A Seahorse Tale

Chapter 4

Kenneth walked into the outer corridor, doing his best not to look shaken from the threat. The wood didn't move through to outside of the courtrooms and it was the more natural grey stone cladding that Enti was built from. Art pieces decorated the halls and even a few plants. Even the mer thought the plain grey stone could look a little too foreboding and dreary. Kenneth made his way to the foyer, shoes clicking over the marble tiled floor as he rushed. The press had disappeared for now.            
          
          
          
The airlock's red light was flashing, sealed shut. Water flowing past, a beautiful deep blue which was not possible for him to pass safely. He rubbed the back of his neck, disappointment filling him. So much for being able to enjoy his anniversary and potentially becoming engaged.            
          
          
          
          
"Tough luck, Mr White," a mer commented from the side. Etan, a paralegal who worked for Kenneth's firm. They were on polite terms, no more no less.            
          
          
          
          
"So much for my anniversary dinner," Kenneth half-smiled at the man. The mer patted his shoulder and carried on going where he was going. Kenneth took one moment to calm his inner thoughts. There was no point standing around and moping about it, Kenneth walked back to his office through a connecting glass tube corridor. The courthouse had long ago made arrangements for events like this and there was a hotel for trapped human clients and lawyers to use.            
          
          
          
          
He watched as fish swam overhead as he passed through the now busy connecting corridor. The people on the night shift waved at him, smiling sympathetically at him. The office building was more high tech and sleek than the old fashioned interior of the courthouse. Metal now blended in with the stone and the area was less overbearing. On the ground level was a cafe which was now closing for the evening. A few of the servers also nodded in passing greetings to him. There was also a discreet bar and open all night. An option for if he struggled to go to sleep.            
          
          
          
          
"Mr White," someone called. The silvery sound was familiar and something slid down his back, stopping before his behind. The hand pushed, guiding him insistently to the side of the corridor and out of the stream of people. "I'm so glad I caught you before you disappeared."            
          
          
          
          
Trying not to stiffen, Kenneth turned and put on his polite face at the mer. "Mr Devon," he greeted, pulling away from the hand which was still on him. "A pleasure to see you as always. Is there something you wish from me?" He inquired, ignoring the warning bells screaming in his mind.            
          
          
          
          
Devon was the head of Ennitt's firm. Despite his human-like name, he was definitely mer. Pale yellow skin with oranges and red in his fins, Devon was a striking man. A shame his face wasn't as striking, his eyes were a little too close together, and the bone structure of his cheeks gave them a sunken look. His lips were twisted upwards with no warmth but an unsettling fire licked in his eyes. Humans were attractive to Devon, too attractive. The fact Kenneth had a long term partner didn't seem to bother him either. Sometimes seemed to encourage him.         
          
          
          
          
"Dinner, if you are willing. I'd love to discuss how the case played out with the hero of the hour," Devon drooled. "Not to mention, now you're trapped I'm sure your evening plans were disputed somewhat by the tide."          
          
          
          
          
The bells turned into sirens. Every inch of Devon's body language was suggestive and coaxing, there was a hungry look in his eyes. They were the eyes of a predator, dark and relentless, desiring things from him Kenneth was not willing to do. Kenneth smiled innocently at him, praying that it didn't look too forced or nervous. He could see how this one was going to go. An evening of Devon trying to drag him into bed, pouring copious amounts of wine into him to succeed.            
          
          
          
          
"The sentiment is appreciated, but I'm afraid I need to rest. This has been more of the more taxing processes," Kenneth let himself chuckle at the end to let the time light and airy.            
          
          
          
          
Disappointment filled Devon's eyes followed by annoyance. "A shame," Devon frowned, a hand with long bony fingers reached out to flick some imaginary dust off his suit. "You have a great mind, Kenneth. I would have enjoyed having you at my firm."          
          
          
          
          
Those words were far too sincere, a dark wish left unfilled. Kenneth tried not to squirm as the mer called him by his first name, Devon's tongue caressing it like a piece of candy. It was easy to infer what joining Devon's firm would have meant dealing with. Robert had a few stories of occurrences which left Kenneth with a bad taste in his mouth. Wandering hands and words that left the line far behind, Devon didn't bother to mask to his subordinates that fact he wanted to enjoy them.          
          
          
          
          
"I'm sure. I was selected for this role for a reason, however, and I enjoy it, Devon," Kenneth replied, not missing the look of displeasure flicker over Devon's face as he dropped the title. It backed up that fact Devon wanted toys, not lovers. Devon wanted humans who would call him by title and bow to his every whim. Kenneth was not going to be that person. Two could play this game.            
          
          
          
          
The mer caught his free hand in his two and held it firmly, almost painfully. The reaction surprised Kenneth. The clammy appendages added another layer to the unsettling atmosphere of this encounter. Pools of devouring black looked into his eyes and the skin on Devon's nose rippled with something. "I do wish you would reconsider dinner at the very least, it would be such a waste otherwise." It wasn't a beg or plead but Devon was trying to implore him to be obedient and follow his order.            
          
          
          
          
"I'll have to decline," Kenneth remained firm, guarding the anger boiling inside his chest. He had no intention of ever being alone with Devon for dinner.            
          
          
          
          
A low and long sigh expelled from Devon and the look of disappointment took on an angry edge. "I'm sure you will grow to regret this, my dear," he drawled, tightening his grip on the hand before he kissed Kenneth's knuckles and let go.          
          
