Echoes of the Tide

A strange creature. Mira and Anya both stood out in their own way. Mira for her flaming hair and loud voice, Anya because of her gold locks and her soft smiles that drew people in. This female was neither of those things. She was secretive. Hidden in plain sight. “You are Ace?” he said, his voice low with wonderment. “You’re female?” She didn’t understand a word he said, of course. Both he and Anya had thought that Ace had to be a man. Only a man would be so foolish as to risk all that Ace risked. And yet... This was a female before him. A female with soft, brown eyes that stared up at him like he was looking into the depths of the sea. He’d never seen a gaze that deep before. And in those depths, he saw a secret that was hidden from everyone else. How he wanted to peel back every layer she’d built around herself to hide whatever that treasure was, just so he could plunder it. Without a word, he reached into the bag and held the translator chip out to her.

Those words had never been in his vocabulary. Slow down? Why would he ever want to slow down when the sea called for him to move faster? With a laugh already bubbling free, he swam in a huge circle around the others. With his back arched and his tail rippling behind him, he was faster than the most darting fish. Nothing could evade him. Nothing could even catch him. At least until a massive hand caught the back of his tail and yanked him back toward the others. He stared up into the disapproving expression on Agalma’s face and tried not to anger her any further. She was the one running this whole mission, after all. Maketes was just here to talk with Ace and then get out. He wasn’t supposed to do anything other than that. He was definitely going to do a lot more than that. As if she could hear the thought pass through his mind, Agalma’s hand tightened around his fin. “Stop it, quick one. Your mind wanders too far from this mission and you’re going to ruin it.” “My mind is firmly on the mission. Get in, implant the chip, see what answers we can get. It’s not a hard mission.” Other than his interest in Ace. They’d been talking quite a bit since the end of Alpha, and he’d gotten the sense that Anya’s contact had a lot more information than he was providing. Every question Maketes had, Ace had an answer for. Which could only mean that the man was involved deeper in Gamma than any of the others realized.

I knocked the wind out of myself, you moron! Get off of me.” He leaned into her harder, ignoring how she put her hands on his head to push him away. “No, kefi. You only have one heartbeat. It will not be long now. I will hold you until the end.” Why did it hurt so badly to think he had lost her this early? She had said they were friends. That is what she wanted from him, and therefore, that was what he would be. He’d never wanted to be someone’s friend so badly. Perhaps more, of course. He would have been very happy with more, but he would take what he could get. And if that meant holding her until the end, guiding her soul into the deep where the sea mother would watch over her, then that was exactly what he would do. “Maketes—” “Shh, kefi. I am sorry I failed you. I should have kept you safer.” If he had been here, prepared to enter the room with her, perhaps she wouldn’t have made such a mistake. Perhaps she wouldn’t have risked her life. This was his fault. This was all his fault, and how was he going to live with this guilt? He was usually so good at thrusting aside his emotions, but right now, it was almost impossible to do. Then her fingers carded through his hair. Those talented, thin fingers brushed through the coiled tangles on his head and gently rubbed at his scalp. The same way he’d done to her.

He leaned forward and nipped at her neck with those sharp teeth, right over the spot that still stung a bit if she focused on it. Then the menace said, “Are you going to ask me about this?” She waited for the original rage and fear to come bubbling up like it had when she’d first touched her neck and realized he’d done something to her. But instead, all she could feel was the smallest sense of warmth and maybe a bit of irritation. But it was irritation that also made her want to tease him. “I guess.” Ace released one hand from his shoulders and touched the soft spot on her throat. “I did notice that something was different here.” “My people have found a way to connect with yours.” His hand shifted under her bottom, one broad finger slowly stroking between her legs before he retreated back to holding onto her. “Besides that, of course.” Her cheeks flamed bright red. “Stop that.” “Stop what?” This time his opposite hand moved up her side, gently brushing against her breast before retreating. “Do you not want me to touch you, kefi?” “No.” Wait — “I mean, yes. It’s fine if you touch me. You’re just distracting me from this conversation.” “Maybe.” Those talented fingers pressed down against her ribs, hauling her a little higher in the water until her breasts were at eye level for him. She could see the heat in his eyes again, and it made something in her squirm. “Perhaps I need to distract you better.

