Chapter three
IMOGEN
I wake with a start, my body instinctively tensing for combat before I even open my eyes.
The air feels…
wrong—too thick, too heavy.
My lungs strain against it for a moment before muscle memory kicks in, and I feel the gentle flutter of gills at my neck.
Right.
Underwater.
Kidnapped.
Alien king with boundary issues.
It all comes rushing back, and I have to fight the urge to panic.
Slowly, I force my eyes open, blinking against the soft, pulsing glow that bathes the chamber.
Living coral, I realize, its bioluminescence casting everything in an ethereal blue light.
It’s beautiful in a way that makes my chest ache—a reminder of how alien this world truly is, how alien I’m becoming.
I sit up cautiously, taking stock of my surroundings.
The bed beneath me is softer than anything I’ve ever felt, a mix of what feels like impossibly fine silk and some kind of living moss.
It molds to my body, supportive yet yielding, and I have to resist the urge to sink back into its embrace.
Now is not the time for comfort.
My gaze sweeps the room, cataloging potential weapons and escape routes with the efficiency drilled into me through years of training.
The chamber is vast, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that seem to move in the shifting light.
Elaborate tapestries of woven seaweed and precious stones depict scenes of epic battles and ocean depths I can barely comprehend.
It’s a king’s chamber, without question, which only heightens my unease.
What the hell am I doing here?
As if in answer, my body chooses that moment to remind me of its new modifications.
A wave of fury washes over me as I flex my hands, noting the slight webbing between my fingers.
My skin shimmers faintly in the coral’s glow, a pattern of barely-there scales catching the light.
I run a hand along my neck, feeling the delicate flutter of gills.
Gills.
He gave me gills.
Rage bubbles up inside me, hot and fierce.
How dare he?
How dare Krak’zol alter my body without my consent?
I clench my fists, nails biting into my palms.
This isn’t me.
It’s a theft.
He stole my body, my choices, my humanity.
But as I push the water around me with growing ease, I can’t help but wonder how long I can stay mad at him for saving me.
I can’t let myself be distracted by any perceived benefits.
I have a mission, a team to protect.
Samantha is still out there, probably terrified and possibly undergoing similar changes against her will.
I need to focus on getting us out of here.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand, channeling my anger into determination.
The world tilts for a moment, my body still adjusting to the pressure changes, but I force myself to stay upright.
I take a tentative step, then another, grimly noting how easily I move through the water.
It’s like the currents themselves bend to accommodate me, guiding rather than hindering my movements—another reminder of how fundamentally I’ve been changed without my permission.
I make my way to what looks like an exit, a grand archway carved with swirling patterns that seem to move in the corner of my eye.
Just as I reach for it, a low growl reverberates through the chamber, sending a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with fear.
“And where do you think you’re going, little warrior?”
Krak’zol’s voice washes over me like a physical caress, and I hate how my body responds to it.
I whirl around, fury burning through my veins.
“Away from you,” I snarl, fists clenched at my sides.
“Or did you think I’d just roll over and accept being kidnapped and turning me into some kind of fish-human hybrid without my consent?”
He stands in the center of the chamber, every inch the predator king.
His massive frame blocks out the coral’s glow, casting him in shadow save for the gleam of those molten silver eyes.
They track my every movement with an intensity that makes my skin prickle with awareness.
“I saved your life,” he rumbles, a hint of steel entering his tone.
“By taking away my choice!” I shoot back, advancing on him despite the way my instincts scream at the recklessness of challenging something so much larger and deadlier than myself.
“You had no right—”
“To ensure your survival?” he cuts in, closing the distance between us in two swift strides.
“To protect you from those who would use you as a pawn in their games?”
I glare up at him, refusing to back down even as his proximity sends my pulse racing.
“And how are you any different? You took me, changed me, all to suit your own agenda.”
Something flashes in his eyes—regret, maybe, or frustration.
“You’re right,” he says, the admission catching me off guard.
“I acted hastily, driven by instinct and the need to keep you safe. For that, I apologize.”
The sincerity in his voice threatens to disarm me, but I refuse to let go of my anger entirely.
“An apology doesn’t change what you did.”
“No,” he agrees, a flicker of something unreadable in his silver eyes.
