Page 27 of Hunter of the Tide

“Do you have something to say on Volk’s behalf?” Dracchus asked. Though his tone remained even, his black skin lightened just enough to tinge red.

Kronus flicked a glance at Volk. “He was seeking to entice Rhea. She should mate one of our own kind, not a human. It is obvious that the human attacked, just as he attacked us in the Mess.”

Dracchus’s next move was made with such deliberate slowness that it was terrifying — despite his immense anger, his control was unbroken. He shifted his arm back, extending a clawed finger to point toward Rhea, and twisted his torso to allow Kronus a clear view of the female.

Kronus’s eyes widened, and several emotions swept over his features in rapid succession. Startlement, anger, fear. “You attacked one of our females?”

“Do you have anything else to say on his behalf?” Dracchus’s voice was low.

“He acted of his own accord,” Kronus grated, skin reddening, “and with great foolishness. But do you see what these humans have done? They have disgraced and tainted our home and will be the destruction of our kind if we allow this to continue. They are turning kraken against kraken, now.”

Despite the stomach-churning hatred dripping from Kronus’s words, Randall couldn’t help feeling guilty for his part in all of this. He’d intended to hunt kraken when he’d traveled to Macy and Aymee’s hometown. Had Cyrus won the confrontation in the submarine pen, the rangers would’ve continued searching for kraken, wouldn’t have stopped until these people were wiped out.

But that outcome had been avoided, at least for now. Were what-ifs acceptable justification for murder? Did Randall’s culpability in what might have been mean he didn’t deserve to live?

No.

“The only destruction I see,” said another kraken behind Kronus — Ector, one of the older kraken males, “is what you and your followers have wrought. These humans have done nothing except give our people hope.” He nodded toward Jax. “Hope that we may yet prosper.”

“They foul our bloodline!” Kronus said. “They have ever been our enemies and would destroy our kind if given the opportunity!”

“Are you forgetting that all of you are part human?” Aymee asked. “It’s in your DNA.”

“And each of the humans here has saved the life of a kraken,” Arkon added, looking to Aymee.

“You have had your say, Kronus,” Dracchus said. “Now Volk may have his.”

Jax finally eased his hold on Volk’s neck. The restrained kraken sagged slightly and sucked in a ragged breath.

“We will not remain idle while humans mate with our people,” Volk rasped. “We will not allow our enemies to dwell among us, and we will not allow our ways to falter.” He looked over his shoulder to glare at Randall; the blood flowing from his wounds had slowed significantly, but that only made them more pronounced.

Ikaros shifted in Randall’s hold and growled at Volk.

“Will anyone deny Volk’s treachery?” Dracchus asked.

Silence fell over the crowd.

Kronus’s features were strained, and he averted his eyes from Volk. It seemed even he couldn’t deny that — whatever the motivations — his follower had done wrong.

“Kronus!” Volk called, fighting Jax’s hold. “I didn’t attack her!”

“So, she scratched herself?” Aymee asked.

Volk’s skin went red, and he struggled harder. Jax tightened his arm around Volk’s neck. Within a few seconds, the struggles ceased.

“Ector, what would the punishment have been in your day?” Dracchus asked.

“For violence against a female, especially endangering a youngling? Death.”

Volk paled, and his short, labored breaths quickened.

“Our world is changing, and we must change with it,” Dracchus said. “Volk shall be exiled from our home, never to return. Should he show his face here again, it will be within the right of any kraken to end his life. Does anyone oppose my judgment?”

Once more, silence fell over the gathered kraken, allowing the sound of Randall’s heartbeat to fill his ears. He counted eleven thumps before Dracchus spoke again.

“It is thus settled.” Dracchus took Volk from Jax and forced him out of the room. The other kraken, Kronus included, moved out of his way and dispersed once he’d passed.

When only Aymee, Arkon, and Jax remained, Rhea slumped, releasing a shaky breath.

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