Page 58 of Kiss for My Kraken
“You’re confused,” Jed insisted, reaching for her again. “Corrupted by these… these abominations.”
He moved then, one powerful tentacle striking the porch boards directly between Jed and Nina. The wood splintered with a crack like gunfire.
“She said,” he growled, his voice dropping to a register that seemed to shake the very earth, “don’t touch her.”
Jed stumbled back, colliding with his companion who hovered uncertainly in the doorway. His face contorted with a mixture of fear and righteous hatred.
“You see?” he shouted to Nina, pointing a trembling finger at Sam. “This is what you’ve chosen? A monster? A creature of the depths? This is where your sin has led you!”
She moved towards Sam, then turned to face Jed, her chin lifted in defiantly.
“No, Jed,” she said steadily. “This is where my freedom led me. My choice. My life.”
She reached back without looking, her hand finding one of his tentacles. She gripped it firmly, and he curled the tip around her hand.
“You have no place here,” she continued. “No claim on me.”
Jed’s face darkened with fury. “You would choose this… this abomination over your own people?”
“Yes,” she said simply. “I would.”
Jed seemed to shrink slightly, as if her certainty had physically diminished him, but the hatred in his eyes only intensified.
“You’re lost,” he spat. “Beyond redemption.”
“No,” she said softly. “I’m found. For the first time in my life.”
A tense silence followed, broken only by the soft lapping of the river against the shore. Then Jed straightened, his face hardening into a mask of cold determination.
“This isn’t over,” he warned. “There are others who need to know what lurks in these waters. What an unholy alliance you’ve formed.”
The threat hung in the air between them and he tensed, every instinct screaming to eliminate this danger to his mate, to theirfuture. One swift movement, one powerful constriction of his tentacles, and Jed would never threaten Nina again.
But her hand tightened on his tentacle, as if sensing his thoughts, and he knew she was right. Violence would only confirm Jed’s twisted worldview, would only fuel the hatred he would spread.
Instead, he drew himself up to his full, impressive height, his skin flashing with waves of brilliant blue light as he towered over the men. In the darkness, the display was both beautiful and terrifying—a reminder of the ancient power he embodied.
“Threaten her again,” he rumbled, letting his voice carry the full weight of his rage, “and the depths will welcome you.”
The naked fear that flashed across Jed’s face was deeply satisfying. The man backed away across the porch, his companions already stumbling down the steps.
“This town is doomed,” Jed declared, his voice shaking despite his defiant words. “When others learn what harbors here?—”
“Others already know,” came a new voice from the shadows.
Eric stepped into view, his sheriff’s badge catching the moonlight. Behind him stood Ben, shotgun still at the ready. Aidan was there as well, as was Jekyll, along with a mixture of humans and several huge and distinctly Other figures.
“Fairhaven Falls protects its own,” Eric continued, his voice ringing with authority. “All of its own. I suggest you and your friends leave town before sunrise. And I suggest you forget what you think you saw here tonight.”
Jed looked frantically between Eric, the assembled townspeople, and Sam’s imposing form. Whatever righteous mission he’dimagined was crumbling before his eyes, outnumbered and outmatched.
“This isn’t over,” he repeated, but the words sounded hollow even to Sam’s ears.
“Yes,” Nina said firmly. “It is.”
With a last venomous glare, Jed pushed past Eric and stalked down the path, calling for his companions. They scurried after him, casting terrified glances back at Sam until they disappeared into the trees.
CHAPTER 24
