Page 74 of The Kraken's Queen

I thank him because I hadn’t even thought of how I’d get that down.

“This way then.” Atina takes my hand.

I reach for Delmare to keep my balance, and we walk as a chain to what I presume is the side of the boat. I peer over, looking at the dark sea beneath. Fear threatens to overtake me, but losing Allarick is scarier.

“Allow me to go first,” Delmare says.

“We’re jumping?” I squeak. I should have guessed as much, but the scary water takes up residence in my brain and doesn’t allow me to think of much else.

A light splash is the only answer I get. He already jumped.

“Your turn, queen,” Atina says. “I’ll toss your harp to you. I swear you chose a large instrument on purpose. Ever heard of a harmonica?”

“I think you’re joking, but I’m too scared to think of something witty to say.” My body shivers at what I must do. I know if I think about it too long, I’ll talk myself out of it. I can’t do that though. I need to jump. With shaky legs, I climb the side of the boat.

And then I jump.

I fall for what feels like an eternity. I expect the water to hurt when I fall, but it doesn’t. Hands grab for me, pulling me up before I can sink and fall away from him. “Good job, my queen.”

“Harp overboard!” Atina grunts from the ship aboveus. Something splashes down next to me, and Delmare grabs for it.

The water is cold, but not unbearable. Still, I shiver, equal parts from the temperature and my own fear. Delmare gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Let’s go. It won’t be long now.”

With me and the harp in his hands, Delmare starts his descent into the sea. I don’t know how he knows how to navigate these waters, especially when it looks pitch-black to me. His tentacles work quickly, moving us effortlessly through the eerily calm waters.

It’s so vastly different under the sea. No roaring storms, only peaceful quiet. It’s almost scary how quiet it is out here. Not even a single fish swims by us. It’s…haunting.

I don’t know how long we swim, but every second that passes feels like an eternity. This far down, bioluminescent organisms light our path in a faint glow. For the first time in hours, I hear a soft humming noise. It grows louder the farther down Delmare goes. It’s not a beautiful song per se, but it’s one that holds deep emotion. Pain. Anger. Vengeance.

I know we’re close.

Distracted by the song, I don’t realize we’ve hit the bottom of the sea until my feet touch the floor. We land in the middle of a mostly barren area. Few seaweed and coral decorate the floor. Before us, off in the distance, is a massive rock structure leading into an underwater cave. The rock is sculpted in three large arches with moss adorning the surface, making it appear lost in time.

The sound is louder here. More urgent and pressing.It’s not pretty but otherwise doesn't bother me. Delmare visibly tenses next to me, so I know this is hard on him.

I squint, and that’s when I see the middle arch is alight with a white glow. It looks like chains across the area. Something large bobs in front of the entrance. Several somethings, all reaching toward the slight opening in the white chains.

No…not something.

Merpeople.

And in the middle of them is Allarick, his back toward me. He’s screaming at the unmoving men around him to focus, but none of them heed his orders. They reach past him, trying to make their way inside the arched gate.

To the Leviathan.

Dark shadows slither through the cracks of the gate. Black hand-like shapes reach through, attempting to grab the next victim.

“Delmare! He needs your help! Go!” I yell, but the guard doesn’t hear me. Of course, he doesn’t because of the noise cancelers.

I don’t think. I just act. I swim for the harp, tugging it out of Delmare’s hand. Finally, with his attention on me, I frantically gesture to Allarick and his men by the gates. Delmare looks like he wants to argue and stay with me. I don’t have time to fight with him, though, so I push him as hard as I can toward Allarick—which, admittedly, doesn’t move him much.

I turn my back on my guard and drag the harp closer. I fear I won’t be loud enough, but I have to try. For Allarick. For Tetria. Hell, for Mescos.

Absolutely no pressure.

Before I can let the fear of the repercussions of losing this battle immobilize me, I stop dragging the harp and position it the best I can without a proper seat. I don’t ease into a song, I just start playing, as loud as I can, a melody I hope will overpower the Leviathan’s song.

And because I need to give Allarick the best fighting chance, I begin to sing.

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