"Why are the elves afraid of them, when they're partially responsible for them being born in the first place?" Max inquired, looking puzzled. "They have to get the 'half-elf' part from somewhere."

"They have them," Max added, then caught herself, looking sheepish for a moment. "I mean, they're supposed to. Some lore says they can breathe air as well as water, but most say that being out of the water would make them suffocate."