Page 26 of Kissing the Kelpie

“Masha, there are two ways kelpies come to be. The first is through conception.”

“Of course.” I let out a relieved breath and think of our love child squirming around inside me. “What’s the second?”

“The fae create Kelpies from the spirits of abused horses that are drowned or otherwise killed and thrown in the water. Kelpies are meant to avenge those deaths. Only they don’t care who they hurt or kill. Which is why most kelpies are malevolent.”

I feel numb. I didn’t expect that. I don’t want to hear anymore, but I know I have to, so I stay quiet and continue to listen.

“They feed on flesh. Especially that of children or misguided travelers. They grow stronger with every kill. Territorial wins help strengthen their magic as well.”

“You said children were cherished.” I feel betrayed.

He nods and speaks slowly, his next words turning my blood to ice. “Kelpie children are. They’re very rare. But they often have brutal upbringings, learning to hunt and fight starting at the age of five.”

“Five? By hunting, you’re referring to human victims?”

He nods. “The island I come from is in the barrier reef of North Carolina. It’s well known for its wild horses. People are lured there with the promise of watching them run free. Signs are posted, tales are told, and everyone knows bad things can happen if they try and get too close to the horses, but they still do. On the island, it’s less about hunting and more about luring victims. Once a human touches a kelpie, they never escape intact.”

Blood drains from my face. I pull my legs off him and set them on the floor. I remember Em’s surprise that I could touch Finn. I wasn’t so lucky with the black horse.

“Is that what you planned to do to me?”

He wears the pain of my insult on his face. “Of course not. That’s why I made the bracelet for you. To be sure I could never hurt you.”

A vision of him turning to me with his shark-teeth bared rushes to my mind. “In case you lost control and turned into the monster you truly are.”

“You know I love you. I gave you the bracelet as a layer of protection, yes, so that we could touch without consequence, but also to allow you to breathe underwater so you couldn’t be drowned if you touched another kelpie.”

“Did you tell them about me and Ana? That we’re vulnerable and easy prey?”

“Masha,” he takes my face between his hands, but I pull away. I scoot against the corner of the couch and turn my head. “Of course not.”

“Then why was that other one here?”

Finn shrugs. “I don’t know. It’s not like I was friends with any of them. I ran off, leaving everything behind.”

“What about your parents? Do you still communicate with them somehow?”

His shoulders sag. “If I didn’t leave when I did, it’s possible my father would’ve attacked me, maybe even tried to kill me on my thirtieth birthday in a few weeks. He’s always been a good, kind father, and I doubt he would’ve ever been so harsh with me, but the possibility exists.”

My hands wrap around my baby bump. He sidles over and reaches his arm around my shoulder, trying to get closer, but I push him off and slink away.

I can’t think straight with the terrifying images he described running through my head. Standing, I create necessary distance. I need to be as far away from him as possible.

“Masha.”

“Em was right,” I say, reaching for the clasp of his silver chain.

“Please,” he wipes his palms on his pants, so like an ordinary human man. But he’s not. At all. He’s a monster. An evil. Killing. Monster. “Masha, I will never hurt you or our children.”

“What about Ana?” I ask with a hole in the bottom of my stomach. “Do you get extra points for killing her?”

He shakes his head, and the horror I feel reflects on his face. “Never. I already consider her my daughter. I’ll never harm a hair on her head.”

“You’re damn right you won’t. You’ll never get near enough to hurt her. Ever.”

“Please, Masha, there’s more. I need you to calm down.”

“No!” I shake, fury growing inside me. “Em!” I yell as loud as I can, tossing Finn’s chain at the door. “Em, help!”

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