Page 81 of The Kraken Games

“Abalone! But there aren’t any around these parts.”

“There are—if you know where to look.”

“Oh my gods, I’ve searched for themforever.”

“But have you ever come this far past Motham? They need the cleaner southern waters to thrive.”

Luna shook her head. “These beaches border onto high-breed human lands, so I’ve never wanted to come here.”

“Valley humans don’t come to this part of the coast. They believe there are ghosts of shipwrecks here, and besides, too many sharks frequent these waters.”

Luna’s eyes widened with alarm. “Do they?”

“Yes. Some of the largest, but they know to keep away from the kraken. Let’s just say we have an uneasy truce.” He laughed, then turned some dough next to him, kneaded it and threw it onto another flat stone on the fire.

“What are you making?”

“Pancakes, from eelgrass flour. It’s a staple in Thedaka.”

Luna watched, fascinated. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“My mom. All kraken men learn to cook so they can look after their partner when they are heavy with younglings.”

Luna swallowed the jab of envy that constricted her throat. He’d cook like this for his kraken mate one day. She concentrated instead on the wonderful taste of her meal, thinly sliced abalone alongside the pancakes he’d served her on a big shell. It tasted like tender chicken. And the pancakes were light and fluffy. She ate ravenously.

After breakfast, as they packed up their belongings ready to leave, she couldn’t resist asking, “What made you decided to compete in the games?”

“Why d’you ask?”

“You just don’t seem the type. You’re nothing like Acha. You’re considerate, and thoughtful, and not the least bit vain. Basically, you’re not an A-hole.”

“Well, thanks.” He shrugged. “The games are the pinnacle of achievement for young kraken. When you are told you are The Chosen, you don’t refuse.”

“Why not?”

He looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”

“Well, they’re a set-up aren’t they, and you parade about like a complete dick, and brag and show off. It’s hardly noble, is it?”

He fell silent. “I competed to prove myself.”

“But you didn’t have anything to prove.”

He sighed. “In Thedaka, unless you are a warrior who can fight, you are letting your species down. Being the contestant in the games is the biggest honor a young kraken male can achieve. My father, even though he is a scientist and has done wonders to rehabilitate our waters, is not as highly thought of as my uncle Shen. Because he was a champion in the games, and now he runs them.”

“That’s just fucked up.” She snorted. “Really, your women folk need to call the males out on it.”

“They do—sometimes.”

“Yeah, well Hana did a little, by helping me, but really, I still felt she didn’t want to upset the elders. What is all this shit about, women not daring to go against them?”

“My mom went against them to help me,” he said quietly.

“How?”

“When I didn’t heal from my injuries, she took me to a mage outside of Thedaka. One of the best in Motham. Have you heard of Waldo?”

“Yes, of course. He has a YouTube channel about healing and relationship stuff. He’s kind of famous.”

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