Kefi,” he growled, the words rumbling through him before he could catch them. “I need you to trust me.” “I do.” “Because I know you think I’m an animal, perhaps capable of hurting you even after all that we have done together.” “I trust you,” she repeated, her words breathless. “Good, because for a few minutes, it’s going to feel like I’m trying to consume you.” Then he descended upon her. His hands grabbed onto her sides, holding her in place as his tongue traced along her skin. He licked to the peak of her breast, drawing that rosy tip into his mouth and swirling his tongue along the sun kissed taste of her. The tip beaded against his tongue, and the more he touched her, the more she moaned. Her hands came down into his hair as he licked her, sucking hard enough that she arched against him again. He switched to the other breast, tasting her as he had been begging to do for such a long time in his mind. And still, it wasn’t enough. Maybe the problem was his hands. He grabbed onto her ass again, yanking her against him so she could roll like she had done before.

For everyone who felt like they weren’t enough, you are. And I’m not the only one who thinks that.

So why was he on edge? Ace rolled over in her sleep again, this time adding in a cracking noise that repeated constantly until he realized it was her teeth chattering together. Her teeth! The woman was cold, and he was an idiot who hadn’t realized that she was rolling back and forth seeking some kind of warmth. To him, the room wasn’t all that bad. Brisk, perhaps, but warmer than the ocean beyond. But to her, without her wet suit or anything else to keep her warm, this room and the cold floor must have been near to torture. Even the blankets she’d found were thin with holes in them. Idiot, he thought to himself, before running his hands down his chest to make sure he was finally warmed up. It took his body a long time to react to being out of the water, but once he was somewhat dry, his body started to put off a lot more heat.

You’re a lot more tolerable with your mouth shut.” She could feel her cheeks flaming bright hot. Damn man kept doing this to her. She didn’t want to blush in front of him, but he pushed so hard. Every time she thought she had control over the situation, he flipped it back to his favor. He grinned, as though he knew her frustrations. “A lot of people have said that to me. But you know what I always say?” “No, I honestly don’t care to hear it, either.” He leaned a little closer, so close that she could see there were faint purple freckles on his cheeks. Just barely visible, like little lavender paint flecks. “You’d miss me if I shut up.” “I really don’t think I would.” “You want me to disappear and leave you here alone?” Immediately panic flared. She didn’t want to be alone in this unknown tower, and she didn’t want him out with those depthstriders. “Didn’t you say it was a hunting night? And you wouldn’t even stay in the water because they might bite you?” “Maybe I just didn’t want you to be alone.” Her droid clinked in his fingers, a slight whirring sound coming from them as though they were humming. “It’s awfully scary in here, don’t you think?” “It’s a doctor’s office.” “But you don’t know who’s on the other side of that door, or on the other side of that window.” His hand came down on his chest, smoothing down the rippling muscles there and drawing her gaze to the movement. “Perhaps you need a big, strong male to keep you safe.” That’s exactly what she needed. One with abs that flexed under her gaze and biceps that made her want to bite them. What? No! She let out a disgusted sound and stalked away from him before she did something stupid. “Shut up, you big oaf!” “Whatever you say, kefi.

The moment she stirred, he quickly headed back to the opening. He was right where he should be the moment she staggered into the main room, yawning and rubbing her eyes. She had her glasses in her hand, and he marveled at the roundness of her features. He was so used to his kind’s angular faces. The sharp edges and hard jawlines were strong and proud, and he was certain she must find him attractive in a way. But she had a face like the shape of the moon. Her cheeks were so soft looking, with a smattering of freckles and the rosy hues of a blush. And when she slid those glasses back in place, focusing on him where he waited for her to look at him, he felt like all the breath in his lungs was stolen. An achromo that was all his own. Maybe that was all he’d been waiting for. “Good morning,” he said, feeling his gills already standing straight out as he waited for her to notice him. Her brows furrowed, and she winced. “Is it a good morning?” “You seemed to sleep well.

