Free Fire (The Mermaid Legacy - Book 2) by Natasha Hardy

explanation, far too much tactical information for someone I’d only just met. For all I knew he could be on Neith’s side.
    “What are
you
doing here?” I asked, hoping to garner a bit more information before I gave too much away.
    “I’ve been following the unfurling of events through aquatica and recent abominations have pulled me from my Somnus. It seems there is perhaps need of the timeous wisdom I possess.”
    “Aquatica?”
    “Yes, Alexandra, Defender of Men, I am a Water Sprite I am privy to all that the water communicates.”
    “So you know about Neith?”
    He nodded grimly.“He has and still is committing a great many atrocities. I am ashamed to say he comes from the mountain pod, for I fear that what he is doing will forever be a blot on our good name.”
    I was already feeling a lot more comfortable with him but needed just a little more information on where he’d been for the last fifty years and what it was that had drawn him out now.
    “So what were you doing before the er…Som…?”
    “What is the word in English now?” He tapped his forehead impatiently with a talon-like fingernail. “Sabine taught me…” His mouth twisted a little in sadness around her name.“Ah…hiberning.”
    “Hiberning?”
    “Yes, um, sleep…”
    “Oh you mean hibernating?”
    He beamed at me, transforming the folds in his face and making him look much younger.
    “Yes, yes that is the word. I must remember it, she would want me to remember it…” His face fell and his eyes dulled a little as I recognised the grief at the loss of his love Sabine. “You were planning something?” His direct question left me with little choice but to answer.
    “Yes, how to save Merrick actually.”
    He nodded. “You were either very brave or very stupid to go to Ferengren on your own.”
    “Thanks,” I muttered.”
    He beamed at me. “Come, Alexandra, Defender of Men, you must eat something if you are to regain your strength for what is still to happen. And as you said, we must plan very carefully our next move.”
    “Who said you were part of my plan?”
    He laughed heartily. “You will need me in the days that come, Alexandra, perhaps more than you know. It is always good to a have a friend on your side, wouldn’t you agree?”
    I did agree with him, I just hoped that he was the type of friend I could trust.
    The rainstorm had blown inland as we spoke and he led me back to the beach, instructing me to wait for him.
    I watched him slip around the sea-facing side of the ship, returning a few minutes later with his arms filled with plump oysters.
    Using his talon-like fingernails he touched the hinge side of the oysters lightly, a slight smile playing on his lips as they opened obediently.
    He removed them quickly, washing them in the surf before setting them out in their clean shells between us.
    I watched as he ate his noisily, slurping the grey mess into his mouth and smacking his lips with each swallow.
    “Eat,” he ordered around a mouthful of oyster.
    I picked mine up gingerly, closing my eyes, and poured it quickly down my throat. A salty savoury flavour filled my mouth. It was delicious except for the texture.
    He placed another six before me and continued to enjoy his meal.
    “I haven’t had those in a hundred years.” He sighed, his eyes closed, the wind whipping his long hair around his face. “Good, yes?” His blue eyes were piercing as they waited for my response.
    I nodded.
    “Now tell me, Alexandra, Defender Of Men, why is it that you are back on land?”
    “Before I answer your questions I need you to answer some of mine.”
    He scowled at me but waited.
    “How do I know you’re not with Neith?” I decided to be as direct as he was, not having the time to mess around with half answers that gave me no clear understanding of which side he was on.
    “Did Merrick tell you about my Sabine?”
    I nodded.
    “Then that should be answer enough for you. I could never destroy the species she came