The Sea in our Veins

Wesley turned to Jack and Ivan, “Do you want to come to the market with us?” he asked.

“Actually, Ivan and I should probably meet with our superior. We haven’t seen her in a while,” Jack replied, “But what about inviting Misha as well? Isn’t he around Virgil’s age?”

“Who’s Misha?” Virgil asked.

“His parents and our – my parents were family friends. He stays at the palace and spends his time trying to ruin my life,” Wesley replied, “He targets me and he won’t stop.”

“Great,” Virgil replied, “He sounds like an actually decent person.”

“What?” demanded Wesley, offended, “What about me?”

“Where is he?” Virgil asked, changing the subject.

“Tell me I’m a decent person,” Wesley ordered.

“I don’t want to lie,” Virgil confessed.

“Misha is probably in his room, hatching his next scheme,” Ivan said, trying to stop Virgil and Wesley from bickering.

“Let’s go then,” Virgil replied, “Lead the way.”

Jack and Ivan swam off and while Wesley and Virgil made their way to Misha’s room. When Virgil reached Misha’s room, he saw that the door was almost as nice as Rafael’s room, though it was slightly plainer. Wesley knocked on the door and then knocked louder when he didn’t get an answer.

“He’s probably out collecting more sponge,” Wesley shivered, “They’re disgusting.”

Virgil started laughing right as the door flew open. A boy stood in the entryway with bright red hair and a matching tail. He had a splattering of scales on his face that looked like freckles. “What do you want?” he asked.

“Are you in the middle of something?” Wesley asked.

“Not really,” replied Misha.

“Then would you like to come to the market with us?” asked Wesley.

“Sure,” Misha said, “Just give me a minute.” Then he slammed the door in Wesley’s face. They had to wait a while before Misha came back out, carrying a satchel. He eyed Wesley suspiciously before pulling out a key and locking his door. “Lead the way,” Misha said before the three of them swam down the corridor.

When they reached the entrance of the palace, Virgil found the guards waiting for them. The guards there nodded at them but didn’t say anything as they swam for the outer wall. Misha fell back to swim next to Virgil who was still trying to figure out how to move his tail right.

“Who are you?” Misha asked.

“What?” Virgil looked up.

“I asked who are you. I’ve never seen you before.” Misha replied.

“I’m Virgil,” Virgil replied.

“I noticed the marks on your back. Are you like Wesley’s long lost cousin or something because you look like him and Callum?” Misha asked.

“I guess,” Virgil replied, “I get that a lot.”

Misha looked a closer look at Virgil’s back, “Wait, you aren’t his cousin are you?” Misha asked.

“Actually, he’s my brother, Rafael,” Wesley said with a smile.

Misha’s eyes widened again and he was speechless, “Wait,” Misha said once he had rescued his voice, “Are you sure he’s Rafael. I thought Rafael was dead.”

“Why are you guys talking about me like I’m not here,” Virgil complained.

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Wesley replied.

“Has your father seen him yet?” Misha asked.

“Yes,” Wesley replied.

“That must have been crazy for him,” Misha replied before turning to Virgil, “So, Rafael, where have you been for all of these years. You know, we all thought you were dead.”

“He was living with humans,” Wesley replied, not giving Virgil an opportunity to answer.

Magnus’s expression was split between disgust and fascination, “What was it like?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Virgil replied, “I mean, I didn’t even know I was mer until recently,” Virgil realized that it had only been a week since he had met Wesley. It felt like it had been longer. “Did you know that Wesley tried to drown me.” Virgil said.

“That sounds like Wesley,” Misha replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll get Wesley back for you.”

“I’ll join you,” Virgil replied, “I think I have some ideas.”

“Thank goodness I finally have someone on my side,” Misha replied, “Do you know how hard it is to make Wesley suffer?”

Wesley sighed, “I knew that it would be a bad idea to let you guys meet,” he said.

“You enjoy my pranks,” Misha replied, “Remember when I dyed your hair white?”

“I do,” Wesley groaned, “My hair stunk for the next week and it didn’t come out for months. How did you even manage to do it?”

“It’s a secret,” Misha replied before turning to Virgil and muttered, “It had to do with trained sea horses.”

“You have trained sea horses?” Virgil asked.

“Of course,” Misha replied, “Do humans not train sea horses?”

“No,” Virgil replied, “We train dolphins but that’s pretty much it. Wait, do you train dolphins as well?”

“Of course,” Misha replied, “Some of them are actually good for a laugh.”

Virgil’s mouth dropped open, “You can actually talk with animals?” Virgil exclaimed.

Misha looked confused before he realized that Virgil must be in the dark on a lot of things, “Of course,” Misha replied, “It just takes a bit to learn their language but once you learn, you can talk to most of the sea creatures. Some of them, though, aren’t really worth talking to. Certain fish for example,” Misha shuttered, “Some of them are horrible to talk to. Once they start talking, they won’t stop. They’ll even follow you around.”

“And then do you eat them?” Virgil asked, thinking about the burrito thing that he had eaten.

“I mean,” Misha replied, “It’s the only way to get them to shut up. You feel much better after you take a bit out of them.”

“Okay,” Virgil said hesitantly.

“Wait,” Misha’s eyes lit up, “Have you been to the market before?”

“No,” Virgil replied, “I’ve only been in the palace for a little bit.”

“Oh, you’re going to love it,” Misha replied, “They have such neat stuff.”

In the distance, Virgil noticed bright lights all clustered together. It reminded him almost like stars.

“We’re here,” Wesley said as they swam over.

The lights turned out to be from large bioluminescent signs that were stacked on top of each other in a way that looked like they would fall down in the smallest breeze. Wedged into the gaps of the signs were different mer with various stands, all selling different things. The signs loomed over Virgil as he was unable to see where they ended. The mer who were selling things were yelling out their wares, leading to a cacophony of sounds and with the large crowds, Virgil started to get a little scared.

Misha noticed his reaction and dragged him towards one of the stalls closer to the top of the stack. As they went higher up, the crowds thinned out. “Look,” Misha said, pointing at one of the stands.

When the owner saw Misha, he gave them a wide grin that was full of gaps. The stall owner’s face, arms and chest were covered in faded scars, “It’s been too long Misha,” the owner said.

“I know,” Misha replied, “I just wanted to show my friend around.”

The owner turned and examined Virgil, “Wait here,” he said before disappearing deeper into his booth. He emerged a moment later carrying a bundle, “For you,” he said as he shoved it into Virgil’s hands.

“Sorry,” Virgil replied, as he tried to hand it back to the owner, “I don’t have any money.”

“And I don’t need any,” the owner said, “It’s a gift.”

“Thank you,” Virgil said as he took the cloth off of the bundle, revealing an dagger in a sheath. Virgil stared at the ornate details covering the hilt and sheath in awe. Virgil didn’t know much about weapons but he knew that this knife had to be really expense.

And the stall owner confirmed it when he said, “This knife was supposed to be for Rafael, for the day he shifted. I think you’ll find some use for it.”

“Thank you,” Virgil said, a bit stunned by the owner’s kindness.

“We should probably get going,” Misha said, “Thank you for everything.”

“No problem,” the stall owner replied, “Come and visit more often. I get lonely when you don’t come.”

“I will,” Misha promised as he swam away, with Virgil and Wesley right behind him.

As soon as they were a ways away, Wesley demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me you knew Lucas?”

Misha shrugged, “It was too much effort to talk to you.”

Wesley looked offended, “Fine then, don’t talk to me,” he said.

“I won’t,” Misha promised.

“Where are we heading next?” Virgil asked, trying to break up Misha and Wesley.

“Follow me,” Misha said as he swam off.