Page 31 of Treasure of the Abyss

Jax’s relief was swept away on a tide of fury. Ifheunderstood the danger of what she’d done, Macy had undoubtedly known therisk.

“Were you trying to kill yourself?” hedemanded.

Macy stiffened and reared back. “I had totry!”

Her response should have cooled him. He had offered similar reasoning in his youth when his early explorations had resulted in injury or near-death. But it only angered himfurther.

He caught her wrists with two tentacles and pressed her against the wall, pinning her with hisbody.

She arched her back and strained to pull free. “Let mego!”

He took hold of her face, forcing her eyes to his. “So you can die? If I wished you dead, I would have let it happen during thestorm!”

“Why didn’t you?” She glared at him and bared her teeth. “If I’m going to die in this damned cave, why not let it be now? Why are you keeping mehere?”

“Because you are a treasure I plucked from the sea, and you aremine!” heroared.

Macy gasped, staring at him with wide eyes. She’d gone completelystill.

Only her shocked expression made him realize what he’d said. It was the truth, the heart of his motivation, the thing he’d denied — even to himself. He desired her, was drawn in by her allure, and she roused his curiosity…but it wasn’t enough. He needed to claim her. Had needed to since his first glimpse during thestorm.

“You are mine,” he repeated, “and I will not let yougo.”

She struggled to free her arms, holding his gaze with hers. “You’re amonster.”

Jax’s chest constricted. Hearing that from her, spoken with such fury, was more painful than he could haveimagined.

He released her, and she fell herknees.

Vision clouded by rage, he lashed out, tearing the vines off the cliffside with claws and tentacles and throwing them into the pool behind him. Brittle, dead growth snapped and poked at him, and bits of rock and dirt tumbled down, but he didn’t stop. He attacked them like they were his most hatedfoe.

They had nearly taken Macy fromhim.

When there were no more vines within reach, he turned to Macy and leaned over her, chestheaving.

Shock and fear had replaced heranger.

“Kraken areexactlywhat humans made us to be,” hegrowled.

Jax plunged into the water before either of them could say anything more. He had never known such fury, had never allowed it to so fully drive his actions. A small part of him — a part that had somehow maintained a semblance of control — insisted he leave before he turned his rage upon her. Whatever she’d said, whatever she’d done, she didn’t deserve hiswrath.

If anyone deserved that, it was Jaxhimself.

Chapter 8

You’re a monster.

Each time the words echoed through Macy’s mind, she saw the hurt in Jax’s eyes, the flicker of pain on his face that preceded hisrage.

I didn’t meanit.

She stared at the dark water he’d disappeared into, willing him to come back so she could apologize. But he didn’treturn.

Macy staggered to her feet, braced a hand on the cliffside for balance, and looked around. Torn vines lay everywhere. She glanced up, reminding herself just how tall the cliff was. Just how far she’dfallen.

It had been foolish.Dangerousand foolish. If Jax hadn’t returned when he did, she would’ve died. All because of guilt…andpride.

She stepped through the vines and dropped into the pool. Her body made her aware of every ache and pain as she swam. She pulled herself onto the island with weak, shaky arms, and for a time could do little more than lie on the ground with water pooling aroundher.

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