Page 100 of The Kraken Games

Razad did not move. For a moment Kai wondered if he’d stopped breathing. Finally, that gnarled tentacle moved around Kai’s and squeezed gently. “Maybe it is time for me to let go. To rest. To allow someone younger to take my place.” He looked up, and a smile twitched on his lips. “Even so, I’m not sure I can cope with so many females challenging me on a Tuesday.”

“It’s Wednesday,” Hana whispered.

Razad continued. “This past week or so I have felt my life force weakening. I have little time left, and what I have I want to spend peacefully, not fighting for things that my people no longer want or value. You… Kai, you will take the reins.”

Kai’s eyes widened. “No, Grandpa, not me.”

“Not immediately, but once you are settled in, with your human. If you have attained Metan with her, then the new order spoken of in legend and song is here. I cannot fight that. Nor should I. Now, let me sleep a while.” His eyelids drooped. “And females, it’s strange, to have you here. But it feels right… yes, it is time…”

Kai watched as his grandfather’s head lolled back and he started to snore.

All the assembled kraken looked at each other, uncertain what to do next.

“I guess that’s our cue to leave,” Kai said with a soft smile.

“I think he almost gave you and Luna his blessing,” his mom whispered.

“As close as we’re going to get, I think.” Kai grinned. “And that’s good enough.”

They stood and gazed on the old kraken fondly. Finally, Hana went over and tucked his tentacles back into his grotto. Kai’s mom placed a sea grass blanket over him and then, on softtentacles, males and females moving as one, they left Razad to his dreams.

CHAPTER 34

Luna sat on the sea wall, her feet dangling over the edge and her eyes scanning the horizon.

Honestly, he’d only been gone a day and a night, but she was pining, lovesick. Like one of those women in tales of old, who waited patiently for their seafaring lover to return to them. All she needed was a little lantern to hold up as the sky darkened…

She almost laughed at the situation she found herself in. Who would have thought a few weeks back that she would ever… ever…

Fall in love.

But she had. She’d fallen for Kai. Hook, line and sinker.

“Hi, hon, how are you feeling,” Harper asked as she plonked down next to her on the wall.

“Fine.”

“No, you’re not,” Harper said, reaching over and giving her hand a squeeze.

Luna huffed. “I guess… oh dang, I miss the guy so much.”

Harper snorted a giggle.

Luna cast her the side-eye. “What?”

“I guess you know what it feels like now.”

“How d’you mean?”

“Before the games, remember, when I told you how I felt about Noah you told me you’d never feel that way about anyone. But I suspect that’s changed.”

“You suspect wrong,” Luna grunted, trying to hide the smirk at the corner of her lips.

She glanced at Harper to see her bright blue eyes dancing. “Gotcha.”

“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t be so nervous if my fucking phone worked properly. It’s played up ever since the Wyatt incident, and I keep getting stupid human shit from Tween on my newsfeeds. I reckon the dumb selkie wrecked it.”

“Fucking Wyatt.” Harper grumbled.

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