Page 39 of Taken By the Crab King of Atlantis

I rub the bridge of my nose, searching for words. “Yvette used to say I was always trying to give her things, when she only wanted to know me. It was hard for me to explain why. But perhaps I should try.”

Her eyes are wary, but she’s curious enough to be watching me now, waiting for my next words. “When we are not in this world, my zodiac brothers and I, we are in a dark world, in between. It is empty, and we are not conscious. We are in a kind of dream state. It is the chosen who awaken us and that tie us again to the world. We see the world through the chosen. We live for the chosen, even if they choose not to be with us,” I say, impressing the words slowly. “A gift to prove my intentions is nothing if it is within my considerable power.”

She frowns, and I can see her understanding what it means. “You will gift anything?”

“Yes.”

“But Yvette’s gift created a full-time job for you.”

“In a way, yes.”

“My gift could do the same thing, unintentionally.”

“Yes.”

She stares at me, understanding for the first time the power she has over me.

She pauses, choosing her words carefully. “Tonight was scary…” she says. “It made me think of my sister. She’s gotten involved with bad people.” I know her situation, but let her explain. “The money I get from this sacrifice will take care of it, but...”

The words rush out of her, the fear in her voice clear. “I want to speak to her. With everything going on...”

I stand and place my hand on her shoulders. “Your phone will work within the hour. As for your sister’s situation, it will be taken care of before morning comes.”

Her eyes light up with hope as she searches my face.

“I know you were hoping to pay off the debts tied to your sister’s safety. My people will ensure there is no longer any money owed that will connect back to your sister.”

“Thank you,” she says, gratitude and relief in her voice. She trusts I'll handle it, which warms my chest with satisfaction. But I’m not fool enough to think I have won her yet.

She swallows, gaze darting about. “This sacrifice thing is pretty serious,” she says carefully.

“Yes.”

“It’s more than just one night, isn’t it?”

“If you choose it to be.”

“And you see a future for us together?” She looks up at me, biting her lip, nerves emanating from every pore.

My heart leaps in my chest, but I know not to get my hopes up. “I wish for a future, yes.”

She smiles at that, wide and pleased, looking down coyly, and my chest feels full. But she frowns. “But you rule a city, and it’s a package deal."

“We have options,” I say cautiously. I don’t want to put too much pressure on her about Atlantis. “We don’t have to decide now.”

She looks around at the sodden streets. “It is quite magical.” She looks back at me. “But you don’t enjoy being king.”

I’ve never had it stated so plainly, and it’s impossible to argue with. I nod. “Sometimes I don’t. But other times I don’t mind.”

“Could you take holidays, maybe?”

I blink, and something in my stomach rebels. But it’s an old emotion, no longer relevant — guilt, obligation, fear of losing the city. It’s an old god’s pride — the desire to wipe out the past rather than bend and accept change.

Faced with Yen’s simple, hopeful expression, so open to new possibilities, asking me to step forward into the future with her, there is only one answer.

“That could be arranged,” I agree, smiling. She hasn’t said yes yet, but she’s considering it, and that alone makes my heart lighter than it has been in years.

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