The Sea Remembers Us — Episode 5

They had a basic language, but communicated through ultrasound. Their vocal anatomy didn't support complex human speech. Neither did their intelligence, for that matter. He opened his mouth.

Opal. Clear, precise, perfectly pronounced. He could speak. Research on deep-sea mer was scarce.

Perhaps some subspecies had this ability. My thesis was going to shake the entire field. Opal! I pointed at him, then pointed at myself.

Isla! He immediately understood that Opal referred to him. Opal. And Isla, to me.

Isla. Remarkably intelligent. I turned on the speaker I'd prepared. I'm going to teach you the courtship song.

Once you learn it, you sing it for whichever mate you choose." He seemed confused, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me. Soon the lilting melody of a merfolk courtship song floated from the speaker. I had to admit, merfolk singing was beautiful.

The next instant, Opal's expression changed. He drove his claws through the speaker in one violent strike. Threading, he saw me fleeing and lunged. I glanced back mid-sprint and saw he'd hauled himself onto the shore,

floundering forward, trying to chase me. but on land he was slow, nowhere near fast enough. His voice was plaintive, almost No wonder Mith said merfolk lured humans to their deaths. That's exactly what he sounded like now, luring me back so he could eat me. The next day, I found a grouper on the dock,