Page 3 of The Kraken Games

He is getting frail.

Kai’s grandfather had ruled with a tight rein, keeping ancient kraken traditions going. Too much so, some said. But once he was gone, would their clan be safe?

Kai silenced his misgivings—worrying about the future was pointless.

What he had to do was prove himself at the games this year. He vowed he would channel every cell of his being toward that end.

Bringing their meeting to a close, he prostrated himself by kneeling on the floor of the cave and putting his hands, palms together, at his chest, his tentacles now rising in the kraken salute around his head.

Razad leaned forward and placed two hands on Kai’s head, then rested his tentacles on Kai’s shoulders.

“May the Echo of the Deep be with you always.”

“Thank you for the honor,Ancienta.” Kai murmured and left.

Swimming back through the cool waters the urge to move closer to the surface was strong, to survey the city where he would soon be spending his time. He’d visited Motham for the first time last year, as one of the juveniles who showed their support to Acha. It had been an enjoyable trip,— until Acha lost.

With long strokes Kai moved up toward the light.

Almost at the surface now he noticed a shape silhouetted in the water above him. Was it Torqua again? Kai couldn’t help asmirk. Damn that dolphin, no doubt he’d been hanging around to find out, nosey-beaked critter that he was. That big tail fin had to be dolphin…. No wait, it didn’t look quite right.

As he got closer Kai saw it wasn’t a dolphin tail, or any other creature of the ocean for that matter.

Long slender limbs sparkled in the water as the creature swam. The big tail fin he’d thought he’d seen were in fact two black flippers.

Kai powered faster through the water, eager to see more, the glistening of sun sparkles obscuring his vision.

As he got close, as if sensing his presence, the creature flipped gracefully in the water to face him, their upper limbs gently flapping at their side. Hands. Fingers.

Human.

Human and…female.

Electric energy zinged down Kai’s spine.

While goggles obscured the human’s eyes, there was no mistaking the shape of her body in a tight-fitting swimsuit. The dip of her waist, the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts.

The tingle in his spine spread into his groin.

For a moment the human and he stayed like this. Her lips blew a volley of bubbles.

As they stared at each other through the luminous water, time stood still, and all Kai could feel was the beating of his hearts.

And then, with a swift turn she was gone, and he watched her muscular legs kicking up toward the surface.

The urge to follow was so powerful, he had to tether himself down with his own tentacles.

For fucks sake, this was not the moment to bob his head above the water like a dumb turtle just to see more of her. No, he needed to await the word from Shen that he was ready for him.

But gods damn it, the pull of that human was so strong, it felt like a siren’s song.

When he finally set foot in Motham City, Kai vowed he would find her again.

CHAPTER 2

“When I grab you, pretend my arm is a tentacle.”

Luna had to smirk. “It’s the wrong color.”

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