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Whatever kindness he just showed me, ended with his stern command.
I rolled my eyes. One more day. I could survive one more day.
ChapterTen
KEIR
Iturned the dirk over in my hand, studying it as I sat at my desk. A Wilson tartan ribbon was tied around the hilt, and dried blood encrusted the blade. A knife at a wedding was considered a bad omen.
This was a downright threat.
The beast inside me was calling, demanding to be let out.
“Any suspicions as to who sent it?” Mac asked, sitting across from me.
“No,” I chucked the knife down on the table, and it landed with a thud. “But it had to be one of these fucking bastards.”
“Sir Leonard?” Alan questioned from the couch.
I shook my head. “No, he got what he wanted. To see me married. It was one of the other fools, and we can rule out Rhys. He could care less about being Grand Master.”
“So, that leaves the Patels or the new guy?” Mac surmised.
“Aye, most likely. I don’t want Evie alone today.”
“Do you think the threat was intended for her?” Alan said.
I wouldn’t be able to sit here much longer. Anger boiled up inside me. I wouldn’t be able to contain it, and I would need to take care of it before the meeting started for the day. “I don’t know, but she’s my responsibility. Look, I need to do something. Alan, when Evie gets up, make sure you stay with her.”
“What about you?” Mac asked.
“I can fucking take care of myself. I’m not worried about me,” I said, getting up. “I’ll be back.” I left, slamming the door behind me.
The weather outside matched my mood, cold and dreich. I headed away from the castle to the shore. Waves crashed, large and powerful, as the tide moved in, devouring the rocky beach. I quickly stripped off my clothes and felt for the amulet around my neck, removing it too. I remember feeling it inside me the first time, clawing at my guts to escape. That was five years ago, and I had no words to describe it. Sir Leonard had warned me, but I didn’t believe him. I had to witness it to fully understand what I had been cursed with.
Usually, I could control the monster, but today was different. My rage at seeing the knife was like fuel to the beast, and only one thing would calm it. I ran into the foamy water and dove underneath.
I felt my muscles stiffen as my body changed, no longer mine but the Kelpie demon that dwelled in me. My skin tore as it was violently flayed from my body. I screamed, but the only sound I heard was the wail of an injured animal called up from the depths of hell. Suddenly instead of swimming, I was galloping through the turbulent surf. Pale sinew and powerful muscles were visible as a pulsating mass, and black blood coursed through my yellow veins. My vision blurred as the color changed from dark gray to red. The last thing to go was my mind. It was replaced by fury and anger and something much darker. Lust.
I was Dearil the Kelpie King. Ruler of the water horses. I focused my energy on the water around me, manipulating it until the sky opened up in a downpour, stoking my desire as I reared up, claiming my dominion. And then time stopped.
I woke up on the sand. My body buzzed with sexual desire, and my cock was hard and as stiff as an iron rod. This was new. Usually, when I came back to myself, I was drained, and the beast was quiet. But this time, I could still feel the fucker inside me. Then again, I had never felt lust before as my last memory. It was usually just rage. Now all I could think of was Evie.
I quickly put my clothes on and fastened the chain with the amulet around my neck. It was my only protection from Dearil, and I had removed it just three times before when I knew the beast could not be tamed. It was a tenuous separation from the evil within me, a runic compass, and it acted as a guidepost between me and the monster as it was my only way back to the dim flame of light and morality.
ChapterEleven
EVIE
Today was different.
I was different.
I looked out the window, thinking how strange it was that every day this island existed, even though I had no idea it was here, and yet I felt as if I knew it.
As if I was somehow connected to it.
Dismal and bleak, it was as if God had stripped it of all its color, leaving only shades of gray.
