Sorceress Rising (A Gargoyle and Sorceress Tale Book 2) by Lisa Blackwood Page A

close to shore. The pod still circled, watching to
see what she would do. They’d led her to this spot, a little cove frequented by
curious humans. From what she’d gathered from the dolphin’s minds, these humans
were researchers, and as such cared for the oceans and what went on in them.
    If it was true,
how could they stand by and do nothing to prevent an abomination like the metal
Not-Island from coming into existence in the first place?
    Perhaps these
humans were little more than peasants, unable to dictate change to the ruling
nobility. The dolphins couldn’t give her insight into this—such rigid structure
wasn’t the dolphin way, and they did not understand the ultimate rule of a
king.
    Frowning up at
the boat hull, she saw shadows moving as the humans went about their mysterious
purpose. With a flurry of activity, a large cage was dropped over the side.
Other objects were dropped in next, things suspended on long lines.
    The dolphins had
positioned themselves a short distance away at the first sign of activity, but
with a series of questioning chirps, the young male was back at her side.
Reaching out, she brushed a hand along his side and he calmed, floating
contentedly at her side.
    Something
splashed against the surface. Blood scent coiled through the water as bright
red clouds trailed along the ocean surface, carried away by the current. Fish
blood. Fish bodies. The scent reminded the siren it had been a few hours since
she’d last fed. Magic sustained her throughout her long sleep, but upon waking,
she needed to feed often for the first few days. Though dead fish didn’t tempt
her, she preferred hers fresh.
    The dolphin matriarch
rejoined her. “Fish slurry for sharks.”
    “The humans
want to bring a predator to them? Whatever for?” she asked in genuine confusion. “To hunt the shark? With their nets and
boats, the humans could easily hunt other, less dangerous prey.”
    “Not to hunt.
Study.” The young dolphin’s excited clicks
intensified.
    “You have
seen this behavior before?”
    “Yes. They
study and protect. Track numbers and movement.”
    A very passive
form of protection, the siren decided. Another splash at the surface regained
her attention. A human had plunged into the open top of the cage. While she
watched, a second human joined the first. They wore sleek black second skins
and each had a large cylinder strapped to their backs. She studied them while
they were organizing supplies.
    The strange
objects strapped to their backs supplied them with air. Whatever was held in
their mouths issued a small storm of bubbles every other heartbeat.
    So the land-bound
ones had found a way to live within her domain, at least for short expanses of
time.
    She narrowed her
eyes.
    A very short
time.

C hapter
Eleven
     
    Lillian rinsed
off the last plate and placed it in the dishwasher. The mundane routine of
after dinner chores helped dispel the residual nervous energy from earlier.
Gran had drilled her for every little detail during her exchange with Major
Resnick. Gregory hadn’t escaped Gran’s tongue lashing either. She’d merely
finished with him sooner and then sent him up to have Jason show him the inner
workings of human clothing. Looking mildly contrite, Gregory had slunk off in
the general direction Gran had indicated. Lillian had only stood and watched,
absolutely gob smacked. That had been a half an hour ago. Now all she wanted
was to do a face plant in her bed.
    “Would you like
some chamomile tea? It’s good for the nerves.” Gran gestured at the big,
battered old pot sitting in the middle of the table.
    “Thanks, but I’d
probably fall asleep and...”
    A loud crash
echoed from the floor above followed by a window-shaking roar. “On second
thought.” Lillian scooped up a cup, poured herself some, and took a sip.
    “Told you so.”
Gran smiled into her cup. “Better hurry before Gregory kills your brother. I
know he can be a brat, but I still love my grandson.”
    “I’ll