TRITON did not waste time addressing Callie's visible confusion. Grabbing Delphi by the arm, he hoisted her up off her seat. When her male companions tried to interfere, she quickly pacified them with "It's okay. I know him!"

It was the only smart choice she has made in a long time.

He pulled her through the packed club towards the glowing exit sign. She didn't try to get away, but she was begging him to slow down and hear her out. He had no intention to do either. Now that he found her, they will leave this stunted society humans called a civilization and return to the sea where they belong. The disguised mermaid's pleads were drowning in her tears.

A woman with purple hair suddenly blocked his path. "Let her go," she said.

He recognized her aura and scoffed, "And what do you think you can do to stop me, witch?"

"Leave her be or I will expose your fins," the seawitch threatened at a volume she knew only he could hear. Many human eyes were already set on them due to Delphi's tears, their drunk brains trying to figure out if she needed help or this was a couple's quarrel better left alone.

"Erza, please don't," Delphi cried.

He narrowed his eyes. "You dare threaten the Prince of Atlantis? You got guts, I'll give you that. Now step aside."

"Yes, you're the prince, which means you know better than anyone what exposure would mean for all of your people. Let her go and leave, unless you want to cause a scene." Her eyes glowed neon violet and he felt his arm burn as scales were forcing their way to the surface of his skin.

Hissing under his breath, he released his hold on Delphi and she immediately dove behind the seawitch. The burning stopped. "This isn't over."

"We know," Erza responded tightly before escorting Delphi to the bar. They will stay close to humans, protected by his unwillingness to reveal their shared secret. A seawitch would sink to such treasonous actions.

CALLIE followed them inside and saw the confrontation between him and the purple-haired girl. Though she couldn't make out what they were saying over the loud speakers, the tension was palpable. She didn't know how Triton knew Delphi. The petite girl did claim to know him as well, even if she was far from pleased to see him. In fact, she almost looked frightened.

Luckily, he let her go and the pair retreated to the other end of the bar. Callie approached from behind him. He remained unaware of her presence.

"Damn seawitch," he cursed, his words reaching her ears due to a lull in the music as one song ended.

Huh?

"Triton?" She rested a hand on his shoulder and he whipped around, his eyes glowing. She dropped her hand, reminding herself he doesnt like to be touched, though he didn't seem to have a problem when it was he who was initiating contact.

"Oh, it's you," he said, the blue embers in his eyes fading. She wanted to blame the flashing lights, but he was now turned away from them. "Are you ready to leave?"

She nodded. Everything about Triton was peculiar, but Callie could not put into words what she wanted to ask him. And even if she could, she had a feeling he wouldn't tell her anyway. One thing was for certain. He did not have amnesia.

Right before they got to her car, she turned to face him. They were far enough away from people to talk privately, but close enough for her to have somewhere to run to if need be.

"Who are you?"

"Triton? I thought this was already established."

"No... I didn't mean your name. Where did you come from and why are you here?"

"Ambiguous questions only have ambiguous answers."

"Are you being coy on purpose?"

"Am I? Okay, I understand your concerns. You have come to realize you may have been insanely naive to have invited a stranger into your home while your father is away. You didn't mention your father was away, yes, but one can put two and two together. I didn't comment on your naivety because it worked out in my favor. You have been quite accommodating and so deserve the truth. You must trust me when I say I cannot tell you the truth. It will only put you in danger. But I can promise you that I have no intention to harm you."

"How can I trust your word? Wouldn't someone who has intentions to harm me say that they don't?"

He smiled. "Look at you learning fast. I cannot force you to allow me to stay at your home but ... I came here to bring Delphi home. For reasons I cannot get into, I don't have money or resources here. I find myself at your mercy. It is not a position I particularly like, but here we are. I promise once I accomplish what I came here to do, you will never see me again and I'll make sure you are generously compensated for your troubles. Deal?"

He held out his hand and she only hesitated for a split second before giving it a firm shake. However, when he tried to pull away, she held on, looking him straight in the eyes, she said, "Deal, but let me make this clear. Though I may be a little naive, do not think of me as helpless. I am perfectly capable of defending myself. I am a brown belt at Krav Maga. Not a black belt, but it would be wise for you to rethink trying anything with me. I will go for the kill."

He finally managed to get his hand out of her grip. With an eyeroll, he responded in a sardonic tone, "Clear, killer. Fortunate for me then as it will not come to that. Can we go now?"

