.” Juno smiled.

“You are most welcome. I am glad it worked out for you.”

Juno cleared her throat. “Is it a sensitive subject for me to ask you about your shifted form?”

Lorai was surprised. It hadn’t come up. “Um, no. What do you want to know?”

“What is your total length? Head to tail, I mean. I have only seen Leda and Altion from a distance.”

Lorai leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. “A normal member of the merfolk is about nine feet counting the last of the fin. I am slightly larger.”

“How much larger?”

Lorai blushed. “Twice as big. My parentage is mixed. My father was a merman, my mother was a giant.”

To Lorai’s surprise, Juno hugged her.

“Thanks for telling me.”

Juno released her and stood back. “Care to go for coffee? Lima has the stand up and running.”

“I just opened up. Bring it to me and we have a deal.” Lorai cocked her head. “Why did you really want to know about my size?”

Juno coughed delicately. “I heard that a dolphin was looking for a magnificent mermaid. Naturally, I thought of you.”

Lorai was still feeling the heat in her cheeks when Juno returned. They set up the consult table and sat down for coffee and pastries.

Lorai was subjected to queries, and she finally answered the questions that Juno had obviously been sitting on. “I came to the Crossroads to make people happy and to live a quieter life. My shop in the human world was getting overrun with folks who wanted to meet a mermaid. I was a tourist attraction, and it got on my nerves.”

Juno nodded. “Makes sense. No one likes to be stared at.”

“It was the assholes trying to drop a net over my head to capture me that got me irritated. No mermaid is ever helpless, but it was vastly annoying. I would have had sex with most of them without the theatrics.”

Juno chuckled. “Any shifters in the bunch?”

“No. The static would have given them away.”

Juno looked like she was holding something back.

“Look, Juno, breakfast has been lovely, but why did you come here today?”

“Are you averse to meeting a potential mate?” She blurted it out.

Lorai stared. “What?”

“We have a guest, and he is glowing when he talks about seeking for his mermaid. I think you met him yesterday; he is a dolphin shifter.”

Lorai smiled. “I did. We played together for quite a while, and then, he left.”

“So, the question stands. I won’t tell him who you are if you don’t want me to, but he is seeking you out. I just wanted to warn you.”

Lorai paused and thought for a moment. “What is his name?”

“Adam. Adam Srim. He has a small water salvage company near some tiny islands somewhere.” Juno grinned. “He swims well in either form.”

Lorai chuckled. “Good to know. Well, I will consider it once I see the man. I liked the beast well enough.”

“Fair enough. What do you think of the pastry?”

“Pretty good. A little doughy.”

Juno nodded. “Right. I agree and will let her know. She was muttering about getting the temperature right and humidity levels. Melwiss wasn’t any help. She was eating everything that came out of the oven before it was even cool.”

Lorai laughed out loud. Melwiss was definitely a different soul. Her magic burned amazing amounts of energy, and high-calorie snacks were required or her enchantments burned into her brain. She became less than coherent until her sugar levels were back to normal.

“Was there another balance ceremony?”

“Yes. She had them fused together in about a minute. Energy-wise, I mean. She hasn’t actually stuck anyone together in weeks.”

Lorai was horrified. “You are not serious.”

“No, but you were pretty sure she could do it.” Juno grinned.

She winced at her own gullibility. “Yeah, I was pretty sure of it. What is her story?”

“She hasn’t told it to me yet. The Mage Guild assigned her here because she can’t operate in the human world anymore. That is all Teal got when she was sent here. We are to feed her and clothe her, and she will do what is required.”

Lorai felt pity for the mage. It was a lonely life that she had been thrust into.

Juno lifted her head as if hearing something. “Derix is looking for me. I had better get going. Can we do this again?”

Lorai chuckled. “Of course. You know where to find me. Bring snacks and all will be well.”

Juno got to her feet and Lorai matched her, gathering the detritus of their breakfast and tidying up again. When she was finished, Juno was gone and the shop was hers alone again. It was a manufacturing day, so she pulled out the dummy and began to drape and pin silks and wispy cottons into layers that lifted and flowed like kelp.

