Something told her that things would get worse come morning if she didn’t tell him the truth. She swallowed. “Amphitrite told me to come in here.”
“And you just listened?”
“I—it was—I couldn’t help it. As soon as I figured out where you were hiding, I became obsessed with getting in here, even though I knew I shouldn’t.”
“Oh, that was you tapping my container. Damn it, I thought you were O’Toole.”
“Was that you who splashed me?”
“Yep. Now soothe my doubts about how stupid I hope you’re not and describe Amphitrite to me.”
Jessie tried to recall Amphitrite’s appearance. The directions she’d given were clearer though. “Pretty. Very pretty.”
“Uh huh. Great. Try to impress me with something less vague.”
She wracked her brains to recall the dream. “Tall. Wearing something like a toga. Long, curly hair. She was standing on water in a cave. Fish were circling her feet, which were bare and looked human.”
A pregnant silence followed. Dyne broke it with a heavy sigh that sounded big enough to come from a whale. “Great. Now she’s meddling with you to get under my skin.” His voice then came out flat. “Did she leave a message?”
Jessie didn’t know what he was talking about but words came out of her mouth before she even knew what she was saying. “If you don’t tell me everything I should know, she’ll be very angry.” She fell silent and mulled over the words that weren’t exactly her own.
“Yep, that sounds like her. Royal bitch. Something you’re not. You’re very lucky it wasn’t your own stupid idea to break in here. I came very close to killing you.”
Jessie bowed her head and hunched her shoulders.
“What are you moping for? You’re not the one with just a few feet on all sides to wiggle around in, nor are you stuck in a cursed life.”
“What exactly is your curse and how did you get it?”
He let out a sarcastic laugh. “I got it for the stupidest of reasons. And as far as by whom, you already know.”
“Amphitrite?”
“Yep.”
“But… she’s…”
“Say it.”
“A goddess from Greek mythology.”
“Welcome to one of those grains of truth,” he said unhappily. “Was a nasty shock when I found out. I won’t blame you if you decide to stay in Cyprus once I bring you there. The world as you know it just got dropped on its head.” His monstrous body shifted and scraped against metal. “Damn it, if you’re going to make a habit of breaking in here every month, I’m going to need a bigger container.” Whatever was blocking the door slid away. Dyne filled the whole container with shuffling and scraping.
Something made sparks against the ceiling, giving Jessie a glimpse of what she was trapped with. She clamped her hands over her mouth and swallowed a scream. Dyne wasn’t kidding when he said he had little room to move. His head was bigger than her, his arms thicker than her body, and his shoulders were almost as wide as the container. There was only several feet between her and his face, which she hadn’t gotten a good look at.
“Damn it, I need maybe another foot and I could roll over.” He slid, Jessie guessed, his webbed hand back in front of the door and settled down. She scooted towards the empty corner. “Oh, don’t waste your energy being afraid. I’m not going to harm you. I’m pissed at her; not you, so don’t take my mood personally.”
“You can see in the dark?”
“Obviously. I have heightened senses when I’m like this. It’s a bit overwhelming. I’m not used to it. And speaking of heightened senses, we have visitors coming. I probably made a big enough ruckus to wake at least one person up, but—” There was the sound of one of the door latches being lifted. “Don’t come in here you moron!” Dyne thumped the floor with the hand near the door. Water and a body hit the outside of the container. “Are you developing a case of stupid or what? Who’s out there?”
“It’s Cancer, Captain.” He spat some water a couple of times. “I heard banging and noticed that your door’s unlocked. Is everything alright?”
“No. Is it dawn yet?”
“No. Did you really have to drench me like that?”
“You know better than to open my container before time’s up, so yes.”
“I’m sorry, Captain.”
“Good. Now go away.”
Cancer sighed.
Jessie and Dyne then heard Rammus said, “Cancer, you’re drenched. What happened?”
“The captain’s very grumpy,” he said flatly. “Talk to him at your own risk.”
“I can still hear you!”
Rammus said, “Captain, have you seen Jessie? I can’t find her or my keys.”
“I’m looking at her right now. Amphitrite tricked her into sneaking in here with a light source. We’re all going to have a nice long chat tomorrow. I don’t want any more surprises like this—or at least as few as possible, now that I know she knows I have Jessie with me.”
“Oh, boy,” Rammus said unhappily. “How well do you fit in the container?”
Dyne thumped a fist on the floor. Another wave of water hit the outside of the container.
Rammus spat out water. His shuffling footfalls headed off.
“Cancer, just walk away if you know what’s good for you.”
Jessie didn’t hear anything, but she had a feeling the doctor did just that. She looked at the darkness. “Were you the one who made the koi fish out of water?”
Dyne gently said, “Yes. Now save the rest of your questions until after dawn.”
Chapter 13
It’ll Be Dangerous
After being stuck in the same position for a couple of hours, the full grip of the curse receding back inside me was the greatest feeling in the world. Even better than—well maybe not better than a night of good sex, but definitely close. All my fishy features popped back inside and I felt the pruning finger sensation from getting dehydrated all over my body as I shrank. My heightened senses returned to human strength, making me feel less self-conscious about being stark naked with Jessie in the container. I flopped onto my shrinking back and lay spread-eagle as circulation returned to my arms. Even with all the perks the water demon form gave me, being comfortable while lying face-down on metal for two hours wasn’t one of them.
Someone knocked on the container door.
“Don’t open it yet!” I scrambled to my feet and said to Jessie, “Let me get my pants on before you let any light in here.” I blindly groped my way to where the cot had been, then began crawling around on my hands and knees. I found one boot where I left it, then found the rest of my clothes bundled up and squished against the wall. The cot was with everything else. The horizontal bars were permanently bowed. Just great. I’d have to buy a new one in case this cot would make my neck and back hurt. I slipped my pants on, draped my trench coat over an arm, and carried my boots. Going commando it was for now. Not a bad feeling, but not great either since I was sweating all over from transforming back to human.
The foggy light of early dawn poured into the container as I pushed the door open. Jessie un-balled herself and stared at me like the monster I was. The look hurt but I didn’t hate her for it. I felt bad for inadvertently scaring her like that. I stepped outside and held the door wide. I didn’t blame her for her reaction. Fresh air on my torso cooled me down a bit. Hopefully no one was standing downwind. I hadn’t showered in five days. I wasn’t counting the towel baths.
“Morning, Captain,” Rammus said, eyes downcast but looking inside the container. Mido was with him. He looked at me searchingly but said nothing. Rammus said, “Scully’s on the wheel until you’re ready to take over. Do you want me to start roundin’ everyone up?”