Book Seven: Chapter 167

After nearly ten minutes of this, the bay was emptied of attackers. Whether they had destroyed all the undead or Francois had recalled the rest, it didn’t matter. The merfolk sat down in exhaustion as the waters finally stilled and the natural rhythm of the waves returned.

Leilani turned toward Mike and smiled, but his eyes were on the people who lay still on the sands around them.

“Damn,” he muttered, his voice nearly inaudible. When his eyes met hers, he just shook his head. “I’m so--”

“Don’t.” Leilani pressed a finger against his lip. “The only one who gets to claim this tragedy has already run far from it. Do not take responsibility for the evil of others.”

He contemplated her silently, then nodded.

Leilani looked past him at Paradise, the flames now licking at the barrier.

“We should probably put that out.”

The merfolk nearest to her turned around to face the burning structure. Without the Captain’s influence, it was far easier to comma