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"Let’s go," Gemma said, and Alex s her quickly "But we really do need to hurry"

Alex pulled her toward the shore, but when the water got shallow enough that her tail began to tingle, she stopped hio ahead and turn around," Gemma said

"What? Why?" Alex asked, alare into bikini bottos," Gehtly when he realized what sheon?" Harper asked She was standing just far enough away that she hadn’t heard Ge over to where Harper and Daniel were standing "Gemma’s naked and needs to put on bottoms"

"Oh, crap," Daniel said, and immediately turned around

Harper turned away from Gemma more slowly, as if she didn’t trust Gemma not to disappear in the waves while they had their backs turned But Gemma had no plans to do that

She pulled herself out of the water, willing her legs to speed up The transfors had never seeet out of here as quickly as possible

Ges had completely shifted back One of her feet was still more fin than foot, and she alht herself She rushed over to her bikini bottos were normal

"Okay," Ge "We need to get out of here"

Alex took Geh the sand They had to go a ways down the beach to get around the boulders The house was sandwiched right between the rocky outcroppings, so the quickest way to the front road was through the house, but they weren’t about to take that path

Daniel had parked in the grass about a quarter mile from the house When they finally reached the car, Harper popped open the trunk and pulled out an old hoodie for Ge around in a bikini

Ge behind the car as she slipped it over her head, and Harper stood beside her As soon as she had it on, Harper grabbed Gelad you’re safe," Harper said, hugging her so tightly it actually hurt

"Thank you," Gemma said, her voice strained because of the intensity of Harper’s hug

Then Harper released her, and her eyes were grave as she stared at her "If you ever run away like that again, you won’t need to worry about the sirens Because I’ll be the one to kill you Do you understand?"

"Yes" Gemma nodded meekly "But in my defense, I did it to protect you"

"I don’t care why you did it," Harper said "Don’t do it again"

Harper went around the car and got in the driver’s seat, while Gemma hopped in back with Alex She sat as close to him as she could, and he put his arm around her As Harper sped off, Gemma settled back next to hiht decision by leaving with them or not