His octopus’s usually confident frame and posture now shrunk, like she was trying to keep to herself as her eyes - though pinned on Larissa Ferdinand in shock - amplified a need to leave.

Greg’s eyes turned onyx and he shot the Ferdinands a glare - which neither of them noticed - before he positioned himself in front of the only one in the room who mattered, blocking her view of the sharks out to gobble her, though he couldn’t understand how or why yet.

His hand reached for her face, cupping her cheek, and his voice came in an assuring whisper, “Sush, this is not an obligation. No one...