“Um…” Where to start? We needed to cover some ground before we leapt right into “find the hurting”. Luckily, she had moved on before she realized I hadn’t answered her. “And what did the girls want?” She motioned over to where Zali, Nidan and Tricoste were huddled, nervously conferring.
“The Throaty Three?”
Lecanora laughed again, that kooky trill that actually convinces some mermaids that she’s kind of ditzy, but is really just a sign her anxiety thing is going into overdrive. I was about to answer when we both became suddenly aware of the crowd slipping closer. I didn’t need to read their minds to know what they were thinking but I couldn’t resist a peek as they pressed closer, to see if I could catch any thoughts. But I only caught strays. One from a Sand Seeder who should know better, its pure, invisible energy picking up fine grains of the seabed and forming himself into a pinwheel with them, just for fun.
Hmmm, them again. It’s been a long time. Perhaps together they could stop him…
Another from Reiscalian child, staring at Lecanora and I, transfixed.
Mama says the Aegirans are our only hope. If they all perish, who will protect us?
Mental note to self. Stay out of heads. Times like these, eavesdroppers end up on Prozac.
I could see The Choirmaster, Zorax, push through the crowd towards us, and I was relieved. Along with the Triad, a handful of other positions make up the Aegiran leadership grouping. The Choirmaster is one, along with the Head Architect (sort of like Planning and Zoning back home) and The Healer (think Surgeon General).
I’d always liked Zorax. He reminded me a little of Santa Claus, twinkly eyes and red cheeks. And there was something else about him. He seemed almost as old as Imd, somehow.
Like he knew things, secrets.
“Zorax,” I smiled, touching his eyelids with my fingers.
“Rania,” he responded. “How is the girl of the golden voice?”
“Tired,” I said, trying not to think about dolphins. I remembered my manners. “But pleased, as ever, to be back in paradise.” Busy, you know. Visions, world saving. Yada yada.
He laughed, and I knew that he could tell my line was just that. “I can see that you and the Princess have a lot to talk about.” He nodded and made a sign of peace over Lecanora. “I won’t hold you. I trust the girls asked you to come by, lend us your expertise…” He was asking like it was good manners, but I was used to undercurrents, and I knew there was more. He was fishing, trying to find out what the Throaty Three were talking to me about.
What the hell was going on here?
I acted like I had no idea what he was talking about. “Actually,” I whispered conspiratorially, “They were after cop stories. You know how girls love gossip.”
Zorax laughed, and I was almost sure I imagined it, but I detected a quick shimmer of relief skate across his jolly face. He embraced me one last time before moving off, and Lecanora and I picked up again. I was pretty sure we couldn’t be overheard, but I zoomed in to a private place in her brain, a place I knew no random passing royal-watchers could access.
Okay. So. The Throaty Three? Well, they wanted to know about my work.
Lecanora’s heavenly face puckered a little in confusion. Your investigative work? Protecting people in Dirtwater?
I shrugged. Well, you make it sound kind of grand, but yeah, that. The cop thing.
She frowned. Did they say why they were asking?
Well, they started asking whether I knew about the soloist, Imogen.
Fast as an electric eel strike, Lecanora’s brain flashed a warning at me. Be careful, sister.
And then, even in telepathy, she was whispering, as if to underline the warning. They know? They discussed it with you? The disappearance?
Whoa. What was this? She knew too? Okay, Norsha. From the beginning please.
Lecanora’s face formed a thinking pose, trying to work out where to begin. She’s missing, Imogen. Imogen’s missing. Just did not appear for practice, six days ago. And no-one has seen her since. They tried to touch her. To locate her, you know. Her family, her friends. They sent their thoughts so far, beyond the reefs even. And nothing.
I felt nauseous at her words and I knew that Lecanora did too. Like fish in a school, everyone is connected to everyone else in Aegira, and they can always find each other. This was like looking down and suddenly finding your hand