Page 84 of Heart of the Deep

Randall waved, drawing Dracchus’s attention. The human was on his side, harpoon gun laid on the rock next to him. He moved his hands and arms in a series of signs.

Why are we waiting?

With Arkon’s help, Dracchus and Randall had discovered detailed information in the computer on human sign language. Much of it was vaguely familiar to the kraken, and Arkon guessed their ancestors had adapted the visual language to incorporate their more expressive tentacles and color changes.

Dracchus had developed a working knowledge of the human version, and Randall could decipher all but the most complex kraken signs.

Don’t know, Dracchus replied.

Randall’s signs were slightly forceful, conveying his frustration.Many fish nearby. He swept his arm in an arc, indicating the creatures all around. Just one school of fish driven in the right direction would be enough to bait out some sandseekers.

Frown deepening, Dracchus glanced up. The surface wavered and sparkled only a few body lengths above. Pure sunlight streamed through the water, cast by a sun positioned directly overhead.

Waiting like this, they might be out past sunset.

Dracchus had once waited out a hiding rocksnapper for three days without losing his patience. He’d been tempted many times to enter its den and drag it out, but he’d refrained. Now, the thought of even a few hours’ wait made him restless.

He understood Jax and Arkon’s impatience when they’d been eager to return to their mates. Had Dracchus known what it felt like tomisssomeone so deeply on those occasions, he might’ve been more compassionate toward both males.

But this was his duty to his people, kraken and human alike. To protect and provide.

We do not lead this hunt,Dracchus signed.We must be patient.

Randall frowned behind his mask, undoubtedly concerned for Rhea, Melaina, and Larkin.

The human rolled onto his stomach and faced the hunting grounds, sliding the harpoon gun to lay before him. He absently scratched Ikaros’s chin when the prixxir nudged his hand. A few moments later, he held up three fingers before gesturing toward three small rocks jutting out of the sand.

Three lurking sandseekers, detected by the technology in Randall’s diving suit. Once this hunt ended, the kraken would need to abandon this location for a time to allow the beasts to repopulate.

The sun crawled gradually overhead, altering the shadows cast by the rocks, plants, coral, and fish. Dracchus scraped a claw on the stone beneath him; it was the only outward sign of impatience he allowed himself. He focused on the subtle flow of currents over his skin, on the constant sound of water in motion, on the open ground. All the while, his hearts pounded steadily, and a tiny spark burned in his chest.

Anticipation.

His body was ready for action,eagerfor it. However long the wait during a hunt, the burst of activity at its climax was infinitely more memorable, more powerful. Hours or days of patience collapsed into a few seconds of thrilling action. Dracchus wasn’t interested in thebiochemistryat play during those moments, though he admired Arkon’s interest in such knowledge. The kill brought an undeniable rush, regardless of the underlying workings of that sensation. But something else entirely outshone that instant of life and death.

Dracchus was more excited for the aftermath. Not tending to the kill, or hauling it home, but the gratefulness and appreciation of the other kraken when the hunters brought in fresh food. Knowing that his brethren would not suffer hunger, if only for a short while, made the whole process worthwhile.

He pictured Sarina’s smile upon his return and imagined Larkin’s joyful greeting. Imagined how he would show his mate how much he’d missed her.

Ikaros lifted his head suddenly, drawing Dracchus’s attention. The prixxir’s whiskers were perked, dark eyes fixed on something in the distance. Ikaros’s uncertain chirrup came to Dracchus through the water; a series of drawn-out clicks that rose in pitch as they faded.

Dracchus narrowed his eyes. Ikaros was staring at a pair of approaching objects. The sunlight shimmering on the water’s surface silhouetted their forms, but Dracchus knew they were boats.

He flashed yellow in warning. The boats were closing in rapidly, and due to the position of the sun, cast no warning shadows ahead of themselves. The kraken could outswim the vessels, but only if they reacted quickly.

He gestured toward the boats when the others looked in his direction. Their expressions turned grim. Vasil’s fingers curled around the haft of his spear, and he pressed his lips into a tight line.

Dracchus glanced at Randall. The human’s face was strained, with brows angled down toward his nose, jaw clenched, and eyes wide.

Are you with me?Dracchus signed.

Randall stared at Dracchus for several moments, his heavy breaths briefly fogging the inside of his mask. Taking his harpoon gun by the barrel, he nodded.

Dracchus glanced at their surroundings. The water here was relatively shallow, but not nearly enough so to restrict the movement of the boats, and the rocks would provide no cover from attacks from above.

To the deep, Dracchus signaled.

Neo flared crimson and rose from his waiting place. The stiffness of his motions spoke of an underlying fury.No! We fight this time,he signed, and then spread the fingers on one hand and snapped them back together.

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