Page 83 of Call of the Fathoms

“How can you promise that?”

“Because I helped to build all of it. Every generation of me has worked with those in Tau to keep everyone in it safe. If there was anyone who knew how to get in and out of that city, it would be someone like me. Because they have worked with us for years to make sure that nothing could ever go wrong. Our opinions, our thoughts, all of it was controlled by that city. But I broke free. I should be dead. They would have killed me if they realized my thoughts had wandered, but I got away before they could.”

Mitera seemed to think about her words before finally giving a small nod.

Fortis’s hands clenched down on her and he whisked her away from Mitera. She could feel the excitement coursing through his entire body and all of his gills that fluttered around her. Even his fins were shaking with anticipation.

“I call for war, then!” Mitera shouted.

The massive undine who had asked for bloodshed screamed at the words. It was a haunting call, the sound of a hunt being summoned as he looked to Fortis.

“You,” the big one said, pointing at Fortis. “When will you need our warriors?”

“I will send my son to collect you. Be ready. We do not know when we will fight, but it will be soon and it will be bloody.”

“We will be ready for death, and look forward to killing as many achromos as we can.” The man thudded his hand against his chest and then opened his mouth. A massive tongue escaped, licking at the sea as though he could already taste the bloodshed.

And with that, Fortis fled. Alexia grabbed onto his shoulders to stay in his arms, feeling the water pressing her back down intothat darkness. But soon, the light from the city faded and all she could see were the bright, flickering lights of the depthstriders who followed them. So many of his people, just lurking in the darkness. The only thing that gave them away were the glowing dots on their bodies that flickered on and off like a strange strobe.

It made the entire sea feel like it was alive. The ocean was boiling and she could do nothing to stop it or the fear that burned in her chest.

“Why are they chasing us?” she asked, her voice whipping away from them as they moved through the water.

“Because we have made a deal. They get blood, and we will either provide it for them, or provide our own.” He swam faster, harder, his entire body undulating with the movements and rolling between her thighs. “They will chase us until we are far enough away to no longer be a threat to their people.”

“They think I’m a threat?” she asked, then laughed at the mere thought. “Look at them! How could I even remotely hurt one of them?”

He laughed with her. “You’re going to kill me, virago, I’m sure they believe you could kill them as well.”

That was a sobering thought. Alexia still didn’t know what to think about that impossible future. She didn’t want to kill him. There was no future she could imagine where she would even try.

Alexia wanted to treasure him, she realized. What a terrifying thought when she had never even attempted a relationship with anyone else.

“I’m not going to kill you,” she said. “I won’t let that happen.”

“You don’t have a choice. You’ll kill me, and I will join my ancestors in the next realm.” He held her a little tighter. “I already forgave you for it.”

But could she ever forgive herself?

Thirty-Four

Fortis

He was surprised they’d done it. For a while there, it had felt like touch and go. But his people had seen reason, largely because of her arguments and because of his belief that the future was right. He knew they were fearful that Alexia was going to kill him. But he also didn’t care.

Fortis had made peace with his future long ago, and now he was lucky enough to see it come to life. He knew what was going to happen, unlike so many people who did not. He knew where he would end and how it would end. Life hadn’t always been that easy.

But now, he was just elated. After all that he had done in his life, and all the things he would leave behind, he had completed the greatest deed. He had brought his people to glory. Soon, they would battle with Tau and with the depthstriders’ help, he was certain they would win. Tau would fall. The most evil of the human cities would tumble into oblivion, and the rest was in the hands of those he trusted.

Already Mira and Anya had figured out ways to work with the humans in the cities, to convince them they could trust his people and that there was plenty of use in a partnership. They were ready to work with each other. Even the depthstriders.

A laugh burst free from his lips as he soared through the currents, disappearing into the sea as the other depthstriders were left far behind them. He hadn’t felt this free in such a long time. He hadn’t known what it was like to feel the weight of all his responsibilities and fear of the future disappear from his shoulders.

Was this what others felt like near the end? The elation of giving up the weight of life? It was maddening and so perfect.

“What are you laughing about?” Alexia asked.

“My end is near,” he replied with another chuckle. “It is a good feeling.”

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