Page 19 of Taken By the Crab King of Atlantis

Porters open the doors. Before Kilandra gets out, she turns to me for one last word. “I hope you enjoy your sacrifice." The term ‘sacrifice’ weirds me out, but I have no time to react. She steps away and melts into the crowd.

I’m ushered inside quickly and am grateful when the door to the restaurant closes behind me.

Inside, I’m in a dark hallway, but somewhere close is the muted hum of many conversations and the clink of cutlery on plates. My mouth waters at the smell of seasoned meats. I crane my neck in that direction, but the porter who brought me in directs me to a side hall.

“This way, ma’am." He ushers me into a neat office with a laptop on a desk.

He closes the door behind him, and I sit on the office chair and almost cry when Sofie’s face appears on screen.

“I love your hair!” she says.

“Thanks,” I say, touching the strands. I’d almost forgotten.

“How is it?”

“Surreal is an understatement. For a start, I can’t swim and I’m in an underwater city. But that’s not the scary part. I keep forgetting I’m under the ocean.”

“How is he?”

I flush bright red. “He is… a lot.”

She laughs. “I know exactly how you feel.”

“Also… not human.”

“He’s a god." She shrugs. “You read the small print, right?”

“I thought it was a metaphor! Part of your weird cult! A god-like man, not another kind of creature.”

She laughs again. “I knew you didn’t believe me. But there’s no way I could explain it without you seeing him for yourself. But you know the basics of the agreement?”

“Yes, I think so. I get $5M for my virginity, and Karkinos gets a pass to exist in the world for my lifetime. I’m only obliged to give up my v-card. No other strings. I triple checked. But seriously… do all the gods rule their own cities?”

“Well, your facts are right. And about the city thing? From what I understand, every god is different. Karkinos has taken on the burden of leadership, so it makes sense that he’s picked you.”

“What do you mean? I figured he liked my profile.”

Sofie gives me a look that says she thinks I should know better. “You are the most responsible person I know, Yen. You’re incredibly capable, and you’re humble about it. There’s a lot more to this sacrifice thing than liking a profile like you’re on a dating app. There’s magic embedded in it. You’re fated.”

“You’re sounding culty again. Besides which, I found out he didn’t pick me. He let his granddaughter pick.”

She frowns. “That’s not…”

I raise my hands to stop her. “It doesn’t matter; it’s a one-night deal. Or two nights, in my case. Although he’s told me he wants to seduce me into staying.”

“I’m not at all surprised. This is a temporary deal if you choose it to be, but the sacrifice bond can be very strong.”

“Wait — if he can only stay for my lifetime, does that mean his last sacrifice is still alive?” Alarm pulses through me.

“I understand his situation is different. Their bond was connected to the city, and Karkinos was able to stay in the world. Gemini tells me it’s unlikely he’ll be able to do that again. Your sacrifice will re-tether him to the world.”

“No pressure.”

She laughs. She's finding this way too funny. “You don’t have to stay with him. But I know from experience, it can be worth sticking around.” Her eyes soften, and my stomach butterflies start again, remembering that Karkinos himself is waiting at a table for me in this very building.

“I think I might need to get through dinner first without throwing up.” She laughs again, but I frown, shaking my head. “Seriously, Sofie, this is much more about Aya than my shot at a fated love.”

Her brow creases. “Have you heard any word?”