Page 68 of Rising from the Depths

Kronus struggled against the restraining arms, but whoever held him wrapped their tentacles around him to limit his movement further. “Release me! I must find her!”

“You do not touch my mate!” Jax roared.

Meeting the other kraken’s gaze, Kronus lunged forward. The males restraining him grunted as they fought to keep hold.

“That’s enough, Kronus!” Macy snapped, then turned back to Jax. “The fighting needs to stopnow.”

“He hurt you!” Jax snarled.

“I’m fine. He’s worried about Eva.”

“He is out of his mind. He does not get to put his hands on you, ever.”

“If it were Macy missing,” Kronus said, “you would be the same. You are not that much better than me, Wanderer.”

Jax’s eyes burned with reflected light from the lanterns. There were more people gathered now, but Kronus didn’t look at them. They didn’t matter.

Macy reached up and cupped Jax’s face, drawing his attention back to her. “You know what he says is true. You would have fought all your people for me. In some ways…you did.”

Jax pressed his lips into a tight line, brow furrowing.

“Please,” Kronus said, casting his pride away. He relaxed, ceasing his struggles, knowing they would do him no good. “I need to find her. She is hurt, and in danger. I need her.”

Macy turned toward him. “I can show you Blake’s house, but I need you to promise me something, Kronus.”

“Anything, as long as she is safe.”

She approached Kronus, shaking off Jax’s hand when he reached for her. “No matter what you see, or what happens, you can’t kill Blake. Things are different here, and the alliance between the kraken and humans is still new. We have our own way of dealing with people who have done wrong.”

Kronus clenched his fists. His claws bit into his palms, but he barely felt the pain. “If she lives, you have my vow.”

Though he hadn’t allowed himself to acknowledge it yet, he’d known, deep within, that Eva’s death was a possibility in this situation. He didn’t want to think about it, didn’t have time to. But now it was there, now it was undeniable, and he could not ignore it.

His chest constricted as he leaned forward, overcoming the strength of the kraken restraining him for a moment. “If she is lost to me, I will kill him, Macy. Not you or anyone else will stop me. And once he is dead, your people may do with me as they wish.”

Macy frowned and looked back at Jax briefly. “I don’t believe he will kill her, Kronus. But please remember your vow. You need to choose whether your revenge is more important, or Eva.”

“Take me there. Now.”

She looked at Ector. “I need you to get Councilman Bailiff. His home is just behind the town hall. Tell him to go to Blake Denzen’s home, and that he is possibly holding Eva captive.”

Ector nodded, cast a final glance at Kronus, and hurried off; despite his age, he moved with swiftness and surety.

“No more wasting time,” Kronus growled. He tugged on his arms again, and his captors released their hold on him. Rolling his arms at the shoulders, he held his gaze on Macy, ignoring Jax’s glare. “Lead, female.”

Macy turned and stepped around Jax, shifting her attention to Rhea, who had been observing from the grass on the side of the path with her daughter, Melaina, beside her.

“Could you watch Sarina and Eros?” Macy asked.

Rhea dipped her chin. “I will.”

Macy thanked her and hurried along the path toward the jungle. Kronus followed, falling into place behind Jax, who seemed intent on serving as a barrier between his mate and Kronus. Many other kraken followed, their tentacles rustling the grass and vegetation around the path.

Just inside the jungle, they came across Randall, Larkin, and Dracchus. The trio joined without hesitation; Ector had passed them only a short time before and had explained the situation.

The group continued through the jungle, the few lanterns amongst them often overpowered by the blue glow of the surrounding plants. If the hidden creatures in the vegetation made any sounds, Kronus paid them no mind, keeping all his focus on Eva. His hearts did not slow, and he found himself bristling at the pace of travel; they needed to movefaster.

Macy increased her speed once they emerged from the trees. The pastures passed on either side, dark and silent, and soon the group crossed onto the first of the town’s paved roads. Kronus kept no track of the turns Macy led them through. The beating of his hearts grew louder and louder as he followed her, and the heat under his skin intensified further.

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