Page 65 of Poseidon's Trident
“Right,” I say, not understanding his logic.
“What if Triton had to sail away until we defeated the beast so he didn’t interfere and piss the fates off?” Adrian raises a brow.
“I like the version where he’s a fucking traitor better,” Thad grumbles.
“Why, so you can rush in to save the day?” Jayden asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
His wounds are completely healed whereas mine are still knitting themselves back together. It fucking hurts but if I show it, Jayden is just going to get pissed at me again for not listening to him when he told me to have Adrian heal me.
“I’m not out for glory, Jayden. I want to help my friends and my father.” Thad crosses his arms over his chest. “Plus, I’m not so sure Triton isn’t a traitor.”
“Agreed. I still have my doubts but we can wait a little while and come up with a plan in case he really did abandon us,” I say.
I stare at the sea, waiting for any sign that Triton is returning to bring us back to Monterey, but after about an hour, my legs cramp and the pain in my back and shoulder become too much. Thoughts swirl of our friends back at the academy and what they are dealing with. We need to get off this island and back to mainland so we can continue the quest before it’s too late.
“He’s not coming back,” I say, glancing at Thad.
“No, I think you’re right.” Thad blows out an exasperated breath.
“What are we going to do?” Raven asks, shuffling from foot to foot. “We can’t all swim back to Monterey.”
“I may have an idea.” Thad grimaces.
“What kind of idea?” I ask with a raised brow.
Before he can answer, a roar sounds around us and I scramble to my feet as a huge sea serpent crests in the water with teeth bigger than my head. I pull my sword and hold it in front of me as I glance at the others. They are all ready for battle.
Fuck, I thought we only had one monster to fight on this island. Why can’t we ever catch a break?
The serpent thrashes in the water as it swims toward us. Fuck.
“Everyone, get ready. Looks like we have another beastie to fight before the day’s end,” I groan.
Nothing is ever easy. Will we ever finish this quest and save the world or will everything burst into flames?
16
“Stop,” Thad shouts, rushing in front of us with his hands raised.
“That thing looks like it wants to eat us, Thad.” I raise a brow at him.
“He doesn’t. Cetus is a serpent that does my father’s bidding. I called to him for help.” Thad shakes his head.
“How is he going to help?” Jayden asks, never dropping his weapon.
“He can ferry us back to Monterey.” Thad holds his hands up higher. “He agreed to help us.”
I step closer to the water and tilt my head to the side. The creature dives below the water and then comes back up, arcing in the sky like a whale before diving back into the depths.
“It’s as good a plan as any,” I say and turn to Adrian. “Do you know if it will hurt us?”
“I do and no, it won’t. Cetus takes his orders directly from Poseidon. Most of the time the god of the sea wants him to destroy travelers who have offended him, but if Cetus is helping us, all it can mean is that Poseidon wills it so.” Adrian nods.
“I think we should trust it. What do you guys think?” I turn to Raven and Jayden.
“I think it would be badass to get a ride from a giant sea serpent.” Raven fist-pumps the air.
“We don’t really have many options.” Jayden shrugs.
