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I try to lift my foot, needing to be closer to my mate, but the shadow anchors me in place.

“Remember what we discovered about the sand, sweetheart? How it hurts me, but not you? How it changes the colour of the sea lion’s fur?”

Caspian nods, his Adam’s apple bobbing beneath his stubbled skin.

“There’s something in it that reacts to a cryptid’s biology. It has different effects for each of us, because we’re all built differently.” I look at the man holding my mate. “And he wants it because of what he thinks he can do with it.”

“Correct.” He tips his head. “Mostly. I want it because I know what I can do with it.” He points a finger at Lucien. “That big bird only needs to be within a few feet of it, and if a human is wielding it, he’s forced to do what they say.” Lucien’s eyes dip and his shoulders drop. “He’s been the most fun to play with. You see, all I have to do is keep him locked up and then get his shadow to do my bidding.” Eugene readjusts the knife and Caspian cries out. I howl, gnashing my teeth at the man, who only smiles harder like the twisted human that he is. “But you weren’t scared of that shadow, were you? No matter how often I sent him to watch you or follow you. You brushed it off and then-” he laughs likes he’s enjoying a private joke. “You found yourself a monster. Which made Lucien’s shadow obsolete as a scare tactic, but a wonderful way to capture your friend. The little monster hunter. And that was all it took – your loyalty to him – to lure you out here.”

“Fuck you,” Kiernan barks. Eugene ignores his outburst.

“Why are you doing this?” Caspian asks, his voice shaking as he speaks. He’s standing straight, his chest puffed out, keeping as still as he can.

“Power. Once I have an infinite amount of this sand in my possession, I’ll be unstoppable. Who knows how other cryptids will react to it? The possibilities are endless. I did not know it caused the sea beast pain, but that’s good to know.”

“How did you even find out about it?” Caspian asks.

“Ah, I was waiting for you to ask. You see, your grandfather was very interested in cryptids. I met him in a chat group a year ago for like-minded individuals fascinated by the world of cryptozoology. I’ve been researching the field for years. A joke to many of the professors at the university, but sure enough of my research to ignore them. One day, Lionel contacted me about some sea lions he suspected were not what they appeared. And then he found the sand. He sent me this one small vial but then refused to send me more.”

“Because he knew you couldn’t be trusted,” Caspian replies.

“Something like that. Where I was studying these creatures to harness their power, he only wanted to protect them. And he died doing just that.”

A sob catches in Caspian’s throat at the mention of his Pop’s death, but he swallows it down, hardening his voice on his next words.

“I’m not selling you my land. I won’t let you hurt them.”

Eugene laughs, and the other two humans he brought with him do the same.

“Sign the papers or you die. The choice is yours, Caspian. And I’ll make your monster and your friend watch. Killing them is of no use to me, so we’ll leave them to carry the weight of your death instead.”

I can taste my fear on my tongue, my stomach rolling into knots.

“You won’t kill him,” I say, hoping like hell I’m right. “If he dies, you won’t get the land.”

Eugene tuts. “I’ve already considered that. I suspect, after Caspian’s father learns his son took his own life, jumping off this cliff because he was too overwhelmed with responsibilities, he’ll be happy to sell it to me at a bargain price.” He looks at Caspian, inching him to his side, knife still on his throat. “After all, with you and your Pops gone, the land automatically goes to your father. Don’t worry, I checked. I’m willing to take the chance.”

“No,” Caspian says. “No.”

“Let him go,” I demand. “He’ll give you the land.”

Caspian’s eyes widen. “I can’t, Sterling. He’ll hurt too many people. Too many monsters. They may be creatures we don’t understand or even believe in, but they don’t deserve what he’ll do to them.”

“Caspian, please.” I know he’s right. Something this powerful in the hands of a man like Eugene Campbell would be a disaster for the world. But I don’t see another way out, and I cannot stand around and watch my mate die.

“I’m sorry, my love.” Caspian closes his eyes and opens them again. Something hard crosses his features. A decision made that will rip my world apart. “Kee, when the time comes, I need you to beg my dad not to sell the land. Ask him to let you have it.”

“Cas.”

Caspian locks his gaze with mine and I shake my head, kicking at the shadow around my legs, fuming that this creature is stronger than me.

“I love you, Sterling.”

“Caspian.”

He straightens his shoulders. My brave, stubborn human.

“You’re never getting your hands on Newbridge Farm.”