Page 123 of The Sea Witch's Son

He blinks once, twice, three times.

“You want me to play you a song?”

I clear my throat with a nod, “Like you said, it’s time to stop running.”

Those tired eyes spark to life with a joy he used to wear so well.

“I play, you sing?” He hesitates, treading carefully, “Like we used to?”

“Yeah.” Brushing my fingers across the keys, I feel my mother’s smile, “Just like we used to.”

Erik settles himself back down beside me. His hands are shaking,but so are mine.

He fumbles the first few notes, but by the chorus, we find our rhythm. It doesn’t sound like it used to, but then again, I don’t feel like the person I used to be either.

“I want to be where the people are. I want to see, want to see them dancing.”

Every word rips a piece of my soul out of the vault inside my chest, out of the shadows and into the light.

There are tears streaming down my cheeks as I sing my mother’s favourite song, and I don’t have to look at Erik to know his cheeks are damp as well.

Arielle St. James never belonged to this world. She was too bright for these gritty streets, too pure for the characters who reside in the shadows.

But maybe this is where I belong.

“Wandering free, wish I could be part of that world.”

Chapter 43

MARLIN

I wrap my hands around slender ankles.

Melody screams as her head goes flying under the duvet. Red hair disappears as I pull my little saint towards the end of the bed. Her nails are out, viciously attacking my skin before I even have a chance to say hello.

“You have the loveliest scream, little saint.” Pressing a kiss to her terrified face, I can’t help but smile, “I would like to hear it more often.”

“I was sleeping, you asshole.”

She shoves my chest but I simply pull her onto my lap. We’re sitting on the floor at the end of her bed, and I am dismayed to discover she’s already changed into her pyjamas.

“Were you dreaming of me?” Tugging the thin material of her shorts, I am rewarded with a glimpse of red lace.

“More like living a nightmare.”

Melody leans back, watching me pull the shorts further down her legs. I hum in satisfaction when I see my favourite thong decorating her hips.

“How frightening.” Pushing her legs apart, I slowly slide my hands back up, “Were you scared?”

“Petrified.” She smirks, stroking me through my dress pants, “Where were you hiding this time?”

“Under your bed.”

Melody starts to laugh and the sound washes over my body. Every drop of her elation bleeds into me, coating my skin and staining it a colour far more vibrant than should be possible.

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you to check under your bed for monsters?” I shake my head solemnly, “You never know who could be hiding under there.”

“I must have missed that lesson.”

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