Deep Sounding Chaos by Adrian J. Smith & Neen Cohen

Author:Adrian J. Smith & Neen Cohen [Smith, Adrian J. & Cohen, Neen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

18

Kaelin woke and for three heartbeats she thought she must still be in the deep soundings, alone in her cave far away from her tribe, sad but safe. Her breathing was the only sound she heard, and the water lay still against her skin and scales. At least the ones that weren’t snuggled up nice and warm against moss.

Moss?

Fractured memories of light and pain, of Zendalia’s touch and Neyon’s reassurance as they curled up at the base of her neck.

She fluttered her eyes open, sleep hanging on to her for just a little longer, and her head pounding at multiple spots, the base of her neck now empty of her companion’s presence. She felt a sharp twinge at her temples.

“Fuck.” She whimpered, unable to force the word out as loudly as she wanted, hindered by the excruciating pain that seared through her head. Slamming her eyes closed again, she fought against her racing heart. In and out, she took deep breaths, counting each and holding them until the pain receded back into an almost bearable throb.

“Zendalia?” She forced her voice as loud as she dared, an involuntary whimper escaping.

Silence greeted her.

Where in the serpent’s teeth was Zendalia?

A familiar touch of tentacles on her scales made Kaelin smile, which quickly gave way to another moan. It seemed even the slightest movement of her head hurt, but she carefully shuffled her hand inch by inch, searching for more of that familiar touch.

As her fingers wrapped around the bulbous head of the small octopus, Neyon vibrated, and images of soothing colors filled Kaelin’s mind. She relaxed, her body sighing into the comfort and familiarity that she had longed for and that only Neyon could provide.

“Thank you,” she whispered, lips carefully moving the bare minimum, but the pain didn’t spike. The touch seemed to take the sharper edges away, blunting them enough for Kaelin to think almost coherent thoughts. As she cracked her eyes open the tiniest of fractions, light poured in and almost suffocated her with the colors she had never truly experienced before. Opening her mouth she breathed slowly and deliberately, demanding her body adjust to the conditions around her. Except for the dulling of the corners, her body plainly ignored the command.

Tentacles wrapped around Kaelin’s wrist, head resting against her webbed fingers as they nuzzled into her palm.

“Hey, little friend, is that you making this possible?”

The vibrations increased, and this time Kaelin’s smile wasn’t accompanied by sounds of pain.

“It’s still too bright,” she spoke softly, “but much better.”

Images of a smaller darker area flooded her mind. She reached for it, needing it. Her muscles tensed as she prepared to move wherever Neyon took her. It took everything in her focus to think through the pain and make herself functional.

“Where is it?” Her voice cracked, her head spinning slightly at the thought of having to move long distances. She hoped wherever her companion was bringing her was going to be nearby.

A tentacle uncurled from her wrist, lengthening and pointing across the room to a smoothed doorway.

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