Damon exchanged a few words with the merpeople and the rest of the group, giving them simple instructions before excusing himself. With the treasures secured and the tide of celebrations still swelling behind him, he needed solitude, somewhere no one would disturb him.
He walked along the shoreline and found what he was looking for in no time, a jagged cave mouth hidden by kelp. He shoved the kelp aside and stepped in. He dropped to the stone floor, cross-legged, and pulled a Bloodcoral out.
His blood immediately surged. It slammed through his body like a tidal wave, violent and hungry. Heat exploded under his skin. His veins bulged black across his arms, throbbing as if they would burst.
"Fine," Damon growled. "Then take it!"
