Free Of Neptune (The Syrena Legacy) by Anna Banks

good.”
    Mr. Conway is about to parry, but Toby, oblivious to the tension, slurps the rest of his buttermilk and near slams it on the table. “Galen, Reed says you have the biggest fin he’s ever seen.”
    Galen smirks at Reed, then nods his head toward him ever so slightly. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
    Reed responds with a scowl.
    I can tell that Toby was really asking a question instead of making a statement, and Galen probably realizes this, too, but he’s not budging on any insights into why he’d have a ginormous fin. Of course.
    Toby gives up on Galen and turns to me. “Emma, Reed says you have the Gift of Poseidon, too.”
    “Too?” I ask, glancing at Reed. So he really was bonding with the fish in the cave. Poseidon-style.
    The older brother offers me his carefree grin, only one corner of his mouth bothering to rise. “Toby and I both have the Gift,” Reed says.
    Okay, didn’t see that coming. “Really?” I squeak. “So that means … Are you both descendants of Poseidon?” Because that’s the only way they could have the Gift.
    “There are many descendants of Poseidon living here, Emma,” Mr. Conway says, all the strain gone from his voice. Neptune has now become my personal jackpot. “You see, long ago—”
    “Ugh! Not that story again,” Toby grunts.
    Mrs. Conway laughs. “Toby, don’t interrupt your father.”
    Toby rests his elbow on the table and plops his chin in his hand. “But, Mom, it’s such a boring story, and Dad draws it out forever.” Toby has a slight problem pronouncing his r ’s, which makes “forever” sound like fowevew. Might be the most angelic thing I’ve ever heard.
    “Our heritage is not boring,” Reed corrects.
    “I’d have to agree,” Galen says. “I would love to hear the story.” He locks eyes with Mr. Conway.
    Mr. Conway gives a small smile, then stands abruptly. “Maybe another time. Obviously, I need to brush up on my storytelling skills.” He takes his empty plate, stacking his silverware on top. Before he exits to the kitchen, he calls over his shoulder. “But if you want to be entertained, you could ask Reed why he refuses to use his Gift.”
    “Oh, nice Dad,” Reed says, sinking in his seat.
    Toby snorts beside him. “He thinks it’s cheating. Unbelievable, right?”
    What’s unbelievable is that I’m really having this conversation. With Half-Breeds like me. Half-Breeds who have the Gift of Poseidon. Like me . “Cheating?” I ask, trying my hand at low-key.
    Reed rolls his eyes in surrender. “It is cheating. It gives me an advantage over other fishermen. An advantage I don’t need. Besides, it’s not like it’s my job to fish.”
    I raise a brow. “But it’s not cheating to lure fish to your rope of death?”
    “That’s a matter of eating, which is what the Gift is for, right? I’m talking about competitions. I can handle a pole just as well as any of them.”
    Toby shakes his head at me. “He wishes.”
    Reed pulls his little brother into a headlock. “Take it back!”
    “Oh, here we go,” Mrs. Conway says, leaning an elbow onto the table in mock boredom.
    A small scuffle ensues, which results in both brothers sprawled on the floor, and Toby still in a headlock, though in possession of some of Reed’s elbow skin between his teeth. Even Galen appears amused. I wonder if—and don’t doubt that—he’s been in this same position with Rayna.
    “I won’t take it back!” Toby growls, but his tenacity is markedly reduced by his uncontrollable giggles.
    “You don’t even know who the better fisherman is,” Reed says, releasing his brother. He looks at me, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt. “He won’t fish without using the Gift.”
    “Why would I?” Toby takes his chair again. “I’ve won every fishing tournament I’ve ever entered. Got the trophies to prove it.”
    Mrs. Conway nearly spits out her wine. “You told me—you promised me—you wouldn’t use the Gift for those tournaments, Toby Travis