Jacob clapped a hand on her shoulder. “That’s right. And it’s a good thing you already talked with Ace, because she’ll be helping you get what I want.” Wait, what? She wasn’t supposed to go anywhere. Ace had her spot in this tower, and that was fixing the droids and making weapons whenever those were necessary. She didn’t go on missions. She didn’t risk her life or do any of the other stupid things that everyone else did. Ace stayed home. Safe, sound, and useful. That was her job. Until, she realized, Jacob decided it wasn’t any longer. She never should have trusted this lint licker. Maketes eyed her and then looked back at Jacob. “You will not wish to repeat this to him. This man is lying. We can smell it in the air, and whatever he wants, it’s not worth the risk. I would prefer that you risked your life with me, because I can keep you safe in this sea. However, you need to know that this man does not mean well. He feeds you to the sea, knowing that you may not return.” She knew Jacob expected her to say something. She had to repeat and translate. “He asks what kind of mission you’re going to send them on.

Breathing in the seawater scent of him, she sighed, “Terrible dream.” “I can banish it with you, if you’d like.” “How do I do that?” His thumb moved along her cheek again, so gentle that it made her feel fragile in his grip. “You share the dream, kefi. You tell me what it means, where it came from, and then I take it into the sea. The next time I am in the abyss, I will leave it there for you.” Ace opened her eyes, smiling at him even though it hurt to do so. “I don’t think I want to talk about it.” “Then that’s all right too.” He tried to smile, but she could see the pain in his eyes. “You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to.” Damn it, those tears burned her eyes again. She couldn’t be weak like this. This was why she’d never gotten attached to anyone. If she was weak, then she would cry, and nothing would get done. She had to bury it all deep inside herself, even if it meant that she constantly had stomach aches and felt like her chest was on fire.

Sometimes, he didn’t want to be the fun one. Sometimes, he wanted to be the person who someone else looked at as if he were their forever. Her hand slid again, this time far too close to his cocks. He grabbed onto her wrist just as her fingers brushed against the slit between his scales. It took every single ounce of his power to keep his cocks where they were supposed to be. He would not scare her. Not after coming this far through her fear and disgust. “Sleep now, Ace.” “What did I just touch?” He glanced down to see her looking at her fingers. They were glistening with the natural lubrication that existed where his cocks were kept. Normally, no one would ever see the substance. It only existed so his cocks didn’t get irritated by the salt water. But to see it on her fingers? After this conversation? He’d never been more embarrassed in his life. Maketes let his head thud back against the wall and drew her hand up his chest, letting the movement wipe the fluid from her fingers. It would dry against his scales, a reminder that he shouldn’t let her touch whatever she wanted. “Sleep,” he repeated. “Time for talking is over.” As if he would get any sleep tonight.

A soft laugh bubbled out of her, flowing into him with the soft sound. And then she was stroking his hair, like she seemed to always enjoy. He curved into her touch, knowing this was the last chance they’d have for a little while yet. “Maketes?” she said. “Yes?” “What does kefi mean?” “I will tell you when all of this is done. When you have your hands on that key, and when your sister is free from the man who would kill her.” He turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm. “No matter what happens, you are always my kefi, and I will help you until the very end of this.” He could see how his words hurt her. She flinched as though he’d struck her, but there was also safety in what he said. Because they were a vow. He would protect her and her kin for the rest of his life, even if that was insanity.

had a feeling it would be like this,” he murmured. “From the first moment Anya spoke of you, I could feel that the sea wanted to draw me to your side. But I never guessed how this would feel.” “How does it feel?” He traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “Oh, kefi, someday I will tell you that.” “You harbor a lot of secrets, undine.” “Shh.” He pressed that thumb over her mouth to silence her. “Stop talking. You’re going to miss this moment, just like you might have missed the sun.

You were inside the pavilion with her?” Fortis asked. “How did you⁠—” Fortis tapped his gills on his ribs, still not looking at Maketes as his gaze tracked Ace’s movements. “I can smell it on you, little brother. You are coated in blood.” “I killed some achromos who attacked her.” “Oh, now they’re achromos?” “They are when they think they can lay a finger on what is mine.” The snarled words ripped out of him, rage hanging from every single sound. He still wanted to rip into them again. He wanted to tear their flesh from their bones with his teeth, listening to their screams of fear. He’d do it all a hundred times over if they thought he would leave her to their grip any longer than he had to. “On what is yours?

