The Black Tides of Heaven (Tensorate #1)

by Neon Yang

Golden fish bigger than a child’s head sluiced through crystalline turquoise.

Mokoya was shaking them, saying syllables that wouldn’t gel into words.

“Why didn’t you go with her?” Akeha found Yongcheow’s hand and curled fingers against fingers. “Let the black tides of heaven direct our lives,” he murmured. He turned to look at his partner. “I choose to swim.”

“I know what to call them.” “What? What time is it?” “I said, I know what to call the weapons.” “Akeha, go back to sleep.” “Sunballs. We should call them sunballs.” “ . . . what?” “They explode with the brightness of the sun. We should call them sunballs.” “You . . . I can’t believe you woke me for this.” “I thought you would find it funny.” “I’ll find it funny when it’s not the unmentionable crack of night. Go back to sleep, you turtle bastard.” “I love you.”