Page 6 of Heart of the Deep

“When are we leaving?”

“I will leave with a small party in the morning.”

Jax frowned.

“Your place, for now, is here,” Dracchus said. “You and Arkon have younglings and mates to protect, and the Facility is not safe for them with you away.”

Brows falling low, Jax scowled. “Kronus’s supporters have grown bold in their anger.”

“We cannot assume they have limits on what they might attempt, should we lower our guards.” Dracchus released a slow breath. These events had been set into motion when he pursued his suspicions more than a year ago and had discovered Jax involved with a human — Macy. They’d come to the Facility at his insistence to face the judgment of the kraken, and that had given rise to the human-opposed group led by Kronus.

Would Dracchus have done things differently, had he known what would follow?

It was a worrying question, the sort Arkon would undoubtedly contemplate for hours and hours. The lack of a clear answer only made it more troubling. If Dracchus had never made Macy come here, these connections, this growing family, would never have formed, but the divide amongst his people would never have opened.

Was the taste of this new lifestyle worth the current strife?

“What troubles you, Dracchus?”

“Everything,” Dracchus grumbled.

Is it worth it?

Yes. The kraken would rise from the conflict stronger than before, with a newfound camaraderie that would empower them to face the future.

At least he hoped they would.

“Many of our people look to you for leadership,” Jax said.

Dracchus shook his head and smiled despite his concerns. “It should be you to lead us, Wanderer. I never wanted to.”

“All the more reason you should. I’ve always been selfish in the pursuit of my own fulfillment, but you have ever put our people before yourself.”

“Kronus’s supporters believe I put humans before our people.”

“Kronus’s supporters could best serve our people by feeding themselves to a razorback,” Jax said. His skin rippled with crimson; the human-opposed group hadn’t been shy about threatening the humans living in the Facility, including Jax’s mate.

“That would be the easiest resolution,” Dracchus agreed, “but I do not want any of our people to come to harm. Kraken or human.”

“The more you speak, the more you support my belief that you should lead us.”

Dracchus grunted. He would do what was necessary, what wasright, just as always, but leadership…surely there were kraken more capable than he for such a role. Kraken possessing swift minds, like Jax and Arkon, or the wisdom of experience, like the elder, Ector.

“Come,” Dracchus said. “Lets us catch up to your Macy. As close as the infirmary is, she should not be alone for long.”

They moved into the corridor together. Doors stood at regular intervals in either direction, all leading to rooms almost identical to the one they’d just left. Long ago, before the kraken had claimed the Facility as their own, these rooms had served as dens for the humans who’d built this place. The hallways had been empty and silent for generations but were now often filled with the laughter of younglings and the warm conversation of friends because humans had returned. Even with less than ten people dwelling here, this section of the Facility feltalivefor the first time in Dracchus’s memory.

“How many will you take with you?” Jax asked.

“Myself and four others. Two are followers of Kronus.”

“And you trust them?”

“Not at all.” Dracchus slowed as they moved along the tunnel that led from the Cabins to the main structure, glancing at the dark water outside through one of the large windows. “But that will be two less to bother you here, and we will have them outnumbered.”

“Might as well consider it six-to-one, if they move against you.”

Dracchus smiled. “Sarina did say I am the strongest. I will be fine. More important that your mate and the younglings are safe.”

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