Page 9 of The Sea Witch's Son

“That’s a good boy.” She purrs, finally removing the knife from my throat.

I reach up and wipe away the blood, being careful not to stain the collar of my shirt.

“Melody St. James is the newest and brightest resident of Wolf Hollow. Background information is on the second page, family history on the third, and the last few pages have some images I pulled from her school files.”

Calista hums, flipping through the pages, “A choir girl? How adorable.”

“That opinion might change once you reach the third page.” I walk over to the bathroom mirror and check my hair, “Erik Prince was the mother’s second husband. The first one died unexpectedly one Sunday afternoon.”

“After the neighbour filed noise reports of broken glass and bruises around the woman’s neck.” Her lips purse together, “Let me guess. Mommy got tired of daddy’s fists and took matters into her own hands.”

Adjusting my collar one last time, I turn and lean against the counter, “That’s where it gets interesting. Take a look at the police file I attached for you.”

Calista reads silently, her nails scraping against a nearby locker. I study her impeccable posture, trying to pinpoint what sport could have caused it.

Dance or gymnastics would be at the top of the list. She’s too muscular for a ballerina and too flexible for a powerlifter.

“Well, well. The new girl might be more interesting than I thought.” She flips the page and lets out a delighted gasp, “And look how pretty she is! Oh, how I love dark hair.”

“It’s red. Dark red.” I correct her, picturing the long ends brushing Melody’s torso. Her fair skin illuminated the red strands in the most marvellous way, and I couldn’t help but imagine how they would look wrapped around my fist.

“You paid her a visit last night, didn’t you?” Calista clucks her tongue, “Taunting the poor girl already. I would expect nothing less of you.”

“I was simply making sure she felt welcomed in her new home.” A grin splits my face, “And I was confirming all the facts in my report were correct.”

“Uh huh. Tell me, did you learn anything not already in here?”

This is my favourite game. Calista sets out a challenge, knowing perfectly well I will come out with exactly what she’s looking for.

“Let me think.” I say it slowly, trying to prolong the enjoyment, “Height is 5’2 and I would place her weight anywhere between 110 and 130 lbs given the narrow ribcage and slender leg shape.”

“Boring.” She fakes a yawn, “I do hope you didn’t stay up all night measuring the girl’s clothing size.”

My smile widens, “Melody likes to wear her t-shirts one size too big so they're easier to tuck into little plaid skirts. She separates her clothes based on colour and does the same thing withher makeup. She is left-handed, although often uses her right hand for cleaning tasks.”

“Charming yet superficial. Have you lost your touch, Marlin?” Calista flashes her teeth, a challenge glinting in her eyes, “I might have to find a replacement for you too.”

I stare her down, enjoying this moment far more than the hours I spent in the pool this morning.

I find it difficult to feel passion, as so many others do, but I do find pleasure from a few different sources. Sex, of course, is one of them, but mental stimulation has always held an equally high reward for me.

Truly, there is no greater stimulation than studying a new enigma.

“Her mother’s death left a hole in Melody’s life, one that is connected to her love of music. She no longer sings and refuses to entertain her stepfather even when he offers to play the piano for her. If I had to guess, I would say singing was an intimate activity she shared with her mother, and now that she’s gone, Melody finds herself with no muse and no voice.”

Calista starts to clap, but I hold up a hand, halting her applause.

“My personal favourite, however,” I pause, savouring the last piece of an unfinished puzzle, “Is that she can beveryintimidating with a pair of scissors.”

Laughter echoes through the changeroom, the familiar cackle pulling my lips into a smile. The delivery of the last one wasmeant to sound foolish, but it holds the most important morsel of information I have on Melody St. James.

When she thought someone was in her room, she didn’t run and hide.

She was ready to fight back.

Oh, how I do love a challenge.

Chapter 3

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