Chapter 1

Delia strode across the marshy ground toward the banks of her estuary, toes tingling with each step. Soon she would dip into the water again and her legs would fuse back together with relief, reforming her tail.

She lowered her obsidian-pointed spear, thankful for once again not having to put it to use. With Petali out at sea with the rest of the colony recently, Delia had made more of a habit of taking her spear onto land. She felt stronger now than when she’d first begun venturing ashore. Her steps felt more stable, her lungs capable of taking deeper breaths.

If only her progress had paid off in more than the meagre amount of brinevine she’d found. The satchel slung over her shoulder jostled only half full with the plant – a far cry from last season. Petali was right: The silver vines were rooting farther from the shore, as if no longer requiring the water. Delia peered down at the small amount in her satchel, sighing. She had just barely enough to use to preserve the fish meat she’d prepared earlier.

Only a few more steps now. Her legs grew impatient, muscles buzzing as she approached the water’s edge. Before she dipped in, Delia looked around warily to ensure the mulchy scents of the estuary remained untainted by Unravellers who might have intruded in her absence. For three broodwatch seasons, Delia had watched over this particular estuary with Petali. She made a mental remark of how lucky they’d been, that no incidents had occurred that put the young ones in danger. Still, she held her spear tightly as she dipped her toes back into the water.

Returning to the familiar watery embrace, Delia breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the humidity blanketing Lanilia this time of year, she was grateful that enough rain had fallen over the past few days to farther flood the inlands. Once more, the area had transformed into the estuary: a nursery of glistening, veining rivers and deep, turquoise pools, providing shelter for the dozens of egg sacs each season.

Her pitch-black pupilless eyes blinked their nictitating membranes as she lowered herself, breaking the water’s still surface. She could already feel the chill encouraging her legs to mend together. Lightly yellowed scales multiplied up her body as her feet and legs merged. Her skin took on a glittery look as the scales multiplied, while her feet kicked until her toes fluttered into long fins. Soon after, the satisfactory cracking of her bones signalled the completion of her tail reforming.

She gave a testing flick of her veil-like translucent golden fins. Then a powerful beat that rippled the water, producing shimmering, bubbly rings. She dove under, spear still in hand, and swam to check on the close