The Foxhole Aquarium should’ve been quiet by now, but when Dan, Matt, Kevin, and Neil stepped into the medical bay, they came to a halt at the sight of someone new floating in the tank alongside Andrew.

Kevin blinked. “Wait—who is that?”

Dan narrowed her eyes. “Andrew, why are you in the medical tank again? And who’s the new one?”

Matt looked between them. “Did we get a new mermaid?”

Aaron, perched casually on the edge of the tank, didn’t even look up from his phone. “Yep.”

Nicky leaned against the wall, grinning. “Surprise.”

Neil frowned. “And nobody thought to say anything?”

Andrew sipped his drink, completely unbothered. “You know now.”

Kevin gave Aaron a look. “You didn’t think this was worth mentioning?”

Aaron shrugged. “It’s not like it’s classified.”

Dan gestured broadly. “So we just walk in and there’s a new mermaid hanging out?”

You shifted in the water, meeting their stares. “You’re here now.”

Matt threw his hands up. “Seriously?”

Neil tilted his head. “Why the medical tank?”

Andrew didn’t even blink. “New mermaids start here. Standard protocol.”

You nodded. “Just adjusting.”

Kevin rubbed at his temple. “Who okayed this?”

As if on cue, Wymack walked in, barely reacting.

Kevin pointed toward the tank. “This doesn’t surprise you?”

Wymack glanced around. “They’re fine.”

Dan’s voice rose. “That’s it? ‘They’re fine’?”

Wymack sighed. “Are they in danger?”

Everyone looked at you and Andrew, calm as ever.

Andrew took another drink. “Nope.”

Matt groaned. “You people are unbelievable.”

Wymack checked his watch. “Then quit wasting my time.”