We hit open water, and Izo picked up speed. The skin on my face was raw from the freezing wind. I could only watch helplessly as the waves blurred past, the vast expanse of the ocean stretching endlessly before us.
Unbidden, memories surfaced of watching Izo from the cliffs near Raffaele’s estate, the way he’d moved through the water with the same terrifying grace he displayed now. Back then, I hadn’t realized what he was capable of. Now, I was living it.
Izo glanced down at me. “Don’t look so terrified. I’m taking you somewhere special.”
“Where?” I croaked.
He didn’t answer.
As the horizon shifted, a jagged coastline came into view. Dark cliffs jutted out of the sea, slick with moss and sea spray. Thick mist swirled in ghostly tendrils that clung to the rocks. The sight sent a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.
Izo’s grip tightened as he slowed his pace, maneuvering closer to the cliffs. “Welcome to the beautiful Ashen territory. Breathtaking, isn’t it?”
The mist seemed alive, twisting and curling as though it were watching us. Jagged stones jutted out of the water, their surfaces etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly. The eerie light reflected off the waves, giving everything an otherworldly glow.
“Is that where we’re going?” I asked, dread pooling in my stomach as I stared at the cliffs.
Izo chuckled, his voice dark and melodic. “Not yet. First, we need to make a little pit stop.” He leaned closer, his breath cold against my ear. “Hold your breath.”
“What—”
Before I could finish the question, he plunged us beneath the surface.
41
RAFFAELE
Itore through the forest, my pulse hammering in my ears. The wards shimmered as I reached the cabin, but something felt wrong. The bond was unsettled, pulsing weakly, a distant echo of her emotions that made my chest tighten with fear.
Then I saw the open door.
My heart dropped. The books slipped from my grasp as I sprinted forward, crossing the threshold without breaking stride.
“Vivian!”
The air inside was eerily still, the faint scent of lavender lingering from her shower earlier. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, a cruel mockery of the warmth that should have been here.
I searched every room, my shadows flickering erratically as I threw open doors, my breath growing shorter with every step. “Vivian!” I yelled again, louder this time, desperation clawing at my throat.
She wasn’t here.
I leaned against the kitchen counter, my hands gripping the edge as I tried to steady myself. The bond throbbed faintly, amix of fear and panic emanating from her. It should have been stronger, but I was sure the siren’s kiss had weakened it. Or perhaps it was simply distance. She was far, too far.
Izo. It had to be him.
My father couldn’t have done this. Lord Thorne was effectively bound to the estate. If he ventured too far, his magic would wane to the point of uselessness. The safehouse was far enough away to make such an attempt impossible.
But Izo… My blood boiled at the thought of that bastard.
My gaze fell to the counter, and I frowned. A single word was scrawled on the wood.
Siren.
“Fuck!” I slammed my hand down on the counter.
I should have been here. I should have known he’d come for her, that the siren’s song was still pulling at her even after we thought she was safe. I’d been too focused on the larger threats to see what was right in front of me.
The bond flared weakly, her fear pushing against my mind, and it spurred me into action.
