I need to run the second I get the chance. Scream like hell, find a weapon, increase my kill count to two if necessary. The monster knows where I live, so I’ll need to head straight to the factory, get myself a new passport, and catch the first flight out of this country without turning back.
I don’t bother trying to suppress my sob. I wish my dad were here. I wish he was never taken from me so I didn’t have to suffer through all this bullshit alone. If the monster wants to kill me for crying, drowning isn’t the worst way to go.
I lost my father, killed Tommy, ran from the Gallaghers, made and sold fake passports, all to be captured by a monster. What am I even fighting for anymore? I have no one. Nothing. Deedee and Nat are my friends, but I doubt they’d do more than shed a tear for me at my funeral.
The cold makes it feel like my arm is being sawed through. Whimpers fall from the worsening pain. I press my face against the monster’s chest, keeping my hand between us to absorb his body heat, taking comfort from him.
Three chilling realizations hit me at once.
He’s not taking me to the Gallaghers.
He isn’t working for the pirates.
He wants me for himself.
And that might just be worse.
9
Vasz
I glare at Ordus’ human as they swim ahead to the island, too fast for me to keep up.
I don’t like the female.
She’s noisy and didn’t offer me the respect I deserve by leaving me a pile of—oh, is that another coconut?
I dive away from Ordus and the loud female to the beautiful, perfect, most stunning fruit half buried in the sand.
Thank you, octo-shark-dog Goddess, for blessing me this night.
I have been spoiled for choice today. I saw many, many, many coconuts—and crabs. They must have spread word that I am fearsome and to keep clear. Oh, I can only imagine how glorious my den will be with all my new coconuts. I can throw away the chipped and bad broken ones to Ordus’ lair to free up room in mine.
My tail swishes side to side, ears bouncing against the current, saliva mixing with the water and coating the coconut in my maw. Excitement blossoms all the way to my toes. Sandplumes around me as I bounce from paw to paw along the ocean floor, not stopping until the divine fruit is within reach.
I butt my nose into the sand to dislodge the coconut, jumping back to get a good look at her.
Oh, she’s beautiful. Truly majestic. More stunning than anything on sea or land.
And she’s all mine. She’s coming home with me.
I lunge for it, jaws wide, soul open to welcome my true love home. But I…I knock right into it?
Huh?That doesn’t make sense.
My ears flatten. I try grabbing it again, and it floats further away. I narrow my eyes, calculating my next move.
Ohh, yes. I see what I did wrong.
I drop the coconut out of my mouth and pick up the new one.
Ha. Success.
I turn back to catch up with Ordus, a bounce in my step, only to freeze. I turn back slowly. There’s still a gorgeous, round, green fruit rolling in the sand.
Wait. That’s… I tip my head to the side. That’s the coconut I brought with me from the mainland.
I drop the one in my mouth and pick up the old one, then frown at the new one steadily floating away from me. Why is this not working?
