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And bunyip, while not as frightening as the three sea monsters Tiamat had at her beck and call, didn’t seem like anything to fool around with either. Water demons who lived near Australia and who ate human and mermaid flesh, they were fanged and vicious and frightening as hell. At least according to Mahina.
Terrific. Why had I wanted to know what I was swimming into again?
Before long, we were on our way. We swam and swam and swam, until my tail and arms were exhausted and it was all I could do to keep my body moving in a forward motion. I knew it was wrong to push myself like this, knew Mahina and I should find some place to rest for a few hours, but just the thought of stopping again was impossible. Not when Kona was in danger, his life hanging in the balance. Not when so many people had already died. This thing needed to end and it needed to end soon.
We’re almost there, Mahina told me as we swam by a huge coral formation. The Sahul Shelf is only about an hour away.
Okay, thanks. Part of me was grateful we were so close—I wasn’t sure how much longer my nerves could hold out—but another part of me was absolutely terrified. We had swum all this way and I still didn’t have any more of a plan to rescue Kona than I had when we’d started. I had hoped something would come to me on the swim, but plotting and scheming had never really been my thing. I’m more of a straightforward, in-your-face kind of girl—something I was afraid was going to get all of us killed before this day was over.
Kona? I tried my hardest to build a mental bridge long enough to reach him. Not that I was holding out much hope. He could be drugged, unconscious, hurt … anything could have happened to him in the last four days. But still I had to try. Just the idea that Kona was gone—
Tempest? His voice was faint, faraway, and for long seconds I was terrified I had imagined it.
Kona! Are you all right? I demanded.
Go back, he told me. You shouldn’t be here.
Typical male. He’d been protecting me for almost a year, and it was obvious he had no intention of changing that behavior, even though he was the one in need of rescuing now.
Where else should I be? I asked him. I can’t leave you with Tiamat.
Yes, you can. This is what she’s been waiting for. She wants you dead, out of the way, so she doesn’t have to worry about being challenged again.
I thought of all the death I had seen at Coral Straits and in Kona’s territory. It doesn’t seem like she’s particularly worried about that anyway. I’m so sorry about your parents, Kona.
Yeah, me too. I could hear the defeat in his voice and couldn’t stand it. Kona had always been so strong, so sure of himself. The idea that he was now the one who needed reassurance felt strange. But he had just lost most, if not all, of his family. How else would he be feeling?
Where are you? I asked him. We’re coming up on the Sahul Shelf, but I don’t know which part of it you’re on.
Silence was my only answer.
Kona? I screamed, suddenly panicked. Had Tiamat found out he was speaking to me and killed him?
I’m here, Tempest. He sounded infinitely weary. You need to go back, before it’s too late.
And you need to stop whining and tell me where you are. Because the only place I’m going is to find Tiamat—with or without your help. I paused. Though I would really prefer your help.
You can’t win. She’s ready for you. She’s been waiting for days, prepared to kill you on sight.
Like that’s a surprise? Tell me something I don’t know.
Please, I’m begging you. Don’t come.
Kona. I said his name softly, wishing I could reach through the bond and reassure him as he so desperately needed. I’m going to find a way to get you out of there. So you might as well give me all the information I need. The more I know, the better prepared Mahina and I will be.
Mahina? You brought Mahina with you?
Well, the volunteers weren’t exactly lined up around the block. Besides, I trust Mahina as much as I trust you. There are only a couple people in the world I would say that about.
For a second, my brain went to Mark, and a bone-deep sorrow swamped me. I might die down here tonight, and Mark would never know what had happened. Neither would Moku or Rio or my dad. The idea of them waiting for years for me to come back—as we had for my mother—made me more than a little bit crazy. If only I could see Mark and my family one more time … Tempest? Are you still there?
I’m here, Kona. And I’m not going anywhere until this thing is done. So, please, please, if you know, tell me where you are.
This time, he was the one who didn’t answer. Long seconds ticked by and then finally he whispered, We’re on the north part of the shelf. Tell Mahina we’re close to the Sahul Reef. She’ll know what I’m talking about.
I closed my eyes as relief swamped me. Thank you. Now, who’s there with you?
He hesitated.
Kona, do you want me to get my ass kicked? Who’s there with Tiamat? Sabyn? The Lusca?
Sabyn and a bunch of shark-men. Ask Mahina about Scylla and bunyip.
I already have.
And you’re still coming? Are you suicidal?
I didn’t answer that. Instead I told him, You’d come for me.
Damn right I would. But this is different.
Because I’m a girl?
Because I love you and I don’t want anything to happen to you.
It’s going to be fine, Kona.
Another long pause. I can’t change your mind, can I?
No. Through the bridge, I tried to show him my certainty, my resolve.
I could feel him making a decision, his own resolve suddenly as strong as mine. Then there’s something else you should know, he told me.
What?
She was hiding him for the big reveal, hoping it would throw you off balance when you need your concentration most.
The knots in my stomach multiplied. Tell me, I demanded. What is she hiding?
He took a deep breath, braced himself. She kidnapped him, brought him down here. He’s got a tank of oxygen strapped on, but I’m not sure how long it’s going to last.
Moku? I asked as terror seized my entire body.
No. Mark. Mark’s here too, Tempest.
Chapter 31
His words sent me reeling, both literally and figuratively. I stopped dead in the middle of the ocean and Mahina slammed into me, hard. We both went flying.
What the hell? she demanded when she’d righted herself.
I couldn’t answer her, couldn’t formulate words in my head. Instead, my thoughts, my consciousness, my very soul were filled with one long scream.
Tempest? Kona again, sounding panicked. Are you all right?
I didn’t answer.
Tempest, damn it, don’t shut me out. Answer me. Are you okay?
He’s alive? I finally managed to choke out the words.
He’s fine for now, just a little banged up. Kona paused, like he was debating whether or not he wanted to continue. But finally he said, We’re pretty deep. I’m not sure how long humans can stay at this depth without having problems.
I took off then, swimming faster than I ever had before, faster even than I’d seen Kona go. Mahina struggled to stay with me, but it wasn’t long before she fell behind.
Where am I going? I shot the words at her. I’m looking for the Sahul Reef?
She didn’t ask how I knew, but then I figured she didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious that something had lit a fire under me. If it’s the one I’m thinking of, it’s about ten miles north of here.
