Page 108 of Heart of the Deep

Larkin ran her hands through her hair, tugging it back from her face. “We would have died tonight had it not been for a single kraken who put aside his hatred and risked his life to warn us.”

“And, when given chance to leave and save himself, he remained to fight alongside us,” Dracchus added. “He shed his blood in our defense.”

Larkin turned to face Kronus. “And for that, we thank you, Kronus. You saved us.”

All eyes shifted toward Kronus. He looked back at the crowd uncertainly, arms folded across his chest. He kept himself near the wall, with more than a body’s length separating him from the others; it was as much space as could be allowed, given the number of kraken present.

“Even though he was cast from his home, Kronus has acted with honor and selflessness,” Ector said. “That is an example we may look upon with pride.”

Kronus’s skin flashed violet with embarrassment for an instant, and he lowered his head. This was far removed from the outspoken kraken of months before. Had the recent events merely humbled him, or broken him?

“Kronus is also proof that we can change. That we can look upon one another without blinding hatred or fear.” Larkin turned back to Dracchus. “Which is why I propose we all go to The Watch.”

Shock rippled through the crowd in the form of muttered voices and questioning glances.

“If we go there, the hunters will capture us all,” someone called.

“We won’t let that happen,” Larkin said. “I have chosen my side, and it is with you.” She took Dracchus’s hand. “I stand with my mate.”

Dracchus squeezed her hand and met her gaze. The depth within her eyes was staggering, and he wished, for a moment, that everything else would go away — the other people, his pain, the building itself — leaving only himself and Larkin, so they could hold one another in peace.

“Our father is the one who leads the hunters,” Randall said, stepping forward to stand beside his sister, “and as Larkin said, he’s driven by fear. The fear of losing his children. He’s a good man who’s been driven to do terrible things by that fear, but he deserves a chance to change his course. Just like Dracchus gave chances to the others. If we can show him that we are safe, and that our people can existtogether, he’ll stop.”

Conversations sparked throughout the gathering. Voices rose above the din, some for the plan, some against; the only consistency was the energy with which the people spoke.

“What do the elders think?” a male shouted.

Ceres moved forward and lifted her hands. The crowd quieted. “We have lived here for many generations without any contact with humans. Our prosperity has always been the product of our toil, and our traditions have helped to ensure our continued existence. But our people have never thrived. Ours has been an existence of constant struggle. We females are few. Our younglings are few. And our people have existed on the edge of disaster since our beginning.

“The humans have given us hope. They have produced kraken younglings. Though we have no guarantee of prospering together, this may be the best hope for our people to finally thrive.”

“The dangers cannot be denied,” Faro said, “but it may well be time to face those dangers for the chance at something better.”

Ector eased forward and smiled. “I speak only for myself in this, but I would like to see the place Macy and Aymee came from at least once before the sea reclaims me.”

“Larkin showed us kindness during our captivity,” Vasil said, “and I have only seen more of it from the other humans here. I do believe there are others like them.”

“Humans already know of your existence,” Larkin said. “It is no longer a secret. Show them who you really are and give them a chance to show you whotheyare, too. We’re all people. As different as we appear, we want the same thing — tolive.”

“Dracchus?” Ector asked. “What do you say?”

“As all things, it is a risk,” he replied after several moments of silence, keeping his gaze on Larkin. “But it is a risk worth taking. Our people have much to learn from each other, and we cannot continue along under constant threat of attack.” He looked to the crowd. “I will force no one’s choice in this matter. When I have healed fully, I will go to The Watch with my mate. Any who wish it are welcome to join us.”

“I will go,” Jax said.

Arkon moved forward. “And I.”

Ector and the other elders, Vasil, Brexes, and Rhea all came forward one at a time, and then more kraken, males and females alike.

“And I,” said Kronus.

Dracchus turned his head to look at the ochre kraken. Kronus’s unease was plain in his slight frown and drawn brows, but his gaze was steady.

With a nod, Dracchus turned back to the crowd. “So it shall be. We will face the future together, as we always should have. Let us gather again in five days’ time, and we will venture to The Watch and show the humans — and ourselves — that friendship is possible.”

* * *

Dracchus and Larkin didn’t enter their new den until the sea was already lit by the rising sun. Though the corridor beyond their door looked like all the others in the Cabins, it wasn’ttheirs. The room lacked Dracchus and Larkin’s scent, lacked the trinkets they’d gathered over their weeks together, lacked clothing that properly fit Larkin, but it was clean and quiet.

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