Page 57 of Kraken the Seal

“I think that’s obvious,” I snarked.

By now the cars had emptied out, and Norris along with half a dozen men were surrounding us.

“Archer, what are you doing here?” Norris asked. I could tell he was trying to sound unconcerned, but it wasn’t working. “That doesn’t matter. You should go home. I have this under control.”

His words and lack of concern made me realize he didn’t know who was in the car that had left. I was happy for Abby, she was escaping. Only now I was in a difficult spot.

Maybe I could use Archer and Norris to distract everyone. All the cars were sitting in the street, still running with all their doors open. I guess no one thought of theft in a town made up of colony members.

I only needed to get to one.

“He let me out of the basement you locked me in,” I lied, then I hit them with the truth. “Is it true that Abby is marrying some guy from another colony in a few weeks?”

“No,” Archer said with a shake of his head. “That can’t be true. You told me that if I was loyal, Abby would be my wife. I never even told anyone we were fated mates. Our marriage would've been good for us and the colony.”

Norris shot me an angry look before focusing on his son. “Not good enough. Abby is a nice girl, but the woman I’m bringing in is selkie royalty. Your children would be held in the highest esteem by selkies all around the world.”

I watched the last of Archer’s trust in his father melt away, leaving nothing but bitter disillusionment.

“How could you do this?” Archer whispered, striding past me to confront his father. That’s what I needed!

I edged back as the two men spoke in low, harsh tones and the other colony members drew in close, unsure what to do.

No one paid attention to me as I eased myself behind them and to the closest car. I was almost there when a sound filled the air. It was so loud it made us all gasp and cover our ears.

“What was that?” one of Norris’s men asked the moment it stopped. “It sounded like Godzilla from the movies!”

“Oh god,” Norris whispered, looking scared for the first time. “Archer, go to the station and get every gun you have. We’re going to need them.”

“What is it, Dad?” Archer demanded.

“Kraken!”

Relief at knowing Delmar was alive made my legs go weak. I had to lean on the hood of the car to stay upright.

Norris looked around frantically until his eyes met mine. “Grab her, she’s the only way we’re going to be able to defeat him.”

Of course I tried to get into a car, but everyone was so close that I didn’t get a chance. Two men grabbed me while Norris ordered the others to gather as many weapons as they could find and meet at the harbor.

“Don’t do this Dad,” Archer begged. “Let me take her down there. I’m sure Delmar can be reasoned with to leave once he has her safe in his arms.”

“You can’t reason with a kraken,” Norris snapped. “They are monsters. All you can do is kill them before they kill you.”

I let out a frustrated scream. “You’re the true monster here!”

Norris ignored me. “Gag her!”

I didn’t get another chance to talk. Fabric was shoved in my mouth and more fabric tied around my head to keep me from doing anything more than making muffled cries.

You’re all dead men,I thought, as they shoved me into the back of a car.Every single one of you!

Chapter 19

Delmar

We were only a few miles from the coast when my beast woke up. I’d never felt such a profound sense of relief. My human body was still mostly paralyzed, but my kraken had no issues. The moment I shifted, there were no longer any limits on my movement.

I’d been laying at the feet of the man steering my boat so the moment I shifted, he screamed.