The heat in my cheeks burned so horribly, I grasped my hands in front of my stomach to keep from touching my skin to cool it.
His head tilted, his white hair shimmering under the sun. “If I had, I wouldn’t be here with you. I’m loyal through and through.”
I nodded and then gradually linked one of my arms with his—on my own. Trusting this beast. With a smile on my face, I stated, “Take me to the ice cream. Strawberry is my favorite.”
“Strawberry for you. Vanilla bean for me.”
I chuckled as we walked down the path to the vendor cart. “Like your tiger’s coat?”
He grunted. “I’ve got stripes, not little black spots.”
“Fine. Like the colors then.”
“I suppose so.”
I swallowed down my lingering nervousness. “Finn?”
He glanced at me, my tone alerting him to my seriousness. “Yes?”
“The master? Why did he come after me?”
“That’s currently unclear. We’ve dealt with the golems before, but that was a situation that involved a mate.” With his eyes on my face, he asked carefully, “Are you ready to talk about your experience with your kidnapper yet?”
My eyes narrowed. “You didn’t give Megan any time.”
“You and Megan are nothing alike.”
I stopped us under a tree, the shading cool and refreshing. I peered up at him. “I have an excellent memory. It’s why I did so well in school. I believe my information may help you find him, and I’d like to get this out of the way so I don’t dwell on it.”
He nodded, understanding I was serious, and released my arm to tap on his bracelet. “I’ll be recording this like I did with Megan. Take all the time you need. Take breaks. Do what you need to do.”
Finn the intellectual flirt was gone.
In his place stood a professional, his gaze solemn and focused on his target. He asked once more, “Are you sure you want to talk about it now?”
I sucked in a deep breath and leaned my tall frame back against the tree. “Yes. While it’s fresh in my mind. But I will want ice cream afterward. Probably two scoops.”
He tapped once more on his bracelet and then crossed his arms. “We’re recording now, Mina. Please start at the beginning.”
My eyes lifted over his head. I stared at nothing as I focused on the hard facts of how the nightmare had started. I let the traumatic events in, and then I started to speak.
I didn’t stop, never once looking at him.
Everything that I had experienced I stated.
Any questions he asked, I answered.
I never wanted to say those words again.
He was right. Megan and I were nothing alike.
