Wheeling Gull Isle book of psalms

Not food then, but an equal, an adversary even. He listened to his father as he explained and ushered them back, yet all the while Malakai's eyes were focused on the horizon over the water, waiting for a moment when the wolf of the sea would emerge again. Malakai wondered what he was doing under the water where they lived. Kai still had not quite wrapped his mind around creatures living under the water for long periods of time. How did they breath? Did they not get tired? Where was their den? Did they not sleep? 

His dad was continuing on. The blackfish was like wolf. The sharks were like bears or lions. Which, of course, Kai had never before seen either. But he knew he was a predator- he knew that much at least. He ate other animals, which were prey. Malakai decided then, if he went in the water, the blackfish would eat him but if the blackfish went on land, Malakai would eat him. 

Unlike his brother, Kai's tail stood out rigid, limbs locked in place. Finally, he tore his eyes away from the ocean and swept it between his brother and father. Your safe here on land, right dad? But we can go back if you want to.