Page 87 of The Demons in the Deep: Extended Edition
“You followed us,” said Flay. “Why?”
“I had a suspicion you were up to something, froglet. And your little scientist confirmed it for me, on the night of the closing gala. You see, before the Games, she was desperate to stay in Stragnoag and study at the University—so desperate she was considering my offer to provide her with patronage and lodgings in exchange for her—services.” He paused, his scarred mouth curving lecherously for a moment before he added, “As an inventor and weapons designer, of course. So when she suddenly abandoned her heart’s dearest dream without protest, I knew it could only be because your true destination wasn’t Meroa at all, but somewhere far more interesting to an agile mind like hers.”
Mai could feel her face growing hot and red as everyone’s eyes fixed on her. Guilt crawled into her soul, and shame, and anger too—not just at Feral, but at all of them. Kestra and Flay looked so shocked, and it made her furious. How did they still not understand how much her studies meant to her?
“You considered agreeing to this? Staying in Stragnoag, withhimas your patron?” Kestra gasped.
“Oh she did more than that,” said Feral. “She traded weapon designs for information about the Race. I’ve had larger versions of her designs fabricated and installed aboard theAscendant, with a few modifications. Did you know I can now destroy the masts of another ship with ease, effectively crippling it? Not just a racer, but a full-sized sailing vessel.” Feral grinned. “And there’s a bolt-firing design that I’m fairly sure can pierce through a sheet ofasthore. I’m eager to test it.”
More stares from Flay, Kestra, and the sailors. Mai clenched her fists, refusing to meet their eyes, and instead she glanced up at Rake.
He wore tinted goggles, but she could read him in spite of them—the tightness of his sharp jaw, the fall of his wide mouth, the sag of his beautiful broad shoulders. He didn’t look angry. He looked sad. Deeply, heartbrokenly disappointed, and she knew it was because she’d considered plans that didn’t involve him, and yet she claimed to love him.
She could hardly bear it.
“My divers tell me there’s an entire city underwater, and the ruins you’ve just come from look interesting, too,” Feral continued. “These casks you’re bringing down—fine wine, over a hundred years old. A tasty treasure trove for you, eh, little brother? And too much for you to handle, I think. So we’ll be taking all of that.”
He gestured to his crew, who came forward and began collecting the casks.
“You can’t do this,” Flay said tersely. “We found this place. Any loot here is mine, to carry back to the Magnate. You know the deal—I skip the slave routes, and I find the unique treasures, the specialty items, the exclusive resources.”
“Thatwasthe deal.” Feral placed a broad ringed hand on Flay’s chest. It looked like a gesture of affection, but unspoken threat flowed from him in waves. “Deals change. Maybe I’m tired of hunting. Maybe it’s getting harder to find slaves exotic enough to suit the tastes of our father’s buyers. Maybe the world is changing, and it’s more difficult to snag the prey without risking too many of my crew. Maybe I want a piece of this fine route you’ve designed for yourself, starting right here, with this place. If that’s what I want, who’s going to stop me?”
Mai saw the bob of Flay’s tanned throat as he swallowed. She waited for defiance from him, for bold words.
But he did not speak.
“Smart move, froglet.” Feral patted Flay’s cheek. “You’re outgunned, outmanned, and outmatched. You don’t have the resources, manpower, or money to overhaul this place. So you’re going to board theWind’s Favorand go back to your usual route, and leave your discovery in the hands of someone who knows how to manage it.” He walked over to Jazadri and clapped him on the shoulder, hard. “Any objections?”
Jazadri was only slightly shorter than Feral, and far bulkier, but no defiance was forthcoming from him, either. He only glanced sidelong at Flay, and when Flay gave a single shake of his head, Jazadri remained motionless, wordless, until Feral prowled on, chucking Baz under the chin and rapping his knuckles on Corklan’s head.
Then Feral turned, and he came closer, closer, until he was looking straight into Rake’s eyes.
Rake’s lips hitched up, baring his teeth, and he snarled low in his throat.
“Down, monster,” Feral said. “Step aside and let me speak to the little scientist. Unless she’s become your obedient breeding toy and you’ve rutted everything interesting out of her.”
“It’s all right, Rake.” Mai stepped around him and faced Feral. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Oh, but I want to.” He traced her chin with a finger, and Rake growled again. “You see, little scientist, I have everything you want now. I have the university, the contacts, the resources—I have your fascinating twin cities and all the wonders they contain. I have a Sky-born on board—you can have him for study, anytime you like. I have your weapons. And above all this, I can give you the one thing they cannot—time. Unlimited time for your work, and for your education in the place of your choice. I have all that you need, all that you crave. My offer remains. Come with me.”
He smiled at her, with all his scarred, rugged beauty, offering her everything, and Mai’s desperation surged up, violent and wanting.
But Rake stood there, too—savage loveliness and predatorial power, and a softness in his heart that Mai could not sense in Feral.
She could choose Feral—choose her education, her work, her passion for science, access to the mysterious cities. But she would lose her sweet monster, her cousin, her friends.
Or she could choose Rake, and lose everything else that mattered most to her.
Her throat squeezed tight, panic burning under her skin.
She’d been quiet too long.
“Mai?” Kestra said sharply, questioningly. “Tell him no.”
“No,” Mai echoed. “No. Of course I’m not going with you.”
Feral’s intense gaze bored into hers, and Mai realized he could take her anyway. He could drag her aboard his ship and make her go along. He wanted to. She could see it in his eyes.
