Page 166 of The Sea Witch's Son

It was a pass or fail test, and I failed for years. So many years that I decided to wait until I was strong enough to kill them all in a way that would degrade them in the same way they degraded me.

People say karma is a bitch. I like to think in this town karma goes by a different name.

I celebrate the occasion with a little online shopping. Nothing beats a shared celebration, and a new diamond collar for my baby boy is just what I need to mark this momentous event.

“Ooh, what do you think about this one?”

I lean over and show the screen to my new brawn. He squints, staring at the bedazzled collar as if he’s not quite sure what he’s looking at.

“Is that for an animal or a person?”

His question puts a smile on my face.

Vector Vin was a recruit I had my eye on for a while. Big and mean with an addiction to steroids and violence, the varsity athlete was the perfect candidate for Gus’ replacement.

As luck would have it, he ended up on trial for physical assault at just the perfect time. I was only too happy to post his bail and coerce him into signing an employment contract in exchange for keeping his little family safe.

From me, of course.

“That depends.” I lick my lips, flicking my eyes over the muscles bulging beneath his Silverwood sweater, “How open are you to dying your hair?”

Vector frowns, reaching up to touch the shoulder-length blonde strands.

“Probably not?”

“Then it’s for a dog.”

He nods slowly, his pale blue eyes darting back to the collar on the screen, “It’s cute.”

I add it to my cart with a smile.

Melody’s glare catches my attention. I follow her gaze and notice Finley, of all people, heading for the empty seat beside her.

Honestly, you would think the man would learn.

“I heard you were hoping to make nationals this year, rookie.”

The sound of my voice has Finley stumbling, tripping over his own feet. I grin, leaning forward to look at the sling covering his left side.

“Such a shame about the shoulder. Did the doctors say it would be a full or partial recovery?”

“P-Partial.”

“Oh, dear.” I sigh heavily, “Next time I’ll make sure to only snip the most vitaltendons. How does that sound?”

Finley turns and runs like a little bitch.

Snickering to myself, I lean back and kick my heels up on the desk. Vector eyes the red soles of my Louboutin’s, the crimson colour a perfect match for my lipstick.

A girl can never have too many accessories.

My phone pings with the arrival of the report I’ve been waiting for.

MARLIN: [file attachment]

MARLIN: I’m struggling to find information on the child.

CALISTA: What kind of trouble?

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