Page 119 of Treasure of the Abyss

The kraken hunted together, survived together, but their society — if it could be called that — was comprised of staunch individuals. They congregated and worked together when necessary, but rarely displayed the warmth and familiarity the humans showed to oneanother.

The humans touched frequently — slapping each other on the back, clasping hands, even embracing. When they were near each other, they seemed to speak incessantly. They worked hard, males and femalestogether, utilizing many devices — deceptively simple devices — as aids. They weren’t without their clashes, but those seemed few and farbetween.

“There is a female on the dock I have not seen before,” Dracchussaid.

“Hmm?” Arkon shifted his gaze toward theland.

The female looked over her shoulder before stepping off the side of the dock; with the tide low, the narrow stretch of beach wrapping around the inside cure of the cliffs was exposed, ending near the rocks where Arkon and Dracchus waited. She moved along the sand, toward the kraken. As she walked, she did something that gave Arkonpause.

“Do you see that?” heasked.

“Perhaps it is a mistake. There is no way she would know thatsign.”

But the female, after glancing behind her once more, repeated the arm motions exactly. She swept her gaze across thewater.

“She would know it if Jax showed her. I will move closer. Speak to her,” Arkonsaid.

“If the men on the dock are alerted to our presence, they will be more watchful from now on. We will lose any opportunity we might have had to rescueJax.”

“She’s repeating the sign deliberately. Jax must have taught her and sent her to look forus.”

Dracchus looked back at the woman, his frown, somehow, deepening. “Fine. Keep low and keephidden.”

Arkon pushed off the rock and dipped below the surface, swimming toward the woman. As the water grew shallower, he altered his skin to match the bottom and slowed, digging his claws and the tips of his tentacles into the soft sand to anchor himself from the tide. He lifted his head above the surface, and his breath caught in histhroat.

The wind had swept the female’s long, brown hair — its spiraling strands so unlike Macy’s — into her face. She slipped her fingers into her hair and tugged it back, revealing a delicate face with dark eyes and pink lips. Her features were similar to Macy’s only in that she was also human. Her skin was darker, and she was taller, with long, gracefullimbs.

She wasbeautiful.

The female made the signagain.

“Where are they?” sheasked.

“Here.”

The female leapt backward. When her feet hit the sand, she fell, landing on her rear. She searched the nearby water with rounded eyes, moving them directly over Arkontwice.

“Where areyou?”

“I am here.” Arkon allowed a flash of his normal color to pass across hisface.

Her lips parted as she met his gaze. “Macy said you changed color, but I guess I just didn’t expectthis.” She moved onto her hands and knees and crawled towardhim.

“You know Macy? Is she allright?”

She stopped as the surf rolled in, running over her wrists and dampening her clothes. “She’s got a long recovery ahead, but she’s doing well. My name is Aymee. Are you…Arkon?”

His eyes widened. This was Aymee, the friend Macy had spoken of? His wildest imaginings hadn’t done herjustice.

“I…yes. Yes, I am.Arkon.”

“Do you not speak English as well as Jaxdoes?”

Surprise skittered over Aymee’s face as Arkon’s camouflage faltered; he was suddenly quite nervous, more than ever in his life, and his tongue felt somehow dry. Less than a body’s length of distance lay between them, just a bit of sand and water. “I, uh…yes. I mean…no. I speak well enough, thank you. I’m just a bitweary?”

Arkon squeezed his eyes shut and gave himself a mental shake. She’d sought him for a reason; Jax and Macy had sent her, and that was more important rightnow.

“If you’ve been waiting out here all this time, I’m sure you are.” Her eyes moved over him slowly. “You arefascinating.”

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