Page 91 of Taming the Kraken

“Fix it,” Erebus said between clenched teeth.

“I’m going to have to start over with a new source and try to make adjustments.” Meryl turned and gave Erebus a cold stone stare. “Why do you want her under your command? What exactly are you wanting to command her to do—” She blinked at Erebus with her black eyes. “Pathetic.” She clicked her tongue in disgust. “I see you are at the point of having to force women⁠—"

“I didn’t ask for your opinion on the topic.” Erebus snapped, and Meryl cackled. “You damn witch—” From the corner of his eye he watched as a black blur rushed toward him. He moved just enough that the shard grazed his front, piercing the top layer of his skin. “Alexa!”

“It’s Xi!”

“I see … so, my treasure wants to play, does she? Well then … let’s play.” A dark chuckle escaped Erebus’ lips as he formed an obsidian electric ball in his hand. “I think you need to take a little nap until we can get this all sorted out.”

“I think you need an eternal nap.” Alexa pushed back the pain in her head and composed herself. She raised her chin at the man defiantly, preparing to fight against him.

“Tell me … why are you fighting me? Do you even know?” Erebus watched as Alexa blinked and pursed her lips. Inwardly he smiled. “Don’t you see this is all a trick, my treasure? They poisoned your mind to keep us apart.”

Alexa scoffed. “Idiot. I can hear. I just heard you talking. ‘Why isn’t it working?’” She clicked her tongue and rolled her dark eyes.

“I was talking about an antidote I was having prepared for you.” Erebus tried to manipulate her, but the next second, the ice barrage spiraled at him again. He flashed through the air and gritted his teeth. “Yeah … I think you need that nap.”

“I’ve got things to do,” Meryl said as she disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Erebus formed another energy ball, not unlike the ones he had that killed the fairy royalty earlier. “I’m sorry, my gem. I never wanted to hurt you, but you aren’t thinking clearly. Don’t worry. I’ll make it all better.”

Alexa watched as the black spiraling ball came crashing toward her. Unable to dodge it, she threw up a thick ice wall that shattered instantly on impact. Closing her eyes, she braced for the collision. Instead, she felt a strong arm wrap around her protectively as a loud explosion echoed across the beach.

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

Alexa glanced up from the rock-hard chest that she was pressed tightly against. Ken fixed Erebus with a lethal glare. She felt her heart flutter in her chest as she stared at his face. He had protected her …

“My love, are you alright?” Ken asked, keeping his eyes fixed on Erebus.

Alexa nodded her head and bit her inner lip. She was so confused. Her body was battling against her. There was warmth and love in his voice. Nothing was making sense. But doubt was now swimming through her mind. She wasn’t oblivious to Erebus’ words. She understood he had done something to her. So, who was she really? At first, she thought she’d come to this great epiphany about choosing to be a dark fairy. But now … now nothing was making sense. She couldn’t deny the strange tingles that crept up her body and how relieved she felt now that Ken was near.

Erebus clenched his teeth. “How is this possible?! How in the hell are you still here?! I killed the fairy king!”

“You always act before you think, moron. You captured Lucie because you thought she was my mate. And you killed the previous king and queen of the fairies. By doing so, you strengthened their barrier. Let’s see here. You pissed off Rogio, Lycaon, Leviathan, me, and oh, now we’re adding Endymion to the list. You just killed his fairy royals … wrong royals by the way.” Ken smirked as he watched Erebus’ eye twitch. “You know, it’s just a matter of time now. The council will be after you. I wonder what they’ll do with you. Eh, we won’t find out, because I’m going to kill you.”

Ken narrowed his eyes on Erebus. “How dare you fucking touch my mate!” His deep voice cut through the air and echoed off the valley walls. “You went after my mate. My mate! You know exactly who I am, and you did it anyway. You have a death wish. Did you actually think your plan would work and I would be cursed back to the ocean? Did you think you could get away with this? You are a COWARD!” Ken paused for a moment and shook his head. “You already know you’re as good as dead with the deities. This is why you’re switching sides. You want the Demon King’s protection.” He furrowed his brow as he tried to rationalize Erebus’ thoughts. His plan was deeper than this. There was something he was after. Something he wanted so badly that he was willing to turn the gods against him.

Erebus was a coward. If he was willing to turn the gods against him, he had others backing him. Was it just the demons? Or were there other deities on his side? Ken didn’t know why he hadn’t thought about it before. Erebus was not acting on his own. Something bigger was being planned. And more than likely, Erebus was their pawn to help get it done. There was no way he was the mastermind. But who? And what? He had a feeling it was all connected to the strange nembrant glass. But for what purpose?

Erebus was fuming as he watched Ken’s hand around Alexa. He had decided it would be her who he kept by his side. Ken was supposed to be cursed back to sea. Damn it, he messed up. He still wasn’t at full strength yet after what Alexa had done to him last time. And even if he was, Ken was not a deity he wanted to fight against. But Ken wasn’t here alone. Right beside him was his weakness …

“Lex,” Ken kept his gaze on Erebus, knowing full well he would look for an opportunity to flee. “Get out of here. Go someplace safe. I’ll find you when it’s all over … I’ll always find you.”

Alexa stared up at him, a mixture of emotions flooding her system. And correcting what he called her wasn’t a priority anymore. For some strange reason, she felt … worried. “You’re going to fight him by yourself?” she asked, and a wry grin spread across his lips.

“You wouldn’t be worried about me now, would you? Not the badass Xi?” Ken grinned widely, his fingers caressing her skin. He felt her begin to pull away but he held her against him. “Lex, I mean it. Get out of here. As far away as possible. I love you.”

Alexa felt him vanish from her side before she could say anything. Instantly, she missed his warmth, and she frantically looked for him. A second later, two colossal forces collided, racing through the sky as their attacks made thunder clap through the air.

Alexa grabbed her chest as she watched from the ground. She didn’t know why, but she couldn’t leave. She couldn’t do anything. She was frozen, her inner battle raging. A shiver ran down her spine as her heart raced, and she found herself worrying for Ken more and more.

The two powerful energies of the deities collided. As the explosion subsided, Ken dashed in front of Erebus and thrusted an energy ball right at him, his energy smashing against Erebus’ darkness. An electrifying explosion sent wind racing away from the two gods. Dark smoke stung their eyes as their back and forth continued.

Ken was unrelenting, not holding back his punches. He just needed an opening. He flashed through the sky, randomly unleashing balls of fury at Erebus. Then, through the smoke, he found his opening. He sprinted through the sky, colliding with Erebus as his fist connected with his chin. At the same time, he grabbed onto him so he couldn’t go anywhere.

Ken finally had him and wasn’t about to let go. He unleashed a frenzy of furious attacks on Erebus, ensuring he never touched Alexa again. He shot a colorful blast of energy into the deity. Erebus moved his hand and shot a black surge under Ken’s arms. It moved toward its target like a black shooting star. Ken watched as the streak hurled toward Alexa. Damn. He released Erebus and teleported just in time to block the attack. There wasn’t time to defend himself. He could only use his body to shield Alexa. A cloud of smoke erupted into the sky as the energy lashed against Ken’s back.

Ken winced as he held onto Alexa protectively, a small groan escaping his lips as the assault ended. He turned his head to see Erebus was long gone, having used the opportunity to flee. Even though he’d landed a powerful attack against Ken, he still fled in fear.