The Merman 5: Landfall by Landfall

Author:Landfall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Raythe Reign Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2015-05-07T19:33:17+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE POWER OF STONE

The ocean’s spray peppered Gabriel’s face as the speed boat headed to where his parents’ sailboat had gone down. He closed his eyes and relished the cool wetness. He felt Casillus doing the same through their bond. The Mer was suffering from lack of water. Through Casillus’ senses, Gabriel could smell the dry dusty scent of the interior of the temple. Despite their liquid blue appearance the stone seemed to soak up moisture, leaving everything else desiccated.

Other than being thirsty, though, the Mer was mostly unharmed. Johnson had grudgingly allowed their bonds to be cut off since Greer had the gun. Being freed had allowed Casillus to help the others, especially Corey, whose ankle had turned a deeper shade of purple. Gabriel’s best friend likely wouldn’t be able to walk for a week or more. Greta’s face was pale as milk. Roger hugged her tighter to him, but his touch didn’t seem to soothe her. Whenever Casillus looked at her she was glancing nervously at Greer. Though the goon appeared relaxed, his gun was more often pointed at them than the ground. Gabriel’s jaw clenched. He had to save them.

You swam by yourself, the Mer suddenly said proudly. Gabriel knew Casillus was trying to take his mind off of where they were going and what was going to happen.

I would do anything for you, Casillus, Gabriel responded. His lips curled into a smile and a warm flame of happiness that not even this direst of moments could extinguish bloomed in his chest. I’m not scared of the water anymore.

No, you are not. Such wonders we shall see together beneath the waves, my love! I promise you splendors the likes of which you have never imagined, Casillus said, his voice going lyrical. The dry as dust feeling in the Mer’s mouth undoubtedly made him crave those wonders more than ever.

Gabriel, who had feared leaving the land so much, now was wishing with all his heart that he and Casillus were on their way to Emralis, because that would mean this terrible thing with Johnson was done and everyone was safe.

After this I’m not sure I’ll be afraid of anything else ever again, Gabriel found himself saying. He immediately wished he had not. He did not want to weigh down Casillus with his fears.

What will happen is not your fault, Casillus said, his voice deepening with emotion. Concern, love, the desire to be there, holding him, protecting him, flowed over their bond. Johnson has chosen his path.

I tried to talk him out of it, didn’t I? I did all I could to stop this, right? Gabriel found himself asking more than believing.

Yes, you did all that anyone could, Casillus replied loyally.

We’re not there yet, though. Could I do more? Gabriel paused and measured the distance between them and Cthulhu. Still half a mile away. If he closed his eyes he could actually see Cthulhu floating only fifty feet below the surface. And if he followed its tentacles down, down, down he knew he would find some of them caressing a barnacle-encrusted vessel.

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