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Chapter Thirty
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2024-10-29 19:42:56When Galene had escaped from the hypnotic effects, she'd found herself in a park, facing an astonished woman under a tree. She had glimmering lilac-colored hair that fell heavily forward as she stood.
"Zalo?"The stranger made strange sounds with her mouth—not words—as tears trickled from stricken eyes. Although not magical like the song that had drawn Galene to the park, the odd language sounded somehow familiar, and Galene took a step back. Free of the effects of the powerful calling, Galene's frantic thoughts turned to Stralath. Her head felt like a foggy swamp, and she tried to recall what had just happened. They'd kissed at the Melrose theatre, then… and then she'd run into traffic? A car had hit him! And she'd left him lying on the ground. Hysteria surged as she swiveled quickly. In a lightning-fast motion, the woman grabbed Galene's wrist. "You can't hear what I'm saying? Answer me." She looked desperate and confused. "Related chapters
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty One
"No!" Zalo sobbed. Fighting his firm hold, she reached out to the male intruder, who now waded through the breakers at a frantic pace. Zalo punched Darghelm in the side of his head, and for a brief moment, she was free and wading towards the distraught stranger. Both Miro and Darghelm transformed at the same time—their tails took shape, and Darghelm darted towards Zalo.And then something bizarre occurred. The man transformed, doubling in size and sprouting fur. The otherworldly creature snarled, and Miro let out a siren scream. A primitive warning sounded in her brain as her spores sprung from her neck, and she unsheathed her barb.She caught a glimpse of claws and teeth before diving toward her sister. Darghelm had Zalo back in his hold, and he pulled her out of the shallows as the furry monster closed in. Miro struck out with
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Two
"Well, this is awkward," Cleona grunted as she sat at the picnic table in the now deserted park.They all cradled coffee cups at one o clock in the morning, and Galene needed the caffeine to keep her upright. The events of the evening had her feeling drained. Her head pounded, and her wrist ached. She couldn't imagine how Stralath must be feeling. He'd been hit by a car—because of her. She eyes his side for the millionth time as she sank to a seat."Stop." He stood close but didn't even look her way. "I'm fine. Mesaphineans heal quickly.""You were bleeding—badly.""And now I'm not."When he'd transformed into a massive furry creature, he'd looked fearsome—with terrifying fangs and alien claws—a horror she'd never fathomed. But, when Galene had met his dark, panicked gaze, she'd recognized the honorable man who'd stuck by her side. And she'd clung to him instead of shrinking away. Her reaction had surprised even her, but there was a familiarity—a connectio
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Three
"Six missed calls from Coco." Cleona handed Stralath her phone. He walked away from the picnic table, cursing as he called the NIRL agent. He'd lost his phone in the water when he'd transformed. He didn't care about the communication device, but the K-pop BTS autographs scribbled on the back were now lost forever. A slight loss compared to Galene losing her life.Glancing back, Stralath watched as Darghelm paced. Galene gestured with her hands as she spoke with her sister."What's up? I'm busy." Stralath rolled a sore shoulder."Apparently, you are." Coco sounded annoyed. "Cleona briefed me. You're now breaking NIRL protocol?""Write a report. I had no choice—I wasn't spotted by humans.""We have a bigger issue on our hands. Three bodies—were all found in a rental cabin in Echo Park. One of the victims is a well-known model, and there will be heavy media coverage."Stralath knew where this was heading and rubbed his forehead. "Cause of
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Four
Kalder pulled down the roller door, shutting them inside the warehouse. The industrial neighborhood lay quiet before dawn—just how he liked it. He needed to focus on his business, not the pretty fisheri princess who took up most of his thoughts. Galene was a mystery he couldn't solve, and unlike any pod members he'd ever met. She now hung out with a large human who hovered by her side like a feral guard dog. Except there was something more to the large man that Kalder couldn't pin down. He wasn't a fisheri, and he almost didn't seem human. Who was Galene's champion defender? And why did he get on Kalder's last nerve?Setting aside his frustrations, Kalder turned to his vibrio business partner, who sat on a crate, texting on his damn phone. The smooth asshole had screwed up their first orders and now needed to pay. Kalder looked down at his expensive jeans and rubbed a hand on his designer t-shirt. He didn't want to get it soiled with vibrio blood, but he had no choi
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Five
