Chapter 129
Khale strides toward us as Cora gestures him over.
He’s even bigger up close, a wall of wiry muscle with a coiled, deliberate gait that reminds me of a predator stalking its prey. His cerulean-highlighted black hair catches the light, and those piercing green eyes lock on Wake with an intensity that puts me on edge.
“Phoebe, Wake,” Cora says, her tone light but firm, “this is Khale, my second-in-command, and a representative of the Euclidean tribe. You’ll also meet the rest of their crew in time.”
Khale nods curtly at me, his jaw tightening when his gaze shifts to Wake.
Cora continues, “The Euclideans are a rogue clan, one of the Lost Tribes who broke away from the Great Clans thousands of years ago. They have no homesea and are loyal only to Nu, the Watcher at World’s End.”
I glance around at the other crew members, suddenly aware of their subtle differences. Their features are sharper, their movements smoother, and there’s a fluidity to their forms that’s mesmerizing—and unsettling.
“Facinating,” I say despite myself. “How do Euclideans differ from the Clan Enkian?”
Cora smiles faintly, scientist to scientist. “In a great many ways, I believe. Their aquatic bioligy is more varied, more reflective of the primordial Enkian of the ancient world. They’ve evolved differently, both physically and culturally, than the clans you’re familiar with.”
Khale’s lips twitch, though it’s hard to tell if it’s a smirk or a sneer. “We may not be as… refined as the Great Clans would prefer. But we’ve survived, which is more than some of your precious Clans can say.”
Wake’s head tilts slightly, his expression darkening. I know that look; it’s the calm before the storm. But before he can retort, Cora is called away by a crewmember waving her over.
“I’ll leave you to get acquainted,” she says before stepping aside, looking pointedly between them, clearly wary of the tension simmering between the two men. “Behave, please.”
The moment she’s gone, Wake turns to Khale, his voice cold. “Do we have a problem?”
Khale crosses his arms, towering over us both. “Aside from collapsing a burning building on top of me?” He flicks his gaze to me briefly before returning it to Wake. “I don’t trust you Abyssinian.”
“The feeling is mutual, friend,” Wake replies, stepping closer. His tone is measured, but I can feel the restrained fury beneath it. “What do you know of my clan—or any? Your kind are the traitors.”
Khale’s lips curl back slightly, baring teeth that are just a little too sharp. “The only reason the clans can even call themselves ‘great’ is because of my people. We built the foundation you stand on, Abyssinian, and we were cast aside for it. The clans deserve what’s coming.”
“And yet here you are,” Wake shoots back. “If your people are so righteous, why are you here playing house with the Twilight’s exile?”
Khale’s expression hardens, his voice dropping an octave. “We’re here because my people have always known what’s important. We don’t waste time squabbling over titles and territories while the real threats go unchecked.”
The two of them square up, their towering frames casting long shadows over the deck. The tension between them is palpable, a razor’s edge that could snap at any moment. Around us, the other Euclideans go quiet, their movements slowing as their attention sharpens on the confrontation. It’s clear they’re ready to intervene if things go sideways.
“Enough.” Cora’s voice cuts through the thick air like a blade. She steps between them, her hand resting lightly on Khale’s chest. I don’t miss the way his posture softens ever so slightly at her touch, or the quick glance she gives him that seems to speak volumes.
Cora turns to me and Wake, her tone smoothing out. “You’ve both absorbed a lot of information today. You need rest. Wake knows where your room is. Someone will come get you for dinner, and you can meet the rest of the crew then.”
I nod, sensing that arguing would be pointless, and tug on Wake’s arm. “Come on,” I murmur.
Wake doesn’t move at first, his body coiled tight like a spring. But after a long moment, he exhales sharply and lets me guide him off the deck.
As we descend the stairs to the lower level, I can feel the heat radiating off him. His shoulders are rigid, his jaw clenched, and the flicker of his mating scent—a stormy blend of rain and sea—clings to the air around us. He’s barely holding it together.
When we reach the corridor leading to our quarters, I stop him, placing a hand on his chest. “You need to calm down,” I say firmly. “One of us needs to be smart here.”
Wake’s eyes bore into mine, swirling with fury and frustration. “Do you know what his kind did?” he growls, his voice low but filled with venom. “The Euclideans abandoned us during the darkest time in our history. While we bled and died to stop Leviathan, they turned tail and vanished. And now they stand here, judging me?”
I hold his gaze, refusing to back down. “I get it, trust me, I do. But starting a fight out in the open isn’t going to help anyone. Least of all me.”
His expression softens slightly, though the tension in his frame doesn’t fully dissipate. “Do you trust a word they’re saying?”
“I trust you,” I say, stepping closer. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s what’s important. But we need to play it smart, Wake. We can’t afford to alienate anyone right now, not if they are telling the truth. Not when Leviathan is—” I swallow hard. “Not when we’re this close to whatever’s coming.”
He exhales heavily, some of the storm in his eyes receding. “Fine,” he says gruffly. “But if he so much as looks at you the wrong way again—”
“I’ll handle it,” I cut in. “Now let’s go rest before dinner. I have a feeling we’ll need all the energy we can get.”
Wake snorts softly but allows me to lead him the rest of the way to our room.
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