She has to fly farther up the coast than she'd like to actually find the seal-girl, floating in the middle of a knot of other selkies. Daine's never actually felt a selkie before, but she can't imagine what else these could be: creatures that look like seals and are bursting with wild magic, but with an edge to them that makes her think of the immortals back home.

She considers dropping down the waves and taking seal shape, herself, but the number of selkies -- and the protective air they're giving off -- keep her where she is. Instead, she narrows her focus to just Saoirse, reining in her magic. The other selkies won't even hear what Daine's saying to her, hopefully.

I see you, she says. I'm up here, see? She gives her wings a little bobble to help catch Saoirse's eye. Thomas and Greta asked me to check on you. Is everything all right? Can you think the words to me? It occurs to her that Saoirse's probably never used mind-speech before, and she adds, Just think the words as clearly as you can.