The adrenaline surges through me as I catch glimpses of the Mermaid sisters picking up speed. It becomes clear that my lackof a tail puts me at a disadvantage, and I struggle to maintain my grip.
A rush of saltwater and bubbles obscures my vision momentarily as my hand slips from the dolphin’s fin. The sudden lack of control sends a jolt of fear coursing through my veins, and my heart leaps into my throat.
But, I’m not granted the luxury of panic.
I need to kick, to move, but the water refuses to yield to my desperate flails.
The precious gem tied to my hair grants me the ability to withstand the crushing pressure of the depths and see clearly in the glittering blue waters. However, it does not seem to have the power to increase my speed.
The undersea world moves around me, a whirl of bright colors and exotic shapes. Beautiful fish glide past me effortlessly, their scaly bodies shimmering in the filtered sunlight, while Merfolk and other aquatic beings go about their lives, seemingly unconcerned by my predicament.
I feel like a tiny speck, lost in this vast, underwater metropolis.
The chill of the water begins to seep into my bones, a reminder of my vulnerability, my alienness in this aquatic paradise. I push harder, but my strength is waning, my muscles screaming in protest.
I’m alone, lost in the vastness of the ocean.
Nineteen
Zethe
The thrill of the race abruptly vanishes, replaced by a sudden, chilling sense of dread. As the Mermaid sisters zip past me with wide, gleeful smiles, I realize with a pang of fear that Rey is nowhere in sight.
Hula, who’s been waiting beside me at the finish line, seems to register my growing concern. She turns to her daughters, her voice echoing in our minds.“Where is Rey?”
Her daughters exchange a glance, confusion evident on their faces, before glancing back at their dolphins who bob and hover nervously nearby.
“She was right behind us,”Leona says, but her voice is unsure, tinged with worry.
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I spot a dolphin—Rey’s dolphin—darting past us, its eyes wide and frantic. It’s alone. Rey isn’t with it.
“You were supposed to watch her!”Hula hisses, her mental voice loud and commanding.“What have you done?”
A cold, dread-filled chill sweeps through me. Fear, sharp and visceral, clutches at my heart.
I don’t think, I don’t hesitate. I simply act.
Turning swiftly, I shoot off in the direction they had come from. Rey is out there somewhere, alone.
And I need to find her. I’m not going to lose her. Not now. Not after getting to know her.
My instincts snap to the forefront, all my training as a lifeguard and the inherent hunter within me leaping into action. My tentacles propel me forward with powerful thrusts, retracing the racecourse as fast as possible.
My heart pounds against my chest, a relentless rhythm that drives me onward, my gaze scanning the water for any sign of Rey.
My Starfish.
The sudden blast of an emergency conch shell shatters the relative calm of the water. The sound echoes, a clear, distinct alarm that seizes the attention of everyone within earshot. An immediate sense of urgency fills the air, setting every creature into action, their movements suddenly hurried and frantic.
My eyes are locked on Rey’s figure, her braided hair floating out behind her like a beacon in the murk. Her brown eyes are wide with fear as she struggles against the current, her small form protected only by the colorful bikini she’s wearing. Seeing her in such a state drives a sharp stab of fear into my heart.
This is my mate, my Rey, struggling and afraid in the very environment I call home.
My instincts kick in and I surge toward her with all the speed my Kraken form affords me. I need to get to her. I need to pull her from the shadowy depths, to save her, to keep her safe.
She is my charge, my responsibility, and the idea of her being in danger rakes claws of ice down my back.
I rush towards her, my heart racing at the sight of her searching for me.
