Krakenos twists his head, and I lean in close, shouting to be heard over the roaring water, “What’s going on?”

“A storm approaches—one we’d be fools to challenge. Hold on tight, Mia.”

I nod, tightening my grip around Krakenos’s shoulders as he surges forward through the churning waves. The water is getting rougher by the second, and I can barely see through the frothy spray that’s whipping around us. It’s like being trapped in a washing machine set to the highest spin cycle, and I’m feeling more than a little queasy. Even the ever-present camera drones are knocked off course, their flashing lights disappearing in the heavy downpour.

Somehow, not having those little bastards breathing down my neck makes me feel even more adrift at sea. At least with them stalking us, the Host knew where we were. Now, if worse came to worst, would our bodies even be found?

No. Don’t think like that.

You’re going to make it through this.

Soon enough, I finally catch a glimpse of something in the distance—a small island, jutting out of the water like a beacon of hope. It’s not exactly a Hilton Hotel, but at this point, I’d gladly take a deserted rock over the open ocean.

Krakenos swims toward it with renewed vigor, and before I know it, we’re dragging ourselves up onto the rocky shore, both of us panting and exhausted. I collapse onto my back, the jagged rocks digging into my skin as I gulp air like a drowning woman. My chest heaves, and I taste the salt on my lips, my stomach churning with what feels like half the ocean sloshing around inside. Despite the discomfort, the solid ground beneath me is a godsend after that aquatic nightmare.

“There,” Krakenos’s deep voice cuts through the howling wind. His webbed hand points to a dark opening in the cliff face. “We can take shelter there until the storm passes.”

I try to respond, but all that comes out is a weak cough. Saltwater dribbles down my chin, and I wipe it away with a shaky hand. My legs wobble as I push myself up, feeling like overcooked spaghetti. Each step feels like I’m wading through quicksand, but before I can topple over, Krakenos’s strong arm wraps around my waist, steadying me.

I lean into him, grateful for the support even as my pride bristles at needing it. But right now, I’m too damn tired to care about looking tough. I just want to get out of this storm and collapse somewhere—anywhere.

The cave’s damp and musty smell hits me as we enter, but it’s a vast improvement over the chaos outside. I slump against the rough wall, watching through bleary eyes as Krakenos springs into action. His powerful blue form moves with purpose, muscled arms effortlessly shoving aside boulders that I couldn’t budge if my life depended on it.

I watch, still catching my breath, as Krakenos moves deeper into the cave. He starts gathering armfuls of what looks like seaweed and other aquatic plants, arranging them into a makeshift bed against one of the smoother walls. The sight of him fussing over my comfort, his powerful hands delicately arranging the greenery, is so absurd I almost laugh. But the ache in my muscles reminds me how desperately I need to rest, and suddenly that pile of seaweed looks like the comfiest bed in the world.

As he works, I find my gaze lingering on his scales. I know I shouldn’t be staring, that I shouldn’t feel this… fascination.

But I can’t look away.

He’s so oddly gorgeous.

I shake my head, trying to clear these confusing thoughts.

Still, I was raised to have manners. “Thank you,” I say once he’s finished, and I lower to the soft bed, letting out a relieved sigh at just how comfortable it is.

I shift my gaze to Krakenos, only to find his dark eyes already on me, softened in the cave’s dim light. “Of course,” he says, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

He settles on the opposite side of the cave, his massive form somehow graceful as he lowers himself to the ground. The storm continues its assault outside, waves crashing against the rocky shore with furious intensity.

I close my eyes, trying to lose myself in the rhythm of the rain and surf. Maybe if I focus hard enough, I can trick my body into thinking I’m back home, listening to one of those fancy white noise machines. But sleep eludes me, my mind racing with the day’s events and the alien presence mere feet away.

I keep glancing back at Krakenos. The bioluminescent patterns on his skin pulse gently, casting an otherworldly glow across his features. My gaze traces the strong line of his jaw, lingering on the delicate fins that frame his face. Scales shimmer along his broad shoulders and powerful arms, a mesmerizing blend of fish and man that shouldn’t work but somehow… does.

