Guarded by the Kraken (Monster Security Agency, #4)

by Cassie Alexander

I knew humans had “aquariums” where they sometimes kept oceanic creatures, but this was the first time I’d encountered the reverse, where they were trapped for me.

Her drowning was imaginary. Mine was real. All I wanted to do was be with her. We would never touch again.

The man—I mean, kraken!—was dragging up cables like he was working out to audition for the lead in a Marvel franchise.

Let me see you, I wished to beg her. Let my eyes feast on you as though I were starved.

“My wife and child died. He was still unhatched—but I sung to him through his egg sac.”

“Oh, little pearl,” Ceph breathed when I was finished. “I am so very sorry for you.”

“Why not both?” she said cheerfully before sobering. “But Ceph—that’s Doctor Pearl to you.”

I loved her. And I was mated, even if she was not. Mates did not run away.

“Would you date a kraken?” She stared at me as her eyes went wide, and then she got a serious look. “Girl, I have been down here so long I would date a fried fish sandwich.”

“No,” he answered. “I’m asking you because my knowledge of human breeding cycles is limited, and I would like to court you—but only if it is appropriate.” I thought I felt my heart stop. “Are you all right, Elle?” he asked, and I nodded, so he continued. “You have hurt, and I have hurt. Let us not hurt, anymore, together.”

“You cut off your very breasts to defeat death. There is nothing that can stop you.”

I had an opportunity to let it lie there. I could have just appreciated them for what they were, and taken them home to use as bookends and have a very good story, in my imaginary future where I did sane things.

“Whereas I am here, swimming, telling you, you definitely should not do that, as your mate.”

“Oh my God, Ceph,” she groaned. “Is your deity really involved so much with your breeding?” Her eyes flashed open. “No,” she said, then laughed. “Except for the fact that you’re the answer to all of my prayers.”

“Why hello, little pearl of my little pearl,” he said on the ’qa, sounding amused—it was a part that krakens didn’t have, but that Ceph had learned to use deftly.

“You have always carried oceans in you, Elle—but now you also hold our baby.”