Galene squeezed the starched pillow in her lap as she stared at a white wall in the private room. The clinic seemed more like a retreat instead of a military facility. She'd expected to be treated like a captive lab rat, but rather, her medical team seemed kind and considerate.The surgeon and anesthetist had just stopped by to explain her procedure, and Galene now felt reassured. Her MRI and x-ray results showed an impingement on her nerves and spine—from her trapped spores. The inflammation at the base of her skull was the reason for her pain.Did Galene want a fisheri restoration? Or could she go on pretending that she was human? Biting her bottom lip, she tried to process her changing world—a new reality that made her head spin. "We found your purse." Stralath strode into the room, and Galene jumped.He frowned at her response before eyeing her IV stand. "How are you feeling?""Fine. Um. Is anything missing?""I don't
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Six
Five hours. Gale had been in surgery for five damn hours. What was taking so long? Stralath's foot tapped as he folded his arms and stared at the ceiling. He now sat outside the operating theater and kept glancing at the doors. Galene had seemed tired and impassive before the procedure, and Stralath knew the last few weeks had taken a toll on the feisty mermaid. She'd looked adrift as they'd wheeled her down the passage. Had he made the wrong decision in encouraging the surgery? Did they have a choice?Stralath swiped a hand over his face as heeled footsteps neared, echoing in the empty corridor. "Can I take a seat?" Coco's low voice asked.Stralath dropped his hand and glanced her way. "Yes, boss—this is your facility.""Our NIRL facility and you outrank me." She nudged his arm with her shoulder. She watched the theater doors. "And the first NIRL earth surgical unit to operate on a fisheri." Stralath shifted in his seat. He didn't care about any firsts—he cared about the patient.
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Seven
Galene wanted to remain in an anesthetized state. The localized agony in her neck and spine felt indescribable, and she clutched at a warm and soft blanket against her skin. She moaned and pulled in a shaking breath. A hand covered hers, and Galene focused on the touch. Was it Stralath? Aside from her mother, she wanted him by her side. Her mom had no idea what her adopted daughter was going through, and Galene refused to pull Violet into her chaos. Who else could she turn to? A sister she barely knew? Her foggy brain decided not to tackle her lonely existence. Instead, she focused on ignoring the screaming pain. "She's hurting!"Miro's voice sounded so close, and Galene jerked in response. "She's hooked up to morphine," Coco replied. "It might not be strong enough for an injured fisheri."Galene cracked open her eyes, and the room swung. Her sister held her hand, looking concerned. "We use our own mix of neuro-opiates in the water," Miro squeezed Galene's fingers. "I should've re
Tidal Souls Chapter Thirty Eight
"I can do it myself.""Sit your butt down and leave it to me." Miro balanced the heavy canvas, hanging it carefully on the pristine wall. "This painting is fly. I like that word—fly. English is such an expressive language." She wiped her brow as she stepped away, and they both cocked their heads, staring at the mounted artwork. "I mean, fisheri communication skills are way more advanced and sound celestial in comparison, but I dig English.""You 'dig' it. My painting is 'fly?'" Galene snorted. "This is what happens when you watch those nineties shows to learn English?""I was stuck in motel rooms while looking for you. I do like that series, 'Full House.' Ooh—and 'Friends.'"Galene laughed, and Miro's tension eased. She'd barely slept in five days as her sister had slowly recovered. She had to force herself to think of Zalo as "Galene." When her sister finally remembered her past, she'd reclaim her birth name—hopefully. "It's leaning towards the left." Galene pointed at the artwork a
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Tidal Souls Chapter Fifty
Galene felt his warmth everywhere… his body heat… his hard chest as he leaned in and nibbled her ear… warm breath on her skin. The hunger was contagious, and she wrapped her hands around his neck and allowed him to explore with his mouth. He nipped her throat before sliding up her shirt—his large hands easily cupping her ribcage. Welcoming Stralath's touch felt like coming home. She lived in a world devoid of physical affection. Although her human parents loved her, she'd also felt like an outlier, grateful for any attention that came her way. She'd never dated at school—the kids had viewed her as the eccentric weirdo and must've sensed that she was different. Aside from Liam, Gelene didn't have any friends and never let anyone close. Until now. Stralath's touch felt like bliss, and she lifted her arms as he pulled off her shirt. He stilled, and she took in his intense stare. His reverence gave her joy, and she watched as he gently traced a finger along her lacy lavender underwear.
