8. Lagoon

8

LAGOON

A egaeon

Kolp lunged for me, but I knocked her to the side— the two of us wrestling for dominance. I hadn't expected her to turn so quickly, to go after Matt so fast.

She had been very vocal at the meeting about her disagreement, while everyone else had submitted to my request. They trusted me, despite the uneasiness the idea of having a human mate caused.

Although, Matt wasn't necessarily even human anymore.

Kolp shoved me back and I swung my weapon, a massive silver trident that I had owned for ages. She moved quickly, dodging the blow just in time.

"He's a human," she sneered. "You would end one of your own over a human?"

"He's mine," I growled. "Meant to be my mate. You could have left him alone and not risked your life, but instead you attacked both of my mates and captured him."

I heard a little moan from Matt and stole a glance at him. He needed to be freed, needed to be taken from this place.

I could feel Delphin waiting for me. He had already taken care of the two guards that had attacked him, and was heading towards me.

Finding this place had been tough, the tunnels like a maze. But I had found Matt just in time.

"He deserves to die!" Kolp screeched, her jaw unhinging to bare her rows of fangs.

Rage pulsed through me now and I felt the hum of power in my cold blood, seeping through all reason. How dare she do this? How dare she fight me.

I lunged forward, knocking her with the end of the trident. One of the blades ripped through her skin just as she moved back.

"I don't want to kill you," I growled.

Both of us were breathing heavily now, our gazes locked.

I felt Delphin enter the cave, but I didn't take my eyes off Kolp.

"I've got him," Delphin said.

I nodded, blocking Kolp as she tried to lunge again, letting out a snarl.

Don't wait for me. Take him to the surface, towards the lagoon where I can mate him in peace.

Okay. I will see you when you are done with her, Delphin answered.

"Your guards are gone," I said. "The others have said they will follow me. Submit, Kolp, or die."

"No," she sneered, moving back.

Her back was against the cavern wall now, and she had the wild look of someone that was trapped. My body cast a blue glow, my power rising like a tide.

I could destroy her if I really wanted to. I could end her, end everyone that had harmed my mate.

"Make a choice," I snarled. "Make a choice before I make it for you."

My tone finally broke through to her and she let out a growl, looking at me. "You will regret this one day."

"Live or die?" I asked again.

"Live," she sneered, her eyes darkening with rage.

"You know that I am merciful," I said. "But if you cross me again, that will be it. Understood?"

She was silent for a few moments and I glanced over my shoulder just as Delphin dragged Matt out of the cave.

"Understood?" I growled again, looking back at her.

"Fine," she whispered.

We stared at each other for a few moments longer until she bowed her head, finally submitting.

"I said fine," she whispered.

Without another word, I turned, heading through the cave opening and through the tunnels.

It took a few minutes of navigating until I came out, heading back up out of the trenches.

I tried to control my rage, even though the urge to draw up a storm was burning through me. I could feel the currents responding to me, the sea influenced by my emotions.

I had to make sure that Matt was okay. I had to make sure that he was safe, that he was mine.

The rage slowly turned into potent lust. The need to claim him.

I had convinced everyone to accept him, and would keep an eye on Kolp. She might have tried to overturn my decision, but she had failed.

My muscles worked harder as I moved towards the surface, moving between bits of rock and coral. The water became more shallow the further I went, moving toward a reef barrier that surrounded an island I loved. I swam through one of the openings, the water becoming more and more blue. It was still dark above the water, but the sun would be rising soon.

Finally, I made it to the entrance of the lagoon. I could feel that my mates were close, just waiting for me.

I raised my head above the surface now, not surprised to see both Delphin and Matt towards the shore.

All of my worries drifted away, replaced by a need to claim my human.