Chapter 25 #2
“You sure you heard something?” asked a second voice.
“Yeah,” replied the first.
Jax looked to Arkon and Dracchus; both wore expressions of indecision for a fleeting moment, and he imagined they felt the same paralyzing flash of fear he did.
The humans were not yet on the path, but would be soon. With their guns.
Below, the waves crashed into the cliffs, drowning out any further conversation from the approaching humans. The tide was not low enough, now, to reveal the narrow strand of beach that hugged the cliffs, but it was difficult for Jax to determine the water’s depth from his vantage.
If they didn’t break themselves on the ground below, they could get caught in the waves, which would smash them against the cliff face. Not typically life-threatening for kraken, but it would significantly slow their escape.
He had no desire to harm any humans…but he would not be caged again.
His companions had moved forward; they stood to either side of Jax, staring down into the sea. Jax met Dracchus’s gaze first. The amber eyes were steady, betraying no fear. Dracchus nodded.
Jax shifted his attention to Arkon. His violet eyes were lively beneath a brow set firm in determination. Arkon nodded.
Inhaling deeply, Jax glanced at the dark figures on the end of the dock once more.
Tonight.
He bunched his tentacles beneath himself and jumped.
Wind whistled past Jax’s earholes. His stomach leapt into his throat. Then the surface — so far away, a moment before — rushed up to meet him. He threw his hands forward to break through just before he hit with a startling impact that sent a jolt throughout his body.
The current caught him immediately, sweeping him back toward land.
Drawing in water through his siphons, he propelled himself away, pushing with his tentacles and pulling with his arms. His muscles burned with strain.
The waves lifted him up, as though the sea meant to toss him atop the cliff, back into one of the tanks.
Jax couldn’t tolerate any more obstacles between himself and Macy. Couldn’t accept any further delay. He drove forward with everything he had, and more. His body screamed in protest.
Finally, he broke away from the strongest current and directed himself toward the end of the dock. He glanced behind; Arkon and Dracchus signaled with glowing skin. They were unharmed.
He surfaced where the dock ended, rising into the silvery light of the rising moon, and lifted his gaze. His eyes found Macy, and he saw nothing more.
The black diving suit covered her from neck to toe. Her blonde hair — paler in the moonlight — fell around her shoulders, ends flowing in the breeze. Her expression was drawn, but the moment her eyes fell upon him, her lips tilted up into a wide smile.
“Jax!” She stepped forward, and her leg gave out beneath her. Her father’s big arms encircled her to keep her from falling. Her smile didn’t diminish as she extended her arms toward Jax.
“Careful, Macy girl,” her father rumbled. He was staring at Jax, mouth lost in his face-hair.
Moving closer to the dock, Jax grabbed the edge with his tentacles and pulled himself high enough to take Macy’s hips between his hands. Her father reluctantly released his hold. She wrapped her arms around Jax’s neck as he lowered her into the water.
“You’re here.” Her voice brimmed with emotion as she pecked kisses over his face. “I missed you so much.”
“As I missed you.” He pressed his lips to her cheek, thrilling in the feel of her body, reveling in her scent.
Her mouth found his, and they locked in a lingering kiss, neither wanting to pull away.
“It got away!” The shout was distant, nearly drowned out by the wind and sea, but everyone heard it; Jax and Macy broke their kiss and looked toward the clifftop warehouse.
“You need to go,” Aymee said. She knelt and held out Macy’s mask.
Macy yanked up her hood and took the mask, raising it into place.
“I’ll leave supplies in the place we discussed.” Aymee held out a sealed canister. “These meds should see you through for now, though.”
Macy’s father took the canister. “I have something for you before you go,” he said, opening the lid.
He reached into his pocket and produced a small wooden box, which he slid into the container before resealing it.
“Your heart’s always been with sea…you just forgot it for a while.
Sarina’s was, too…keep this with you, where it belongs. ”
“Thank you,” Macy said, voice trembling, as Jax accepted the canister. “I love you both.”
“Love you too, Macy girl,” her father replied gruffly. He shifted his gaze to Jax. “You take care of her, or I’ll break you. Don’t care how big you are, or how many arms you have.”
Jax nodded; this was the bond of family she’d talked about. The protectiveness, the caring, the love. “She is the most precious thing on land or sea, and will always be treated as such.”
Macy’s father nodded. “Go. Get away from here.”
Wrapping her legs around Jax’s waist, Macy said her final farewells.
Jax turned; Dracchus was studying the humans with a mild look of confusion on his face, as though he couldn’t quite understand what they were. Arkon stared, unabashed, at Aymee. “Come. Let us return to our people.”