Chapter 679 Chapter 679
Konner rechecked his phone. They shouldn’t have come so early, but he didn’t know what else to do. His stomach was in knots after talking to Calum and finding out that men had followed them. They may have gotten them, but who was to say they hadn’t called others and told them to watch the water? He should have sent Terah on the yacht with Willow. Bringing her out here was putting her at risk.
“Konner.”
“Mmm?” He tucked his phone into his pack and glanced back at her.
“They are here.” She motioned to the water.
Turning, he looked to see Malik getting out of the water. His skin was darker than Konner’s clan, but that wasn’t usual. Before they had to move to land, clans met and found mates from other clans in different areas. When Malik turned to hold out his hand, Konner’s breath caught in his throat. The woman he helped onto the soil was tall, slim, and her skin and hair were so pale they could only be called white. Her hair was long and even wet. Waves of curls went down her back. The pale ones were from as far North as one could travel, and to his knowledge, there were none left. He looked over at Terah, giving them a moment to cover their naked states with cloths called sarongs.
“Konner.” Malik smiled and started to walk toward them. “It is good you are out of sight. Visitors in these waters are quite curious.” He motioned to the woman beside him. “This is my mate Gali.”
She bowed her head in a respectful manner. “I am so pleased to meet you.”
They were educated. That was the first thought he had. Their manner of speaking was correct. Their silver eyes still astounded him. If they were always this color, going on land was very dangerous for them. He returned their smile and held his hand out to Terah. “My mate, Terah.” She placed her hand in his and was surprised at how hard she gripped it. She was nervous.
“I still don’t believe I am seeing you.”
“We, too, were surprised,” Gali spoke softly, her voice was rough, and he wondered how much she used it out of the water. She took a quick step toward them and then stopped. “I’m sorry. I know this meeting is of great importance.” She gave her mate a brief look. “But Malik said you sing like the elders.” She gave Terah a hopeful look. “There is only one far, far East that can sing this way, and I so miss it.”
He needed the information about the one that could sing. If he found direct links to elders, he might be able to unravel the mystery of where many clans went.
Terah gave Konner a hesitant look and then nodded. “I don’t know any other way.”
“You are so young to know this.” Gali clasped her hands in front of her. Malik came over and put his arm around her.
“Terah was born in captivity. Her mother died when she was young…”
“The same monsters that put those children on the island? They had you?” She gave Terah a wide-eyed look.
“Aiden Tomas and his associates are responsible.”
“I know this name.” Malik’s brows creased. “One of my clan goes on land often.” He scowled. “Too often and hears things.”
“Their eyes don’t give them away?”
Malik shook his head. “No. His are as yours are and change out of the water.” He inhaled slowly. “Gali and I and more than half of us that are left, ours never change.”
“Where is your clan originally from?”
“The far seas. More than two weeks swim away. We left over fifty years ago due to being hunted.” He wiped his hand over his forehead. “For sport.”
Konner’s heart slammed in his chest. He had heard of that, but none of his had gone through that directly. “I’m glad some of you got away.” He motioned to some stones a short distance away. “Please, let’s sit. I have many questions and a map that I’m hoping you can help with.”
Malik nodded and held his hand out for his mate. “It is better if we steady each other. Land stepping is hard.”
Terah nodded. “It is.” She glanced up at Konner. “Is it okay if I sing? No one will hear?”
Konner looked at the water. It was choppy from the wind. “I think the wind and waves will cover it.” He released her hand and walked over to the stones behind the others.
“Yes. Okay.”
He went and sat down and turned to watch his beautiful mate walk slowly toward them. She looked up at the sky and stopped a few feet from them. Konner would never tire of hearing her song.
For the first few notes, he looked at Malik and Gali. Their shocked expressions soon changed to awe. Konner closed his eyes and let her song fill him. His heart felt like it changed rhythm, and it always left him momentarily breathless when she sang. The goosebumps traveling up his arms were also something he just expected now. This one was graceful and filled with joy; although he didn’t understand the dynamics of the melody, he knew she was feeling pure happiness. Of course, she felt that, despite the ongoing battle against the Tomas organization, Terah had found a child today and others like them.
He didn’t know how much time had passed, but as the last note was held for several seconds, he opened his eyes and looked at the new couple across from him. Gali had tears streaming down her face, and Malik had his hand over his heart. He understood that. Terah’s song tended to make you feel like you were going to burst.
Terah took a deep breath and then gave them a hesitant look. “It is easier in the water.” She smiled.
“I—that was incredible.” Malik inclined his head to her. “Thank you.” He looked at his mate. She was still crying. “You have made us feel what we had thought was gone.” He nodded.
“Yes,” Gali whispered. “Thank you.” She wiped at her face and then smiled. “These are tears of joy.”
Terah sat down beside him and smiled. Her face was slightly flushed, and her eyes shone with pride that these strangers had enjoyed her song. He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her what she meant to him but knew there was no time for that until later when they met up with the yacht again.
Konner cleared his throat. “I have many questions and would love to sit and talk for hours, but we have to catch up with the others by dawn.”
“They are on a big boat,” Gali stated.
“I stayed nearby to see that things went well for you.” Malik motioned to the water. “I understand you need to return.” He tilted his head. “Perhaps at a later date, you could come back and meet the rest of our family.”
“Family?” Konner pulled his pack around and opened it to get the map out. He’d also brought a notebook, hoping for as much information about the transport companies as they could give him.
“Yes.” Gali smiled. “We have a daughter and son.”
Malik smiled. “There are six of us here.”
“Soon to be seven. Deniz and Eyre are having a baby.”
“We are going to have babies, too, when I am stronger and healed on the inside.” Terah nodded.
“Are you injured?” Gali looked concerned.
Terah shook her head. “No. I was held in a tank. The water was stale. Konner wants me to be healthy before we have children.” She smiled. “I will look after Willow like my own.”
“A tank?” Gali looked from Terah to Konner. “A captive.”
“We have tracked down more that were traded and sold off to live as entertainment in tanks.” Konner tried to keep the disdain from his voice and failed.
“The girl—Willow.” Gali glanced at Terah. “I know the ship she came on from the deep waters.”
Konner took out the notebook and opened it. “She wasn’t from this country?”
Gali shook her head. “She was very small, and no others came with her.” She held out her hand. “I will write it down.” She gave him a quick look. “My writing is not great, but we have practiced so we can teach the children.”
Konner handed her the notebook and then looked at Malik. “Any names of companies or ships that you know—I need those.”
Malik nodded and turned to watch his mate write slowly. “Struan’s Clan knows more than I do.” He pointed South. “When we meet. I will get this information for you.”
“Do you have a way to communicate with them anytime?”
Malik took the notebook when Gali offered it to him. “We have,” he waved his hand around, “friends on land that we can trust.” Gali put her hand on his arm. “It’s okay. We are safe in telling them. Their family had one that loved one of ours and joined us many years ago. They are our land family.” He made eye contact with Konner again. “We, each clan, have a way to reach the other if needed.” He glanced at the sky. “Four times a year, we travel and meet with everyone.” He put his head down and started writing slowly. “To check for mates for the young ones.”
“Are there many?” Terah looked excited. “Young ones?” She smiled. “We have seven young ones.” She chuckled. “Well, some are,” she glanced at Konner, “teens.” He nodded, knowing she was asking if that was the right word.
“That’s wonderful.” Gali gave Mailk an excited look. “We should meet Konner and Terah’s clan.”
Malik stopped writing and looked at his mate for a moment. “They do not go in the salt water.”
Gali huffed out a breath. “We could get used to their waters. They could get acclimated to the salt over time.”