Page 20 of Kraken the Seal
Picking me up, he set me on my feet and then guided me into the cabin. He made us sandwiches that looked delicious, but when we sat down to eat, I took one bite and had a hard time swallowing. I set the sandwich down, glaring at it.
“The way you're scowling at that sandwich makes me think it insulted you,” he teased. “Does it not taste good? I can make another one.”
“I'm only frowning at the food because I can't glare at my inner seal,” I explained. “She's demanding stinky fish. I like everything about this sandwich, but she won't let me eat it.”
“I'm sorry. She's going to give you cravings you're not used to,” Delmar explained. He got up, opened a can of tuna, and drained it in the sink. Sitting back down with the can in his hand, he lifted a slice of bread, dumped the contents onto my sandwich, then put the slice back down.
Now my seal wanted to eat. She wanted me to press my nose to Delmar to thank him for the perfect food. The impulse wasso strong that I did it. Delmar didn't act like it was odd; he only made a happy humming sound.
“I don’t like this,” I said, even as I took a bite and happiness exploded from my seal. She loved tuna even more than sardines.
“I know it’s weird to go from no cravings to strong cravings,” he said. “But our animals are designed to eat certain foods, and if they don’t get them, they can panic. Your seal doesn't recognize the sandwich as food without the fish.”
“It’s a good thing I like sushi,” I grumbled. “That will be a food we can agree on.”
“Wait until you try it now,” Delmar said with a grin. “You’re going to appreciate all the subtle flavors you missed before.”
An image of my favorite sashimi floated through my head, and my selkie was supremely interested. “I think we're going to need to stop for sushi soon.”
Delmar nodded. “We'll be at the colony soon. They'll have good sushi.”
“How do you know that?” I asked. “I thought you said you’ve never been there before.”
“I haven't, but any town full of selkies has to have excellent seafood and sushi," he said with confidence.
I grinned. “Good point. At least I have that to look forward to, even if they can't help us.”
“I like the way you think,” Delmar said.
I smiled, trying to ignore my growing anxiety with talk of the colony. There were so many unknowns. I wasn't a fan of uncertainty to begin with, but this was beyond anything I'd experienced before.
Delmar must've sensed my inner turmoil because he set down his sandwich and put a hand on my shoulder.
“I'm here.”
I blinked and felt warmth spread through my chest. He wasn't trying to give me false hope or quoting stupid platitudes. Histwo words were simple but important. He made me feel like no matter what happened, he'd be there to catch me.
Chapter 8
Delmar
There was one small harbor with an even smaller dock. Every slip was full, and I didn’t see any signs for temporary docking spots. I maneuvered us to the dockside fuel pump, the only empty place for us to dock besides the boat launch area. I needed gas anyway, so it was fine for now.
I was finishing tying the stern line when a teenager rushed down the dock toward me. The name Dale was embroidered on his shirt, there was grease on his jeans, and he had a big welcoming smile.
“Do you only need fuel, or do you need to fill your water tank also?” he asked, then must have sensed my kraken. He stumbled to a halt and paled. “Oh, fuck!”
We were in the right place because he was definitely a selkie. I could feel his animal’s fear.
“I’m not here to cause trouble,” I said quickly.
“All the fuel you want, on the house,” he stuttered, backing away from me. “And potable water! Fill everything, just don’t eat me.”
“Hey, no, don’t go,” I said. “Nina, could you come out here?”
Originally, our plan was for Nina to stay hidden on the boat. I’d go ashore and find out who to talk to, but it looked like all my presence was going to do was cause a panic.
The teenager paused long enough for Nina to step out of the cabin and to the edge of the boat. I reached out with a few tentacles to lift her onto the dock with me.
