Just Breathe by Kendall Grey Read Free Book Online Page A

Archelemental candidate had put his life in danger. He’d be an even bigger target if she took the position. This had to end.
    Stay in my slipstream, just behind my flipper. It’ll be easier to swim there, and hopefully, less painful for you. Lily turned to the small mob of humpbacks surrounding her in the water column. No more talk of this appointment. My son doesn’t need to be involved any more than he is.
    They collectively lowered their heads.
    She wished they’d stop that. She was no better than any of them.
    Tired of fighting, Lily continued onward toward Hervey Bay, and her escorts followed. They wrapped her and Araluen in a web of song to ward off any Fyre Elementals that might venture close. The music helped pass the time, but it also provided adequate cover for a long distance conversation.
    Zoe, she called out.
    Lily. I’m here, came Zoe’s response.
    My calf and I will be in Hervey Bay in less than two weeks. Can you find Lana for me and invite her to a meeting? We have much to discuss, and I’ll need you to translate.

    A long, heavy pause. All right. Are you and your baby okay?
    We will be fine. I heard about the calf in Sydney. I’m very sorry I couldn’t get to him. We had a small…incident. Nothing to worry about.
    I’m not sure you could have helped anyway, Zoe said. He was emaciated and dehydrated. He’s with his mother now in the Dreaming.
    Thank you for making his transition an easy one. We will meet soon.
    Safe journey, Lily. I can’t wait to see you.
    The weight of scrutiny fell on Lily’s back. She glanced around. The entire pod stared at her. Disappointment, worry, and regret leaked from their Water.
    If any of you wish to go, I will not be offended. Lana needs your support and tithes, so pledge them to her. Keep Water close to your heart. She will need every bit you can spare to sacrifice to Aqua on the equinox.

    Lily swam onward for a few minutes. Silence followed.
    In the uncharacteristic absence of song, she snuck a glance back, expecting to be alone.
    Not a single whale had left the group. And four new humpbacks had joined them.
    * * * *
    That night, Gavin rang Zoe as soon as he got in his car at the Hervey Bay Airport.
    “You get in okay?” She sounded tired, distant. Cold.
    “Yeah. How are things?” He navigated the parking lot and pointed his car toward Zoe’s house.
    “Busy. Got a lot on my plate at the moment with the whales. How’d it go in Sydney? Did you find out anything from Whetu?”
    “Still no progress on breaking down the mental wall she put in place. Jack stole an out-of-service ambulance, had some Elemental friends rip out the GPS, and fixed it up. They should get here tomorrow with Whetu.”
    Zoe laughed softly. “I don’t even want to ask how he stole an ambulance.”
    “He’s a sight, your dad.” Felt so weird to say that, having known Jack and Zoe separately for about the same length of time, but together only recently.
    “Yeah.”
    Conversation stilled for a few moments—just long enough for the ever-present hint of Scarlet’s smell to creep out of his pores and fill his head with more guilt.
    “I need to see you tonight, Zed.”
    Another long pause and a sigh. “It’s kinda late, and six o’clock comes mighty early.”
    He squeezed the phone tighter in his grip. “If not tonight, then when?” He was getting the feeling no matter when he asked to see her, she’d have an excuse to say no.
    “I’m not sure. Since the whales are so active and the days are getting longer, we’ll probably stay out later from now on.”
    Bingo . “So, I have to wait for a bad weather day to see you?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe.” Her exasperation cut through the line and headed straight for his throat. “I heard from her today. She’ll be here by the fifteenth. How about we talk then? It’ll give you time to figure out what’s going on with Whetu, and maybe I’ll have sorted through my…feelings by then.”
    He rubbed his spiked hair. He fucking