Page 96 of Shadows of Light
“That’s the kraken,” Mira said, “and it’s looking to eat.”
Del ran a hand through his pale blond hair and tugged at the ends while studying the behemoth. “Wonderful.”
The kraken’s gigantic tentacles spread out over half of the lake. Some waved in the air while others delved deeper into the blackened, bloody depths. When those tentacles rose again, bloody water dripped from the ends and splashed back into the lake.
Where is Cole? Sahira’s heart raced as she leaned forward to see better through the water, but it was pointless. She couldn’t see beyond the monster below them.
While the kraken looked like it would be mushy and cold to the touch, she suspected its skin was thicker and tougher to destroy than it seemed. It would be difficult to kill this monster, and she had no idea where to start.
She ran through all the water spells she knew, but none of them would help in this situation. She could part the water a little, letting them get closer to the creature, but she didn’t know what they could do after that.
The kraken’s tentacles shook, and when fresh blood welled from beneath it, the silver fish jumped in and out of the water more enthusiastically. Sharks rolled as they flopped around the surface, eating some of the smaller fish, which in turn caused them to go after the sharks.
None of them attacked the kraken. She suspected they knew it was pointless. But if those tiny monsters, with teeth that could easily shred flesh, couldn’t do anything against the kraken, what could they do?
How do we get Cole out from under there? And is he still alive?
Her blood ran cold at the possibility he might already be gone and these things were finishing their feast before retreating.
A strange ripple went through the kraken’s tentacles and across the water as some of its appendages curled inward. She didn’t know if it was reacting like this because Cole was doing something to it… or the creature was devouring her friend.
CHAPTERSEVENTY-THREE
Del couldn’t tearhis eyes away from the monstrosity floating in the water as its tentacles curved in and the kraken shuddered. He had no idea what was happening beneath the surface of the lake, but their chances of saving Cole, and his daughter, slipped further away with every passing second.
There had to be something he could do, but though his mind spun through a dozen different scenarios, he couldn’t settle on one. He was a general in Cole’s army; it was his job to devise plans.
He’d plotted to help defeat the Lord; he’d taken out countless enemies over the years with his strategies, but standing here, watching the blood and turmoil, his ability to see a way out of almost anything had deserted him. He had no idea how to fight sea monsters.
What can I do to stop this?
He tugged at his hair again as the beast convulsed. When it did so, it floated closer to the surface.
Del’s heart raced as his brain uselessly stuttered over possibilities. He’d always prided himself on his ability to think under pressure and come up with answers others couldn’t see.
Now, when he needed it most, that ability failed him, but he couldn’t move past the possible loss of his future son-in-law and daughter. Even if they could find crudue vine somewhere else for Lexi, it would devastate her if Cole died trying to save her.
His beautiful, loving girl would never be the same again. She would continue to breathe and function without Cole, but she’d never trulyliveagain.
He didn’t doubt Lexi would become the greatest ruler the Shadow Realms had ever known, with or without Cole, but her life and heart would always have a hole in them. He could hope for her to find love again, but it wouldn’t happen.
She had agreed to marry Cole; he was the man she intended to spend the rest of her life with. While they weren’t married, he knew no immortal who lost their love and went on to love again.
It just didn’t happen. Immortals could do many things but not fall in love twice.
He couldn’t stand here and let that happen to his Andi. Not only was she his daughter, but Cole was his best friend and son-in-law, even if it wasn’t official yet.
He had to do something, but what?
The kraken jerked again as it floated closer to the surface. Now that it was only five feet below them, its black eyes were more visible as they broke the surface before going under again. Those eyes were the size of a man.
Del’s heart raced as he looked around for anything to help him. His gaze settled on Skog’s battle-ax as the dwarf studied the kraken with disdain and awe.
“Give me your ax,” Del commanded.
Skog gave him an affronted look as he tapped the bottom of his ax against the ground. “Dwarves donotgive their battle-axes toanyoneunless they’re pried from our cold, dead hands. And I don’t intend to die today.”
Del ignored his words as he waved his hands impatiently at the stubborn dwarf. “And I don’t intend to watch my family die today. Give me the ax.”