He’s beautiful in a way that defies explanation, and I’m torn between fascination and the very rational urge to bolt. This is the creature that’s supposed to… what? Mate with me? Save his people? The thought sends a jolt of panic through me, but it’s also tinged with something else I’m not ready to examine too closely.

Suddenly, he locks eyes with mine. I jerk my head away so fast I nearly give myself whiplash, my cheeks burning.

Great. Caught ogling the fish-man.

Way to be subtle, Mia.

I glance back at Krakenos, catching the faintest curve of his lips. My stomach does a little flip.

“You know,” Krakenos begins, breaking the tense silence, “I never expected to find myself in such a… unique situation.”

I snort. “What, holed up in a cave with a chick from another planet? Totally mundane Tuesday for me.” The words tumble out before I can stop them, and I wonder if he’d even get sarcasm.

To my surprise, a low chuckle reverberates through the cave. “No,” Krakenos says, his obsidian eyes locking onto mine. “I never expected to feel… drawn to someone outside my own kind. For so long, other races were merely potential threats or conquests. Yet with you…”

My heart thunders, and I struggle to catch my breath. So it’s not just me feeling this bizarre connection.

“Yeah,” I murmur, my voice barely audible over the crashing waves outside. “I get it. I never thought I’d be here either, feeling…” I trail off, unable to put words to the confusing cocktail of emotions churning inside me.

Attraction? Curiosity? A desperate need for something comforting in this insane situation?

I swallow hard, acutely aware of Krakenos’s presence across the cave, his bioluminescent patterns casting an otherworldly glow in the darkness that I see even as I look away.

Krakenos nods, his gaze never leaving mine. “It’s strange, isn’t it?” he muses. “How the universe can bring two people together, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.”

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat at the intensity of his gaze. It’s like he’s seeing past all the walls I’ve built up over the years to protect myself from getting hurt. And instead of running away like I normally would, I want to let him in, to see where this connection between us might lead.

I shift my body closer to him, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold, hard cave floor. The silence between us feels oddly cozy, like we’re sharing some secret hideout. Which, I guess we kind of are. I keep sneaking glances at Krakenos, studying the way his bioluminescent patterns pulse softly in the dim light. He’s still the most alien thing I’ve ever seen, but there’s something almost mesmerizing about him now.

The storm howls outside, but in here, it’s just us. No running, no terror-fueled adrenaline. Just… existing. It should be a relief, but my brain can’t quite shut off.

“Hey,” I blurt out, breaking the silence. Krakenos glances at me, and I swallow hard. “What are the odds Mr. Whiskers is gonna come crashing through that cave entrance?”

Krakenos tilts his head, confused.

“Vornas,” I clarify. “You think he’s still out there, looking for us?”

A smile plays at the corners of Krakenos’s mouth as he shakes his head and turns his gaze to the cave walls. “If I’ve learned one thing in my many seasons competing against him, it’s that he hates water.”

I laugh at that. “Sounds like most cats I know.”

Krakenos tilts his head, confusion etching his features. “‘Cats’? Is that a beast similar to him on Earth?”

I nod, then pause, realizing the comparison isn’t quite accurate. “Well, he’s cat-like, for sure. But cats walk on all fours. And they don’t speak. Well, except to whine for food.”

“Sounds preferable,” Krakenos muses, a glint of humor in his eyes. “But to answer your question, there’s no chance he’ll catch us in this biome. He’ll be at least a day behind, as he’ll need to build a raft. His people can’t swim for the life of themselves. And the chances of him finding this little island without sonar…” He trails off, letting the implication hang in the air.

“That’s how you found this place?” I ask, realization dawning on me.

Krakenos nods, and I realize that without him, I’d still be lost at sea. But knowing that Vornas won’t pose much of a threat in this ocean biome is a relief, and a small weight lifts off me.

As silence falls over us once more, I turn my gaze to the opening of the cave, watching the storm rage on with a newfound sense of calm. It looks like we’re going to be here for a while, waiting out the tempest in the safety of this rocky haven. But somehow, the prospect doesn’t seem as daunting as it did before. Not with Krakenos by my side.

“So,” I say, breaking the silence as my curiosity gets the better of me. “What was it like growing up in your world? Before the plague happened, I mean.” I shift slightly, turning to face him more fully, searching his exotic features.