Avenging (book 3 in The Rising Series)

Chapter 8

Triton's stone necklace burned against his skin. Someone summoned him. It was early in the morning. Perhaps Nicole was still sleeping. Triton floated comfortably in his sleeping chamber, wishing he could sleep a bit longer. Why didn't sea creatures need his help in the middle of the day? It was always in the dead of night or early in the morning.

He closed his eyes and focused on the origin of the summons—the Indian ocean, deep in the Somali basin. A vision opened before him. Darkness, pain, the smell of rubble, and the whimpered cry of a Dagonian child. Triton's brows pressed in confusion. This was the first summons he'd had from a Dagonian in the last two thousand years. After the cursed race killed all of his children, they feared Triton's wrath—as they should. He would have struck down an adult for summoning him. But a child—never. Still, why would this child choose him to reach out to? Why not Calypso? Still, he couldn't ignore the call of an injured child. Triton's eyes shot open. He raced out of his room and nearly plowed Nicole over.

"Oh, wow. You're in a hurry," she said.

"I have to go. A Dagonian child needs my help."

"I thought you didn't like Dagonians."

He frowned at her. "It's a child. I'm not completely heartless."

"I'm sorry. I know you're not. Let's go."

"What? No. I'm going—you're staying."

"Why? Is this child being attacked by an army?"

He shook his head.

"A sea monster?"

"No, he's trapped in a cave."

"Well, then there's no danger to me. I'm coming with you. Maybe I can help."

He pressed his lips together in a line. "Fine." Wrapping his arms around her, he flashed them across the world. In a moment, he found himself in the center of a hundred Dagonians. He heard Nicole gasp as she tightened her grip on him. The crowd fell silent—shock written on their faces. But, one female didn't seem to notice his dramatic entrance. Either that, or she didn't care. She was pulling rocks from a pile of stones at the entrance of a cave, sobbing as she went.

Triton turned to Nicole.

"Go," she said before he could speak.

He let go of her. Swimming up to the woman, he could feel desperation emanating from her in waves. Triton knew at once that her son was trapped in the rubble. She was beyond terrified. Her desperation so great that she was on the verge of panic.

"Iris," Triton said, softly. She didn't respond, just kept up her digging. The water tinted red around her. Her fingers bled as she clawed at the jagged rocks.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Iris, I'll save your child."

She slapped his hand off. "My baby's buried! I have to get him out!"

He didn't have much time. The child continued calling out for help—but his voice was fading. He needed help now, but Triton couldn't do what he needed to do with the mother in the way.

Triton pulled the woman away from the rubble as she struggled. "No!" she shrieked. "He's still alive. I have to get him out!" He held her against his chest as she fought him, desperate to get to her son.

Triton turned back to the crowd. "Who is her husband?"

An older Dagonian frowned in disgust and said, "She has no husband. If she did, I'm sure he'd have prevented this whole mess. I tried—" His voice cut off as his hands slapped against his throat.