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Nine
“Drusdor and Cleona found Vigtor's land lair.” Coco handed Stralath her tablet, and he scrolled through the footage. "Vigtor has good taste." Stralath approved of the sprawling villa, which offered privacy, surrounded by high walls."Pacific Palisades is a sleepy town in comparison to Los Angeles." Coco rose from her desk and reached for a file. "His sprawling mansion also has good security. How long do you want him under surveillance?""While Vigtor chooses to remain on the land." Stralath passed the device back to Coco, and she handed him the physical file. "He has to decide on the fate of his pod before he swims back to fisheri territory. We'll send over a few obvious drones—let him know we're watching him.""Alien drones?" Coco grinned. "Your favorite toys?" Stralath returned her smile and suppressed a yawn. He hadn't slept well after dropping Gale back home. And he'd then spent the whole day at headquarters. He glanced at his watch—seven in the evening. A NIRL surveillance team
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Eight
"I need my legs! Hurry." In full panic mode, Galene hefted herself onto the rocks. She couldn't hear the conversation this far off, but she knew from Stralath's aggressive stance that the fisheri were not here to play. "Calm down." Miro crouched beside Galene. "Deep breaths.""Don't give me that zen bullshit! What do I do aside from dragging this heavy-ass tail meat out of the water.""Visualize the transformation.""I'm visualizing so hard my brain is about to explode. Go and help him?"Miro grinned. "Help who? Stralath or Darghelm.”"Being an indecisive bitch isn't a joke." Galene jabbed a finger at the beach. "They're about to declare war.""I won't leave you unprotected during a shapeshift.""Fine." Galene could do this. She closed her eyes and focused on having legs. All she could hear was a buzzing in her ears. Nothing worked, and Galene tried not to freak out. At Stralath's war cry, her eyes snapped open. He would shapeshift any second.Without thinking, Galene rolled herself
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Seven
Stralath watched from the other side of the fence. Galene now sat in a distant rock pool, and he'd given her space. She'd seemed upset earlier, and thanks to his sharp Mesophinean senses, he'd knew Galene had spoken with her human father. Should he approach her or guard her from a distance? Feeling restless, he scanned the periphery for danger. Stralath sensed dark energy coming from the water, and mind made up, he leaped over the fence and jogged towards the rocky shore. The high tide had filled rock pools and crevices, and Stralath wound his way to his target. Approaching from behind, he paused to take a breath. This lost siren unnerved him, and Stralath had never felt this way before—even with females from his species. "Stop hovering." Galene waved a hand. "I need your help—I'm freaking out."She'd know he was there—her fisheri senses had grown in strength. Stralath swallowed hard and walked to her side."I have a tail." Galene looked mortified. Stealth's eyes widened, peering
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Six
Kalder watched from his BMW as Galene climbed the low fence, hopping onto private land. The intel he'd received over the past week had confirmed his curiosity. The Norvegious family was now on out of the ocean—all vulnerable to attack by the vibrio pod. Both an injured daughter and her rebellious sibling who refused to swim away to safety. Would that mark the end of Norvegius's rule? And now that Galene had begun to heal, Kalder had picked up on her silent energies. Her invisible siren aura vibrated with the same pure energy as her sister. He wondered if she'd make a full recovery—or would the pale-haired fisheri forever be banished to the land. To Kalder, that was a fate worse than death. He enjoyed spending time out of the water—taking advantage of capitalism. But the salty depths always called his name. Instead of walking along the sand, Galene made her way to the rocky water line, and Kalder decided to take a closer look and would approach her from the sea. He left his phone an