“It doesn’t. But perhaps understanding why I did it—why I had to change you—will.” He pauses, his gaze hardening.
“I sensed treachery the moment your shuttle descended. Not all on Sanos desire a treaty with humankind, yet their petty squabbles are inconsequential. You are my concern, Imoogeen. Your safety is paramount.” His tail lashes behind him, a clear sign of agitation that my tactical mind immediately files away.
“Regardless, the Abyss is not safe for you to wander alone, now. My brother Rynor grows bold in his ambitions.”
That catches my attention, pushing aside some of my fury.
“Your brother? What does he have to do with any of this?”
Krak’zol’s expression darkens, a storm gathering in those silver depths.
“Rynor has long coveted my throne. With the surface kings gathered and tensions high, he sees an opportunity to strike.” His massive hand reaches out, claws ghosting along my arm in a touch so gentle it makes me shiver.
“And you, my fierce little warrior, have now become a valuable piece in his game.”
I step back, needing distance to think clearly.
“Because I’m human? Or because you’ve decided I’m your…what did you call it? Mate?”
“Both,” he says again, and this time there’s no amusement in his tone.
“Rynor knows that claiming you would weaken my position. The Leviathan Kings have not taken a surface mate in millennia. To do so now, with war brewing…” He trails off, his gaze intense.
“It complicates things.”
“Then let me go,” I argue, even as a part of me rebels against the idea.
“If I’m causing problems—”
“No.” The word comes out as a growl that vibrates through my very bones.
“You are mine now, Imoogeen.” His tail coils tighter around my leg.
“And you will learn that what I claim, I keep.”
I bristle at his possessiveness, even as something deep inside me purrs at his declaration.
“I’m not a possession to be claimed, Krak’zol. I have a mission, a team to protect. Samantha is still out there—”
“I’ve told you already, your scientist is safe with Kaerius,” he interrupts, moving closer again.
This time I hold my ground, refusing to be intimidated.
“But she is not your concern right now. Your safety is.”
“My safety?” I laugh, the sound sharp and bitter.
“You kidnapped me, changed my biology without consent, and now you’re telling me it’s for my own good? Forgive me if I’m not feeling particularly grateful.”
Something flashes in his eyes—regret?
Guilt?
—before it’s swallowed by that predatory intensity.
“I saved your life,” he reminds me, voice low and rough.
“But I understand your anger. Come. Let me show you why all of this was necessary.”
Before I can protest, he takes my hand, his massive palm swallowing mine whole.
Calluses and ridges abrade my skin, and I hate how good it feels.
He doesn’t just hold my hand; he possesses it.
And a thrill races through my body at the thought of being possessed.
The contact sends a spark of awareness through me, and I have to fight the urge to lean into his touch.
He leads me through the archway and into a vast corridor that seems to stretch endlessly in both directions.
As we move through the water, I can’t help but marvel at the ease of it.
My body cuts through the currents like I was born to it, each movement fluid and graceful.
It’s intoxicating, this newfound freedom, and I find myself relaxing despite my best efforts to stay on guard.
Krak’zol guides me through a maze of tunnels, each one more breathtaking than the last.
His hand never leaves my back, his touch both guiding and claiming.
The rough texture of his scales against my bare skin is a constant, dizzying reminder: I’m walking through his kingdom, and he is showing it off with me.
We pass chambers filled with bioluminescent creatures that paint the water in swirls of color, their light pulsing in hypnotic patterns.
In one vast cavern, a school of fish with translucent bodies and glowing organs swims in perfect unison, creating a living tapestry of light and shadow.
“This is…incredible,” I breathe, unable to hide my awe.
“I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Krak’zol’s grip on my hand tightens slightly, and when I look up at him, his expression is softer than I’ve ever seen it.
“This is but a fraction of the wonders the Abyss holds,” he says, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.
“I would show you all of it, if you’d let me.”
The offer hangs between us, heavy with implication.
For a moment, I’m tempted.
The scientist in me yearns to explore this alien world, to uncover its secrets.
But the soldier in me, the one responsible for Earth’s last hope, can’t forget my mission.
“It’s beautiful,” I concede, forcing myself to focus.
“But it doesn’t explain why you brought me here, or why your brother is suddenly such a threat.”
