Page 77 of Treasure of the Abyss

Jax took her hand in his, drawing her attention to his face. “We could leave.” There was an almost pleading tone in his voice. She couldn’t imagine him getting any closer to begging thanthat.

Macy shook her head and squeezed his hand. As much as she feared what his people would think of her — anddoto her — she needed to see this through. Not just for Jax, but for herself. She’d chosen to join his world, to become part of his life…and she’d already run away from her own home. How would she live with herself if she was responsible for hisostracization?

His chest swelled with a deep inhalation. He exhaled through his siphons and nodded. Without further word, Jax led her through the corridors, taking several turns and passing dozens of doors. There were signs on the walls in numerous places —OPERATIONS, ADMINISTRATION, LABORATORY, INFIRMARY, RECREATION— most accompanied by arrows pointing down the varioushallways.

She followed Jax into a room with a faded plastic sign on the wall outside —CAFETERIA. It was spacious, the floor surprisingly clean and open. There were several folded tables standing to one side, and to the other was a counter that connected to a dark room beyond, but it was otherwiseempty.

“Over here,” Jax moved to the tables and slid a few aside, opening a narrowspace.

Macy stepped past Jax and entered the spot he’d cleared. With the tables — each standing half a meter taller than her — to either side and the wall behind, she felt caged-in; the feeling only worsened when he moved in front of theopening.

He must’ve seen something on her face, because he frowned down at her. “It is best they do not see you until it is time. After that, remainclose.”

“Okay.”

However anxious she was, she trusted him. He wouldn’t let anything happen toher.

Voices drifted to her from the corridor. Jax looked over his shoulder before turning fully, giving her his back. His wounds were easier to spot in the light; the bleeding had stopped, but the cuts and punctures on his back were an angry red. She clasped her hands together to keep from touchinghim.

All she could do now waswait.

As more krakenentered the Mess, Jax forced his breathing to steady and his hearts to slow. He’d always cared about the well-being of his people, and despite his strained relationship with them, he’d never had cause to distrustthem.

But the other kraken had no reason to view Macy as anything other than a threat, anenemy.

Though Macy had insisted on doing this, he’d entertained thoughts of simply grabbing her and fleeing back to the cave since they’d left the Broken Cavern. There was a chance they’d be hunted, but it was the safest option. The most likely to succeed. Here, Macy and Jax were both vulnerable. Out in the open sea, however, he wasunrivaled.

Arkon arrived and maneuvered through the others to approach Jax. He wore a deepfrown.

“Some have already come in from the water. Dracchus will arrive soon, I think, and I doubt he’ll wait to begin this affair,” Arkonsaid.

“The sooner done with, the better,” Jaxmuttered.

The others cast curious glances at him. Before Dracchus, Arkon, and Jax split up, they’d agreed not to tell the others the reasons for the gathering. There was no need to work the kraken into a frenzybeforehand.

“I meant what I said, earlier.” Arkon moved beside Jax and turned to face thecrowd.

“I know. Thankyou.”

By the time Dracchus entered, fifty or sixty kraken had gathered. They parted to allow him through. With his wounds — and Jax’s — on full display, the others wouldn’t have to guess there’d been a fight. Their only question would be who had won. Without witnesses, it was meaningless, but that wouldn’t stop them fromspeculating.

Jax nodded to Dracchus. He hated that they were doing this, hated that Macy was here, at the mercy of his people, but if it was to be done, this was the proper manner. He could not begrudge Dracchusthat.

“What is this about?” asked Ector; he was one of the few remaining elders, a hunter who’d taught Jax and younglings of a similarage.

Dracchus positioned himself a body’s length away from Jax and faced the crowd. “I have called this gathering to present proof of Jax the Wanderer’s treachery against our people, that we all may know his true nature.” His words were measured and carefully spoken; he took a deep breath before continuing. “We have long allowed his wandering, as his skill as a hunter has brought our people great bounty, but his interest has never been withus.

“Seventeen days ago, he refused to join a hunt. He acted strange, but I could not tell what he was hiding. Today, I have discovered the truth of it, the reason that he has forsaken his people. He has chosen a human female over his ownkind.”

Many kraken spoke at once, their words indecipherable, but their expressions clear. They looked between Dracchus and Jax with a mixture of anger anddisbelief.

“There have been no humans since the uprising,” shouted Kronus over the din. The crowdquieted.

“If any of you had listened to me,” Jax said, “you would know there are humans, less than half a day’s swimaway.”

“Why have they not come,then?”

“Because they are as ignorant of our existence as you are oftheirs.”

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