Page 34 of The Seer

CHAPTER11

Whatever was necessary to free Narissa, Fintan would do. That’s why, when Odessa interrupted his conversation with his cousin and telepathed a message, proclaiming a temporary truce, he agreed to enter her home.

“Fintan, no! She can’t be trusted,” Narissa warned, mouth tight with disapproval and pain.

His stomach clenched when he saw how exhausted and ragged she looked. Her eyes were dulled from the torture, and her luxurious blonde hair was lank, dampened by sweat. The clothes she wore were sweat-soaked and clinging, too. But mainly, she was pale from the abuse, and Fintan would move heaven and earth to get her out. It took a lot to bring down a Sullivan Siren, and utilizing the electrical ley lines feeding their estates was the perfect way. They were tied to the magic running beneath their homes.

Inside, his creature shifted, and Fintan felt its rage. His nature was to protect, not destroy, and if that enraged beast got loose, he’d decimate this entire place.

Odessa had a lot to answer for. But he’d give her the bloody necklace if it meant keeping her from killing Narissa, as she’d threatened to do.

“Sure, and all Sullivans are inclined to backstab when the mood strikes us.” He winked.

Her expression fell, and tears gathered in her hurt-filled, blue-green eyes.

Uncertain what he’d said wrong, he frowned his question, but she shook her head and glanced away. She was smart not to reveal her weakness for their aunt to exploit, but he would’ve spared her feelings if he could.

“I’m offering the trade of your cousin for the Bloodstone’s necklace in good faith, Fintan,” Odessa said, eyes calculating, yet wary.

She feared him, and the why of it would be a grand question for Uncle Peter when the man contacted him again. But maybe he wasn’t as good at hiding his anger as he imagined.

“What have you done to her?” he asked Odessa, though he already knew the answer. Still, he needed to stall until Draven’s return. Likely, he’d bring reinforcements.

“I’ve been the perfect hostess.” Odessa sniffed and raised her chin as if offended. “She can’t be civil, and a lesson was needed.”

Fintan twisted and gripped her throat in a move so fast that his aunt’s cane crashed to the floor, and Narissa cried out.

His creature growled, clawing to find a way out. And because of the struggle, he squeezed harder than intended. “Hurt her again, in any fuckin’ way, and I’ll rip your black heart out through your feckin’ throat,” he snarled.

With her rheumy eyes bulging, Odessa gurgled her agreement.

He waited for her Succubus to appear, but it remained dormant, likely not viewing his action as an actual threat. Either the demon inside her had weakened considerably, or she possessed the ability to defeat him with little effort. Fintan preferred to believe it was the former.

Cautious and watchful, he released her, held up his hands, and stepped back. Although he half expected a retaliation, none came. Did that mean she’d used up her store of magic keeping Narissa caged? It bore further consideration.

“I don’t have the necklace here,” he said. “But I’ll return with it after I see Narissa’s taken care of.”

“No. You’ll turn it over before I release her.”

He locked gazes with Narissa briefly, then he faced his aunt. “I’ll not leave her here with you in this condition, all the same.”

“You’re in no place to bargain, boy. My home. My rules.”

An idea tickled the back of his brain. If he could put himself in jeopardy, would the ancestors abandon her to save him?

He was about to find out.

“Aye, but you need the Sullivan ancestors to maintain your cage. What if I took them from you?”

Odessa’s eyes narrowed. “If you could, you’d have done it by now.”

“Sure, and I didn’t think of it before. I’m slower than most. Just ask anyone.”

Narissa released a weak chuckle.

“Then do it,” Odessa challenged. “But then you’ll be going back on our deal, and if you do, all bets are off, boy.”

She had him by his bollocks, and they both knew it.

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