A merfolk race! Her aunt brought all the children that Friday, complete with a picnic basket — Kaatjie had grabbed a handful of the raspberries from the pint, and was wandering near the shoreline, trying to get a good look at the kelpies. She had seen sirens in the Mediterranean a few years ago while traveling with her Mama, but was still fascinated by their ugly cousins, the Scottish mer. And kelpies! This was the first time Kaatjie had been anywhere near a water demon.

She popped a raspberry into her mouth. Kaat was standing near another girl — another girl who looked just as curious about the creatures in the water as she is. She held her handful of raspberries out, an invitation. "Want one?" she asked.