Page 109 of Treasure of the Abyss

The crowd of humans parted and glanced back at the two newcomers. One was tall and broad-shouldered, his face covered in hair. The other was familiar toJax.

Camrin.

“Macy!” the larger male called. He shoved through the cluster of frightened humans without hesitation and barely looked at Jax as he snatched Macy from the kraken’s arms. He smoothed her hair back. “Macygirl?”

Jax backed away slightly, spreading his hands to the side and sinking down. They were unsettled by his appearance, fearful because they did not know what he was, and he didn’t want to push them toviolence.

Camrin grasped Macy’s hand and pulled it to his chest. “Macy…”

“She is sick. Infected,” Jaxsaid.

“Infected?” one of the men asked and looked at the others. Several of the humans retreatedfarther.

“The wounds on her leg are infected. She was attacked by arazorback.”

“Whatareyou?” Camrin asked, staring at Jax with wideeyes.

“She needs help, needs medicine,” Jax said, keeping his gaze on the largermale.

The big human looked up from Macy, and for the first time, he looked directly at Jax. His eyes widened, and his mouth moved beneath his thick face-hair. “Did you dothis?”

“No. I would never hurt her.” Jax gestured toward the water. “She was attacked by a razorback, and it bit her leg before she killedit.”

The emotion on the man’s face didn’t diminish, and he didn’t lookaway.

“What…what are we going to do with this thing?” someoneasked.

A different human leaned forward. “You really think it’s not the one that hurther?”

The large man shook his head. “If he did, why would he bring herhere?”

“I will not leave her,” Jax said. “I only want her to behealed.”

“We can take it to one of those old tanks. Enough of them are empty that it won’t hurt to use one.” Camrinsaid.

“I’m taking my daughter to Doc Rhodes. Will you go with these men if they take you to place to hold you until we figure all this out?” the large man asked. His eyes were hard, but there was an undeniable honesty inthem.

This man was Macy’s father, who she’d spoken of sofondly.

“Yes. I wish none of you harm. Just…saveher.”

Macy’s father nodded and turned to the others. “It brought my Macy back, so it deserves fair treatment until we get some questions answered.Understood?”

The other humans made stammering replies, shifting their attention back to Jax. Macy stirred, moaning, and opened her eyes. They were glassy with fever. “Dad?”

“Yes, Macy girl. I’mhere.”

“Jax?” she asked. “Where’sJax?”

“Who is Jax?” Camrinasked.

“I want Jax.” She shook her head back and forth,slowly.

“Shhh,” the large man soothed. “You’re sick. We’re getting you to theDoc.”

“Jax!”

Macy’s father hurried down the dock as her cries continued, her voice weak and desperate. Camrin followed immediately behind. Jax watched with his jaw clenched, his chest tight, and his stomach churning. It took all his willpower to prevent himself from calling for her, from chasing after her. She needed medicine; he wouldn’t delay that anylonger.

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