Chapter 3 #2
The sensation is unfamiliar and deeply unsettling.
I step back immediately, willing the light to subside, fighting against the biological response I cannot control. My hand moves instinctively to cover the glowing marks on my arm, though it's a futile gesture.
"I'm so sorry," she says, her voice soft but steady. Her eyes are wide and full of fear, but there’s a tentative smile on her full lips. "I didn't realize this place was off-limits. There were no chains or locks, and the door was unlocked…"
Unlocked? I suppress a growl. I’ll have words with Mira about this. She’s the only other person I know who loves to come here.
"There are signs," I interrupt, desperate to end this encounter before my entire body decides to turn into a bioluminescent spectacle. "Multiple signs stating No Trespassing and Coast Guard Property."
"I must have missed them in the dark." She tugs her sweater tighter around her shoulders, looking genuinely apologetic. Adorable.
Completely out of bounds.
“I'm new to town, just exploring.” Her smile is strained even though she widens it. “I'm Jackie, by the way. I—"
"I'm not interested in introductions," I cut her off for the second time, not caring if I appear rude. Not when my beard tentacles wiggle around my chin like silly strings on fire. "This structure is not safe for civilians. You need to leave immediately."
Her expression shifts from apologetic to annoyed, a small crease forming between her eyebrows.
"I was just trying to be polite. There's no need to be rude."
"There's also no need to break the law," I counter, gesturing toward the hatch. "After you."
She sighs, mumbling something under her breath that I don't quite catch, then moves toward the hatch. I keep my distance, willing my bioluminescence to subside. It doesn't.
The woman—Jackie—begins to descend the spiral staircase ahead of me. I follow several steps behind, keeping my eyes fixed firmly on the back of her head rather than anywhere else. Her hair catches the fading light from the windows, turning it golden in places.
Halfway down, disaster strikes. Jackie's foot lands on one of the wet footprints I left on my way up. She slips, a small cry escaping her lips as she loses her balance.
My body reacts before my mind can process what's happening. I lunge forward, one arm wrapping around her waist, the other gripping the railing. I pull her against my chest, her back pressed to my front, her hair brushing against my chin.
The contact sends a surge of energy through my bioluminescent glands.
My entire body lights up like a deep-sea creature, glowing patterns illuminating the dark stairwell with pulsing blue light.
The tentacles on my head unfurl, their glow intensifying with my racing heartbeat.
I even feel the more daring tentacles on my chin reach out to touch her soft, warm cheek.
"Oh!" Jackie gasps, turning her head to look at me over her shoulder. Her face is illuminated by my glow, her expression of wonder rather than fear. "You're glowing."
Shit. This is bad. This is more than bad. This is a disaster.
"An involuntary response," I manage to say, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears. "Are you alright?"
She nods, seemingly unable to look away from the patterns on my skin. I become acutely aware of her scent, something floral mixed with the clean smell of the ocean. Her body is warm against mine, a stark contrast to the cool evening air.
“I’m okay now,” she says. “You can let go.”
For just a fraction of a second, I squeeze her harder against me, my entire body under a powerful instinct not to let go. To never let her go.
Then I open my arms and release her. She twists around to face me as I step back, putting as much distance between us as the narrow stairwell allows.
"The steps are wet," I say unnecessarily. "Be careful."
We continue our descent in awkward silence, my glow providing more than enough light to see by.
I can feel her stealing glances at me, her curious eyes on my patterns.
I’m sure I’m the first kraken she’s ever seen.
My kind doesn’t mix well with others, preferring our lives at sea than the world of the land dwellers.
Which means I’m reasonably certain she has no idea what my bioluminescence means.
Which is a Depth Lord’s mercy. A small one, but one I’ll take.
As we climb down, I keep my eyes forward, jaw clenched, refusing to even look at her.
“Out. Now,” I tell her, my voice like a whip. “And if I see you here again, I’ll have to call Sheriff Wolfsbane and have you charged with trespassing.”
When we finally reach the bottom, I practically push her toward the door, desperate to end this humiliating encounter.
"Wait," she says, turning to face me with her hands on her hips. Her posture reminds me of Sylvie when she's about to deliver a lecture. "I understand you're doing your job, but there's no need to be so hostile. I made an honest mistake and I’ve apologized for it."
"The lighthouse isn't a tourist attraction," I say stiffly. "It's a navigational aid and historical structure. The rules exist for good reasons."
"And I've apologized for not noticing them," she counters, her chin lifting slightly. "You know, for such a handsome man, you're an incredible jerk."
I blink, stunned into silence. Handsome? Jerk? Both assessments hit their mark, though for entirely different reasons.
Jackie takes advantage of my momentary speechlessness to walk out the door. I follow her outside, then pointedly lock the door behind us, my tentacles still glowing despite my best efforts to control them.
I watch as she walks away along the beach, heading toward the distant lights of the city. Her small figure occasionally stumbles on the uneven sand, but she maintains a determined pace, clearly eager to put distance between us.
Depth Lord! I've encountered plenty of attractive women before without lighting up like a carnival attraction.
I know what this means. I know what the activation of the bioluminescent glands means on a kraken. It means my body has found a mate.
And there is no way I’m going to let this happen.