Chapter 23
Chapter 23
23. Into The Water
THEON
“I don’t understand why you want to go straight through The Lifeless Abyss, it’s a death wish, ” Flynn said seriously. A frown on his face as he looked at the map in his hands.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow.
“You were chosen because, apparently, you are the most capable captain out there. Don’t tell me the Alpha made a mistake.”
His jaw ticked, his eyes flashing as he stared at the map.
“Yes, I’m capable, not stupid. We can take a side route and then detour heading west towards The Aethirian Ocean.” Flynn advised.
“I’m with the Captain on this one.” Raiden said quietly.
“The waters of the Lifeless Abyss are dangerous and we won’t make it through it in one day. Being there at night is a death wish. No man has survived a journey through it.”
“So The Siren Killer is scared to brave siren infested waters?” Ryan asked mockingly.
“It’s a reckless move, is what I’m saying.” Flynn growled.
I wasn’t stupid… I know exactly what those waters held… I also knew the risk, and Flynn wasn’t wrong, it was a death wish… But only if you let it be. I had travelled these waters in the past when I wanted to find someone, and maybe deep down I wanted her to make her appearance once more…
I looked out at the dark water as the three discussed it.
To find her… to get revenge for what she did… Her face was one I wouldn’t ever forget…
A burning surge of anger flared inside of me, and my eyes flashed with hatred.
“We go through the Lifeless Abyss, end of discussion.” I spoke with finality, turning away, when my eyes fell on Yileyna. She was gripping the edge of the ship, leaning over dangerously. Charlene stood next to her, seemingly saying something, but the two guards didn’t seem to be paying attention to Yileyna.
My heart skipped a beat and a wave of worry rippled through me, it almost looked like she was intrigued by something…
“Yileyna!” I growled, her head jerked up with a start and she moved away from the edge, her chest rising and falling heavily as I brushed past Ryan and Flynn. I pushed away the mix of emotions inside of me, focusing on my anger, which replaced everything else. I feel nothing. The only thing within me was hatred, rage and anger. That was all I needed, the only thing that would fuel my goal.
“Yileyna, are you ok?” Charlene asked, cupping her friends face.
She had just been standing there without a care, and now she was going to act worried? Useless,
“What were you doing?” I asked Yileyna harshly, yanking her away from Charlene,
She looked up at me. Her face looked pale, her eyes full of confusion, as if she herself had no idea what was going on.
“You should be more responsible. When will you ever grow up?” I asked coldly, “I don’t know, I didn’t mean to. I was just looking at the water,” She mumbled,
I could feel all eyes on us, everyone knew that Charlene was the daughter of the Alpha and Yileyna was her friend. Although both were as useless and stupid as one another. Well almost, at least Yileyna
was a good fuck for distraction, but even that in itself pissed me off.
“You both need to be more careful, if I see anything stupid again, I will make sure you are both kept in your cabins.” I finished coldly.
“Honestly, stop acting like something happened. I’m fine. What is your problem?” Yileyna shot back, irritation clear in her voice.
I clenched my jaw. Even Raiden and Ryan didn’t disrespect me, yet here she was, I guess being of Beta blood still made her think she was fucking equal to me. Well Beta or not, she wasn’t
“My problem is, I’m the one who has to answer to the king. But then again, I’m sure he won’t fucking care if we are one member less. If you really want to die, carry on as you are, in fact, I wouldn’t mind pushing you overboard myself.”
She tried to pull free, but I only pulled her close. “Let go of me, Theon.” She growled, and I saw her gaze flickering to everyone who was silently watching
“Once you realise who is in charge, I will. You can start with showing some respect.” I replied coldly.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Or what?”
I clenched my jaw, hearing a snicker that was quickly stifled. My eyes blazed gold, it was clear no one realised I meant what I said.
“Since everyone is finding this a joke…” I looked down at the woman in my hold, before twisting us and in one swift moment, I picked her up and threw her over the edge.
A piercing scream left her lips, her eyes wide with horror as she stared up at me.
“No!” Charlene screamed.
A few gasps followed and the large splash as Yileyna hit the water reached us all.
“What the hell…?” Flynn muttered.
“This is not a joke.” Raiden growled, and the next thing I saw was him jump into the water.
Fucking losers.
That in itself made it clear he had far too much interest in her, only adding to my anger. I turned to the rest, glaring coldly at each and every one of them.
“I’m in charge here, if anyone crosses me, disobeys me or even so much as shows me disrespect, I won’t falter from getting rid of you. Remember that” | warned, my voice so cold and menacing that I felt the tension and a wave of fear in the air from a few of them.
They may not have been expecting this side of me, but this mission was not a joke.
‘I can’t find her, Theon!’ Raiden’s panic filled voice came in my head.
My heart thudded and a sliver of worry filled me again. I hated this feeling, I hated how she awoke this emotion within me. I walked to the edge, scanning the abyss of darkness, trying to remain calm.
