Even if he came immediately, he wouldn’t beat her to the island, so she turned her attention to August, Paul, and Griffin instead. They also deserved to know what she was planning.
When she pulled herself onto the sand on Vazula’s beach, she was greeted by Paul.
“We didn’t expect you today,” he said, offering her a hand to pull her to her feet.
Merletta shook sand from her scaled skirt. “I made a last minute decision to come,” she informed him. “Where are the others?”
“Griffin’s hunting,” Paul said. “But August and Eloise are close by.”
“Eloise is here?” Merletta asked.
She received her answer in the form of two figures who emerged from the foliage, one clutching the other with much less than her usual dignity.
“Eloise!” Merletta called, grinning at the older woman’s wobbly gait. “You’ve found your legs!”
“I don’t like it,” Eloise said. “It doesn’t feel right at all.”
Merletta laughed. “You’ll get used to it,” she promised. “It’ll feel natural in no time.”
“It’s good to see you, Merletta,” said August.
Merletta was heartened to see how much less grave his resting expression was these days.
“You too,” she said. “But I’m afraid I don’t exactly come with good news.”
“What’s wrong?” Eloise’s voice was sharp, and she paused her efforts to walk, giving Merletta her full attention.
“Nothing new is wrong,” Merletta told them all calmly. “But things are about to change. I’m done keeping my mouth shut. And I can’t promise you and your sanctuary here won’t be affected.”
August and Eloise exchanged a meaningful look, and Merletta could tell they’d prepared for this moment.
“Whatever you need to do, we’re behind you,” August said. “We never expected you to stay silent this long. We want to see the Center’s lies exposed more than anyone.”
Merletta nodded, wishing his unmitigated support made her feel more confident. If anything, it increased her nerves. The guards seemed to think she was incredibly brave, and had a clever plan. Neither belief was true.
But, she reflected, she may as well broach a more sensitive topic while she apparently had their goodwill.
“I’m expecting Heath to come any time,” she said. “He deserves to know what I’m planning as well.”
August frowned, but his wife put a hand on his arm. “I want to meet this human,” she said firmly. “See how he compares to what we’ve been told.”
“He’s nothing like the stories,” Merletta said eagerly, turning to her. “He’s—”
“But he’ll be bringing the dragon, won’t he?” Paul interrupted her, his expression troubled.
“Well…” Merletta hesitated. “It’s more the other way around, isn’t it? He can’t really come without—”
Her words were cut off by a sudden rush of wind, and all of them looked up at the sight of Reka descending further up the beach.
“Ten minutes.” The dragon’s words—clearly a warning—carried through the heavy air to the group of merpeople.
Heath emerged from the mass of wings and scales, hurrying across the sand.
“Merletta!” he cried, disregarding the others. “Are you all right? What’s going on?”
“Oh, he’s not at all vicious,” Eloise said, sounding surprised.
“As if you can tell so quickly,” August muttered.