With a deep growl under his breath, he let his hands wander where they wished. He grabbed handfuls of her ass, feeling the softness, just the right amount that he could grab onto. The plushness in his grip nearly sent him into a void of pleasure and desire from which he would never escape. That growl in his chest grew louder as he used the leverage of his grasp to thrust her even harder against him. Her breasts flattened against him, pressing against his chest as all of her was suddenly against all of him. “Gods, there’s so much of you I want to taste, kefi. But first, give me your lips.” That was all it took. She fell into him, the soft cushions of her lips pressing against his, and it unleashed an animal inside of him. The sound he made was a moan of pure anguish. With lips and teeth and tongue, he tried to devour her. Her taste flooded into his mouth, the sweetest sunshine of her lips that only made him need her even more. He kissed her without skill or talent, only pure desire as he delved between her lips. Seeking more of that taste. Needing to touch her more.

Why? Why do you think we do that?” “Because we’re afraid if anyone sees who we really are, that they won’t like us. And what greater wound is there than to show someone who you really are and have them like you even less than the person you made up?

Her eyes were a little unfocused when she looked up at him and wheezed, “Ow.” “Where are you hurt?” He ran his hands up and down her sides, trying to find the wound that pained her. He skimmed his fingers down her sides, finding more of that softness that was so intriguing, but right now, he had to focus on the injuries that she’d thrust upon herself. Foolish female. Foolish achromo taking risks like that. “I’m fine!” she insisted, slapping at his hands. But she was still making that awful wheezing sound. It didn’t sound like it was coming from her throat, but he didn’t know what else would make that noise. She made a few coughing sounds, and he wondered if she’d broken her ribs. He could feel them when he squeezed her hard, so he knew she had them just like he did. Leaning down, he pressed his head against her sternum. Right between the rather full, interesting breasts that he definitely wasn’t looking at because he needed to listen to her heart beat. Perhaps it was her heart that was struggling. The moment he pressed his head down, he knew what the problem was. She had seriously injured herself because there was only one beat in her chest. One thud. Steady and even, but it was still only the one. He left his head against her skin, not wanting her to see his expression as he realized she was dying. “Oh, Ace. This is grave indeed.

He waited. Listening to her heart beat while her grip made its way down to the back of his neck, massaging tense muscles that couldn’t release. No matter how hard she worked at them. No matter how wonderful it felt for her to touch him. It set in that her heart wasn’t slowing. She was still here. Touching him. Breathing. And her heart was still beating. Slowly, he lifted his head from the comfortable pillows of her breasts and looked at her. She gave him the smallest smile, and it was the first time he’d seen any expression on her face other than sullen seriousness. “Humans only have one heart.” “One heart?” he repeated. “One heart.” Well. He felt silly. And then he realized he was pressed against every inch of her. His tail had somehow looped around her ankles, holding her legs together while he was still on top of her. While he did that, her hips were pressed into his belly. His arms were on either side of her body and he’d had his head nestled between her breasts. He was screaming the word “friends” in his mind and somehow, that wasn’t helping. He was still here. Still leaning against her. Still staring down at her as he realized just how close he was to her. “You have small flecks of gold in your eyes,” he mumbled. The gills on the sides of his neck stood up, fluttering slowly for her.

There should have been a way for him to say that she meant far more to him than just a friend. That he wanted her to be with him all the time, and when they were apart, he felt strange. He wanted to listen to her talk, collect all of her smiles, and all the other things that were probably too clingy for him to ever say to her.

