The three of us—Sydni,myself, and Xeraphine—have been sitting here for several hours now. I’ve got my little demon resting in my lap, and yes, twirling her tail around my finger. She once said she couldn’t stand it and was grateful it stayed inside her—awkward way to put it—but now that I’ve seen it, I can’t help but feel a little needy for it.
It has a leather-like texture, just like the rest of her skin right now. The tip is triangular, and I’d almost say it looks like a heart from certain angles, but I won’t mention that. It’s all black, just like the rest of her is at this moment.
One of her hands is laced with Sydni’s, who has been rubbing her face against the top of her palm. I don’t think it’s out of affection; she’s smelling her, and I know she’s struggling with more than just one thing.
Reaching out, I put a hand onto her shoulder and she opens her eyes to look at me. “You are doing so good, butterfly.”
A weak smile overcomes her frown, and she gives me a gentle nod. “Thanks, Rhysie-poo.”
Hearing that silly nickname after so long makes me smile wide. Shifting my hand from her shoulder, I gently place it against her cheek.
“Thankyou, Syd. You once again found her.”
The minuscule shake of her head makes me nod a more confident, resolute one.
“Yes. If you hadn’t turned back for Sinnix at the transportation station, we would have been gone. Who knows then where that Siren would have ended up.”
I don’t need her to respond, because that dullness in her eyes brightens just a little. The fatigue she’s been drowning in starts to break, if only for a moment, as she understands I’m right. She was right about the mountains, right about Ashfer, right about helping Sinnix. Sydni is the hero here, and I always knew she’d go just as far for Xeraphine as I would.
Tears line her lids. “We got her.”
“We did, and this time, she’s not going anywhere.” Brushing my thumb under her eye, I watch as she leans into the touch.
My gaze darts behind her. “We will need to discuss what we are goingto do once we get back to land.”
She swiftly nods. “I think we should?—”
A turn in the current causes the boat to shift, stopping Sydni mid-sentence. I move my hand back down to adjust my girl, pulling her closer. It’s only when another wave hits us that I shift my sights out at sea. We are going at top speed, with nothing but open waters ahead, and around us. The weather is perfect, and Niyla has been watching behind us for the pursuing boat. She would have called to us.
“What was that?”
“I’m not—” I don’t get the statement finished before something hard smacks against the side of our vessel, sending us rolling to the opposite side. Quickly, I grab hold of Xeraphine and watch as Syd stands.
“Sydni, sit—” Again, we are hit, but this time with catastrophic consequences. She tumbles, and even as I reach out for her, it’s not quick enough.
The sound of water splashing comes with Brice’s loud, thunderous roar, “Sydni!!”
Chapter 22
Kairhyse
I’m on my feet, one step up, ready to jump just as Brice hits the water after her. Something big slams into us, and I lurch, leaning over the side. Neither the Werewolf nor Sydni have surfaced. I’m bracing to jump when the back of the boat dips sharply.
Before I move, I tuck Xeraphine against the edge, wedging her between the floorboard and the wall for safety. Then I sprint around the stairway toward the source of the shift.
That’s when I see him.
Tall and bulky, with bright blue eyes, cropped black hair, and dark skin, he’s radiating fury. His snarl carves his pissed-off expression deeper into his face. “Where is she?” he growls.
Anger surges through me, and in one step, I’m in front of him, slamming my fist into his jaw. He stumbles but recovers quickly, grabbing my wrist before I can pull away. The force of his grip snaps it like a twig, and the deck splinters beneath my knees as I collapse.
Through gritted teeth, I rip free from his grip and spring back just as his fist crashes into the space where my face had been seconds before.
Before I can react further, Niyla rushes past me, leaping high and driving her fists down onto his head. He doesn’t even flinch. Instead, he reaches out, grabs her by the neck, and tosses her effortlessly into the sea as if she’s nothing more than an insect.
“Tiresome. Give me the girl, and I’ll be gone.”
I roll my head around on my shoulders. “Over my dead body.” As he steps toward me, I’m already in his face, landing another punch square to his jaw. He counters with a wide swing, but I’m ready, dodging easily. He’s strong—no question—but slow. At least that’s something I can use.
