Of Poseidon 02: Of Triton

one of the buildings. Trackers can sense them, but we can’t see them. I’m going in to get them.”
    “I’m coming, too.”
    “No, you’re not. Jagen already tried to kill you once. I won’t be giving him a second opportunity. Besides, we need you out here to control the marine life.” Galen eyes the thin cloud of blood hovering around me like some creepy aura. Really, the blood itself is hardly visible. But I’m hyperaware of it because the water carries a faint metallic taste. I wonder how much stronger it is to Galen’s full Syrena senses. I can tell he’s reliving the moment I got stabbed.
    He needs to snap out of it.
    “I’ve already sent most of the fish away, what with the help of all the Syrena volunteers. The fish aren’t much of a factor to our mission anymore.” But I can tell by his clenched jaw and the hard look in his eyes that he’s not going to budge. I am staying behind. “Take others with you, then,” I say. “Jagen isn’t your best friend, either.”
    “No, but I am,” Toraf says, swimming up to us. “What are we doing?” Mom and Grom follow close behind him. I guess this is a family affair after all.
    Galen shifts his glare from me to Toraf. “We’re going inside the building to find Jagen and Musa. Do you sense them?”
    Toraf nods. “I know exactly where they are. Follow me.”
    Galen presses a quick kiss to my forehead then swims after Toraf. Mom slips behind me. “Your bandage is gone. Looks like your wound might have reopened a bit.”
    I try to shrug casually, but wince at the shooting pain. Mom releases a sigh full of have-it-your-way. I ignore it and the tenderness in my back and the tension building in my shoulders as I watch Galen and Toraf and three other Trackers approach the submerged island.
    For a government facility, the dwellings here are little more than white shacks with blinds. Which means they’ll probably have to rebuild everything. I make a mental note to have Rachel send them some relief supplies when this is over.
    Rachel. Ohmysweetgoodness, where is Rachel?

22

    TORAF CIRCLES the building, alert, wary, and something else Galen can’t quite place. “They’re both still in there,” Toraf says. By now, even Galen can sense the pulses of Jagen and Musa. Which means they’re still alive. So why haven’t they come out yet?
    Woden, a Poseidon Tracker, slips up next to Galen. “It’s been very quiet in there since the flooding started.”
    Toraf nods. “They can sense us as well as we can sense them. They know we’re here.” He turns to Galen. “What do you think?”
    Galen scratches the back of his neck. “It’s a trap.”
    Toraf rolls his eyes. “Oh, you think so?” He shakes his head. “I’m asking if you think Musa is in on it.”
    Galen is not very familiar with Musa. He’s only talked to her a handful of times, and that was when he was very young. Still, out of all the Archives who seemed to support Jagen and his monumental act of treason, Musa’s face does not come to mind. “Would she be?”
    Toraf shrugs. Woden scowls. “With much respect, Highness, Musa is an Archive. She will not forsake her vows to remain neutral.”
    It takes all of Galen’s willpower to bite his tongue. Woden is still naive enough to believe that all the Archives are of a pure and unbiased mind. That they do not get tangled up in emotions such as greed, ambition, and envy. Did Woden attend the same tribunal I did?
    Toraf slaps Woden on the back. “Then you don’t mind going first?”
    The Poseidon Tracker visibly swallows. “Oh. Of course not. I’m happy to—”
    “Oh, let’s get on with this,” Galen says, snatching the spear from Woden’s unsuspecting grasp. This seems to embarrass the young Tracker. Galen doesn’t have time for embarrassment.
    “Yes, let’s,” Toraf says. “Before the humans get those disgusting wrinkles on their skin.” He nudges Woden. “It’s probably the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen lots of things.”
    It’s the first time Galen realizes that Woden’s nervous demeanor and over-respectful attitude is not out of reverence for his own Royal status, but out of reverence for Toraf. It seems Toraf has a fan. And why wouldn’t he? He’s the best Tracker in the history of both territories. Any Tracker should feel humbled in his presence.
    Galen is not any Tracker. He grunts. “Shut up, idiot. Get behind me.”
    Toraf speeds ahead. “No, you get behind me, minnow.”
    Despite their