The clicking and whistling sounds faded as they put distance between themselves and Windrunner, and within thirty seconds the water around the ship was still except for the gentle rocking of waves and the floating bodies of perhaps a dozen mermaids who wouldn't be retreating from anything ever again.
Jake's shadow serpents dissolved back into formless darkness as he released the manifestation technique, the energy cost having climbed to levels that were making his vision swim at the edges.
He caught himself on the ship's rail and took several deep breaths, letting his bloodline regeneration start working on the various cuts and bruises he'd accumulated during the fighting.
Maureen was checking her crew, moving from person to person with quick efficiency, assessing wounds and determining who needed immediate attention.
