“I can explain,” I say. “I crawled into your nest to lie down…” Watching him, I trail off, his fierce reaction making me more nervous by the second. He’s fixated on the hides, searching them like he’s trying to find the source of my smell. But the way his eyes keep flicking to me…
I think he knows where the source is.
I push against his tail, trying to escape the clinch, so embarrassed that I’m ready to end my life and jump into the water. It doesn’t budge. After a strong sniff, Darolus straightens up, every muscle in his body suddenly tense. The paper in his fist is crumbled between his fingers.
I swallow.
Damn.
“I’m sorry,” I squeak.
“You smell,” he says, his voice gruffer than usual.
Ugh. Fuck, I fucked up. The flush in my cheeks burns hotter as his icy gaze moves over me once more and he clearly notices my blush.
What do I say to that?
“Why?” he asks.
Realizing I may have made a bigger mistake than just touching myself to relieve my boredom, I try not to let my deepening embarrassment show. “I had to let off a little steam and so I worked out for a while. It’s probably my sweat that you’re smelling.”
His nostrils flare again with his next breath, and his bright blue eyes sharpen on me like twin knives. “I knowthe smell your skin gives off when you are overheated. This is not that.”
I wriggle against his hold, but he only tightens it and slides forward. There’s nowhere I can go or evenlookto avoid him.
Suddenly annoyed by my lack of freedom, I drive my elbows into his scales, wrenching the circle of his tail loose enough to swiftly duck out of and put some space between us. As hehmphs, I shake my hair out and cross my arms. “You don’t get to corner me and question me about my body like you have some right to it! Back off.” I place my hand on my knife. “So what if I smell? Sometimes I will, and you’re going to learn that the longer you keep me here.”
Baring his fangs at me, he does as I say and draws back as well. “I am sorry.” Some of the sharpness in his eyes vanishes. “The smell is strong and…” A strange look clouds his expression as he turns away.
“Darolus?”
He shoves the paper toward me. “Here, I think this is for you.”
Startled, my eyes widen as I step forward and take it from him. I start to smooth out the crumples, confused. What could possibly be for me?
I discover a note scribbled in Annora’s handwriting.
Sabrina, if you find this… if you are still alive… Please know we searched for you. For days we did nothing but search for you. I tried to convince Weston to stay longer… I’m so, so sorry. -Annora
Heart pounding, I read the note several more times.
“I found it where the ship had been, lying on a nearby rock with this.” Darolus heads back to the tunnel, reemerging with a frayed, black satchel covered in chains and little closed hooks.
I run over to him and take the bag from his grasp. “It’s my stuff!”
Bringing it to my hides, I open it to find some of my clothes, makeup, and a few of my belongings that had been stored onThe Wreck. Shifting through it quickly, I squint up at Darolus. “This was it? And the ship was gone?”
“Yessss.”
I let my hands drop in my lap, mind nearly blank, too overwhelmed by emotion to reallyfeelanything.
It’s true. They are gone…
I pull my bag into my arms and hug it close, letting the sudden rush of sadness roll over me. It’s there and gone and then the familiar numbness takes hold again.
“Are you okay, Ssssabrina?”
Shuddering, I hide my face from him. “Yeah. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Nothing’s changed.”