"One more question. Who is Delphi to you? Sister?"

"Her family and mine are close. I've known her since infancy."

"She is why you came here?"

"Yes, to take her back home to her family. Enough questions. This place has given me a terrible headache."

🌊🌊🌊

The next morning, CALLIE stared in her mirror summoning up the courage to leave the steamy bathroom. She had gotten up and saw Triton still asleep, so she took the opportunity to take a shower. Of course, she had forgotten to take her clothes in the bathroom with her.

In her defense, she rarely put clothes on right after a hot shower. It felt weird when the clothes clinged to her wet skin. She usually let her body air dry in the comfort of her room, then moistured with some aloe-infused lotion before putting clothes on. She will have to make a new habit or invest in a robe.

Taking a deep breath and gripping the towel, she prayed he was still asleep. She bolted out the door making a beeline for her room only to run straight into his bare chest. They both fell back against the stairs.

She realized with mind-boggling panic that her towel had slipped when she freed her hands to break her fall. She moved her hands from his chest to cover his eyes.

"Don't look."

"I don't really have to..." His words were stiff and he seemed to be trying to hold his breath.

She knew what he meant when the heaving of her chest caused her breast to rub against his chest. The skin to skin contact was like nothing Callie had ever experienced. The tingling she felt was like electricity. Mortified, she bounced up, scooped up her towel, and locked herself in her room.

"Callie?" Triton's voice traveled through the door.

"Go away! No one is here. I'm dead."

"No need to overreact. I didn't see anything. And even if I did, you have nothing to be ashamed of, objectively speaking."

"The hell does that mean? Did you see -- forget it! Can we just stop talking about this?"

"Gladly. Will you get dressed and come out? I'm hungry."

A few moments later, she came out in the baggiest sweatshirt and sweatpants she owned. He raised an eyebrow at her from his lounging position on the couch. "No need to dress up for my sake."

"I'm not," she snapped back crossing her arms over her chest.

He rolled his eyes and sat up straight. "You picked out that outfit in order to desexualize yourself in my eyes. It is unnecessary."

"Oh? Am I really that unappealing to you?" She clenched her teeth thinking about knocking out a few of his.

A hint of lust darkened his eyes before it disappeared making her question if it was even there to begin with. Resting his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and narrowed his eyes at her looking every part of a dissatisfied god. "Once you get past your feelings, you will realize why I will not answer such a question. Regardless, I am not a starving animal who gets bothered by just any female form. The insinuation is not just degrading, it's insulting. Dress however you wish. It does not concern me."

She stuttered and ended up gnawing on her lip, not knowing what to say. What could she? He was right. Maybe she had read too many stories where men do get all hot and bothered. Was it conceited to think she would incite such wild feelings in a man?

What he is really saying is he just doesn't find me attractive, her insecurities whispered in her mind. Stop it! He just isn't a pervert.

"Now that we have established that, prepare me some food. I'm starving." The good feelings she had evaporated. Right. A womanizer he may not be, but a bossy jerk he is!

Her stomach grumbled. Guess she needed to cook up something anyway. She got out the tuna fish she had prepared yesterday and smeared it on bread for them.

"What is that?" He asked looking at the sandwich with distaste.

"Lunch. Tunafish sandwich. Sorry, I'm out of chips." When he still seemed unsure, she showed him a can of tuna. "Look. I just added mayo, relish, and soft boiled egg to it."

He took the can from her to examine the label and murmured, "Only humans would eat food from a can."

"Huh?" Her phone started ringing. She ran to her bedroom to get it."H-hello?"

"Callie, where are you?" Karen demanded.

"Uh, I'm..."

"You were taking Luis's shift today, right?"

"Right..." I had completely forgot. "I'm on my way! Sorry!"

Callie hung up before her boss could say anything else. Discarding her clothes, she squeezed into her one piece black bathing suit, then her uniform which consisted of red shorts and white tee. She liked to have a scrunchie wrapped around her wrist in case she wanted to throw up her hair. As she rubbed sunscreen on her face, her bedroom door started opening. Like a pro-wrestler, she body slammed it close.

"No! My rule stands. You are not allowed in here, ever!"

After she slid on her flip flops, sunglasses and visor, she ran out of the room closing the door behind her.

"I want another sandwich," he said, as soon as she came into view. Ignoring him, she scooped up her car keys. "Where are you going?"

"Work. Just a few hours. Just make yourself at home but do not go–"

"Your room or upstairs. Got it. What about my sandwich?"

