Page 61 of The Sea Witch's Son

Ursela Seaborn. Born 1968. Arrested for unlawful interrogation techniques and attempted manslaughter. Returned to Wolf Hollow after posting bail.

The document beneath it goes on to describe her torture methods in such detail I start to feel sick. Flipping through the pages, I find nothing about Marlin except an old IQ test stamped with his name.

Disappointed with my findings, I put the folder back and rearrange everything the way it was. I’m just about to slip out the door when a stray file catches my eye.

Pausing next to the desk, I stare at the file marked with a familiar name.

Calista Drache

I cast another glance at the door before flipping it open. There’s nothing but a small white envelope clipped to the back of the folder.

Gently unclipping the envelope, I start pulling out photos, each one starring a little blonde girl staring up at the camera.

“Oh my God.” Clapping a hand over my mouth, I can barely keep the nausea down.

The little girl is tied to a bed, her body completely naked except for the gag tied around her mouth. Her legs are spread wide enough to see the blood dripping between them, the edge of a knife peeking out from the corner of each frame.

The photos get worse the further I go, the close-up shots of Calista’s face showing the tears running down her cheeks and the blood leaking between her legs.

“Melody! Did you get lost down there?”

Swallowing the disgust creeping up my throat, I shove the photos back into the envelope and return it to the desk.

“Sorry, I got caught up looking at pictures.” Hiding my trembling hands behind my back, I return to the living room, “What’s with the ice queen in your bath-

My mouth snaps shut when I see who's sitting beside Tahira.

“As you can see, I have another visitor.” Freya says drily, “Didn’t realize I was so popular until today.”

Calista smiles, her green eyes sweeping over me. I stare back at her, taking in the tight sports bra and nonexistent spandex shorts she’s wearing.

“You make it sound like I wasn’t invited.”

Freya crosses her arms, “You weren’t. None of you were.”

“Oh dear.” Calista lets out a sigh, “What an awkward situation.”

Tahira snickers next to her, but I can’t bring myself to reply. My eyes are glued to the grotesque marks breaking through the soft skin of Calista’s thighs.

Furious scars twist and turn along the inside of her toned legs, the puckered edges hideously uneven and nauseatingly deep. Starting at the top of her knees and disappearing into the fabric of her shorts, Calista’s scars end where the tail of her dragon tattoo begins.

I’m staring at the most vicious woman in Wolf Hollow, but all I can see is a little girl tied to a bed. A little girl crying while some man did unthinkable things to her pre-pubescent body.

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Sorry for intruding on you, Freya.” Breathing through my nose, I force myself to swallow, “We just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”

“Melodywas concerned about your well-being.” Tahira lifts a shoulder, “I have some business we need to discuss. And now that Calista has finished her run, we can begin.”

Those green eyes lock on mine. There’s a teasing smile pulling at her lips, but even that doesn’t shake the turmoil crashing through my body.

“You are welcome to stay, Melody. I’m sure you would love to be betteracquainted with the town.” A pink tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip, “I know I would love to be better acquainted with you.”

The salacious invitation goes sailing over my head. I’m back staring at her legs, staring at the scars that prove Anton Clementon has many secrets of his own.

Calista shifts on the couch, spreading her legs that much wider. I swallow thickly, forcing the chunks back down my throat.

“I better head home. I have laundry and... stuff. Lots of stuff to do.”

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