Book Seven: Chapter 39

Ingrid and Mike stood at the end of the dock for over a minute before either spoke. The water lapped quietly at the pilings, tiny ripples catching the moonlight. Somewhere beneath, small fins brushed against the surface, leaving ephemeral trails. Mike’s gaze shifted from the dark horizon to the girl beside him. “Is she okay down there?” he asked, his voice calm, but tinged with concern.

“Probably.” Ingrid shrugged, fighting to keep her expression neutral, though her fingers flexed nervously. “Maybe she met an interesting starfish or something.” Her tone was teasing, but there was a tension under it that Mike could feel radiating off her. She wasn’t just worried about the water—she was bracing herself for everything that could happen next.

“Look, I know you think this is all fun and games, but this is serious business,” she said, stepping closer and tapping him lightly on the shoulder for emp