It was fun to take portions of the sea and put them into her designs. Today it was kelp, other days it was anemones, other days it was seahorses and it went on. She chose an aspect of the sea and put it into her creations. It was a compulsion.

She heard the chime of the door and called out, “I will be with you in a minute.”

Heavy footfalls approached. “Don’t distract yourself on my account. I am looking for a mermaid.”

She grinned and kept working on the fluttering hem. “You have found one, but it is a weird fetish. Are you starting a collection?”

He paused. “Um, no. I met one yesterday, but I wasn’t able to remain under any longer. I am here to find a mate, and I needed to get over to the Crossed Star.”

She finished the hem and safely stowed all the pins. The folds were all in place, and all that was needed was for her to fuse them into their positions.

She pressed her hands to the dress and stroked down the fabric twice before she pulled all the pins out.

“That is amazing. It looks like kelp.”

She grinned and stabbed the pins into a cushion as she turned. “Oh.”

He was tall. He had the height of an elf but the build of a weightlifter. His power was in his shoulders, and his chest was wide and well developed. The t-shirt he was wearing outlined all of his muscles, and she had difficulty pulling her gaze up to assess his features.

Black hair with silver streaks throughout framed a tanned face with a square jaw, bold nose, curved lips and bright aqua eyes were pointed toward her but looking past her to admire her work.

“That is a truly remarkable creation.”

Lorai accepted the compliment with a smile. “Thank you. I don’t believe we have met.”

She extended her hand. “I’m Lorai.”

“Adam.” He smiled.

The moment that their hands connected, a spark of magic emerged and crackled up their arms. Lorai felt her nipples harden and skin sensitise for the smallest touch.

She shivered and ached, desperate not to lose the touch, but she knew that it couldn’t last.

She released his hand, and he gradually released hers.

His smile was slow. “It was you that I met yesterday.”

“You were the sunken ship?” She smiled and raised her brows.

He laughed. “No, the more mobile one.”

“Ah, the grey one. It is nice to meet you.” She inclined her head.

He looked around him and nodded. “You made all of these?”

She shrugged. “I have a knack for fibres. What brings you to the Crossroads?”

He cocked his head, “Would it be forward of me to ask you out for lunch so we could discuss it?”

She checked the position of the sun and winced at how much time had flown while she worked. “I am rather hungry. Would you like to eat here or at the main community?”

He grinned. “I believe there is a fish and chips shop nearby. I would love to try it with someone for company.”

She blinked in surprise. “Well, I am someone.”

“Excellent. Shall we?”

He extended his hand and she looked around. “Gimmee a second.”

She put all of her sewing implements away and tidied up. When everything was where it should be, she walked up to him and took the hand he was still extending. “Lead on, Flipper.”

He groaned. “I fucking hate that show.”

She laughed and flipped the sign on her shop to
CLOSED
as they exited, and she used her magic to lock up behind her.

It had been a while, but she was genuinely looking forward to spending time with Adam. There was something about him that resonated with her. She wanted to find out what it was.

They sat in the chip shop, and each of them took turns with the salt and malt vinegar.

“Let’s see. What brought me to the Crossroads?” He speared a fry with his fork.

She nodded. “Aside from a transporter.”

He inclined his head. “Very well. I am a male.”

“Obviously.”

“And my species swims in family groups. Once I was an adult, I was sent out on my own and expected to join another family. That hasn’t happened.”

She wielded her own wooden two-pronged fork with ease. “Why not?”

“I spend too much time with humans. I swim as a human under water. It is a bit much for most shifters to accept.”

Lorai smiled at his despondency. “Do you enjoy it?”

He perked up immediately. “I do. I love showing the land walkers how find pieces of their past, for fun and profit.”

She grinned. “I like making them happy. Mind you, it turns out that I am definitely dependent on it.”

“What?” He paused with a piece of cod halfway to his lips.

She waved it away. “Nothing.”

