Page 66 of Heart of the Deep

Dracchus grunted. “Should they choose to act upon it again, I will show them what true anger is.

Chapter 16

Larkin paced across the small floor space of Randall’s room, shooting glares at Arkon and her brother, who stood sentry at the door. They’d refused to let her go help Dracchus. It felt like she’d already waited an eternity, though she knew in her heart that only a few minutes had passed.

The others — Rhea, Aymee, and Macy — sat in the back of the room with the children, talking nonchalantly, but their expressions bore hints of their worry.

She rounded on Randall and Arkon. “I told him I would stand with him! What help am I in here?”

“You’ve seen what they can do, Elle,” Randall said. “Unless you were going to start shooting—”

“And if I was?”

“Our numbers are relatively few,” Arkon said with a frown. “Despite the difficulties some of our brethren have caused, Dracchus does not want to kill anyone.”

“I didn’t say I would kill them.” Larkin scowled. “But I could have donesomethingto fend them off.”

“There’s nothing we can do,” Macy said gently. “Not against them.”

Larkin clenched her fists. “It’s my fault he’s having to deal with it to begin with.”

“Damnit, Elle, you know this isn’t your fault.” Randall’s frustration was clear; despite the tension between him and Dracchus since Larkin’s arrival, they appeared to be close friends, and he couldn’t be any happier about waiting here idly than she was.

Dracchus and Jax could be fighting for their lives out there.

“You are not responsible for the actions of others.” Arkon’s voice was calm, but he turned his head toward the door often, as though listening for some sign. “The blame lies solely upon Kronus, Neo, and Orphus in this case.”

Halting, Larkin ran a hand through her hair. She hated feeling so damned useless. “Just…let me out. Let me help him.”

Jaw clenched, Randall turned away.

Arkon settled his thoughtful gaze on her and, after several moments, exhaled through his siphons. “He will not be happy about it.”

“No!” Randall shouted, spinning to face Arkon. “The whole point of this is to keep her safe, it has nothing to do with him!”

“I can protect myself,” Larkin said.

“Listen to me, Elle.” Randall closed the distance between them and grabbed her hand, desperation strengthening his grip. He pointed at Arkon. “He was shot three times, and he was still able to tackle Cyrus and rip him to shreds. I’m friends with these kraken, and I still have fucking nightmares about how quickly they took apart those rangers. For them, it’s just a brawl at the pub. For us, it’s life or death.”

Larkin glanced from Randall to Arkon, frowning.

“He is not alone,” Arkon said. “Jax is there, too, and he is the only one who’s ever bested Dracchus. They will not lose now.”

“Uncle Dracchus is the strongest, and Daddy is the fastest!” Sarina declared.

“They are,” Macy agreed.

Sarina’s words eased Larkin somewhat, but the tightness in Macy’s voice was unmistakable. Until Dracchus was here, alive and well, for her to see with her own eyes, Larkin would be restless. She cared about the big kraken. A lot.

“Come, human.” Rhea gestured for Larkin to join them. “We must wait. Your male will conquer.”

My male.

Larkin trailed her gaze over everyone else. There was no question of the affection they all held for one another. This was a family born not of blood, but circumstance, its bonds only strengthened by its origins.

And they’d made her one of their own.

They passed the time in tense silence, which was broken only by the innocent sounds of the young ones playing. Unable to sit still, Larkin paced throughout, drumming her fingers against the holster at her hip.

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