Page 57 of Seducing Jenny
“Weirdly, yeah,” I admitted. “Like I was always supposed to be this tall, and meant to have a tail.”
“It wasn’t like that for me. Not at first. But it’s fun, like cosplay.” Her smile faded into something more serious. “Jenny, I know I’m touchy about our father, but I want you to know that I am deeply proud of you for trying to help people. Even him.”
Her praise meant a lot to me. “Thanks. And I’m proud of you for not risking your pregnancy because you can’t sit still.”
She laughed and patted her belly affectionately. “The little biscuit better be worth it.”
After nightfall, Tiger, Mal, Abyss and I boardedCheesecakeand left Sorellamore for Credo’s island. The trip was moonsless, which made everything seem dark and ominous. Even Abyssseemed unsettled when I found her alone in the lounge, staring out the window at the passing galaxies.
The conduit was a middle-aged Ladrian, bald, with a round face and a kind smile. The rest of her was covered in the same thick robes the rest of the conduits wore.
“You okay?” I asked her.
She looked up, seemingly startled by my presence. “I don’t like leaving Sarah alone.”
“She’s not alone,” I said gently. “She has Jac and Deacon and the rest of the conduits—”
“I know, I know.” Bashfully, she admitted, “I have residual guilt when it comes to my queen.”
I settled into the seat beside her. “How’s that?”
“When we first met, I was too cowardly to help her when she needed it the most, when she’d been nothing but good and kind to all of us conduits. I will never forgive myself for that.”
“You’re with her now. That’s really all that matters.”
She smiled. “You are kind, like my queen.”
“I know Sarah doesn’t hold your hesitation against you,” I assured her. “For the most part, she forgives and forgets.”Our father aside.
Abyss nodded, eyes glistening. “I know. It is part of why I follow her. Your sister is the bravest person I have ever known.”
“Same here,” I agreed with a smile of my own. “So, what do you know of Credo’s disease?”
“Catatonia is extremely rare among Ladrians, so I am anxious to—”
“Jade,” Tiger said over the comm, “we’re about to submerge for a water landing.”
I grimaced at Abyss. “I hate this part.” I put on a lap belt. As a conduit, Abyss’ ghostly form didn’t need one.
“Hydrophobic?” she asked.
“No. Just worried about my ship.”And drowning. Or being eaten by the sea monster we saw last time. Or being crushed by the inky darkness.
“Your ship is incredible. I am certain it will survive.”
Cheesecakesettled into the water with a gentle whoosh, then submerged before we headed toward the little island. Once we docked, three of us dressed in the float suits before I realized something.
“How are we going to get you in there, Abyss?” I asked the conduit. “Can you wear a float suit?”
From her robe, she pulled out a long bone. “Mal and Tiger are going to hold this, and I’m going to hang on, while they float.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Is that really the best plan we can come up with?”
“On short notice?” Mal asked, then opened the hatch. “Yes.”
It made sense. Abyss, being a conduit, couldn’t hold on to anythingbuta bone.
We climbed out and began our ascent. The bottom floor of the house was dark, save for one room near the front door. Abyss, dangling from the bone between Tiger and Mal, asked, “When I cure Credo, what’s the plan?”