He paused but continued with his meal. When he was nearly done, he sighed. “I prefer my fish cooked. This was very good.”

Lorai chuckled. “Me too. I will hunt it in the deep ocean if I have to, but I like it better covered in batter and crunchy.”

Adam laughed. “Me too.”

She cocked her head. “Where do you swim?”

He finished his food and folded his arms on the table. “I run a salvage company. We locate and haul in abandoned craft as well as the occasional treasure hunt.”

She perked up. “Treasure?”

“Sure. There have been lost cities, galleons, modern vessels, tons of lost items in the sea.”

She waved her fork in the air. “I am definitely aware of that. What do you find?”

“Lost weapons, gold, jewels, icons and racing vessels that took on too much water.” He shrugged.

Lorai smiled. “They are not lost; they are where the ocean wanted them. Why didn’t you ask the local merfolk to help you?”

He shook his head. “There are none in our vicinity. The sea is nearly a desert under the surface.”

She was intrigued. There were few areas that were empty. Her giant blood wanted to run and explore. Her mer blood wanted to see that ocean.

She cleared her throat. “Do you slip away from your human cohorts and shift?”

“Whenever I can. I end up swimming at night.”

She wrinkled her nose. “That sucks.”

“It does. The moonlight has its charms, but I need to remain near the surface. Sharks are rather plentiful in the area.” His smile was rueful.

At the mention of sharks, she stiffened. As a single dolphin, he would be a tempting target.

“But you still frequent the area?”

“That is where the finds are.”

She scowled. “That is a lot of risk.”

“No more than a mermaid who chooses the land as her home. You are susceptible to dehydration, sun and lung issues.”

Lorai’s mouth nearly hung open. “How do you know all that?”

“You are not the first merfolk I have met.”

She leaned forward. “Who was it?”

Adam shook his head. “That is a question that I will answer over dinner.”

Lorai leaned back. “Dinner?”

“Yes. I will speak frankly. I have never been as drawn to another being as I am to you. I would like the opportunity to have another meal with you where we can discuss the other merfolk I have met.”

She quirked her lips. “A negotiation?”

Adam grinned. “Extortion.”

She laughed. “Fine. Where shall I meet you?”

“At the tower? Where do you usually stay?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Either at my home or under the water. I like to anchor myself to the wreck to sleep.”

“You don’t sleep in a bed?”

“It depends. When I am agitated, I go to the sea; as for my house, I use it to make meals and keep my clothing.”

“What has agitated you?”

She smiled. “It is not a comfortable thing to be outside your own community and society.”

He nodded. “I understand. It is difficult, and sometimes the salt water is the only thing that eases the tension.”

Lorai smiled. “Precisely.”

Conversation came to a halt as they both looked out over the rippling blue water visible through the posts of the wide deck.

The sunlight caressed the surface, sending shattered ripples along the water. Lorai could look at it forever.

Dinner at Al’s restaurant was a quiet and relaxing affair. Lorai enjoyed that Adam didn’t press her for information about her age or origins. All he asked her was where she held her citizenship, and as she had a fey passport, he was satisfied that they could spend time together in the human world.

She was amused at the thought, but she had just gotten her shop the way she liked it. Spending time in the human world was fine, but she wanted to make the Crossroads her home.

They opted to walk back to the Isthmus instead of using the portal, and it was on their way back that she drew her line in the sand.

“I want to stay at the Crossroads. I have just gotten settled in, and moving again is not my idea of fun.”

Adam nodded. “I can understand that. It is good to know before anything happens.”

She nodded. “I thought it was only fair.”

“It is very fair. It doesn’t change anything though.”

Lorai wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure?”

“I am positive. I believe we will get along exceptionally well. I would love for you to be my mate.”

She paused. “You are serious? You don’t know anything about me.”

He turned and took her hands. “I know that you are beautiful, that your skin and tail glow with iridescence in your other form, that you don’t like tartar sauce and have a penchant for fried potatoes. You laugh when sunbeams dance across your hands. I don’t know what your past is, but I want your future to be with me.”