“I said no.”
“Why not?” I snap, glaring up at him. Maybe I just want to take a break from all the walking.
“Because it’s not safe here either, so shut that pretty mouth of yours and obey,” he snarls.
My heart skips a beat, not expecting him to reply like that.
“I don’t need to obey you. You don’t own me,” I hiss, my chest heaving as I glare up at him.
“Don’t I?”
My nostrils flare as I try to calm my emotions, knowing that if I slip up, the telltale signs that I am a sea siren might show through.
“No. You don’t. If you want my help to get to Morcant, then from here on out, you will have to earn it.”
I turn away, but he grabs my arm and pushes me up against the tree beside us. I gasp at the rough move but don’t look away, defiance burning in my eyes. “All afternoon, you have done nothing but talk to me with anger. What’s wrong, Kai? Hate thatyou want me? Hate that you weren’t able to stop yourself from giving in-”
His hand clamps over my mouth, his eyes burning with molten rage. “I wouldn’t push it if I were you,” he whispers, glaring into my eyes. His nose brushes mine, and my breath hitches.
He’s so close.
I tug free from his hand that covers my mouth, pushing it away. “I will say the same to you. You have no idea what I am capable of.”
We glare at one another, both of us filled with rage, before he narrows his eyes, his nostrils flaring. “Stay out of sight. I’ll come for you once I have found a place to stay and some clothes that are better suited to blend in.”
“Fine,” I cut back, irritation still bubbling inside of me.
I’m tired, weak, and I need the water, real ocean water… I keep my hood up as I sink to the ground as he walks off, anger rolling off him in waves.
Maybe I should try to get a little rest until he returns.
I drop to the ground beside the tree, clutching my waist as I curl up, the exhaustion hitting me hard. I just need to rest for a bit.
I’m simply lying there tryingto collect myself when I hear footsteps.
Is he back?
I push myself up and get to my feet, my heart thumpingincessantly. There’s more than one person. I look around, searching for a better spot to hide.
“I can smell something up ahead. It smells good…”
My heart freezes as I sniff myself. Fear consumes me as I realise I’m letting off pheromones. I need energy, and my body is reaching out to attract what it needs.
I hurry behind the tree, sink to the ground and press myself back against it just as I hear the footsteps come closer.
“What we need is to find some good women to fuck. The town isn’t far ahead. We can steal a few from there.”
Earth fae… they’re known for their barbaric ways, but if they’re here, it means we are further away from the sea than I initially predicted.
I remain hidden until I can no longer hear the footsteps. I exhale in relief and stand up. Maybe I should have gone with Kai. I step out from behind the tree and stop in my tracks to see the two tall earth fae standing there, arms crossed, smiles stretched across their faces. Their hair is long and braided, their ears sharp and pointed, but it’s the look in their eyes that makes my blood run cold. It’s one I’ve seen before.
The look of when a man becomes a monster…
“Look what we have here, a pretty little thing out here all alone…” They advance toward me. The slightly taller one glances around as if making sure I am alone. “Care to join us?” he asks.
“No, thank you,” I reply. He chuckles. We both know it wasn’t an invitation. It was a command – a chance to be treated just a little better if I obeyed.
They reach for me, the shorter one who had spoken first, grabbing me and yanking me into his arms. His eyes widen as my hood falls off. “Melvin… look what we have here. Is this forreal?” he breathes.
