Free Floating Alone by Zenina Masters

Chapter One
     
     
    Marina watched the huge animals slowly rolling in the shade of the hospital tanks. “Morning, ladies. How are you doing today?”
    Her mind was assailed with the minor discomforts of pregnancy mixed with the confinement of the tank.
    She smiled and sent calming and loving emotion through the link. “We want you safe, and we are making a new zone that you can flourish in. We want it safe for you and your babies.”
    Marina crouched next to the tank and held out a handful of seagrasses. They were the large female’s favourite.
    The huge bulk of the largest manatee cruised toward her, and Marina fed her as she examined the scars from a propeller on her back and across her belly. They were healing well, but she still wanted to get a hold of that pilot and tear him in two.
    “Can you remember anything about the boat, dearest?” She continued to speak in low tones.
    An image suddenly came to her, brought by the proximity. Red speedboat, call numbers that Marina committed to memory and a laugh that she put in the same mental file.
    “Thank you, mother. I will make sure that he doesn’t hurt you or your little one again.” She ran her hand along the grey hide, and the mother lipped at her wrist.
    “Dr. Wake?”
    Marina turned her head and moved her hand out of the way before the huge creature could pull her in. Their whimsy sometimes lacked timing.
    “Yes, Toby. What can I do for you?”
    “The new investors are here, and you promised to take them for a tour.”
    She grimaced. “Is it that time already?”
    “Yes. I saw them coming in. Are you really pitching to some fey?”
    Marina smiled. “They have tons of money and are willing to put it into the upkeep of nature. Yeah, I am pitching to them.”
    “It doesn’t hurt that his parent is the local senator.”
    “That is also a factor. How do I look?” She brushed at her shorts and tank top.
    “Wet. They will be stunned. Go get ’em.”
    Marina snorted and headed for the education centre, the small building in the middle of the property.
    The sleek cars outside of the education centre were definitely a sign of things to come. Well, Marina hoped they were. She could use an infusion of cash to the rescue in the worst way.
    Wary of the dampness on her shirt, she fluffed it out so that the slouching folds of the jersey obscured the outline of her nipples. Just to be on the safe side, she let her hair out of its ponytail and let it relax over her shoulders and down her breasts.
    She took a deep breath, pasted a smile on her face and opened the door to the education centre, holding that smile in place by force when she saw that her father had made an appearance.
    “Ah, Herman. You are here.”
    He turned to her, and his peculiarly good looks struck her as they always did. “Marina, I was just telling these men about your good work here.”
    “So nice of you to be here for this today.” Marina walked up to him and kissed his cheek.
    She squeezed his hands hard, and he winced as he murmured, “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
    Marina turned toward her guests. “Hello, I am Dr. Wake. Please, call me Marina.”
    The two gentlemen smiled, and the brunette stepped forward with his hand extended. “I am Maweel Nafore; that is my cousin, Irdan.”
    She blinked when she saw his hand out, and she said, “I am sorry, I was just handling fish and weeds. I am afraid my hand isn’t in great shape.”
    He smiled. “I don’t mind.”
    She winced and extended her hand, gripping his skin as the wild spark ran up her arm, and she could see he was getting the same reaction.
    “Your—”
    “A researcher.”
    He let go and stepped back, and his companion came forward. He spoke in a low drawl. “Forgive my idiot cousin; he has not seen such a beautiful woman in a long time.”
    She winced when he took her hand and the shockwave was far stronger, but he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “The pink of your cheeks goes well with