Page 40 of The Seer

Dear lord, he was sin in human form, designed to ruin lives.

Beside her, Fintan growled.

“I, uh… who… you…” Good Christ! She’d lost her wits and her ability to speak!

“Are ya feckin’ bamming me with this shite?”Fintan snarled inside her head.

She winced and turned to glare. “Seriously, dude? Can I help it if he’s a walking thirst trap for parched women?”

“Didn’t I warn ya I’d kill a man?” he demanded.

“Of all the caveman bullshit to come out of your mouth, Fintan Sullivan, this is the dumbest!”

“The sexual tension between the two of you couldn’t be sliced with the sharpest blade,” the stranger quipped. “I’m not after stealing your woman, Sullivan. It just comes naturally.”

Fintan charged.

CHAPTER13

This chapter has been omitted for the standard reasons.

I’m curious, though. Have you guessed who the visitor is? If you’ve read Highballs & Hexes, I’m sure you have. ;) Might I suggest a bathroom break and snack retrieval despite your need to discover why he’s arrived to taunt Fintan? No? Then carry on, dearest reader!

CHAPTER14

The grin on Noah Riley’s face was pure deviltry and required Fintan to wipe it off—with his fists. Jealousy and possessiveness clouded his mind until he couldn’t think straight, fueled by his inner Siren’s need to claim Taryn, to eliminate anyone who might pose a threat. His logical side understood he was being a ridiculous git, but ever since Taryn had been hanging around, the instinct-driven beast neared the surface and was dangerously close to taking control.

He had to hand it to Noah; the guy didn’t back down. But then, as the Aether’s long-lost brother with his own superpowers, the bastard was as hard to kill as Fintan. Noah took the punch like a seasoned boxing champ, proof the years as a pub owner had toughened him up.

Taryn’s distressed cry pierced Fintan’s fury haze a second before she launched herself at him and locked him in a chokehold.

“Fintan Sullivan! You stop this insanity right now! Do you hear me?” With her free hand, she bonked him on the head. “Ow! How hard is that thing you call a skull?”

Noah snorted, crossed his arms, and leaned back on the banister to enjoy the show.

Fintan wanted to plant the man another facer, but he had Taryn to contend with. “Calm yourself, woman. He’s used to a bit of rowdiness now and again. Any man who runs an Irish pub can hold his own in a fight, or he won’t be in business long.”

She bonked him a second time before sliding down his back. The feel of her breasts against him intrigued the beast inside, and Fintan grinned when she lingered a few seconds longer than necessary. A quick glance at Noah told him the man hadn’t missed a bleeding thing. Neither Taryn’s indignation turned interest, nor Fintan’s rage turned amusement.

“Is this foreplay for the two of you?” Noah asked dryly.

Fintan sensed the instant she processed the jest. Not only did she yank away from him, but her mind went into denial. And didn’t that make him sad? When they first met, she would’ve been the first to laugh and quip something cheeky. The Taryn of today was reserved and slower to laugh.

The blame lay with him and all the arseholes who’d ever hurt her. She wasn’t wrong to say he was the first in succession. Despite what she believed, he’d kept tabs on her over the years, and when needed, he chased away a loser or two. The others she wised up about and kicked to the curb. Thankfully, Josie and the Aether got to Morcant first. There was no prediction for how a scenario would end if Fintan had taken matters into his own hands. He’d likely be dead or drained, considering an Arcane Devourer fed on grief and negativity. Fintan had loads to spare, believing Taryn loved another.

To save her any embarrassment and the need to answer, Fintan hauled her into his arms and tucked her against his chest. “What are you doin’ here, man? I thought we were to meet at your pub on Saturday.”

“Wait!” Taryn drew back and stared up at him curiously, but immediately punched him in the chest as if she’d remembered she should put up a token fight. “You’re friends? You hang out?”

Her disappointment, filtering through their connection, was keen, and his Siren growled.

This time, he managed to keep his jealousy controlled… barely.

“If ya want to date the man, Taryn-Taryn, best keep those thoughts to yourself, yeah?”he said through their link.“This monster inside has claimed ya for its own, and it’s gettin’ harder to deny.”

She gaped at him, and he gently tapped her mouth shut, releasing a resigned sigh.

“Build your mental wall before havin’ such thoughts,aoibhneas mo croí,”he said. “You may not care for me anymore, but I still love you, yeah? Your thoughts are hard for me to hear.”

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