Page 64 of Taming the Kraken

“He …” Alexa whispered, touching her eyes. She grit her teeth and began to tremble with anger. “He shoved something into my eyes. He pulled me into some type of dream world that was real. He said it was a counter curse.”

“He … you mean …” Reiya whispered.

“Erebus, the deity who is now so obsessed with me that he shows me he loves me by hurting me,” Alexa spat out. “He pushed something into my eyes and said that when I look at my heart’s desire, I will instead see my worst nightmare.” Alexa steadied her breathing and turned her head to look at Ken.

“I know you’re Ken. I can smell you. I know your touch. But I see Erebus now.” Alexa’s heart sank as she glanced between Ken and her parents. “Is this permanent? I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with this. I won’t be separated from you again. I’ll learn to adjust.” Alexa focused on Ken. She wanted him to know she had no intentions of staying away from him.

“Damn … this is what he wants. He’s trying to condition you. Like the scent changers, the ones that can mock your mate’s scent. Eventually, in a half-awake state, the body gives in to what it naturally knows.” Ken balled his hand into a fist. “He felt confident that you would see his face. He wants you to get used to seeing him.”

Levi’s eyes darkened, the blue nearly black. “He touched my daughter again?! Enough is enough. I’m going looking for him.”

“Stay here and take care of your family. I’ll go.”

“And a lot of good that has done!” Levi snarled as his gaze snapped to Ken.

“We aren’t going to find him. He’s hiding himself too well. We need to follow the bread crumbs. We need to find the original demon he’s working with and wait for him. But first things first. We need to help Alexa.” Ken’s gaze softened. “Lex, I can leave the room if that will be easier.”

“Please don’t leave me.” Alexa bit her bottom lip as she looked at the face of Erebus. It was torture for the man she loved the most to look like the man she hated the most.

Mikah knelt down in front of Alexa and cupped her cheeks. He stared into her eyes, and Reiya did as well. He needed to focus on Alexa before he destroyed the room. His rage was approaching a dangerous threshold. He took in a calming breath as he tried to look for the foreign object that was shoved into his princess’ eyes.

“If he shoved it in, we can remove it, right?” Reiya leaned closer, pushing her fairy vision forward.

“He injected it in the dream world. It will need to be removed the same way.” Ken grit his teeth, huffing out a breath.

“Do you know what it is?” Mikah asked, and Levi snarled.

“Yes, we know what it is.” Levi turned his face away in disgust. “It’s something that demons have used to … to take women of their choosing. Nembrant glass can make the person see either their heart’s desire or their worst nightmare, depending on what effect the owner gives it. Usually, it’s used by the person so that they look like the one they love, making seduction easier. Erebus twisted it. Of course he did. Making it so that when you look at your heart’s desire, you see your worst nightmare instead.”

Ken growled. “The truth is he likely planned to use it the other way. He was going to make himself look like me. I think he had other plans in mind before Mikah and I destroyed the barrier he was keeping you in. Honestly, that was very impressive, and we should have a discussion with Mikah about it later.”

“If you know what it is, you must know how to reverse its effects, right?” Reiya said, a sharp edge to her tone. Her wolf Lumi was growling angrily at someone touching her pup. Reiya was fighting for her own control this time. She wanted to rip out Erebus’ black heart.

Ken looked up at Levi.

Kali isn’t here anymore. Our next best chance is Bella, Levi mindlinked Ken, who let out a low growl.

The dream world is dangerous. Shiva is looking for Kali now.

Levi’s sharp blue eyes locked with Ken’s. I know it’s dangerous. Don’t tell me what’s dangerous and what isn’t. Don’t for one second think that it doesn’t terrify me to even suggest it. That’s MY daughter! I’ve been there through it all. I’ve been by her bed through every fever. I was there helping her when she first shifted. AND I WAS THERE WHEN SHE CRIED BECAUSE YOU WEREN’T.

Ken inhaled sharply, wincing, then returned Levi’s icy glare. When it comes to these things, we both know I know better. Having said that … Bella will need to be trained on what to do. The longer they are in the dream world …

Levi nodded. The Great Sage should be able to teach her what to do. He then turned to look at his mate and daughter.

“There isn’t an immediate fix. I’m afraid preparations will need to be made first. And it isn’t without risks.” Levi looked at Alexa, who shook her head.

“I don’t care what the risks are. I can’t live like this.” Alexa tucked in her bottom lip as she glanced up at her mate. She needed him now more than ever. But at the same time, her body screamed at her to get away from him.

“Okay, don’t tell me I’m the only one who has a temporary solution.” Mikah chuckled, and Alexa glanced up at him. “Ever heard of the saying, ‘put a paper bag over it?’”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Mikah shrugged, smiling softly. “If Alexa can’t see his face, then …”

Levi tried to erase the smirk that kept wanting to creep over his face. There was nothing funny about what had happened to his daughter. But the idea of the Kraken wearing a paper bag on his head with little holes cut out for his eyes … That part had some humor to it. If only his daughter wasn’t hurting. The moment he looked back down at Alexa, his heart broke. She had gone through a disturbing experience and she needed her mate. He watched his daughter shake her head, lifting her chin in defiance.

“I’m not going to let this parlor trick control me. I know it isn’t real. He doesn’t need to cover his face,” Alexa said, her voice unwavering.