Page 94 of The Sea Witch's Son

I smirk, watching her shimmy the blade beneath his skin. Finley writhes around, trying to escape the woman dissolving his chances as a varsity athlete.

“You can inform Sebastian that you will not be returning to the team this season.” Tilting my head, I watch the knife slice through flesh and tendon, “I’m sure he will understand.”

The shower drain turns pink as blood and chunks of skin get sprayed in every direction. A sweet metallic scent fills the room and Gus starts to look a little green around the edges.

“Tell her to stop!”

“That’s a good boy.” Twisting her knife, Calista drives it deeper into his rotator cuff, “Scream for me.”

“Fuck. I’m going to be sick.” Gus bolts from the room.

Checking my watch, I note the late hour and hold back a sigh.

“Continue as you see fit. I’m afraid I have other business to attend to.”

She clicks her tongue, “You’re going to miss all the fun.”

A large piece of flesh smacks the tiled wall. Finley hasn’t stopped screaming, his worthless shoulder not much more than a butchered hunk of meat.

“I’m sure you will enjoy it enough for the both of us.” I check my watch again, “Turn on the shower once you’re done. I will finish the clean-up before practice tomorrow.”

“Men. Always leaving the housework for the women.” She gives Finley a wink, “You seem like the type who doesn’t mind being on his knees.”

The poor sap does nothing but scream.

A dismal hero, indeed.

Pivoting on my heel, I head out the closest door. Instead of taking the walking trail, I loop back and take a shortcut through the maze, knowing it will take me exactly where I want to go.

Back to my little saint.

Chapter 34

MELODY

My mother slides under the covers.

Even in my drowsy state, I can smell the blood on her skin. The dampness of her cheeks from the waterfall of tears she just cried out.

Warm arms wrap around me, and I snuggle into them, trying to remember the last time she came to hide in my room.

“You can’t keep doing this.” I whisper, trying to keep the volume low so my father won’t hear, “You can’t keep putting me through this. It’s not fair.”

She stays silent.

“I know you’re scared, but we can leave him. Pack a suitcase and run as far as we can.” My breath catches, “Erik will help us. He’s a good man. You just have to be strong enough to take his offer.”

“And what was his offer, exactly?”

The male voice reverberates in my ear and my eyes snap wide open.

Flinging myself out of bed, I stumble onto the rickety floor, scrambling to find the closest weapon. Marlin watches me in amusement, his eyes crinkling when he sees the candle holder clutched between my hands.

“No scissors this time?”

“What are you doing here?” Hissing the words, I shoot a glance at the closed door, “How the fuck are you getting inside?”

Marlin grabs my pillow and props it beneath his head.

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