Page 84 of The Sea Witch's Son

“We could have been so good together. I could have saved you from the monsters of this town.”

“I don’t need to be saved, Finley.” I blow out a frustrated breath, “I want to be seen as a capable person, not a woman in distress.”

“But youarea woman in distress.”

“Excuse me?”

Those brown eyes lock on mine, “Who do you think lives in Wolf Hollow, Melody? Criminals. Fugitives. Twisted minds like Marlin Seaborn.”

“That doesn’t mean I need to be saved.”

A hysterical laugh leaks from his mouth, “Have you seen how many girls are in this town? You keep saying you don’t need to be saved, but what happens when you end up alone with one of those guys? What happens when you end up alone withme?”

The humid air suddenly feels too claustrophobic. Hitching my backpack over my shoulder, I start backing away slowly.

“I’m not interested, Finley. Let it go.”

“I let Josie go. I let her walk away and the next thing I know she’s in a mental institute because of what he did to her.”Another laugh sneaks out, “He broke what was mine. So I’m going to return the favour.”

His eyes are wild and crazy, and a thread of fear goes through me.

“Finley.” There’s a nervous edge to my voice, “Marlin doesn’t care for me. You said so yourself.”

“Maybe I was wrong. Maybe losing you will be enough to drive him over the edge. Make him foolish enough to believe the next girl who comes along will be the fairytale he’s been waiting for.”

A slow smile spreads across his face, “Maybe you’ll finally see what I see.A girl who needs to be saved.”

I don’t think. I run.

My shoes slip over the damp tiles, but I propel myself forward, racing for the closest exit door. A rough hand grabs my backpack, but I slip off the straps before he can pull me back.

Full-blown panic hits my system as my shoes scramble along the pool deck, desperately trying to grip the slippery tiles.

Don’t slip. Don’t slip. Don’t slip.

Adrenalin hits my bloodstream as I go charging for the closest door. Grabbing the handle, I go crashing into it, using my bodyweight to fling the heavy thing open. I lunge for the entrance, freedom almost within my reach when Finley grabs my hair.

I cry out when he yanks me backwards, ripping out chunks of hair in the process. My feet finally lose their traction and Icrash to the ground, feeling my skull bounce painfully off the hard tiles.

There’s blood leaking out of my mouth when I roll over and start crawling on my knees. He’s on me in an instant, wrapping those strong arms around me and lifting me into the air.

“Put me down!”Screaming and kicking my legs, I start attacking him with every bloody tooth and nail.

“I’m sorry, Melody.” He almost sounds remorseful as he walks us to the edge of the pool, “You should have chosen the prince.”

The glistening water draws closer and I start fighting harder.

“Don’t do this. Finley, don’t do this-

The air gets sucked from my lungs when he jumps.

Taking us into the cold water below.

Chapter 29

MARLIN

I've always enjoyed the Queen’s Maze.

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