Where's the fun in that?Luce's mental voice was laced with mischief.Besides, I thought you could handle a little surprise.
I shot him a dirty look, but the effect was somewhat diminished by the scuba mask obscuring half my face.Just shut up andswim, daemon lord,I retorted, kicking past him with a powerful stroke.
Luce's soft laughter echoed in my head as he fell into place beside me, our bodies cutting smoothly through the crystal-clear water.
As we descended deeper, the sunlight filtering through the waves grew dimmer, casting an ethereal blue glow over the underwater landscape. Towering columns of volcanic rock rose up from the ocean floor, their craggy surfaces adorned with a vibrant layer of coral in every imaginable hue. Delicate pink fans, undulating purple fronds, and knobby orange clusters that pulsed with hidden life.
Schools of tropical fish darted past us, their scales flashing like living jewels in the diffuse light. Far to the right a sea turtle glided by, its ancient eyes studying us before it disappeared into the maze of rock and coral.
It's breathtaking,Luce murmured in my mind, tinged with something like awe.
I bit back a sigh, wishing I could share his wonder.Sure, if you like being surrounded by millions of gallons of water and creepy sea creatures.
Oh, come on, Rissa. Even you have to admit this is incredible.
Maybe for someone who doesn't mind getting wet. I shuddered as a cold current slid across my skin. Every fiber of my being longed to be back on dry land, away from the cloying embrace of the sea.
I never took you for a scaredy-kitten,Luce teased.
I glared at him through the blue-tinted haze.I'm not scared, daemon boy. I just don't like being soggy and pruney and surrounded by things with tentacles and teeth.Keep in mind I’m going to slap you for every time you call me a kitten when we’re above water. Mind that I don’t knock you out.
Luce's laughter echoed through my mind, warm and intimate.Relax, oh fluffy kitten. I'll protect you from the big bad fishies.
Even as I projected my annoyance, I couldn't quite suppress the tiny spark of warmth his words kindled in my chest.
Gritting my teeth, I pushed aside the feeling and focused on the task at hand, scanning the ocean floor for any sign of the small hollow that concealed the gem.
As we neared the bottom, the insistent tug of my long-ago hidden powers grew stronger, a siren song thrumming through my veins. I could feel them calling to me, urging me onward with a desperate intensity that made my heart race.
This way.I headed out toward the source of the pull with powerful strokes of my fins. He followed close behind, a dark shadow at my back as we wove between towering volcanic formations and vibrant coral reefs.
Schools of curious fish flitted around us as we swam, their silvery scales catching the filtered sunlight. They darted in close, investigating the strange intruders in their domain with quick, darting movements before scattering like leaves in the wind. I had to resist the urge to bat at them.
Nosy little buggers, aren't they?A particularly bold sardine or something nearly brushed his mask.
They probably think we're the weirdest looking fish they've ever seen.I couldn’t resist a small smile at the thought.Two legs, no scales, and these ridiculous bubble-blowing contraptions on our faces.
Hey, speak for yourself. I make this look good.Luce struck an exaggerated pose that sent a stream of bubbles cascading toward the surface.
I snorted, shaking my head.You're incorrigible.
And you love it,he shot back, his mental voice warm.
We rounded a jutting spire of volcanic rock, and the small hollow came into view. There, nestled in the shadows of the overhang, was the spot where I'd hidden my powers all those centuries ago.
My heart leaped with anticipation, and I surged forward, eager to reclaim what was mine. But as I drew closer, a flicker of movement caught my eye, and I pulled up short, a curse bubbling up in my throat.
There, coiled in the entrance to the hollow like a sentry, was a massive moray eel, its sinuous body rippling with corded muscle. Its wide, gaping mouth was lined with needle-like teeth, and its eyes glinted with a cold, predatory intelligence as it watched us approach.
Well, blast,I projected to Luce, eyeing the creature warily.Looks like we've got company.
I didn't want to kill the eel. It wasn't the creature's fault that it had chosen my hiding spot as its home. But I needed to get to that box, and I had a feeling the eel wasn't going to give it up without a fight.
What do you think?I asked Luce, glancing over at him.Any bright ideas?
Luce's brow furrowed as he studied the situation, his expression thoughtful. Then, with a decisive nod, he projected,Leave it to me.
Before I could protest, he shot forward. In a blur of motion, he seized the eel behind its head and near the end of its body, his hands clamping down like a vice.
