Page 75 of The Kraken Games

“Your version of recent events has been verified by trusted sources,” Razad said solemnly. “You did not leak the photos of Kai. They were indeed stolen by the selkie, as you recounted. Your decision to renounce the title will be accepted. You will make a statement to the media that you faked you were drowning, and out of the kindness of his heart, Kai let you go. You then falsely claimed victory when you reached the surface.”

Luna bowed her head, clasping her fingers together until she was sure they would snap like twigs.

“In return, we admit the following.” He cleared his throat. “Your parents’ boat was sunk in a kraken attack fifteen years ago. It was mistaken for a pirate ship by our chief naval officer at the time. Your brother was saved by one of our military nursing personnel. After that, a search was conducted of the surrounding seas, but no other bodies were found.” Another longer pause. “We, the people of Thedaka, apologize to you for the pain and suffering you incurred as a child due to this wrecking. There will be no other monetary compensation except to allow you to keep the prize money. You will return the trophy.”

Luna waited, her breath wheezing in the mask.

“With regard to your brother, he is alive and well, and living in a Mer colony south of Motham City.”

Luna let out a yelp of joy.

“You will be accompanied by one of our people to visit him there. What happens after that is for you and your sibling to decide. Kai has requested that he accompany you. He has been granted his request, on condition that you sever all contact with each other following this, and never seek to interact with any of our race again. You must never speak of your meeting with the elders here today. To anyone. Is that clear?”

Once again, Luna’s gaze locked with Kai’s. Happiness and sadness vied in her heart.

“Oh gods, oh thank you, thank you.” She prostrated herself on the Rock of Truth.

“Do you agree to these terms?”

“Yes, yes…” She tried to force the words “you will sever all contact” out of her mind, tried to focus only on the joy of finding Tomas.

“All rise now. This meeting is adjourned. You will be escorted back to shore, the press will meet with you at noon. And later today, Kai will escort you to the Mer colony. After that, it is over. You will never go near my grandson again. Do you understand?”

Luna’s mouth went dry. Never see Kai again? It lodged like a shard of ice in her chest. But what choice did she have? “I understand.”

As the elders filed out, she tried to keep her gaze averted from Kai. But as he passed by the rock, she couldn’t help but look at him. They stared at each other for long moments, and she knew he could see her eyes behind the glass. He smiled, but it was tinged with sorrow.

Tomorrow they would be together again.

For a few more days.

And then they would say goodbye.

Forever.

CHAPTER 25

Kai nuzzled into Luna’s neck, relishing the feel of her arms around him, the sweet human scent of her, the warmth of her body.

He’d missed her so much. And now they were back in Motham, and that stupid contraption was off her head. When she’d flung her arms around his neck and thanked him over and over, he couldn’t help but hold her. Even so, he barely allowed himself to hug her back before gently putting her away from him.

Why torture himself with her touch?

Her golden eyes danced with excitement, and he got a glimpse of what she would have been like as that sweet eight-year-old kid, before tragedy struck. “So how do we get there? It’s to the south, right?” she babbled. “I mean, I kind of heard about this place, but they never allow visitors. Not even hover cabs go there, at least not without a permit, and…”

“It is a two-day journey, on foot. Through water and on land. They know we’re coming; they’re expecting us,” Kai said.

“I will bring some supplies and meet you at the hot pools; I can moor my boat there.”

“Sure.”

“Wish me luck for the interview. I’m so nervous—The journalist is a wolf and I hate wolves.”

“You’ll knock it out of the park. You survived the games, you’ll survive an interview—even with a wolf.” He hesitated, wanting to kiss her.

She stood hugging herself. “Thank you Kai, for everything.”

“It was the least I could do.” What an understatement! The truth was, he would have moved heaven and earth to help her uncover the truth. And still, there was that niggle in the back of his mind that he had not heard the whole of that truth. That the elders were holding something back.

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