Chapter Six

After a slow cruise through the maze of the waterfront, Trin grinned at the familiar figure lounging against the exterior of the warehouse. She pulled up next to her friend and removed her helmet.

Apraxa’s gaze locked on Trin’s head, and she burst out laughing. “Trin, what the hell?”

Trin reached up and stroked a hand through her hair, removing any helmet-head. “What?”

“It’s white!”

“Ohh. That. Yeah. I got into an altercation with a dragon, and this was the result.”

Apraxa grinned. “That sounds like a story. Are you up for breakfast?”

“I thought you would never ask. Oh, I would like to introduce you to the upgraded Ystine.”

Trin set the helmet down in front of her. “Ystine, this is your voice donor, Apraxa.”

“I am very pleased to meet you, Madam Tiburon.”

Apraxa inclined her head formally. “I hope that you are enjoying your tone.”

“It is very clear, and Trin can hear me even with the sound of the wind and road around us.”

Trin smirked. “I think she just called you piercing.”

Apraxa shrugged. “She isn’t wrong. If I want to, my voice can travel for miles. Now, let’s get your transport with its elegant manner of speaking and tuck it away while we go for breakfast.”

Trin followed Apraxa and settled Ystine inside the warehouse, placing her behind a scald shield that was cued to Trin’s handprint. It was one of Apraxa’s new toys.

“Where did you get this?”

Apraxa chuckled. “Creata has taken to selling her designs. She wants a nice educational fund for her child. It is a girl?”

“It is.”

“Good. Creata has been a little unfocused recently. I wasn’t sure that she actually knew.” Apraxa led the way out of the door, locking her cavern of treasures behind her. “She is better now?”

“Since last night? Yeah. She is dealing with a few things, and I am pretty sure that her husband being out on assignment is part of it. She needs him right now.”

Apraxa nodded. “My sister-in-law had similar issues. The pregnancy was hard, and her recovery was a family-wide effort. We all did our parts, and she is a mom to two more children, and everybody is aware of danger signs. There haven’t been any at all this year.”

“She doesn’t mind that you check on her?”

“We have done it at her request. She wants us to check and let her know what we are seeing. It took a while, but now, we are all used to it.”

The wind caught Apraxa’s blue and crimson hair, lifting and playing with it. Trin envied the colouring. She was stuck on the pale end of the hair spectrum.

They walked the two blocks to the seaside teashop, and though the door said Closed, Apraxa walked right in. Trin had been here before, so she followed.

Apraxa’s three brothers were working in the shop, one out front and two behind the counter making the most exotic pastry that Trin had ever seen.

Hector, Troy, and Pollux looked up and smiled at them, their smiles turning into wide grins when they saw Trin.

She squeaked as she was hugged by the shark-shifters one by one.

Apraxa laughed and went behind the counter to grab their breakfast.

Hector set her back and looked her over. “Trin, you look wonderful. I love what you have done with your hair.”

She sighed. “Thank you, Hector. How is your wife?”

He grinned wider, his telltale teeth showing. “She is wonderful, as are our three sons. Kohasi will be in later if you are still around.”

“I plan on staying for two or three days.”

Apraxa looked up in delight. “Really? Cool. Come on, guys, she has been travelling all night. She needs to eat.”

Her host had a tray full of tea and pastries. She made her way to a table in the most comfortable part of the teashop. Low couches were set around a polished stone table, and Trin joined her friend at the meal of quiches, pastries, and tea so flavourful she nearly wept.

It was an excellent end to this leg of her journey and an amazing beginning to the next part of her plan.