Page 70 of Treasure of the Abyss

“This stuff is almost like mooring…but I’ve never seen ships big enough forthis.”

“There are some, on the seafloor,” he replied distractedly. “You should move back for now, out of sight. Until Arkon hascome.”

Macy met his gaze. “Okay. You’re…sure?”

Jax nodded and gestured to the steps cut out in the wall behind them; they led up to the next level, from which the bridges connected the twosides.

Macy climbed the steps and settled herself as far back as she could, leaning against the wall. She placed her mask beside her and folded her hands in herlap.

Positioning himself between Macy and the ladder, Jax crossed his arms over his chest and rested his elbow on a nearby post. An unfamiliar, restless energy flowed through him; he willed his limbs tostill.

He was so unused to the feeling that he didn’t immediately recognize it:nervousness.

Soon, he heard movement in the water and shifted his attention towardit.

Arkon’s glow was unmistakable as he swam to the ladder. He climbed swiftly, stopped atop the walkway, and looked at the faded painting. “It has been a long while since I camehere.”

“I know. This place is fitting,though.”

Meeting Jax’s gaze, Arkon frowned. “No more vagueness, Jax. It doesn’t suit you. What do you wish to showme?”

Jax turned to the painting. The people it depicted wore clothing that looked nothing like Macy’s, and many of them had different coloring and features, but they were all clearly human. Her people, for better or worse, had made this place, had made the Facility, had made thekraken.

“A human,” Jax finallysaid.

“Your attempts at humor are strange,Jax.”

“I’m not being humorous. I’ve been away for so long because I rescued a human female from the sea during the last storm and have been living with hersince.”

“This…” It wasn’t often Arkon was speechless; Jax couldn’t help feeling a pang of satisfaction at it, despite his nervousness. “Have you gone mad, Jax? You…you’reserious?”

Jax twisted to look behind. “Macy, please come and meetArkon.”

Her footfalls were quiet as she stepped into the open. She looked into Jax’s eyes before she turned toward Arkon, smiled, and raised her hand in greeting. “Hello,Arkon.”

Features slack, Arkon looked from Macy to Jax. A tiny crease appeared in the center of his brow. “You have a human,” he said,flatly.

“Her name isMacy.”

“Macy.” Arkon tilted his head and parted his lips as though to speak, but it was several moments before he produced a sound. “My apologies if I’m… You must understand, this…thisis…”

She laughed; the sound was amplified by the cave, but was no less beautiful for it. She stopped beside Jax. “I understand verywell.”

“Of course. Typically, I’m somewhat more articulate. Jax has a reputation for pushing into the unknown, but this is unprecedented, even for him.” Arkon moved a little closer. “You’re wearing one of the suits from the PoolRoom.”

Macy settled a hand over her stomach. “Jax gave it tome.”

“What function does it fulfill? I’ve been curious about those suits for a longwhile.”

“It goes with the mask,” she gestured behind her, though the mask was out of sight, “and together they protect me underwater. Otherwise, I can’t be under for more than about thirty seconds, and anything below a certain depth could killme.”

“So humanscan’tsurviveunderwater…”

“Apparently not,” Jaxsaid.

“You’re a different color thanJax.”

“Yes.” Arkon spread his arms to the sides and glanced down at himself. “Most of us are, even if variations are only slight. Is it not the same for yourkind?”

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