He’s not making any sense. I can’t move, can’t run, can’t speak. I’m back there, in the cold mansion, sitting on the floor, huddled against the wall, hoping and praying he doesn’t break a bone and it’ll all be over quick.
Staying rigid in his hold, I choke back a sob. No one likes the sound of crying. It aggravates people.
Rain hails down on me and yanks me out of my frozen state. “No!” I cry, using every ounce of energy I have to break free. I squint against the pelting drops to make out the trees flying by.
My fist slams down onto his tentacle. Blinding agony ruptures through my wrist, and I cry out, cradling my hand to my chest as the pain radiates up my arm. I can hardly breathe from the agony of a thousand knives stabbing into my elbow down to the tips of my fingers. Tears stream from my eyes unbidden. I can’t stop them, no matter how hard I try.
“Do not cry, my little mate,” he purrs, squeezing me like he’s genuinely trying to comfort me. “All will be right soon.”
The smell of the sea grows stronger, the crashing waves louder. Panic claws through my throat. Where is he taking me? The road is in the other direction—theGallaghersare in the other direction.
“Please,” I beg. “Take me back.” Whimpers tear from me at the flash of pain. It worsens every time I move, a million pinpricks to my skin as the dagger pierces bone. “Please,” I moan, squeezing my eyes shut against the pain.
Kill me. Drown me. Throw me over a cliff. I don’t care right now. Make the pain stop.
“Do not worry, my Cindi. I’m here now.”
The suckers pucker hard against my skin, and the same ripple of fatigue wavers through my bones.
I can’t do more than squirm as the tears pour down my eyes. Each time I move to fight him off, it feels like my arm is getting torn off, and it’s now a limp hunk of flesh. I try to focus on anything else but the pain, telling myself it doesn’t exist. My arm is fine and it’s all in my head. I canjustfeel his hand against my skin, but it’s all dull against the mind-numbing pain rendering me paralyzed.
I’m vaguely aware we’ve reached the bank of the beach. The distance closes faster than I can process. Sprays of water splatter me, soaking my dress as he carries me further and further away from my house.
A wave crashes into my side, and I clamp my jaw against another sob. The cold bite of the sea sinks its teeth into my organs, and my teeth chatter despite the humidity.
“What are you doing?” I croak, screaming at myself to fight, to get over the pain and throw my weight so I can run.
But I can’t move.
Fuck you, Tommy.Fuck you.I killed you, and you’re still controlling me from the grave.
Half my body submerges underwater. Panic slaps me into consciousness. I push the monster. Shove him. Elbow him. Anything I can do as he shifts me from his tentacles to his arms.
“I’ll drown.” I clamor up his body to keep from going under, squinting against the rain and the endless darkness ahead.
Finally, I look up and falter, momentarily disarmed by my first good look at him. Beneath the night sky, he doesn’t look so monstrous, more a fallen angel with shadows across his face and the faintest glow from the moonlight. He still has the same striking features of the heaven-made Adonis I stumbled into yesterday.
A sharp jaw, a strong nose, deep cheekbones, gills along his neck, raven hair that looks smoother than silk. Except, in this form, he has faint dots around his eyes and arms, threads of blue in his skin, and big ears shaped like a spiny dorsal.
The monster’s eyes brighten when they land on me. “I told you—I am bringing you home.” His voice holds an excited yet hesitant lilt. “I will take care of you. You will always be safe as long as I’m here.”
The waves climb up my body. Panic overtakes pain. I claw at him, feeling nothing. “No, no, no, no.I can’t! Stop! Sto?—”
Saltwater floods my mouth. Every ounce of my fear manifests into pure energy. I push against him with all my might, sinking my nails into skin, hitting any surface my fists will meet, until oxygen slams back into my lungs.
I sputter, coughing up the harsh liquid. The sound of rushing water comes from all around me. I quickly peel my eyes open. It isn’t the sprawling sea or stormy skies that come into view. Beneath the dull, muted glimmer of moonlight, all I can make out is the faint outline of the creature who stole me and the barest glow of bubbles curling around my head like…a glass dome. A fish bowl.
Lifting my good hand up to my face, I squint, gasping at the feel of water trickling down my arm. My eyes widen when the beast’s chest rattles. Is he…chuckling? Purring?
My jaw clenches as I swallow back a whimper. “How?”
If he responds, I can’t hear it.
The cold current wraps around my body, heightening the pain. I have no way to tell how fast we’re going orwherehe’s taking me. My fruitless attempts only last a couple more minutes until the agony and the hopelessness win out.
What would be the point? He’s far stronger than I am. If I manage to break free from his hold, do I seriously expect to outswim him? How far from land would I even be? If a sharkdoesn’t kill me, the storm will. What about thethingchewing a coconut? I didn’t come all this way to die because of my own stupidity.
What does this monster want from me? Is he planning on killing me? Forcing himself on me?Eating me?
