Page 124 of Taming the Kraken

“Then we can’t afford to waste a single second. We need to make sure that our home is strengthened. I want the defenses to be ready by the time the army reaches the border.” Asher looked at Grayson. “We have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ll send word to the centaurs,” Chasen said as he stood up. “I’d rather we be over-prepared than under-prepared.”

Preparations were being made and they were erring on the side of caution. They weren’t sure what they were up against, but they wanted to be ready. The sun had disappeared from the trees, and there was only a faint blue hue left. That was when two large dragons descended from the skies.

“They’re back,” Alexa said, but her brows furrowed as she noticed Mikah wasn’t with them. She realized Ryker wasn’t either, so she figured he must be with him. Still, her heart rate started to pick up as an anxious feeling washed over her. Jasper and Terra jumped off Bella and Brian’s backs before they shifted back to their human selves. Alexa walked up to them, with Ken by her side.

“Where is Ryker?!” Raine asked, looking around frantically.

“I’m going to meet him soon. He needed to relay a message to a group of dragons.” Brian looked up at Ken and Levi. “We found the pool of power. It …”

“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen or felt,” Jasper whispered, looking at Derrick. “You should have felt the malevolence coming off of it.”

“And it is huge. It takes up a massive area of a swamp,” Brian added, noticing the concern in both Levi and Ken’s eyes.

“Wait, so where’s Mikah?” Alexa asked anxiously.

“He stayed behind to see who was feeding the swamp. We told him we would bring Levi back to check it out.” Brian saw Alexa look up at Ken. They seemed to be having a mental conversation from the looks in their eyes.

Alexa, no!

I’m going. Mikah’s there!

You stay here. I’ll go.

Ken, I’m going, and no one is telling me differently. I am not a child. I am not weak. I am a powerful demigod and my mate is a deity. Plus, I am my own person and can make this decision on my own.

Then don’t decide like a child. You have a responsibility to stay safe.

I have a responsibility to Mikah!

The two quietly faced off as their emotions and thoughts poured through to each other. His worry for her safety and hers for Mikah. Her determination and strength swarmed in Ken’s head. And Ken felt his resolve crumble.

Ken growled lowly, still unhappy over the situation. He turned to look at Brian. “We’re coming too.”

“No,” Levi said simply.

“It doesn’t work like that anymore, Dad. You can’t keep me locked up and a prisoner here.”

“You can become one real quick.” Levi growled as his dark eyes flashed up at Ken.

“Pick your battles, right? Alexa has made up her mind. This isn’t one I’m willing to challenge her over. I can teleport her away instantly if I have to.” Ken turned and looked at Alexa. “And I will. Regardless of who is fighting. I will leave them to protect you. You’re sure you’re coming?”

Alexa snorted and walked a few steps away. She shifted into her dragon and roared into the air. She was going to Mikah. There was a nauseating feeling swirling in her stomach, and her chest felt uncomfortable. Mikah was probably fine. She was just worried about him. She would feel better once she saw him.

The four dragons landed near the swamp. Levi’s colossal dragon made the earth tremble as he landed. Ken hopped off of Alexa’s back and she shifted back to her human self. Ken instantly took her hand, intending to keep her within arms reach at all times.

Brian and Bella led them through the forest and down the ravine. Ken would have teleported there instantly if he’d known where the location was. Instead, he had to fly here on Alexa’s back.

Ken looked up as they came to the swampy area. The dark energy swirled around menacingly. He looked over at Levi, whose lips curled up in disgust. The foul power in front of them was overwhelming. Even as deities, they had rarely seen anything like this. This was the type of power you would find in the demon world, not here.

“Where’s Mikah?” Alexa asked, looking around. Her breathing grew heavy as her heart raced. Her fingers began trembling and she couldn’t shake the suffocating feeling constricting her lungs.

“Mikah!” Brian called out, looking around. “This is where we left him.”

“Mikah!” Alexa felt hot tears stream down her face as her lungs constricted. A pain in her chest sizzled through her. Her palms began to sweat as she whipped her head around frantically.

“Easy, Lex.” Ken wrapped her in his arms. Her distress was out of control now. She was getting desperate. “Shh. Shh. Shh.” He glanced up at Levi, who was looking around the edges of the swamp, scanning for signs of Mikah like everyone else.