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“Let’s go home, pet,” Antonia says, opening a portal and using her magic to usher me and the kids through. She doesn’t allow me to say goodbye to my family. I only hope that her taking a mate means that I can spend more time here, not less.
All thoughts of that are gone the second I am thrust through the portal and restrained with her magic. The tendrils squeeze around my throat, cutting off my air supply. I can hear what sounds like Amelia shouting in the background but am helpless to do anything as everything goes black.
Chapter Four
Pearl
It’s been almost two weeks. Twelve days since I settled in to watch for the other sea nymphs. Twelve days of staring at the sea floor, eating in the sea, living in the sea. Normally, I would love every second, but all I’ve been able to think about is olive skin, deep brown eyes, and muscles. So many muscles.
I glance back toward Greece and frown, confused. I expect to feel a now-familiar pull. Instead, I feel nothing.
No. Wait. That’s not entirely true.
I do feel a pull, but it’s faint. So faint, in fact, that I wouldn’t have realized it was there if I weren’t looking for it. Granted, the distance could make the connection weaker, but it feels even further than before.
I flick my tail behind me, unconsciously swimming toward the faint pull when a splash draws my attention toward the shore. As I glance around, I realize that darkness has fallen while I was distracted. The usual clear blue color of the ocean is now a deep blue, making it hard to see any distance. The only light is that from the moon above and the glittering lights from the buildings further down the coast. I wouldn’t be able to see at all if it weren’t for the nictitating membrane that rests over my eyeswhile I’m shifted. They are the only reason I can see the flash of light pink hair swimming toward me.
I allow the tide to push me into her line of sight, ensuring that she sees me, and I hold my hands up, hopefully showing her I mean no harm. As she approaches, I feel tingles on the back of my neck, a warning that there is danger behind me. I don’t turn, careful to avoid quick movements and knowing that the main threat is in front of me.
As she gets closer, I study her. Her innocent appearance makes it seem like she’s no threat to me. The pale pink hair waving behind her is so long that it almost reaches the end of her tail, the two seeming to blend into one another. One look in her bright eyes, however, warns me against underestimating her. Her gaze bores a hole into my soul, and her heart-shaped mouth is set in a firm line.
This woman is dangerous, and she knows it.
“So, you’re the nymph who’s stalking us?” Her voice is musical, like the rest of our kind, but there’s no mistaking the hardness in her tone.
“’Stalking’ is a strong word,” I rebut, keeping my tone light and my body ready for defense. I’m sure that the only reason they’ve decided to talk with me before attacking is because I’m a woman. If Mizu or Caspian were here, it would be a different story.
“You’ve spent two weeks out here waiting for us. What would you call it?” She snarks back and a hint of a smile graces my lips at her attitude.
She reminds me a bit of Rayne, so I try to channel my friend’s nonchalant tone.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I was swimming along, minding my own business, when I saw this rock here and fell in love.”
“You fell in love with a rock?” Her brows raise, and I give her my best smile.
“Have you seen it? It’s beautiful. A smooth surface that’s just perfect for taking a nap.” She glances from me to the rock and back again. “Go ahead. Try it.”
I take advantage of her distraction, coiling my tail and shooting backward. I grab the spear from the hands of the woman who had been sneaking up behind me. I flip over her and secure my arm around her neck before “Pink” even notices.
“Don’t move,” I whisper in my captive’s ear. Her body begins quaking in fear, making me feel guilty. If I didn’t do this, though, they would have struck at me from both directions.
Pink turns to see her companion restrained and charges at me, baring her pointed teeth.
Well, two can play that game. I growl at her too, making sure to show her my teeth are longer and sharper.
“Stop where you are,” I hiss.
Thankfully, she does. I don’t want to hurt these women. I have every intention of inviting them back to the island with me, but I am not willing to let them hurt me either.
“What do you want?” she asks, her eyes darting between her friend’s face and my arm wrapped around her throat.
“I just want to talk.”
She snorts. “It doesn’t really look like that.”
“You gave me no choice. I knew that…” I pause, “What’s your name?”
“Genevieve,” the terrified girl in my arms whispers.
