Page 93 of Salt in the Seas
“Yeah, that’s what I came to see!” Similar shouts rang out through the crowd, but Dreyfus showed no concern. If anything, the smile on his face grew bigger, and he ran a hand through his golden curls, relishing the attention.
“My museum of wonders boasts many artifacts, but if you’re finished looking at the items on deck, I can take you below for my prized possession. The stairs are steep and the room is small, so I can only take two at a time.”
Men stumbled over themselves to get in line first, but Aeliana, Gaeren, and Velden held back. At least Velden’s anger wasn’t making him do anything rash… yet. It would be far better to deal with Dreyfus without a crowd.
As the Sun rose higher and the line grew shorter, Aeliana began to wonder if it would have been better to go first. With each pair that left, Aeliana and Velden were forced to listen to people’s comments on what they thought of the tail nailed to the wall. Occasionally men would come out, describing it in detail in a way that made Velden flinch. Others made fun of it, which swung Velden to a state of agitation. One man immediately kneeled to worship the Sun, as if the sight had restored his faith.
Velden pulled his webbed hands out of his pockets to wipe his face, but she wasn’t sure if the water came from his hands or his eyes.
Eventually, the crowd dwindled, and Aeliana, Gaeren, and Velden took their place in line.
“Velden and I can go first,” Aeliana said. “Be prepared to back us up if we have any trouble.”
Gaeren nodded, but his eyes narrowed. She expected him to argue, maybe suggest that Aeliana stay behind instead, but the young girl who had sold them tickets stood back on the dock, shouting that the next view time would start soon. Eager onlookers formed a line on the dock, and Velden frowned. So much for waiting to avoid an audience.
“We’re just scoping it out to steal later anyway,” Gaeren said, his gaze shifting to Velden. “Right?”
Velden nodded, but the tightness in his jaw made it hard to believe him.
When their turn came, Dreyfus held out of hand for Velden.
“Name’s Dreyfus.”
The conman peered under the hat’s rim, but Velden kept his face hidden in its shadow. He didn’t introduce himself or take his hands from his pockets, leaving Dreyfus awkwardly holding out his arm.
“It’s not often I get a pretty lady aboard my boat,” he continued, adjusting his hand for Aeliana to offer hers for a kiss.
The thought of his puffy lips against the skin of her hand made her nauseous.
“It looks like you’re ready to start a new show, and we want to get our money’s worth,” she said shortly.
Dreyfus’ smile faltered. “Of course.” He recovered quickly, gesturing for them to follow him below deck. As he walked, he began his story, sharing how he had gone out early one morning to empty the crab traps when he saw the flicker of an orange and mauve tail.
Aeliana glanced back at Velden, whose eyes slid shut.
“I didn’t expect it to be a Sayhleen. Who would?” Dreyfus’ deep chuckle sounded sinister in the dark hull of his ship. “But I thought it might have some pretty scales to sell at the market, and it seemed large enough to be worth the pursuit. So I unfurled my nets and cast them wide.”
“But you didn’t catch her within the net, did you?” Velden asked.
Dreyfus turned back, his eyes narrowed. “Yes, I did. Unfortunately, she was injured, and by the time I pulled in the net, she was already dead.”
Velden’s jaw clenched, and Aeliana placed a hand on his back in warning. They needed to find the starbridge before he addressed what this man had done. Her mind flashed back to Cyrus’ insistence that vengeance be left to the Stars or Sun, and she did her best to push that memory on Velden.
If he received it, he didn’t acknowledge it.
Dreyfus made a show of unlocking the door and ushering them into a small room, its portholes shining light directly on a glittering object.
Gorgeous ombre scales bled from a bright sunset orange to a deep blood-tinged mauve, like the depths of a fire in solid form. The tail’s length rivaled the height of a man, and the span of its shell-pink translucent fin stretched out just as wide. Despite its elegance, the thickness of the tail gave evidence to muscle that had once propelled the Sayhleen through the waters with ease.
She reached for Velden’s arm, needing to steady herself as much as him.
“How did you preserve it?” Velden asked.
“My skills are no different from the taxidermist who stuffs birds and beasts.”
A cold chill ran down Aeliana’s spine.
“And what of the top half of the body?” Velden’s voice shook, signaling that Aeliana’s time to find the starbridge was running out.
