Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

approached from his left. He swam in a large loop, amazed at how close they were to him and to each other. The dolphins matched his speed as he curved around. He could see their round, dark eyes, intelligence plain as they watched him.
    Aleksandr glanced toward Abigail. She was following one dolphin, obviously recording his every move with her video camera while others surrounded her, swimming in long sinuous circles. The dolphins seemed much more intimate with her, touching and vocalizing, always approaching in slow slanting angles, occasionally emitting what she had referred to as a “click train.” The dolphins, rather than feeling threatening as he had first perceived them, now seemed playful and social; curious, intelligent creatures studying him as much as he was observing them.
    Elation filled him as the dolphins swirled around him and Abigail, keeping the two humans in their group as if they were accepted members. Abigail was focused on her filming, leading a long curving circle while Aleksandr deliberately changed directions to see if his contingent would follow him. They did and the two trails of dolphins moved in slow opposite circles.
    Abigail jerked her thumb toward the surface. He shook his head, unwilling to leave the amazing creatures. She pointed to her watch and when he glanced at his own, he was startled to find that, although the strange ballet with the dolphins seemed to have lasted only a few short minutes, in truth, it was far longer than he realized. Several of the dolphins were breaking their formation and beginning the ascent. He nodded his agreement to Abigail.

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    Humans and dolphins rose together to the surface. Aleksandr nearly leapt out of the water, unable to stop grinning. He caught Abigail around the waist and kissed her, leaning in over the top of her video recorder. “That was—indescribable!” He put his hand over his heart. “Thank you, lyubof maya . What an incredible feeling!” He spun around to watch as the dolphins took a breath and dove deep, one after another, two sliding in close to Abigail as if inviting her for another round of dancing.
    Abigail swam to the boat and started to muscle her camera onto the deck. Aleksandr took it from her and set it carefully aside. “Are we through?” There was disappointment welling, but it couldn’t stop the excitement of the experience or the grin on his face.
    “The indication was, they were heading out to sea, but sometimes when I swim to the boat, they come back. Particularly Kiwi and Boscoe.“ She shoved her goggles onto her head and threw her head back, laughing with joy.
    “Which ones are Kiwi and Boscoe?” He wanted to drag her to him and kiss her until neither of them could breathe. She was beautiful. The day was beautiful.
    “They’re two of the largest males. Kiwi was the dolphin that was injured and he’s used to me handling him. That’s what I was doing that day in the cove when we were shot at.” She wiped droplets of water from her face. “I checked him the other day and he’s fine again.”
    “What are those scars on some of them?” He was scanning the water, hoping for another encounter.
    “Those are called rakes. The distinctive scars actually help us identify individuals. When dolphins are aggressive with one another they ”jaw,“ or bite without grinding down, and they leave a rake mark.
    Almost all of the dolphins have them. The less serious rakes will heal in time and disappear, but many times the injury is deep enough to cause a permanent scar.”
    “Let’s go back down and see if any of them will come back,” Aleksandr suggested. He was reluctant to leave the cove when he might never get such a chance again.
    She laughed softly and touched his cheek. “I’m so pleased you love my world. Just don’t be disappointed if they’re already gone.”
    “Nothing can make me disappointed. That was truly wonderful.”
    They dove together, seeking the darker depths, hoping for another encounter. Abigail hung back and let Aleksandr take the lead. She wanted to cry she was so happy. She’d never seen that particular expression on his face, as if she’d given him a gift beyond measure. He had given her one by embracing her world with the same love and excitement and joy she felt every time she encountered the wild dolphins.
    As she swam behind Aleksandr, the water around her unexpectedly erupted, churning and