Page 77 of The Kraken Games

“Fight you.”

He barked out a laugh. “That seems like a century ago.”

“I know. It’s weird. I was so angry, so full of hate. But now, I can’t seem to feel any of that.”

“Do you want to?” he asked softly.

She shook her head. “No, but it still feels like Ishould.Anger has been such a constant companion, almost a friend. I’m really not sure who I’ll be without it.”

“Maybe you’ve already shown me glimpses.” He glanced sideways to see her mouth twist. “Maybe.”

“I liked what I saw. Very much,” he said quietly, busying himself by pulling a knife from his belt and filleting the fish on a rock.

“Really? You mean that?”

“Yes, except just as I think I’m getting to know the real Luna, up come the walls again.”

He heard her sigh. “It’s habit, y’know.”

“To guard against hurt?”

She shrugged. “Probably.” A moment later she added, “But you… you’ve been hurt. And you don’t seem angry. Or bitter.”

“I guess the pain taught me compassion.”

“In what way?”

“I just sense it in others now, like this sad, dark energy. And I see it in their body language, their eyes.” He paused. “I noticed it in you, even that first day in the water.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It drew me to you; I think I knew we’d both been through a lot.”

“Was thatallthat drew you to me?” She was looking at him, almost coquettish. He sensed she was steering away from deep discussions. Fair enough. What would admitting his feelings for her achieve anyway?

He put the fish on the fire, watching the skin blacken in the flame, smiling a little. “Let me think on that…”

“Tease.” Her eyes sparkled up at him. “Yum, that smells divine.”

Kai put her fish on a wide flat shell and his on another, and then they sat and ate with their fingers, the fire crackling and the waves lapping below on the beach a pleasant accompaniment.

After a moment more, she said, “So?”

Kai looked at her, perplexed. “So— what?”

“What else drew you to me?”

“Ah, Luna Storm has some vanity after all.” Kai huffed a soft laugh. “Okay then. Your smile.”

“I didn’t smile.”

“It was there, behind all the frowny stuff.”

“You couldn’t have known that.” She gave his arm a playful punch.

He grinned. “You wanted to smile as soon as you saw me. Admit it.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. My frown is deeply ingrained.” Their eyes snagged. Every cell in Kai’s body tingled with anticipation.

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