Monster Shark

By Stephen D. Sullivan

... The megalodon came at her from below, jaws gaping. Though it could swallow her whole, Umira doubted the beast would do her that favor....

"Monster Shark" is a thrilling undersea sword & sorcery adventure packed with magic, monsters, grisly deaths, and -- of course -- ravening sharks. It features Umira the Accursed from The Tournament of Death, Stephen D. Sullivan's free online novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen D. Sullivan
• Release date: Sep 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9781465751454

Stephen D. Sullivan

Stephen D. Sullivan has written more than 50 books across many genres: fantasy, SF, horror, detective, movie adaptations, and more. Readers the world over enjoy his fast-moving prose style and hard-hitting action sequences. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2016 Scribe Award for his horror-comedy novel, Manos: The Hands of Fate.Not sure where to start? Try these:NEW! Manos: Talons of FateBEST SELLER: Manos: The Hands of Fate (2016 Scribe Award Winner)HORROR & MONSTERS: Daikaiju AttackFANTASY: Tournament of Death novelsSCIENCE FICTION: Heart of Steam & RustADULT: Elf Erotica (Elf Princess on Mars)OVERVIEW: Martian Knights & Other TalesThere are plenty of others to choose from, too. (Including some books from other authors published by Steve's Company, Walkabout Publishing.)Browse! Buy! Enjoy!

Book preview

MONSTER SHARK

~ A Blue Kingdoms story featuring Umira the Accursed ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

• Walkabout Publishing •

Smashwords edition.

© 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the vendor of your choice and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*

Walkabout Publishing

S.D.Studios

P.O.Box 151

Kansasville, WI 53139

www.walkaboutpublishing.com

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, scanning, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the author.

Special thanks to my first readers including Paul McComas, Jean Rabe, and—as always—Kifflie Scott.

Cover art & design © 2010 Stephen D. Sullivan.

Get a free wallpaper of this story at www.stephendsullivan.com!

CONTENTS

MONSTER SHARK

I. Treasure

II. The Beast Below

Samples of Other Stories

Crimson & Dragons

Sisters in Arms

Festival at Wolfnacht

About the Story

About the Author

Original Cover

MONSTER SHARK

~ An Umira the Accursed Story ~

Stephen D. Sullivan

I. Treasure

Sharks circled Umira, above, below, and on every side. Their cold black eyes gazed at the triton starwatcher, scrutinizing her scaly blue skin, her long green hair, and her glittering jewelry. Umira gazed back, her own black eyes trying to peer into their alien minds.

Are we so different?

Eyes, teeth, skin . . . all so similar. Both, feared and hated—outcast from civilized societies.

We are alike.

Despite their similarities, a chill of doubt ran through Umira. As a triton, she’d been around sharks most of her life, but she’d never faced so many at once, never a school this large or with so many different species: redfins, daggertooths, blues, hammerheads, and more. Mariners had named this place the Shark Keys with good reason.

Had it been a mistake for Umira to come here? Would this decision be her last? Even with all her strength and skill, a school this size could tear the triton apart in moments. Would that be so terrible, though? At least then there would be an end. At least then she would know: there was no place in the Blue Kingdoms, either above or below the waves, for Umira the Accursed.

Umira steeled herself, strangling the dark thoughts until they vanished into the depths of her soul once more.

I will not die this day. Not unless I am stupid. Not unless I show fear.

She kept her swimming movements regular and her heartbeat calm. She did not reach for the serrated longknives strapped to her hips. Instead, she forced every aspect of her body to send a single, potent message:

I am not prey.

Though Umira was neither mage nor telepath, the sharks seemed to believe her. They remained curious but respectful, keeping their distance from the starwatcher. Even the school’s sole ravager—a species of shark known to eat both human and triton—spared Umira merely a passing glance.

Is this what it feels to be accepted?

Umira focused her sea-born senses on the school, heard the water passing across their gills, felt their sinuous movements as waves of pressure against her scaly skin. She moved in harmony with them, but she still could not tell: Was this acceptance or merely indifference?

She reached out and caressed the side of a passing redfin with her webbed fingers. The fish arched pleasurably under her touch. Its skin felt smoother than her own. Then the shark darted away into the azure distance of the middle depths.

I am like them. More than I am like people.

For a moment, Umira almost felt at home.

WHOOMPH!

Smothered thunder shook the deep. The entire water column quaked, and the sharks swirled in agitation. Some buffeted Umira, their skin scraping like sandpaper now. Umira gasped involuntarily. The school wasn’t attacking, though; they were confused, frightened. Umira felt the confusion, as well.

The pressure, the sound, the sudden rush of cold from deeper waters, all dazzled the triton’s senses. Every instinct told her to flee, to swim away, fast, as her fishy brethren were already