You can’t see her? Her hair isn’t hard to miss…’
‘No, Theon… I swear, I can’t fucking find her! This was not a fucking joke!’
“I need to get her!” Charlene shouted, Bruce held her back as she struggled to jump into the water.
Pathetic, she couldn’t even take care of herself.
“I’m not braving that.” Flynn said frowning. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
I didn’t need him to, fucking idiots.Why couldn’t Raiden find her?
I pulled my jacket off and stripped my shirt off, it was obvious if I wanted shit done around here, I had to do it myself.
“Have a rope ready.” I ordered coldly before I jumped into the water. It was far colder than I expected, far too cold considering it wasn’t the coldest of seasons yet. It bit into my bones and I felt it numbing me instantly.
Where was she?She hadn’t shifted yet, did she sink?
Worry for her began filling me once more. No, I am not worried, it’s only because we are at sea, nothing more. It simply brought back memories of something from long ago…
Fuck, Yileyna, where are you?
I knew I shouldn’t have thrown her over, but she irritated me.
Theon, I can't see her!
I didn’t reply to Raiden, mind linking Ryan instead. ‘Get Madelia to illuminate the sea, any light will help.’ I commanded, diving deeper. Where are you Yileyna…? A glow illuminated the sea, but it didn’t help as much. I kept swimming farther down, the sea itself was devoid of life. No sea life seemed to be around here, and that’s when I saw it, her hair.
She was still, her eyes shut as she slowly sank lower.
Even in this state, her beauty was breath-taking, her skin seemed to glow in the darkness of the water, and her hair floated around her.
Fuck, Yileyna… ‘Found her.’I mind linked the others, keeping any emotion from my voice despite the relief that had flooded me
I swam over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist, frowning at the look of contentment on her face. Was she just unconscious?I pressed my ear to her chest; her heartbeat was strong.I almost exhaled in relief but instead I swam upwards, the cold squeezing at my head, I was running out of oxygen too.
She whimpered and her eyelids fluttered open. Our eyes met, and a small weak smile crossed her lips.
We were almost there… I could see the glow of the light above, and finally we broke the surface.
“There they are!” Flynn shouted as we both gasped for air.
“Thank the gods!” Madelia exclaimed, getting rid of the light she had created. I looked at Yileyna, gripping the back of her head with my other hand.
“Yileyna?” I called her.
“Theon…”
Our eyes met and the urge to kiss her almost consumed me. She locked her arm around my neck and I grabbed the rope allowing them to pull us up.
“Yileyna!” Charlene cried out the moment we reached the top, I flipped my legs over refusing to let go of the woman in my arms.
I placed her down on the floor, breathing hard.
“Give her air.” The hybrid woman, Ailema said, waving the men away.
Charlene dropped by her side, clearly worried.
“I’m ok.” Yileyna said softly to Charlene before turning her gaze on me.
“Thank the goddess.” Raiden muttered. Ailema checked her pulse and I stood up, as I brushed back my soaking hair from my eyes.
“Take this as a warning… Next time I’ll leave you to drown.” I said coldly.
Charlene’s eyes flashed as she jumped up and stood before me.
“You can’t do that ever again! You could have killed her!” She hissed.
Interesting, it wasn’t often that the woman got angry… Maybe using Yileyna was the way to trigger her into awakening her powers… “You may be the future Alpha, princess, but until you prove you are capable of that title, watch that tone of yours.” I replied coldly.
She clenched her fists.
“You are never to touch her again.” She hissed, dropping to her knees and wrapping a blanket around Yileyna’s sexy body.
That would be my fucking choice, princess, not your useless empty threat’s.
The blanket covered her up and Charlene hugged her, shame I couldn’t see her look all fucking sexy, dripping wet.
“I’m fine, Charl.” Yileyna whispered as Ailema brushed her hair back.
“I don’t care, that was dangerous.”
“It was.” Flynn agreed.
“He is so hot.” I heard one of the women mutter.
I could feel their eyes on me. Ignoring them, I crouched down in front of Yileyna. Reaching over, I took hold of her chin. Even soaking wet, she looked entirely fuckable. Her eyes widened in shock, her heart thudding, and I was aware of everyone having their eyes on us.
“I’m sorry.” I whispered with a cold smirk. Confusion flitted through her gorgeous grey eyes and I tightened my grip on her chin, not missing the way she flinched at the force in my grip.” Sorry you didn’t actually die, it would have been one less burden.” I finished harshly, standing up and ignoring the flash of hurt in her eyes.
Sharp intakes of breath came from the women on board, but I didn’t really care, grabbing my shirt and jacket, I walked off towards the lower deck.
I didn’t like the emotions she evoked within me, she was a dangerous distraction… Like I said, I’d break her… physically and mentally. She’ll regret ever agreeing to our arrangement. Ever. I stopped at the top not turning back.
“We keep south towards the Lifeless Abyss.” With that final command, I walked down the steps, having had enough for one day…