Page 10 of Trapped By Claws
The dark shape of the sea monster below shot up. Its heavy jaws parted.
UNNOTICED
With a frightened shriek, I clutched the rope with my knees and ankles and dragged myself forward. I moved so fast the fibers cut my palms and legs.
It stung.But those teeth slicing into my flesh would be worse.
Dread slicked through me. I couldn't move fast enough.
The monster lunged out of the water, seizing the rope as it rose up in the air. The sturdy fibers were nothing against the razor-sharp teeth of the creature, and the rope snapped as soon as it pulled taut.
A gasp choked me—then I crashed into the salty waves, clinging to the knotted rope. Cold waters rushed around me, filling my nose and my mouth. My hearing went dull, my mouth sharp with the salty tang of the sea and fear. The force almost ripped the rope from my hands. Kicking furiously, I fought to reach the surface far above and forced my eyes open.
The salt water stung my eyes, but the enormous dark form of the sea monster filled my vision. It was sinking back down now. Its glowing red eye homed in on me.
No!
I kicked and clutched, clawing along the rope as my only lifeline.
Another dark form shot up. Longer. Serpentine. An enormous yellow-and-green striped eel with ferocious eyes and massive jaws. The bright-green eyes opened but focused on the sea monster.
Corvin.
He'd been a thorn in my side, but I wasn't going to pretend I wasn't happy to see him now. Even if that eel form was utterly terrifying.
He struck the reptilian sea monster in the stomach with his head. The sea monster let out a vibrating croak that filled my ears despite the pressure of the water.
I emerged from the water and gasped for breath, clutching the rope tight. The ship was only a few lengths away. Kicking, I started to swim, keeping my grip on the rope tight.
The sea monster dove down again, its dark shape vanishing, a trail of blood spiraling up from it.
My hand struck the side of the ship, and I gasped with relief. The salt water burned my cuts and scrapes, but tears of joy rolled down my cheeks.
Almost there!
Corvin swam to the surface as I slowly scaled the side of the ship. "You didn't let go," he said, a note of respect in his voice. "Disappointed as I am that I didn't get to hold you, I've got to admit you impressed me, Mena."
I gulped in another breath. My whole body ached, and my clothes weighed me down. It took every ounce of strength and focus for me to drag myself up.
Water ran out of my skirt and bodice. The ship rocked in the waves, and the steady, thudding knocks of the wheels in the hold filled my ears and vibrated against my chest. "Glad—I—could be—amusing, you—son of a—scallop."
His uproarious laugh reached my ears.
Nope. Not looking back at him. All that mattered was getting up.
"Glad to see my clever darling isn't losing her spirit just because she took a dip in the sea." He pressed his hand against the hull and stared up at me. Admiration glinted in his eyes along with the hunger.
"I'm not yours," I sputtered. "I'm my own woman."
"You most certainly are." He grinned. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
My muscles strained as I reached the top. The heavy beat of the wheels and gears below deck seemed louder. I flung my arm over the first ledge and hauled myself to the railing.
Finally!
Corvin chuckled below. "You're a strange one, Mena. And strange things will follow you wherever you go."
Huffing, I heaved myself over the railing and collapsed in a puddle of water and fabric. I then twisted around, staggered up, and leaned against the railing. "As long as you aren't the one following me, I can manage that," I said as gruffly as I could.
