He smiled and gently squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”I could feel the sincerity in his words, and it brought a warmth to my heart that spread through my entire body.
Dr. Violet leaned in, her curiosity piqued as she instructed me to ask Ky’rn about his dietary preferences. She wanted to ensure that he was receiving proper nutrition and asked if he enjoyed the frozen fish that his previous owner had provided him with.
I relayed the question to Ky’rn, whose amber eyes intensified, their thoughtful focus seeming to dissect each word, weighing the question with a hint of suspicion.
“Frozen fish is acceptable,”he responded, his mouth pinched.“But I prefer live fish. The larger, the better. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.”
I wondered how he managed to fulfill his hunger within the limits of the tank, knowing that his previous owners would not have allowed him such luxury. The image of him devouring a fish larger than himself sparked a sense of awe within me.
“Are the Makezu similar to our earthly sharks?”I asked, eager to learn more about his species.“And, forgive me for asking, but would you ever eat a human? Despite what most people think, our sharks dislike the taste of humans and won’t attack one unless provoked. I blame our media for perpetuating that myth, which has caused many people to be afraid to swim in the ocean.”
There was a glint of laughter in his eyes as he shook his head, a broad smile exposing his pointed fangs.“Yes, we share similarities with your Earth sharks, but we are not driven by the same instincts. While I am capable of hunting and consuming fish, I have no desire to harm humans. Our diets are distinct, and I seek sustenance from non-sentient sources.”
The knot of tension in my stomach released, as I absorbed his words. I could see the sincerity in Ky’rn’s eyes, and it was reassuring to know that he didn’t view humans as mere prey to be hunted.
At the very least, that was one less thing I had to be concerned about.
“If you trust me enough not to flinch away when I grab your wrist,”he continued, his mental voice soft like a whisper in my head,“are you afraid to share the same tank with me?”
His teasing made my heart flutter, and I found myself drawn to his mischievous charm. If Ky’rn had intended to harm me, he would have had ample opportunity to do so, but instead he had rescued me. His actions spoke of bravery and compassion, not of a predator seeking to consume its prey. The strength and power he possessed were undeniable, and yet, he had chosen to protect me instead.
So, I grinned at his lighthearted comment. I had trusted him enough to let him touch me and communicate with me telepathically, and perhaps I should consider swimming with him.
But that would have to wait for another time.
I turned my attention to Dr. Violet. “Is there a way we can provide live fish for Ky’rn to hunt in his tank?”
She peered at Ky’rn and sighed. “Unfortunately, it would be challenging to maintain a steady supply of live fish. However, I can discuss the possibility with your grandfather and see what he thinks.”
The mention of my grandfather stirred conflicting emotions within me. While I yearned to protect Ky’rn from my family, I also had to be practical. Dr. Violet’s willingness to consider the idea showed her commitment to ensuring Ky’rn’s well-being, but I knew I couldn’t fully trust her.
I relayed the information to Ky’rn, and he nodded. A sudden alarm on my smartwatch sent him into a state of alertness, his gaze sharpening as he focused on the source of the sound.
“It’s okay!”I reassured him, gripping his wrist to keep him from jerking away.“It’s a reminder for me to prepare for my dinner party with my grandfather.”
Glancing at my watch, I realized with surprise how time had flown by.
The conversation with Ky’rn had occupied my thoughts so completely that I had unknowingly skipped lunch. My focus had been fully taken by the connection we were forming, and my heart had been captured by it.
I could see the disappointment in Ky’rn’s eyes as I uttered my apologies.“I am sorry, but I must leave now,”I said, my heart aching with an unexplainable longing.“Could we perhaps continue our conversation tomorrow?”
“I would look forward to that.”His gaze shifted toward Dr. Violet.“Should I be worried about her?”
I sighed heavily. “Dr. Violet’s heart is in the right place,”I admitted,“but my grandfather holds her loyalty. I’m the only one you can fully trust.”
Understanding washed over Ky’rn’s features as he nodded in acknowledgement.“I will be vigilant,”he assured me.“Thank you for treating me like an equal, with respect.”
His words of gratitude touched my heart.“It’s the least I can do.”
“Farewell, my Isla.”His voice held a depth of emotion that sent shivers down my spine. The way he said my name, with a mixture of familiarity and affection, ignited a flame within me.
As he released my wrist, his gaze locked with mine, and time seemed to stand still. I held his gaze for a lingering moment, lost in the depths of his amber eyes. They were like beacons of light in the midst of the darkness, a reminder of what I had clung to in despair that fateful night.
A thousand unspoken words passed between us, a silent promise that we shared. But as much as I longed to stay, duty called. I reluctantly tore my gaze away from his captivating presence.
An unsettling sensation nestled itself at the back of my mind—the unmistakable feeling of being observed, of unseen eyes tracking every movement. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I rose from my kneeling position by the tank, feeling the moisture from the ground seeping into my pants. With one last lingering look, I raised my hand in a gesture of parting, silently vowing that our paths would cross again.
With a heavy heart, I turned away under the ever-watchful eyes of Dr. Violet. Sensing something in her gaze, I shot her a soft smile. “It’s time for me to prepare for the dinner party. Are you okay with me leaving?”
