Page 124 of Treasure of the Abyss

Jax couldn’t tolerate any more obstacles between himself and Macy. Couldn’t accept any further delay. He drove forward with everything he had, and more. His body screamed inprotest.

Finally, he broke away from the strongest current and directed himself toward the end of the dock. He glanced behind; Arkon and Dracchus signaled with glowing skin. They wereunharmed.

He surfaced where the dock ended, rising into the silvery light of the rising moon, and lifted his gaze. His eyes found Macy, and he saw nothingmore.

The black diving suit covered her from neck to toe. Her blonde hair — paler in the moonlight — fell around her shoulders, ends flowing in the breeze. Her expression was drawn, but the moment her eyes fell upon him, her lips tilted up into a widesmile.

“Jax!” She stepped forward, and her leg gave out beneath her. Her father’s big arms encircled her to keep her from falling. Her smile didn’t diminish as she extended her arms towardJax.

“Careful, Macy girl,” her father rumbled. He was staring at Jax, mouth lost in his face-hair.

Moving closer to the dock, Jax grabbed the edge with his tentacles and pulled himself high enough to take Macy’s hips between his hands. Her father reluctantly released his hold. She wrapped her arms around Jax’s neck as he lowered her into thewater.

“You’re here.” Her voice brimmed with emotion as she pecked kisses over his face. “I missed you somuch.”

“As I missed you.” He pressed his lips to her cheek, thrilling in the feel of her body, reveling in herscent.

Her mouth found his, and they locked in a lingering kiss, neither wanting to pullaway.

“It got away!” The shout was distant, nearly drowned out by the wind and sea, but everyone heard it; Jax and Macy broke their kiss and looked toward the clifftopwarehouse.

“You need to go,” Aymee said. She knelt and held out Macy’smask.

Macy yanked up her hood and took the mask, raising it intoplace.

“I’ll leave supplies in the place we discussed.” Aymee held out a sealed canister. “These meds should see you through for now,though.”

Macy’s father took the canister. “I have something for you before you go,” he said, opening the lid. He reached into his pocket and produced a small wooden box, which he slid into the container before resealing it. “Your heart’s always been with sea…you just forgot it for a while. Sarina’s was, too…keep this with you, where itbelongs.”

“Thank you,” Macy said, voice trembling, as Jax accepted the canister. “I love youboth.”

“Love you too, Macy girl,” her father replied gruffly. He shifted his gaze to Jax. “You take care of her, or I’ll break you. Don’t care how big you are, or how many arms youhave.”

Jax nodded; this was the bond of family she’d talked about. The protectiveness, the caring, thelove. “She is the most precious thing on land or sea, and will always be treated assuch.”

Macy’s father nodded. “Go. Get away fromhere.”

Wrapping her legs around Jax’s waist, Macy said her finalfarewells.

Jax turned; Dracchus was studying the humans with a mild look of confusion on his face, as though he couldn’t quite understand what they were. Arkon stared, unabashed, at Aymee. “Come. Let us return to ourpeople.”

Chapter 26

The days Macyhad spent waiting to be back in Jax’s arms were the longest she’d ever experienced; now that she was in his embrace again, she never wanted to letgo.

Arkon and Dracchus crowded around Jax in the entry chamber, waiting for the water to drain. Macy caught Arkon’s gaze and smiled at him. She doubted she’d be able to adequately express her gratitude — he and Dracchus had gone to The Watch with Jax and waited for days to ensure she wassafe.

“Pressurization normalized,” the computer said, and the interior door slid open. “Welcome back, diver one-two-seven.”

Macy removed the mask and tugged off the hood as Jax carried her through thedoorway.

He placed her gently on her feet and shifted a hand to her stomach. Her breath caught; there was barely contained emotion on his face. “Is it true,Macy?”

She placed a shaky hand over his, hating that the suit was between them, and nodded. “Aymee showed me the scans before she erased them. I…I never thought it was possible. Even when I noticed the changes in myself, and displayed the symptoms, it never crossed mymind.”

“Never thought what was a possibility?” Dracchusasked.

Jax held her gaze, brow creased in question. Macynodded.

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