Chapter 32
Reagan
Reagan’s breath sawed through his chest as his feet struck the sand, the open wound in his arm stinging from the salt. He and Finnegan dragged themselves from the surf, their damp trousers clinging to their legs. They could barely breathe, still rattled by the keening calls that had followed them to the shore.
Iqbal’s laughter rolled across the sand. “We almost thought a few water beasts had defeated the Mage Lord.”
Reagan sucked in a breath, his voice steeped in bitterness. “I don’t remember ever having to fight my way to a dinner before, least of all against sirens.” He let every ounce of menace drip from his words. “It almost makes me feel…unwelcome.”
Eldar stepped forward, taking position beside his bonded as if recognizing a threat. “Water beasts obey poorly, Reagan. You cannot blame us for that.”
Reagan lowered his chin, a slow hum vibrating through him, the growl of a familiar ringing in his ears. “I could have sworn I saw them avoiding you and coming straight for us.”
Eldar’s pale-blue complexion leeched nearly white beneath the dusk light. “Are you implying we tried to harm you?”
Reagan held the Elven Lord’s glare, close to sayingfuck this allianceand getting Finn and—
His gaze swept over the shore. Behind the Elven Lords stood Anife and Maith, faces wary as they watched him. Arun hovered farther away, scanning the waters. And no one else.
“Even the spiders. There were far too many of them,” Finn added.
“Where is Jane?” Reagan cut in.
“Your emissary hasn’t arrived,” Arun said promptly. “She is still in the water.”
Fear numbed Reagan’s body. He spun toward the sea. The surface lay smooth, deceptively calm. No sign of anyone still swimming.
He dashed back to the shallows, water splashing around his shins. Power gathered in his fingers and arms until his hands balled into fists.
Finn reached him, his eyes frantic as they scanned the water.
“You left her,” Reagan muttered, his gaze searching.
Finnegan didn’t respond. Reagan had relied on him, and he’dlefther. He would have to jump in again. The water was filled with sirens, and she could be—
“Reagan.” Arun’s voice carried behind them.
He turned to find the elf pointing toward the darkened shaped of jagged rocks jutting above the water.
Reagan’s eyes narrowed, and his body nearly gave under its own weight.
Jane clung to the stone, circling it, slipping against the rough surface. When she lifted her head and found them on the island, he thought he saw her mouth open.
She was not far. He stepped back, studying the slab of rock to plan his fling.
But Finn reached him first. “Wait. She’s coming.”
He was right. Jane had already lowered herself from the rock, scanning the sea around her, and slid into the water again. Reagan searched for anything moving.
Distantly, as he forced himself to wait for her to come to shore, he realised that this was what he was asking of her. To willingly put herself in danger just to remain at his side.
She swam, arm after arm, her movements sluggish, carving a tired path to him. She reached the shallows at last, her feet finding sand, and waded through the waves.
Jane’s eyes met his for a moment. He thought he saw her inhale deeply, cheeks flushed and bright.
“I’m sorry,” she said, breathless and cool. “I had to dodge a siren.”
Reagan’s blood iced again. He very nearly struck Iqbal and Eldar outright with the lightning that would have been effortless to summon.
