Page 93 of Treasure of the Abyss

“Yes! It’s exactly like that. Would you play with me? I haven’t played in a long time, not since I waslittle.”

Melaina clapped her hands. “Can I hidefirst?”

“On two conditions — no camouflage, and we stay in the cabin area.” Macy gestured to the tunnel behindher.

“Camouflage?”

Macy touched Melaina’s arm. The girl recoiled slightly. “Changing your skin color. My skin doesn’t change like yours, so it would beunfair.”

The girl inched forward and reached out tentatively, pressing her fingertips to Macy’s forearm. “It doesn’t change atall?”

“Only a little, but I can’t match it to my surroundings like you.” Macy stood. “Okay, I’ll count, and you hide.Ready?”

“Yes!”

They played for an hour. Melaina’s initial distrust quickly evaporated as their laughter echoed through thecorridors.

Though Macy thought herself and Sarina had been good at hiding as children, Melaina’s skills were superior — even without camouflage. The young kraken was able to squeeze into spots that should’ve been too small to fit in, and proved surprisingly adept at climbing into high places Macy hadn’t initially expected her toreach.

When they tired of the game, they went to Macy’s room and turned on the music player. After she overcame her startlement, Melaina was thrilled. She danced around the room with Macy and laughed until they were lying on the floor,breathless.

It was between two songs when they heard the calls from somewhere in the corridor. Melaina perked up, and Macy turned off themusic.

“Melaina!”

“Oh no,” Melaina groaned, scurrying across the room and into thehallway.

Macy followed. “What’swrong?”

The question was answered once Macy stepped through the doorway. Another kraken was approaching, and its features contorted with rage when it met Macy’s gaze. This was another female — anadultfemale. She was built lighter than the males, with a narrow waist and small breasts, her dark nipplesbare.

As soon as she was in reach, one of the kraken’s tentacles darted out to take hold of Melaina’s wrist, pulling the girl back. The female imposed herself between Macy and thechild.

“What are you doing with my youngling, human?” shedemanded.

Melaina poked her head out from behind the female. “I wascur—”

“Silence!” The female twisted to look at the girl. “What have I told you aboutwandering?”

For a moment, Macy pitied the child; was this how Jax had been treated in hisyouth?

“We were only playing,” Macysaid.

The kraken turned her narrowed gaze on Macy. “My daughter will notplaywith humans, ortalkto humans, or haveanythingto do withhumans.”

Whatever joy Macy had felt moments before fled from the female’s animosity. “She was only curious, and I enjoyed hercompany.”

The female’s lip curled in disgust. “Such curiosity leads to kraken like Arkon andJax. I will not have my child follow thatpath.”

Anger pulsed through Macy. “There’s nothing wrong with either ofthem.”

The kraken dropped her gaze, sliding it over Macy’s body, and smirked. “Jax’s wanderings took him to my den, and led him away from me. Do you think he will not leave you? A human with no limbs? A human who cannot dance, who cannot defend herself, who cannot bear young?” She swept her hand down to her waist, where her slit unfurled like a blooming flower, revealing her open sex. “Do you think you can please him like his own kindcan?”

Macy’s eyes widened, and she lifted her gaze to the female’s. Though she tried to push the kraken’s words aside, they lingered, taking root in Macy’s mind to build upon her doubts. “Jax cares forme.”

“For now. You are a…curiosityto him. He will tire of you soon enough. He always does.” The female turnedaway.

“How long did Jax stay with you? Aweek?”

---