Page 87 of Anchored to the Storm

I pulled back so she could talk without me hugging her too tightly.

Unfazed, she added, “The strongest I’d ever heard of.”

“So, I did have something to do with your transformation?” Styx had mentioned it, but I didn’t really believe it. I tilted her pixie face up to look into her eyes. “What does that mean?”

“Some unions—forced ones by Karon—were evidence of his wrongdoings.”

Karon. He must be the Sea-Dude.

She appeared sad. “I believe he caused many disappointments.”

Even though her speech was a little odd, and definitely lacking slang, it had improved drastically. “Why can you talk so well now?” I pushed her exquisite hair from her stunning face.

“Part of the transformation. River Styx helped me pass over safely.”

Baffled, because I had been with Styx the whole time, I opened my mouth to ask questions, but there was a knock at the door. It was River himself. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Maddox, but I have to leave.”

My body jolted. Him leaving my side felt so… wrong. “We will be in the lagoon in two minutes.”

“Heard.”

My brows bunched together because I’d never ‘heard’ him say that before.

I had Saleeni dried and dressed in a T-shirt of mine, but I didn’t bother getting dressed. Just wrapped a towel around my waist. I needed to get to Styx to find out what the hell was going on. No time to allow Saleeni to walk right now. I carried her out of my room and to a very worried Styx. “You’re freaking me out.”

In the lagoon, he was walking in circles. “What is that smell?”

What smell?

From my arms, Saleeni sighed proudly. “Mad-G’s sexual warning. Underwater, it would be the color of orange and sting like a jellyfish.”

Styx faced us, shaking his head. “TMI, but noted.” He exhaled, concerned, but then stopped to smile at Saleeni. “Hi.” He smacked his forehead. “Again? Really?” Then he tried, “It is so nice to have you here.”

From my arms, she reached out her hand as if royalty.

Slightly confused, Styx accepted it into his.

Then our jaws unhinged when she rambled in another language—one that didn’t sound like it was human at all—then bowed her head before taking her hand back.

We both stared at her for a hot minute before Styx said, “Right. Okay.” He told me, “They got a gun.”

“Who?” I asked Styx, although it was Saleeni who answered, “West Coast.”

Now, Styx and I gawked at her. How the hell does she know this?

She didn’t shrink away. She only spoke with sympathy. “I’ve dreamed of their pain.”

Eyes glued to her, Styx told me, “Uh… Yeah. There’s, umm, concerns Seb is derailing.”

Oh no.

A hand rested on my chest. “That is why you must go. And you are not to argue with Sweets.”

Then she winked at me.

Sweetness… My nostrils flared as I looked to Styx in warning.

Throwing his arms in the air, he refused and started dragging my mattress back to my bedroom. “I don’t have time for another outside-long phone call, and you’re stinkin’ this place up! Take her to your room, damnit.”