Page 87 of Jewel of the Sea

He turned to look down at Jax and Dracchus. “There is something I must speak to the two of you about.”

“Come on, Aymee,” Macy said, hooking Aymee’s arm with her own, “show me where you’ve been staying. I felt like I was calling your namesforeverbefore you came out.”

“Sure. There’s actually a lot for me to tell you.” Aymee walked alongside her up the stairs and toward the interior of the base.

Jax moved up the steps to watch the females disappear into the short hallway. A few moments later, the metallic groan of the opening door echoed through the submarine pen.

“It opened?” Jax asked, surprise on his features.

The groan repeated as the door closed.

“The suit I brought for Aymee interfaced with the computer in this base, just like Macy’s had at the Facility. It opened the door for us.”

“What is beyond it?” Jax swung his attention toward the hallway again.

“Let us talk first. Then you can explore until your curiosity is sated.”

Nodding, Jax followed Arkon down to the lower platform, stopping near Dracchus.

“You and Aymee are well?” Jax asked.

“Yes. We had an unplanned run-in with a sandseeker a few days ago, but apart from that, we have been comfortable. We’ve...made good use of our time together.”

“You mated with her?” Dracchus asked.

Arkon straightened his back and rose slightly higher. “Yes. We have claimed one another.”

“I am glad for you.” Jax lifted a hand and settled it on Arkon’s shoulder for a moment before dropping it away. The contact was surprising but welcome; the warmth and good nature of the gesture were clear.

“In many ways, I owe it to you, Jax.” Arkon met his friend’s eyes. “Had you not rescued Macy… I would ask more of you, though. Both of you.”

“What do you require?”

“Your support. We are mated, and our current situation, while viable, is not ideal… I want to bring Aymee to the Facility. To stay.”

Dracchus and Jax exchanged a glance, and more meaning and understanding seemed to pass between the two kraken in that moment than Arkon had ever thought possible.

“You have my support, no matter what,” Jax said. “Just as you gave me yours.”

“We have seen boats during the last few hunts.” Dracchus tilted his head back and ran his eyes over the shadowed walls and ceiling. “They do not appear to be fishing. We must assume the danger is growing, and the humans are searching for us.”

“What does that have to do with taking Aymee to the Facility?” Arkon asked.

“It is no longer safe here. If Aymee is your mate, you must bring her among our people,” Dracchus replied.

“And Kronus? I will not tolerate so much as an implication of intent to harm her.” Arkon’s skin took on a faint red tint; he swallowed his anger but could not put it aside.

“Kronus has been suspicious of your absence since the news about the human hunters.” Jax moved to one of the mooring posts at the edge of the platform and leaned against it, curling a tentacle around its base. “He has not eased, nor have his followers. But we will keep them at bay, together.”

“I will put him down as many times as necessary. I do not fear facing him.” There was no aggression in Dracchus’s voice, only cold, unshakeable confidence.

“I have not spoken to Aymee about this yet. I want the choice to be hers. This is something—”

Arkon snapped his mouth shut, and all three kraken turned their heads toward the tunnel that led to the sea. The sound of gentle waves lapping against the concrete walls had changed; something was moving through the water.

A hushed voice echoed from the darkness.

Ahumanvoice.

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