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Five
“My brother is coming over.”Galene nearly dropped her knife as her gaze shot to Harper. “What? I thought he’d gone back to your parents.”“Relax. Kevin is staying with friends on campus.” Harper closed the fridge and eyed Galene’s sandwich. “What’s with the sudden tuna obsession?”“I’m not comfortable around him.”“Well, he’s not here to see you. You can’t stop me from seeing my brother in my home.”“Fine. I’ll leave. When will he arrive?” Galene felt annoyance at having to evacuate the premises. After a long week, she craved her bed and the familiar.“In about thirty. Let Kevin apologize and forgive him. He’s getting professional help.”Galene’s stomach turned. He scared her on some level, and she’d rather avoid contact. It’s a beautiful evening—I’ll head to the beach.”“You know I hate the smell of fish,” Harper grumbled. “You baked sea bass last night. What’s that?” She pointed at the Halibut defrosting in the corner. “Tomorrow’s meal. I don’t tell you what to eat.”“Yeah—but fis
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Four
Stralath had underestimated her. Resisting the urge to glance at the siren seated at his left, he focused on Galene's father instead. Now that the NIRL had Vigtor Norvegius sitting across the table, it was time to negotiate the accord. The influential leader wouldn't bow down quickly, and Stralath needed to know what motivated the merman. What did he want to accomplish on earth?Would the fisheri continue to hide from humans? Or were they preparing for the eventual confrontation? A war between humans and fisheri? Who would win? The siren pod was an advanced poisonous species capable of camouflage and telepathy. Unlike humans, they were comfortable both on land and in the water. But, there were far fewer of them on the planet. And they didn't have access to tanks, weapons, and troops. Or did they?"How many fisheri reside in the ocean?" Stralath asked bluntly. He'd already laid out his brutal terms, and Vigtor was not happy. "None of your business." The leader shot back. "Tens of t
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Three
Galene glanced at her sister as they made their way through the NIRL facility. The building's design worked on Galene's nerves. For a brief, surreal moment, she wondered how she'd ended up in a covert facility, layered with security and surrounded by alien friends and family. What was Miro thinking? The mauve-haired beauty hadn't said much on the trip over.Galene would finally meet dad number one. Would the ruler of the fisheri species embrace his lost daughter warmly? Did she want that embrace? No. Galene wanted to turn and run in the opposite direction. Stralath had given her a choice. She didn't have to meet her siren father, yet she'd agreed to the inevitable. "Vigtor won't take me away, will he?" She asked the question for the tenth time. Stralath touched her waist as he guided her into an elevator. "He'll have to fight the NIRL soldiers and me first."Soldiers indeed—Galene glanced at the two armed men who stood at the rear—guards on every corner. A chill ran down her spine
Tidal Souls Chapter Forty Two
Kalder waited in the shadows. Hoping he'd guessed correctly, he shifted to get comfortable. The soft sand encouraged sleep, and he rolled back onto his knees while scanning the dark beach. This location was where the male fisheri had entered the water eight days ago, and Kalder had scouted the area for days, waiting for his return. Kalder had other vibrio informants stationed along the coast. Some cautiously swam the shallows, looking for the fisheri warrior. Movement within the species always indicated opportunity. The fisheri and vibrio were Calder's target market—fish who would buy his product. Kalder needed pod citizens to choose the land. What a world that would be—a new dominant species who could control the humans and exploit their businesses and resources. Only three percent of all sirens had become land walkers. Kalder wanted a new world for his kind. Imagine catering to land-walking pods—everything from preferred foods to skin products, salt water spas, and pod-designed
