Page 96 of The Sea Witch's Son

It’s a shipwreck.

“What does your tattoo mean?”

He shifts behind me, rotating his arm and exposing an anchor hidden within the waves lapping at his wrist. A faint line streaks through the furious ocean, trapping the boat in the sand below.

“What do you think it means?”

I reach out and touch the wave closest to me, “Your father was a sailor. He never made it home.”

“Intriguing, but not accurate.”

I frown, “But he was a sailor.”

“Was he?”

“That’s what I’m asking you.”

“I’m afraid I do not know the answer.” He hums thoughtfully, “Or maybe I do, and I do not wish to share it.”

God. He's beyond infuriating.

Gritting my teeth, I force my eyes closed and tell myself to fall asleep. The sooner morning comes, the sooner he’ll be gone.

“What will you give me in return?”

A shiver runs down my spine. Prying my eyes open, the shipwreck is the first thing I see.

A boat being torn apart by the rage of the sea.

“What do you want?” I whisper, unsure of whether I want to know the answer.

“Your voice.” He presses a kiss against the back of my neck, “I want to hear your voice. Sing for me.”

My lungs seize, frozen by an emotion a thousand times stronger than fear.

“I-I can’t.”

“A piece of you for a piece of me. Seems like a fair trade.”

“No deal.” I can barely swallow, “You’re asking for too much.”

He sighs heavily, “Maybe you’re right. I will give you two questions, and in return you will sing for me.”

My breathing is coming faster, the weight of my missing voice bearing down on me.

“I can’t.”

“Youcan, little saint. You simply choose not to.” The hand resting on my stomach presses down, “I will even let you pick the song.”

Every panicked breath pushes against the palm of his hand. He captures each one, following the movement in and out of my body.

It feels like he’s choking me. Forcing me to breathe just so he can take it away again.

Helping me in the most twisted way possible.

“Why?” The word barely makes it past my lips.

“Because I want to hear the sweet sound of a siren.”

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