Page 115 of The Sea Witch's Son

Stepping over the threshold, I try not to notice how closely Anton walks behind me. His breath is hot on my neck, the tip of his shoes almost brushing my heels. I quicken my pace and make a beeline for the winter-themed living room.

Sitting down on the far couch, I watch in dismay as the mayor takes the chair directly across from me. He props one foot up on his knee, giving me a charming smile that does nothing to dilute the tension in the room.

“Melody St. James.” Anton chuckles softly, “I cannot believe this is the first time we’ve met. You’ve been here for three weeks now?”

“Five.”

“Five weeks.” He whistles, a sharp sound that immediately grates my nerves, “And yet it only took you a couple of days to capture the attention of Marlin Seaborn.”

My eyes narrow, “Excuse me?”

“Your mother was the same way, you know.” He shakes his head with a rueful smile, “Arielle loved capturing the attention of the most sought after bachelors in town. Never looked at me,of course, her eyes were always on the darker, broken boys who couldn’t be fixed.”

A spark of anger ignites beneath my skin.

“You don’t know anything about my mother.”

“Given my late arrival to the town, I did not know herwell, although it does not take much to make an impression.”

“Maybe you should keep your impressions to yourself.” My lips pinch into a smile, “Before I make a negative one of you.”

Anton’s eyes crinkle at the corners, “You are delightful, Miss St. James. I am so glad to see you are just as passionate as people say.”

Unease slithers through the anger, and suddenly I’m wishing I didn’t decide to visit Freya today.

Anton continues smiling at me, lowering his leg and lifting the other one.

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but there is an election coming up.”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“Then I am sure you are aware that Marlin Seaborn plans to run for mayor.” A ginger brow lifts, “Rather ambitious for a boy of his age, is it not?”

I smile sweetly, “Seems ambitious for a man of any age.”

The insult either doesn’t register or Anton chooses to ignore it.

“Fresh out of college and Marlin believes himself to be capable of running an entire town.” He shakes his head with alaugh, “Preposterous really, but I cannot discard the potential competition.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about Marlin.” I give him a fake smile, “The real competition isn’t your opponent. It’s the plan behind them.”

“Which brings me to my next point.” He taps the inside of his shoe as if it holds the winning hand, “I would like to know Marlin’s plan. Ready my battle strategies, if you will, and I need your help to do it.”

“I don’t know his plan.”

“Perhaps, but it would not take much for a pretty girl like you to find out.”

I stare at him, feeling the anger boil inside of me.

“I am not some doll you can play with and Marlin is not some kid you can bully into submission. He is ambitious and driven, and if you cannot see that, then the election has already been lost.”

Anton grins, blindingly white teeth sparkling from his corrupt mouth.

“She comes charging to his defence without a moment of hesitation. How marvellous.”

I glare back at him, burning a hole through his grinning skull.

“What do you know about Marlin Seaborn? Besides the ambition, of course.”

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