Page 94 of Treasure of the Abyss

The kraken whipped around with a growl, baring herteeth.

Macy lowered her hand, draping her fingertips over the grip of hergun.

“Jax has betrayed us again. Arming ahuman.”

“I am one of you while I’mhere.”

“You will never be one of us,human.” The female gathered Melaina and led the childaway.

Macy stared after them, lifting a hand to wave when Melaina glanced backward with rounded, sad eyes. Once they turned a corner, Macy went back into her room. She released a long, shaky breath; the adrenaline that had pumped through her veins was already wearingoff.

How much of what the female had said was true? Could Melaina behischild? Jax didn’t know who his own father was, and if he had mated with that female…there was achance.

Her fingers trembled as she unstrapped the gun and set it aside. She’d come so close to drawing it, and what would that have accomplished? How would Jax react to Macy shooting a kraken? How would the rest of themreact?

You are a curiosity tohim.

What could she do for Jax? What would make him happy, what would make him feel like she was worth giving up the freedom he socoveted?

Arkon paused on the beach,setting down the sealed container in his arms. “Fascinating, how varied the environments are up here. I knew there was more beyond the shoreline, but I suppose I’ve never really imagined anything other than cliffs and patches ofsand.”

“Macy said there is land enough that a human could walk for weeks before nearing the other side.” Jax lowered his container and looked over his shoulder toward the greenery they’d just left. “As much as I crave to explore, I do not think I could venture much farther than we’ve already gone. It is…unsettling, to be so far away from thesea.”

“Yes, it is. But she is a human, Jax. They are land creatures, and that may call to her, even as the sea calls tous.”

“She is a human, but I don’t think there is anyone like her — human or kraken.” A pleasant breeze flowed over his skin, and the sand was warm; he’d never expected to find so many little things to enjoy on land. Everything above the surface was so dry, hard, and heavy, but there were many new sensations toexperience.

“And she really eats these plants?” Arkon patted the lid of thecontainer.

“It seems to be all she can keep down, lately.” Jax frowned, staring at the container before meeting his friend’s gaze. “I worry for her, Arkon, but she acts as though I shouldn’t beconcerned.”

“She doesn’t want to cause you any more trouble,Jax.”

“What trouble has she causedme?”

Arkon huffed through his siphons. “You truly don’t seeit?”

“Seewhat?”

“She sees how unhappy you are,” Arkon replied with a frown. “She counts the hours you’re away, and she blames herself. Macy thinks she is the reason you feel chained to the Facility, and that you will come to resent her forit.”

“That isfoolish.”

“Is it,Jax?”

“Yes, it is, Arkon. Why would she think she could cause me such distress, or that I would hold her responsible for things she has no controlover?”

“Because you are not yourself when you are in that place, and you’re gone more often than not. What is she meant to think ofit?”

“I love her!” Jax shouted, whirling toward Arkon. Sand flew around histentacles.

Arkon recoiled slightly at Jax’s sudden outburst, eyes wide. He tilted his head. “Youloveher. What does that mean? Not to her or her people, but toyou?”

“You know what it means, Arkon. You know whateverythingmeans.” Jax turned away and looked out over the rolling bluewaves.

“I have some idea of what it means to humans. But I want to know what it means toyou.”

Jax gritted his teeth and clenched his fists; he didn’t have to answer to Arkon. Didn’t have to explain himself, or open himself up tojudgment.

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