"The tuna is right there on the counter. Make it yourself."

⛵⛵⛵

Callie sat up in her stand. It was a weekday, so not many beach goers and zero children. She occupied herself by studying the triangular sharktooth in her hand, still baffled by its sheer size. Triton hasn't asked about it. Perhaps he thinks he just lost it in the ocean. The real question was why hasn't she returned it?

"G'day, gorgeous," Adam said as he climbed up the ladder surprising her. She tried to hide the tooth, but there was nowhere to hide it. "That is the biggest shark tooth I have ever seen! Where'd you get it?"

"It's not mine. I'm just holding it for a friend."

"Gnarly. Can I see it?"

"Sure. Just don't lose it, please."

He took it and scoffed, "I'm not gonna go anywhere with it. Impressive. It's real?"

She pursed her lips as she snatched it back from him. "I'm not sure. I'm going to ask my dad."

"Right. Your dad is some bigshot marine biologist, right? Pretty sick."

"He is an oceanographer, but yes, he does have a degree in marine biology. He is a top researcher in his field."

She could not help the pride in her voice when she spoke about her father. His accomplishments while being a single parent were beyond amazing. She loved the ocean, but her father lived for it. She just wished she had the same burning passion. Surely, a renowned scientist like her dad who had such great expectations for her would be disappointed to learn she just liked taking pictures.

"So how did you enjoy Below the Deck? Dion said you left so fast, no one got a chance to say bye," he pouted.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Something came up. Actually, I wanted to ask you---"

"'Bout what?"

A twitch of an eyebrow was the only indicator that his interruption annoyed her. "What do you know about Delphi?"

"Delphi?"

"Yes, the girl. She was with your group of friends. How long have they known her?"

"Not long. I don't really know her."

"Oh. Thanks anyway."

"Oh, wait. The girl she is close to, Erza. It's like her cousin or something. You know Erza? Purple hair? Can't miss it. She' a weird one."

"Weird?"

"She just keeps to herself, doesn't talk much."

Sounds exactly like me. I don't see the issue...

"So Erza is Delphi's cousin?"

"Something like that. I think Delphi said she is staying with her while she is in town. Ezra's family run that old antique shop on the beach. What's it called?"

"Tides, Treasures, and Trinkets?"

"That's it! You've been there?"

"No. I've seen it though." The shop is actually not far down the beach from Callie's house. Erza and Triton didn't seem to like each other. That much was clear, though their conflict remained a mystery.

Returning home from work, Callie could not find Triton. She even looked upstairs. She then checked the house to see if anything was stolen, but nothing was out of place. He could've just left. He wasn't a child, though he seemed strangely ignorant about simple things. The girl couldn't help but worry. Maybe he went searching for Delphi.

She ended up heading down the beach a ways. It was getting late. The sun had already set, but there was still enough light to see. Just when she thought to turn around, she heard Triton's voice and another man's coming from behind a large sand dune.

"I have a bad feeling about this. Are you sure you want to do this?" The stranger said.

"I don't have a choice," Triton nearly growled.

What is going on? Was she witnessing a drug handoff? His drug screen came back negative, but that doesn't mean he doesn't sell them. What if he hides drugs in her house? What if he is a felon? And that's why he faked amnesia! She and her dad could be arrested for harboring a criminal! Everything started making sense. And then it didn't.

"What is your next command, my liege?"

My liege? Do drug cartels have hierarchies?

"My next step will be to locate where Delphi is staying. The problem is the seawitch is siding with her and now Delphi will be ready for me. I will need my trident to deal with them both."

"Say no more. I will track the water currents and find your trident. They will demand answers in Atlantis. What should I tell the king, my prince?"

"Report to my father that Delphi and I are taking a tour of the humans' world together to strengthen our bond. If he knew the situation, he would want me to take care of it quietly. I intend to."

She peeked up over the dune for a better look, their words making her too curious for her own good. The sight she saw made her gasp drawing their attention.

"Behind you, Your Majesty!" The strange man who had the head of a fish maneuvered around Triton and tried to throw a spear at Callie. Triton grabbed the creature's arm at the last second causing the spear to miss its mark.

"Wait, Kashimur! That human is harmless."

Callie didn't stick around to hear the rest. She bolted back towards her house wondering what the hell she was mixed up in.

Callie: Next! Why does the mermaid wear seashells?

Triton: That is---

Callie: She grew out of B-shells!

Heehee...

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