Page 93 of The Sea Witch's Son

“My mom does my laundry.”

I turn and glare at Gus until he scurries into the corner.

“You’re fucking pathetic, Seaborn.” A wheeze of laughter sounds from the shower, “Always needing a brawn to do your dirty work. You’re not even a real villain.”

“Brawn? And here I thought I was the beauty.”

The blood drains from Finley’s blood-soaked face as stiletto heels click against the tiles.

“So many boys in one dark room.” Calista licks her lips, sliding up beside me, “My birthday must have come early this year.”

Genuine fear fills his eyes and it helps to chase away my lingering frustration.

“You’ve met Calista Drache, haven’t you? A rather vicious creature, although she does know how to make an entrance.”

“What the fuck is she doing here.”

“Given my position on the team, it would seem my hands are rather…tiedwhen it comes to my swimmers.” I offer him a modest smile, “So, I invited an old friend to give me a hand.”

Finley starts to struggle harder, “Get your psychotic bitch away from me.”

"I love a man with a dirty mouth." Flicking the knife out of her sleeve, Calista grabs Finley's chin and yanks it down, "But disrespect me again and I'll have to cut out your tongue."

She sighs, running the blade down the side of his cheek, “My baby’s been missing his favourite snack lately.”

Gus mutters a curse, “Did she bring Ronan?”

“Not tonight.”

Sweat breaks out on Finley’s head, the perspiration building until it drips down his neck. Pressing her nose against the damp flesh, Calista breathes him in before licking the sweat right off his skin.

“Do you know what I love about athletes?”

Finley whimpers, trying to shift away from her.

“I love howpowerfulthey are.” She grins, running her blade down his neck and over the hard lump of his traps, “So strong. So muscular.”

Leaning back against the doorframe, I cross my arms and watch the scene play out.

“Such strong shoulders for such a strong swimmer.” Calista purrs, scraping a nail against the bonds holding him captive, “I would love to take you home to play, but I hear somebody’s been a bad boy.”

“If you’re going to kill me, just fucking kill me.” Finley shakes his head, “I can't take this any longer.”

“Kill you? You think I’m going to kill you?”

Blonde curls tumble down her back as Calista throws her head back and laughs. The cackle ricochets off nearby lockers, striking everyone in the vicinity.

By the time she pulls herself together, Gus looks almost as terrified as Finley.

“You precious soul.” Wiping her eyes, Calista shakes her head, “Death is the greatest mercy of all. Now, why would I bestow such a gift to you?”

He pales, “I-I don’t know.”

“Exactly.” She grins, running her blade over his shoulder, “You don’t know whether you are worthy which means you are not worthy. Understand me?”

Before he can answer, she jabs the knife deep into his shoulder. Finley cries out, his body jerking against the hold.

“I’ve been tasked with making sure you can’t swim for along, long time, Finley.” Calista shoots me a grin, “Marlin does not tolerate competition in or out of the pool.”