Remember our deal. If we don’t get that key, you don’t get the weapons.” “I couldn't care less about your weapons,” he replied, knowing full well that only Ace could understand him. “I do this as a favor for her, not for you.” He thought he was the only one who heard her tiny gasp echo inside the chamber of her bubble. And it would probably be dangerous for anyone else to have heard it. These people didn’t seem trustworthy to him, and he’d rather have Ace in his arms now rather than theirs. He reached for her, his hands wide and his claws already curled. Ready to protect her. But unfortunately, she only saw it as a threat. He knew how scary he must look, but he’d forgotten that he was large in comparison to her. No one was frightened of him. Not usually, at least. But she hesitated before putting her hands on his shoulders, and then he scooped her up and dove perhaps a little too quickly. But he would take no risks when it came to this strange achromo. She would be safer with him than with them.

She needed to get out of her own head. This was an undine. A monster. A deep sea creature who likely was going to continue killing people and saw no issues with her having been the cause of an entire human city being destroyed. It was silly for her to even think he wanted anything more. His careful hands were merely because he thought she was weak.

I don’t know what god smiled upon me when they sent you to my side, but I am grateful for it.” “I am the lucky one, kefi.” “No, I don’t think you understand. You’ve been so kind to me. You’ve worked to make me a stronger person in such a short amount of time and I don’t know what I give back, or what I even could. I owe you so much more than just my life, Maketes.” His breath fanned over her collarbone, and he dragged her closer to his hearts. “No. You owe me nothing.

Come here.” A shudder danced through her, and he could see all those little bumps rise on her skin again. But she turned toward him, heat in her eyes and her breath coming quicker. “Why?” “You know why.” “Tell me anyway.” She sauntered toward him, a confidence in her hips that he hadn’t seen before. Then she placed her fingers on his shoulders, dancing up to the fins on his throat. He arched into her touch, already hard behind the scales that kept him safe from her gaze. “You made a promise, didn’t you?” “Oh, and you think you deserve to have that promise fulfilled?” He’d saved her life multiple times, so he thought maybe he did. But he didn’t want to ruin this moment. Not when he knew that it was so tenuous and he wanted this to happen so dearly. So he arched into her touch, leaning back against the equipment that dug into his spine. He hit something that made all the lights turn out in the room. Blinking in the darkness, he watched her lean around him, set her glasses on the back of the console, and hit another button. Instead of the blinding lights overhead, the only light that came on was the red emergency light. It bathed her body in sensuous colors as she placed her feet on either side of his tail.

He thought she was his joy. No one had ever looked at her and seen anything but a strange girl who tried a little too hard to push people away. And now, she had this creature who had come out of the depths of the sea who looked at her like she’d hung the very moon itself.

would like to do this with you someday. I will hold you as the sea rocks us to sleep.” Somehow, it felt like a sexual thing to say. He watched as her pupils blew out, her already dark eyes grew even darker as her breath caught in her throat. He wondered what was going through her mind. Perhaps she, too, was stuck remembering that she’d promised to kiss him with that mouth. That she’d promised to show him that achromos were better with their tongues than any of his people could hope to be. Maybe it was a dream, though. There was a long way for them to go before they would be alone again. He had half a mind to encourage this moment. If he drew her even closer, kissed her as he had before, perhaps she could be convinced. They could linger here in the cave for days if they wanted to. Because now that she’d mentioned using her mouth, he wanted to taste her as well. He should have talked with Arges or Daios more about... all of this. He knew that they had mated with their females. Both of them always smelled like their partners, no matter how long they had been gone from their sides. The scent of their women was melted into their scales at this point, and that was something he wanted as well. How, though? He had no idea. Maketes wasn’t exactly experienced in this. He’d only ever tried to mate with a female of his own kind once, and it hadn’t gotten very far. He had seen the swiping claws and the rage on the female’s face as she’d swam at him. Terror was to be expected during mating but that feeling had been enough for him to call it off. Ace seemed kinder. Softer. She was ready and willing to welcome him with open arms instead of claws and teeth.

