My stomach sinks. “I promise I won’t run. You can talk to me while I’m in there. I just need this,” I say softly, batting my lashes as I pout. He’ll listen… no one can evade a sea siren’s charm, even if it’s not as effective when in this form. His gaze dips to my lips before he looks away.
“Fine.” He frowns but walks over to the bed where he had dumped the bag of his belongings.
Feeling relieved at his consent, I hurry to the bathroom and shut the door. I hesitate, debating if I should lock it, but that might make him change his mind.
“I’m not locking the door if that helps!” I call out.
“Like a locked door could stop me from getting to you.”
I roll my eyes at his response before I quickly begin running the bath and get in. I don’t have time to waste. My heart thumps in fear as I glance at the door. If he does open it, it will be game over.
Taking a deep breath, I shift, and my legs dissolve into nothing, melting away like mist. In their place, a tail unfurls, enormous and impossible to ignore. The scales catch the light, shimmering with an iridescent shine. Fuchsia pink at the base, burning bright and fierce, before darkening, shade by shade, until the colour drowns into the blackest midnight. It’s sleek, dangerous, and beautiful in a way that is unique compared to other sea sirens.
Just shifting makes a wave of relief wash over me, as if a weight has been lifted. I exhale, relaxing my head back, as water pours over me.
“This feels great,” I say out loud, remembering the danger that is just on the other side of that door.
I wash my hair, running my fingers through my dark locks, massaging my scalp before I examine the injury to my tail. It’s healing, and with shifting, it should help the process.
Now that I’m here in Varindor, danger will be lurking around every corner, and I’m already far closer to danger than I ever wanted to be.
Beyond his ever-burning gaze is a mind sharper than a blade, one that I fear might connect the dots…
Forty minutes have passed when there’s a light knock on the door, sending my heart into a frenzy. “Mmm?” I call, trying to remain calm.
“I’m going to order us dinner, aren’t you done yet?”
“No, I’m enjoying the soak; my legs are aching from all the walking. Just give me a call when the food arrives.”
I pray it takes its time to arrive.
The next fifteen minutes keep me on edge, as I keep looking at the time, knowing I can’t shift. I hear a knock on the door, and my heart almost stops.
I need another five minutes. I glance at the clock I’ve been staring at for so long, my heart pounding.
“I’ll be right out!” I call, as I quickly open the tap, so he thinks I’m washing.
“Hurry up.”
Right.
Glancing at the clock, I wait.
Three minutes…
I switch off the tap and reach beneath me to drain the bath.
Come on…
Two minutes…
I grab a towel and dry my hair.
One minute…
Another sharp knock.
“Do I need to come in there to get you?”
