I rolled my eyes and stuck my hand into the bag, pulling out the turtle. I held it out for Atalanta. “I thought you might like him.”
Her eyes widened as she slowly took the turtle from me. “Oooh, he’s so cute! Oh my god, he has a torn flipper! And look at those eyes.”
“You got her a broken toy?” Jason chuckled under his breath.
“I love him. I’m going to call him Salt,” She crooned and cuddled him close.
I smirked at the guys. I knew Atalanta wouldn’t be able to resist the turtle's cuteness, especially with it being a broken toy.
She tugged on my shirt to draw my attention. “Don’t think for one second that I’m going to let you get away with flirting with another girl just to get out of paying for my present.”
I pouted. “I didn’t flirt with her.”
“I’m so sure you didn’t.”
“It was for a good cause?”
She sighed and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. I love him. But next time, don’t flirt with the clerks.”
I raised three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“I doubt you were ever a scout,” She snorted.
“I was. For like a year.”
“Oh? Then what happened?”
“I got kicked out for making all the other kids do my work for me.”
“You're incorrigible,” She giggled and then snuggled Salt closer to her.
Jason look dumfounded. “You…you don’t mind that he just manipulated some poor girl? She’s going to be waiting for his call.”
Atalanta shrugged. “He didn’t really hurt anyone. I’m sure she’ll be upset when he doesn’t call but it’s also her fault for thinking she could buy a guy’s affection. I mean, she didn’t even know your name, did she?”
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“Then it’s just as much her fault as it is his for using his looks to his advantage.”
“Speaking of,” I slipped my hand into the bag and pulled out the paper with her number on it. "I don’t want her getting huffy and trying to storm over here to take it back. So I’m going to give her a nice smile and slip this into my back pocket if thats okay with you.”
She nodded. "As long as I get to tear it up as soon as we are out of eyesight.”
I did as I said by flashing the girl a flirtatious smile and pulled out her number and slipped it into my back pocket, the girl giving me an inviting smile and a wink back.
“You two are horrible people,” Jason groaned.
I slung my arm over his shoulder. “Perhaps, but you still like us.”
“Jason.” A voice called off to our left.
An older couple was striding up to us, curiosity on their faces. I sensed they were Mer right off, putting me on high alert. I let go of Jason's shoulder and slowly positioned myself in front of Atalanta.
“Mom. Dad. I didn’t know you were doing this event.”
Ah. That’s why they looked familiar.
“It wasn’t planned, but the other professors canceled at the last minute so we volunteered to come help out.”
The woman looked at our group before settling her eyes on Theseus. “Aren’t you the boy who works at the community center with Doris?”
“Yes, the name’s Theseus.”
There was something there for a moment, a look that passed between Jason’s mother and our ginger friend. A small shake of the head and widening eyes. As if he was cautioning her of something.
Oh, something I would definitely be looking into later.
“Oh, yes. I remember now. My apologies, we’ve been so busy with the college these days, my brain’s been a little scattered,” her gaze slid to me. "I remember you, though…”
The father leaned in and whispered into her ear. "He’s the boy the Clarks found on the beach. You know, the one the elders—”
“Oh,” she breathed.
My advanced hearing allowed for me to hear him just fine, and I cringed at the flood of sympathy I saw in her gray eyes. I looked away, pretending to be interested in the booth that we had been standing next to. The student running the booth was absorbed in his phone, not paying attention to diddily squat.
I made eye contact with Atalanta, who was now standing to my right, still out of their direct eyesight. She was staring at me with that curious eye of hers. I wish she didn’t have to wear the bandage, but on the off chance someone from Argos showed up to the aquarium today, we didn’t want them asking too many questions about her eye color.
I gave her a millimeter shake of my head. Please, don’t ask me. Not here.
Her face hardened and told me she would definitely be questioning me later.
“Jason, it’s good to see you. It’s been far too long,” came a third voice.
My eyes snapped away from Atalanta to see a suave looking gentleman walking up to us, wearing a tailored three piece suit. He had auburn hair and gray eyes just like Jason’s mother. If I had to guess, he was her brother. Jason’s uncle.
My suspicions were confirmed a moment later. Jason’s shoulders stiffened when he spotted the man, his fists clenching at his side. “Uncle Calder.”
Reaching back, I took one of Atalanta’s hands into my own and squeezed.
“What are you doing here?” Jason asked, his voice sickly sweet.
“I felt that it had been far too long since I came to the surface and saw my favorite nephew.”
“I’m so grateful you came all this way to see me. Though, I made a promise to hang out with my friends today. If you don’t mind, I’ll rain check with you?”
Calder’s eyes cut to Theseus and I, disgust evident on his face. “Of course. I’ll let you go.”
Jason nodded and smiled at his parents. “I’ll see you guys back at the house.”
Taking that as our cue, I walked forward, Theseus coming up behind us to shield Atalanta as we passed.
At the sound of Atalanta’s yelling, I went on full alert and spun to see her being pulled back by Calder’s hand on her wrist. Her eyes were wide and full of fear.
I saw red.
“Now, now. You don’t think I’d let you run off without introducing me to your little female, now do you, Jason?” He tugged Atalanta against his chest and breathed deeply into the crook of her neck. “You’re a Mer, and judging by the bandage across your eye, you were made.”
I could see Atalanta shaking and struggling against Calder’s grip. His inhuman strength way too much for her. I think the only thing preventing her from making even more of a scene was that we were surrounded by people.
I was about to cold-cock the guy if he didn’t let go of her. In fact, it was only Theseus’s hand on my shoulder that kept me from pulling her back into my arms. My eyes sliced to Jason, whose face was deceptively calm. His spine was as stiff as a board and his smile looked painted on.
“Uncle Calder. I’m sure you're scaring my friend. Please, let her go.” Jason cautioned, stepping forward.
“Oh, young nephew. Are you trying to give me orders?” His eyes lifted and they were glowing a bright silver.
Jason lowered his eyes. “No, sir, I just thought—”
“You’re not supposed to think.” He warned.
“Calder,” Jason’s mother hissed. “Not in front of the humans.”
“Of course, baby sister.” He let Atalanta go and she stumbled into Jason’s arms. “You know you have to document any made Mer with the council.”
“She isn’t made, she’s… um—”
“My cousin.” Theseus interrupted. “From the Guinea Gulf.”
Calder’s eyes widened. “I see. And her bandages?”
“She was in an accident. Got caught in a fisher’s net. My aunt thought it would be a good idea to come here for a few months.”
“Hmm,” he murmured before looking at Jason’s parents. “Just be sure our young Jason doesn’t become too attached. We don’t want more tainted blood ruining the bloodline.”