Page 107 of Treasure of the Abyss

“Whether with our people’s approval or not, Kronus, I am taking her from thisplace.”

“She stays,” Kronus growled. “We cannot allow you to expose us for ahuman!”

Dracchus pushed through the others and loomed before Kronus; the two locked gazes and their skin flickeredcrimson.

“That human has earned her right to be considered one of us,” Dracchus said. “She slew a razorback on her own, saving the life of a youngling and providing us ample meat in the process, at great risk to herself. She is one of us. If we can come and go at will, so canshe.”

“But he means to bring her back to herkind!”

“She will die if I do not,” Jaxsaid.

“So let her die,” Kronusspat.

Jax advanced on Kronus; the group backed away. “If you are standing between me and the life of my mate, Kronus, I will kill youhere.”

“She is no proper mate. She is an unnatural,dis—”

Leaping the remaining distance between them, Jax hammered his fist into Kronus’sjaw.

Kronus twisted aside with the force. Before the kraken fell, Jax wrapped his tentacles around Kronus’s neck and took his face between both hands, holding his claws over Kronus’seyes.

“Speak of her again, and I will end you,” Jax growled through bared teeth. “I will take you apart one piece at a time and spread you across the sea as I return her to herpeople.”

Kronus stared, wide-eyed, at the claws hovering above him, body twitching as he fought tobreathe.

“She is one of us,” Jax said. When Kronus did not reply, Jax roared. “She is one ofus!”

Frantically, Kronus nodded, though his range of motion was limited by the tentacles coiled around hisneck.

“I am taking her away from here.” Relinquishing his hold, Jax shoved Kronusaway.

Kronus tumbled into the group behind him; most of them were the same kraken who’d followed him out after Ector had spared Macy’s life in this veryroom.

Jax ran his gaze over the others slowly. “Do I have any other challenges to myintent?”

“I will accompany you,” Dracchus said. He met Jax’s eyes and heldthem.

“I do not know how the humans will react if they seeus.”

Dracchus shrugged his broad shoulders. “She did not know how we would react when she first came here. I would honor hercourage.”

“Thank you,” Jaxsaid.

“Her condition is poor?” Ectorasked.

Jax nodded, pressing his lips into a tightline.

“Then go.Quickly.”

Chapter 22

The sea was relatively calmas the kraken sped along the surface. The coming sunrise had stained the water and clouds purple, and the patches of sky visible on the horizon were a blend of soft orange andpink.

Jax had seen the humans’ home from afar, and, as they neared, Macy’s name for it — The Watch — seemed increasingly fitting. He felt exposed beneath the light-crowned structure atop the cliffs. Boats bobbed beside the dock, and the dark shapes of humans walked along its length. Jax had seen many of the boats from below during his travels, but had never been close to one…not until the day of the storm, when he foundMacy.

Uncertainty crept up his spine. Would they be able to help Macy in this place? Was she going to survive, would her wounds fully heal? What would the humans do if they saw akraken?

One question, stronger and more troubling, rose above the others — would they ever be together again? If she survived, would her people let herleave?

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