Page 50 of Siren’s Secret

“Stop threatening him.” Wave stepped in between them. “That’s not nice, Uncle Essi!”

“Uncle—” Irishen choked behind her.

Esserieh ignored him and Wave’s protest as he took her arm again and started walking. “You two, follow.” He gave the order to Jarred and a still-gaping Irishen.

Jarred murmured something to Irishen and they trailed slowly after her, giving her and Esserieh space. Once they were far enough from the house, Esserieh spoke.

“There’s trouble brewing in Hell, droplet. You need to be extra careful. Keep your Claimed and mate close if you trust them, but—”

“Jarred knows,” she blurted out.

Esserieh threw a glance over his shoulder. “Mmh,” he hummed. “You can’t afford to slip now, Wayla. Too many eyes are looking. I swear if Marchellion—”

“Hellion was digging? About me?”

He nodded.

“And Marc?”

“Ulriche’s oldest, yes. Him too.”

Wave gulped, her gaze darting around. “Do I… do I need to run?”

Esserieh didn’t look happy. “It might come to that. I cleaned up the best I could, but if they persist… you have a way out?”

“Sort of,” Wave hesitated.

“Not good enough. Make sure, droplet. Have I taught you nothing?”

“Besides how to stay alive and suppress power for decades, not much,” she joked, poking at his side. “I promise I’ll make backup plans that don’t rely on help from Hell, okay? Happy?”

Esserieh harrumphed. “Some heaven-related option if you can pull that off and at least two mundane ones.”

“Jarred has a motorcycle.”

“And can you drive it?”

“Not yet.” Wave sighed. “I’m sure he’ll teach me, though. Now that he knows…”

“I promised your father to look after you, Wayla. I already failed once. Don’t make me fail again,” he said and Wave had to swallow. He hadn’t been able to find and save her, but he had tried. And after that, they hadn’t been able to risk seeing each other, in case his presence pulled more attention toward Wave. She took a breath.

“That wasn’t your—”

A crackle of power stopped Wave short. A portal opened in the middle of the street and Esserieh breathed in deep.

“That’s my ride. I’ll keep in touch, Wayla. Stay safe.” He let go of her and walked over to the portal. Just before he stepped through, he focused on the men now standing behind her. “Watch her back,” he said and stepped through, the portal closing behind him with a whomp.

Wave just stood there, trying to figure out all that had been said and everything Esserieh had left unsaid. Something was seriously wrong in Hell.

Chapter 26 – Irishen

Disbelieving, Irishen stared at the place where the portal had been a moment ago. Wayla was gazing forlornly at the empty space before turning back to face him and Jarred.

“That was Lord Esserieh Brokenstar,” Irishen choked out. “What the—heaven.”

Wayla’s lips twitched at his changed curse.

“That wasn’t your uncle—” Jarred sounded equally stunned.