          
          
          
Kenneth tried not to pull his hand back too fast, curling his fingers right. "Is that a threat?"            
          
          
          
          
"Not from me, no," Devon shook his head. "Just remember, if you need my help in the future, there will be a cost attached."            
          
          
          
          
"There always is,"            
          
          
          
          
Devon grinned with his teeth. "Such a clever human. It is a waste." He shook his head as he turned and walked away.          
          
          
          
          
Kenneth shivered, feeling like he'd been drenched in slime. He wanted to wash his hands. Devon's words always dripped with poisoned honey. The man was not able to mask the sharp edge to them. If Devon hadn't been so important, Kenneth might have tried to do something. As it was, Devon was not someone he could insult or accuse of malicious intent.          
          
          
          
          
Nerves still racing under his skin, he rushed to his firm. Fishing out his keycard, Kenneth entered the office. During the day, the public came and went freely but out of hours people needed a card. It was sterile like most welcome areas, a few chairs dotted about with a plant and coffee table but nothing impressive. He walked over to the mer woman sitting at the reception. Her skin was a dull orange, while her fin webbing was a vibrant shade with blue stripes. Her suit colour matched the striped, as did her lipstick.            
          
          
          
          
She smiled at him as she looked up, giving her receptionist beam before it relaxed into a more friendly one. "Mr White," She greeted, "Congratulations on your case."          
          
          
          
          
"Thank you, Miren," Kenneth acknowledged, not able to remove the tiredness from his voice. "It's a shame it took so long."          
          
          
          
          
          
"Yes, it was a tough call for Lord Junion to make," Miren agreed, typing at her computer. Kenneth rolled his eyes inwardly but said nothing. There was nothing tough to make. "You'll be pleased to hear you have one of the nicer rooms tonight," she chuckled, turning around to find his key, her long fingers running along the printed numbers until she found the right one. "I reward from above, I imagine."          
          
          
            
          
          
"Fantastic," Kenneth drawled unable to put any real passion into the word. That statement didn't mean much. The rooms were functional, not comfortable. She laughed and winked at him as she passed him the key.            
          
          
          
          
"You deserve a treat, regardless of how small it seems," Miren said, her eyes looking over him. She paused and frowned at him, her forehead wrinkling. "Are you ok? You look a little spooked."          
          
          
            
          
          
"Mr Devon decided to invite me to dinner, one on one. He wasn't the happiest when I said no," Kenneth admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Enough to unsettle anyone," he joked.            
          
          
          
          
"If you say so," Miren said. Her voice was uncertain and her eyes weren't much better.            
          
          
          
          
"Well... Goodnight,"         
          
          
          
          
"Don't forget you're working tomorrow," she reminded, as he left. The uncertainty in her voice switching to something a touch more teasing.            
          
          
          
          
"Thanks," Kenneth waved back at her. He had forgotten in all the excitement of winning the case that he was working a shift tomorrow as well. This news, with the disappointment of having missed the surprise his partner had planned, left him tired and achy despite his win. He forced a cheerful look on his face as people congratulated him as they walked past. Some humans like him, now trapped, others mer who were spending time with their human friends or rather teasing them for their misfortune.              
          
          
          
          
He stuck around the office long enough to grab his overnight bag before heading to the rooms. The last thing he wanted was for his boss to find him some work to do. Eventually, he was alone in an elevator. He closed his eyes as he waited. Why couldn't the verdict have been faster? The evidence was overwhelming that Dr Fini had been innocent and yet.          
          
          
          
          
As Kenneth arrived at the corridor where his room for the night was, eyes burned on his back. The air around him turned cold and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Anxiety filled his stomach as every instinct in his body was screaming that he was in danger. Heartbeat timing the moments, slowly he looked behind him. His lungs stopped at the sight that met him.            
          
          
          
          
Endotuer was swimming outside the building, a flash of colour in the dark blue sea. He looked like a demon, beautiful but dangerous with the flash of red swirling around him, as his fins floated freely in the water. He wasn't wearing a suit anymore, instead dressed in some swimming leggings and some jewellery.            
          
          
          
          
The look Endotuer gave Kenneth promised pain and suffering. It promised things from stories and nightmares. A look which made every prey instinct scream at that moment. Fight or flee. Or freeze, and it seemed his instinct was to freeze. His feet were rooted to the floor. His throat seized and he couldn't take in air for a moment. His muscles tensed, almost ready for the furious mer to attack through the window. His rational brain was arguing that it was a silly thing to prepare for, the pressure changes meant all the windows needed to be reinforced to cope. Still, the fire behind that glare was overriding any sense of logic or reason.          
          
          
          
          
The water seemed to ripple around Endotuer and he lifted his claws. He flicked them at Kenneth. The window creaked as a rush of water batted against it. A crack spluttered across the outer layer. Kenneth flinched, jumping backwards and pressing against a wall.            
          
          
          
          
That, that shouldn't be possible.            
          
          
          
          
Endotuer moved closer, claws tracing the crack with an almost fond expression. He bared his sharp teeth, the rows and rows of them as Kenneth. Another flick of his claws and a second crack tore through a window further down the corridor. Kenneth looked over, half expecting to see water starting to flood the hall. There was nothing. The outer layer had cracked, not the inner.            
          
          
          
          
Then he was gone. The crack in the glass proved Endotuer had been there.