Conch cut through the water at full speed, the creepvine valley opening beneath him like a glowing scar. Lantern vines swayed slowly, their pale light barely touching the murk below. This close to Atlas, even the dark felt crowded. He slowed near the valley's edge.
Sharks. A whole swarm. His fingers curled around the cord at his neck. The conch shell came free, unfolding in his grip, hardening, growing until the great axe took shape. Spiked blades caught the lantern light. He fixed his eyes on the largest shark in the circle and adjusted his angle. Then the shark's movement shifted. Not toward him. Down.
Conch followed its gaze. Two eels twisted wildly near the base of a coral pipe, striking it again and again. The pipe rocked, cracked. Something inside it moved. Conch stilled. The eels struck harder. The pipe tipped. The shark dove. Conch moved.
He surged forward as the pipe broke free, axe cleaving clean through the shark's head. The body dropped, crushing the eels beneath it as he caught the falling pipe with his free hand. A sharp shriek rang out from inside. His grip tightened. He tilted the pipe and a large fin slid into view. Not reef-colored. Not local. Conch scowled.
He reached in and yanked. Zui tumbled out clutching two clamshells, squealing as she hit the sand. Conch sighed.
Conch
"So that's my luck tonight."
She scrambled back, wide-eyed.
Zui
"Z-Zui! I'm Zui!"
he muttered, glancing at it with clear disappointment.
Conch
"Big fin, Slow swimmer."
Zui
"I—"
Conch
"You almost became breakfast, Again."
She hesitated, then blurted out.
Zui
"I went to Atlas. They said my family wasn't needed anymore. One of the councilmen—he looked pleased."
Conch's jaw tightened. Just slightly.
Conch
"Prove him wrong,Running won't do it."
Her shoulders eased too much. He let go of her fin. She dropped with a yelp.
Zui
"Eep!"
Conch
"Who told you it was smart to swim a shark reef at night,"
Conch snapped, already turning back toward the carcasses. Zui went quiet.
zui
"I thought you were leaving! I wanted to thank you before—before I couldn't."
Conch
"Night hunters don't care about thank-yous, They care about mistakes."
She hugged the clamshells to her chest.
Zui
"I didn't think you'd want an escort."
Conch
"Correct."
Zui
"You said it was up to me to find you."
He paused, then glanced back, unimpressed.
Conch
"It's called sarcasm. Don't follow me."
Zui
"I wasn't following you!"
Conch
"You're practicing."
He hoisted the shark's body by the fin and dragged it away. Behind him, something clinked softly against the sand. Zui stared at the clamshell she'd dropped.
Zui
"At least take the shell…"
The water swallowed his silhouette. She was alone again.