Krak’zol’s expression hardens, and he pulls me closer as we enter a new chamber.
This one is darker, lit only by the faint glow of bioluminescent algae clinging to the walls.
In the center stands a massive stone table, its surface covered in intricate carvings and glowing crystals arranged in what looks like a map.
“The Abyss is not just our home,” Krak’zol explains, his voice low and urgent.
“It is the source of our power. The crystals that grow here, the living energy that flows through these waters—they are what make us who we are.” He gestures to the map, and I watch in fascination as the crystals shift and pulse, forming new patterns.
“But that power is not infinite. It must be balanced, protected.”
I lean closer, studying the map.
“And let me guess—your brother doesn’t care about balance?”
Krak’zol’s jaw tightens, a muscle ticking beneath the surface.
“Rynor believes that by harnessing more of the Abyss’s power, he can expand our territory, take control of the other ocean realms.” His gaze locks onto mine, intense and unwavering.
“He would drain this place dry, destroy everything that makes it sacred, all for the sake of conquest.”
The implications hit me like a physical blow.
“And the humans? My team?”
“Pawns in his game,” Krak’zol growls, his tail lashing behind him in agitation.
“He sees you as a queen to be stolen. If Rynor captures you, he’ll parade you through the Abyss, demonstrating how easily he can rip away what is mine and steal my kingdom.”
I pull away, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me.
“So what, I’m just supposed to stay here and play house while my team is in danger, while your brother plots war?”
Krak’zol moves faster than I can track, his massive frame suddenly looming over me.
But instead of feeling trapped, I feel protected—sheltered.
His hand comes up to cup my face, the gentle press of his claws against my skin sending sparks of awareness through me.
“You are not a prisoner here, Imoogeen,” he says, his voice rough with emotion.
How he pronounces my name sends an unexpected shiver down my spine.
“You are my equal, my mate. I brought you here to keep you safe, yes, but also because I sense something in you—a fire, a strength that calls to me.” His thumb traces the curve of my cheek, and I have to fight not to lean into the touch.
“I’ve seen how you assess every situation, how your mind works. Together, we could face whatever threats come our way, be they from my brother or beyond.”
I want to argue, to push him away and demand he take me back to the surface.
But the heat in his gaze, the sincerity in his words—it makes something inside me soften.
“And Samantha? The rest of my team?”
“We will protect them,” Krak’zol promises, his other hand coming to rest on my hip.
The contact sends a jolt of heat through me, and I have to suppress a shiver.
“But first, we must secure the Abyss. If Rynor gains control here, the Abyss will become a weapon. He’ll poison your oceans, enslave my people, and turn Sanos into a tomb. He’ll show all of Sanos what it means to have angered the Leviathan King.”
I close my eyes, trying to think past the distracting press of his body against mine.
He’s right, damn him.
If there’s a threat to both our peoples, I can’t just ignore it.
But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Fine,” I say at last, opening my eyes to meet his gaze.
“I’ll help you deal with your brother, but on one condition.”
Krak’zol’s eyes narrow, but there’s a glimmer of respect in their silver depths.
“Name it.”
“No more secrets,” I demand, poking him in the chest for emphasis.
“You tell me everything—about the Abyss, about your brother’s plans, about what’s happening to my body. All of it. Deal?”
For a long moment, Krak’zol is silent, his gaze searching mine.
Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his face—not the predatory grin I’ve come to expect, but something softer, more genuine.
“Deal,” he rumbles, and before I can dodge, he leans down and presses his forehead against mine.
The gesture catches me off guard; it’s weirdly intimate for a guy who’s mostly growled at me so far.
I feel something shift between us, and it’s not just the water currents.
Damn it.
This is more than just physical attraction or a convenient alliance.
I’m in trouble.
“So,” I say, pulling back just enough to meet Krak’zol’s gaze.
“Where do we start?”
His answering grin is all predator, all promise.
“With your first lesson in Leviathan politics, little warrior. Are you ready?”
I square my shoulders, lifting my chin in challenge.
“Bring it on, fish-face. I can take whatever you dish out.”
As Krak’zol leads me deeper into the heart of the Abyss, the thrill is a dangerous spark.
Let the games begin, and may the best monster win.