Page 28 of The Sea Witch's Son

“A re-introduction, to ensure my name is not one you associate with negative emotions.” He clears his throat dramatically, “My name is Finley Reef, although I do get mistaken for Marlin Seaborn on many occasions. We have neither the same haircolour nor the same eye colour, but I choose not to question a pretty girl’s rationale on the matter.”

I bite back a smile, “A pleasure to meet you, Finley Reef. I would apologize on the girl’s behalf, but I’m afraid the confusion was a necessary learning curve.”

He shakes his head solemnly, “Learning curves are the curse of evolution. I would much rather live in the past and relish in my ignorance.”

“The future has always been more appealing to me.”

“We will have to agree to disagree then.” Finley smiles, flashing his dimple.

An unexpected laugh escapes me, the easy presence of his company lifting some of the weight off my shoulders.

It’s concerning, this lightness I feel around Finley. He almost has me believing the dimpled smile is genuine.

Maybe even a little bit trusting.

“I really need to get to class.” Shuffling my feet, I glance over my shoulder, “Florian will probably call me out for being late again.”

“Let me walk you there. I can scare away any voodoo men creeping in the shadows.”

I smile, “You caught me on a bad day. Normally, I can take care of myself.”

“I have no doubt about that.” Finley pauses, flicking his eyes over my damp hair, “Let me at least walk you to the main foyer. These narrow hallways can get confusing if you don’t know the way.”

“I’m good, thanks though.”

Something close to disappointment flickers through his eyes before an easy smile takes its place.

“In that case, I look forward to being stuck in another corridor with you soon.”

“The feeling is mutual, Finley Reef.”

He gives me one last smile before continuing on his way. I watch him leave for the second time this week, feeling my chest expand with the hope of a brighter future.

Maybe not everyone in Wolf Hollow is so bad.

A shiver hits me unexpectedly. I tug at the material pressed tight against my skin, the dry clothes stiff and unforgiving of my walk in the rain.

The glass doors of the performance room gleam under the florescent lights, its spotless surface offering a reflection of the corridor behind me. I watch the figure slink back into the shadows, his face completely distorted except for the colour of his eyes.

Violet.

Chapter 9

MARLIN

Listening to Finley speak is like watching paint dry.

Dull. Unremarkable. Impossibly boring.

The only reason my eyes weren’t glazed over is because I was quite taken with the blouse Melody decided to wear today. It was not one of the tops I picked out for her, but the rain did wonders for its transparency.

I will have to check the forecast and rearrange her closet accordingly.

Smiling to myself, I duck through the side exit and take a shortcut to the library. The drizzling rain clings to my dress shirt as my thoughts circle back to Melody. She seems quite taken with Finley, something that is not irritating enough to solve but not casual enough to ignore.

I check my watch and begin the countdown. There are a few students lingering around the study tables, but otherwise the aisles of bookshelves are completely empty.

Stepping back into the shadows of the chemistry section, I pull a cloth from my pocket and wrap it around both fists.

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