Jacob cleared his throat, obviously a little uncomfortable. “There is a key in another tower that I need you to get. The problem is that we can’t get into the other towers, and we aren’t sure which tower it’s in to begin with. But that key is vital to us being safe and living where we are. It holds a great amount of power in Gamma, and I want it.” She hadn’t ever heard about a key. A key to what? “All we need from you is transportation. You will bring Ace to the main tower where I believe the key was last seen, and then you will pick her back up and bring her here. We even have a dive suit that will suffice for travel, so the only thing you have to worry about is getting her in and out of a building.” Jacob spread his hands wide with a grin that was far too smarmy for comfort. “It’s an easy job to do, and in return, I’ll give you the best weapons you’ll ever have.” That was a stretch. She didn’t have to say it though, because Maketes was quick to reply, “The best weapons are my own hands, achromo. I could rip your head off and toss it into the crowd of your people before you take your next breath. Let’s not pretend you can create any weapon more deadly than me.” She felt faint. She knew her face had turned white at the same time she felt dizzy because Jacob immediately snarled, “What did he say?” She didn’t know how to lie about that one.

You killed all those people with your bare hands,” she whispered, her gaze still locked on his lips. “You ripped a man’s throat out with those teeth. And you are everything so many have described a monster to be.” “And yet?” She smiled. A real, true smile that made her cheeks ache. She was so rusty with smiling, Ace wasn’t even sure if it looked like a genuine smile or if it was all wrong. “I know these hands will not hurt me. I know that your teeth will never rip at my flesh. And I suppose I can admit that I trust you. Even if you have the hands of a murderer.” His hands flexed on her sides, and then he let out a low, grumbling sound. It rumbled in his chest like the sound of a motor before he suddenly pushed down on her hips. She went from standing to sitting. There was no fighting that grip. She thought she was going to tumble to the ground, but instead, she landed on his coiled up tail. The scales pressed between her legs, rubbing against the ache that had built while she touched him, and she was suddenly struck by their position. She had one hand still on his gills, one hand tracing his lips. Her legs were wrapped around him, and his hands were on her hips. If she rocked even slightly, she’d be grinding herself against the ridges of his scales. Seeking out that friction that she desperately needed but that he likely didn’t even understand. Maketes must know very little about her kind. There was no reason for him to learn anatomy, and she’d never even asked him if he was interested in humans or what he thought about her people. Cheeks flaming bright red, she drew her hands back to herself. Planting them on her thighs so she didn’t touch him anymore, she cleared her throat. “Would you like me to stitch you up?

Then his hand cupped hers, drawing her fingers to his neck. The softest velvet bumped against her fingers, gently fluttered the moment she touched them. “My gills?” he repeated, his voice deeper than before. She took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut a little harder, and explored. Just like with the shark, he gave her an opportunity to face something that made her feel uncomfortable, and she was going to take that opportunity. From afar, his gills looked like they were similar to a lionfish. All spines and spikes and likely full of poisonous liquid that would make her writhe in agony. But they weren’t like that at all. They were soft. They slid through her fingers and seemed to touch her back with the slightest of movements. She could feel him exhaling. The warm air that escaped through his gills was so much warmer than the air of the surgical room. “This doesn’t hurt you?” she asked. “If you yanked on them, yes, it would hurt.” His tone was twisted, like he was holding himself back from something. “But it feels nice when you touch them.” “Oh.” Did she want it to feel nice?

The fins around his face flared wide, and even that made her uncomfortable. Just the slightest show of surprise and she was so close to bolting it made her ashamed of herself. With an angry exhale, she stacked everything next to him and tried her best to get control over the feelings. “It’s hard to remember that I know who you are when you’re so... so...” He reached up between them and grabbed one of her flailing hands. “What about me scares you?” She swallowed. “Maketes, I don’t want to⁠—” “Tell me exactly. Tell me what pieces of me scare you so that I can ease your fears.” She shouldn’t be doing this. This was stupid, anyway. There were so many parts of him that scared her. It would take them hours for her to list them all and they were on a timeline. She barely had time to stitch him closed, which was the other thing they should both be focused on right now. Instead, she found her lips moving. “Your claws.” “My claws?” He lifted their hands up so she had to look at them, seeing her fingers coiled together with his. “These would never cause pain. They were made to protect, not to harm.” “But they ripped through that man’s stomach so easily.” “I don’t want you to think of that, kefi. I want you to know that they are gentle with you and that if you need someone to save you, that they are the first weapon you should look for.