Enemy of Oceans Read Free Page B

Seazarein could do whatever he wanted,” Barkley said, teasing.
    â€œThat’s true,” Judijoan answered with another scowl. “As long as he maintains the schedule I set for him. And on my schedule there’s no time for foolishness.”
    â€œShe’s right, Bark,” Gray agreed. He noticed that the flying fish was still there. “Speedmeister? Is there something else?”
    â€œYes,” the flying fish said. “I carry a second message. Code word: Blue Coral.”
    â€œThat’s an old code,” Judijoan said.
    â€œFrom the North Atlantis, near Riptide Shiver, which doesn’t exist anymore,” added Barkley.
    Hokuu had been responsible for that also, and that brought the frilled shark back into Gray’s mind. Where was he? They would have to find him. They couldn’t leave him to do whatever he was planning, that was for sure.
    The quickfin bobbed his snout. “Yes, that’s true. Which is why I didn’t want to give the message, but the code word was good so maybe it’s just old. But also, a stonefish gave this message to me.”
    â€œA stonefish?” Judijoan gasped. “Kaleth didn’t know any of those poisonous criminals.”
    â€œYeah, but we do,” Gray said as Barkley gave him a look. “It has to be Trank. What’s the message, Speedmeister?”
    â€œDon’t call him that,” Judijoan said. “You’ll only encourage him.”
    Barkley nodded for Eugene to continue.
    â€œThe message is as follows. ‘From Trank, the owner and operator of Slaggernacks, home of the Big Blue’s tastiest seasoned fish, comes a new experience, the Stingeroo Supper Club, now open for business and conveniently located outside the Fathomir homewaters. Come for the fish; stay for the good times. All Seazareins eat free.’ End of message. Nice to meet you, your lordships.” Eugene flitted out of the cavern in a flash.
    â€œWhat does that mean?” asked the confused Judijoan.
    â€œWith Trank you never know,” Barkley told her with a frown. The stonefish had his fins in many dark and mysterious things.
    â€œIf he’s inviting us over, there’s a definite reason.” Gray said. “We need to go. Besides, couldn’t you go for some seasoned fish?”
    Barkley grumbled and shook his head.

VELENKA PROWLED THE GOLD-GREENIE OF THE Fathomir homewaters. Her black hide would normally be an advantage for concealing herself, but today was bright and sunny. Thankfully, the towering kelp field went on for miles, so Velenka could remain hidden if she swam with caution. She needed to be both silent and focused to catch something to eat. But her unwanted companion was neither of those things, which made hunting difficult.
    â€œIt’s so beautiful here,” Mari said.
    â€œWould you please be quiet?” Velenka hissed. “Some of us are trying to find lunch.”
    â€œIt kind of reminds me of the Riptide homewaters.” The thresher sniffled.
    â€œOther than the fact they look nothing alike?” Velenka said. “Now, shhh!”
    The Riptide homewaters had been destroyed by Hokuu. Velenka had been used as a decoy in the frilled shark’s intricate plan, which ended when he sent Gray’s predecessor Kaleth and most of her finja guardians to the Sparkle Blue. Right now, Velenka was technically still a prisoner and so guarded at all times. More often than not, Mari was given this duty. The thresher didn’t have anything to worry about, though. Velenka wasn’t about to escape.
    She had nowhere to go.
    For weeks now Velenka had to listen to everyone’s sad stories of where they were when Kaleth was killed, or this friend, or that one, or what they’d been doing when Riptide was destroyed. None of those things bothered her. No, what bothered Velenka was that she had been used as a part of Hokuu’s plan and hadn’t figured that out until it was far too