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22

Vasz

Day and night, I guard the parameter.

Ninety-eight have passed since I have been tasked with the most important role in existence.

I do not rest. I do not squander.

My Queen Mate’s life depends on me.

I am her guard shark-doggopus.

My eyes narrow at the wooden plank, daring it to drift closer and disturb my human.

It is not easy protecting Cindi.

Everything is a threat.

Ordus has granted me permission to bite any foe who dares come near my island.

Even once the kraken has returned from hunting, I do not rest.

My trust in him is…

fickle. She was sick, and it was I who brought her the coconut.

I brought her back from the brink of death.

If she needs another coconut, I will be ready.

I cannot rely on Ordus to do right by her.

Also, she likes me more.

Cindi has never called Ordus a good kraken.

She calls me a good boy whenever I see her, and I make her laugh.

Ordus doesn’t make Cindi laugh.

Whenever I haven’t seen her in a long, long time, I sprint up to her, maybe pee a little—a moment of weakness, on my part—tail wagging as I jump all over her.

She smiles at me and tells me she missed me too.

Does she tell Ordus she missed him?

No.

Does she sneak Ordus her food when no one is looking?

No.

Does she rub his head and call him a good boy?

No. I’m the only good boy around here.

She once called me the bestest of all boys, and my Queen Mate is not a liar.

The waves are strong today.

Cindi always comes out into the water to sit and stand on her board whenever it is like this.

It makes my job harder, because there are always more threats and greater risks with her out in the open.

The plank floats closer.

My warning growl renders it still.

I stretch my paws out so it sees my claws.

I take my duty very seriously.

It drifts closer once more.

I lower to my haunches.

“Leave now. This is your last warning.”

It sways closer .

The audacity.

“Do not test me,” I growl, peeling my lips back.

This time, when it moves, I pounce, tearing Cindi’s potential attacker to shreds until it’s littered over the sea floor.

It was not a worthy opponent.

Satisfied the threat has been eliminated, I straighten to stare down my nose at the plank.

“If you want blood, you will see blood.”