Page 54 of The Seer

It grinned.

“Holy fuck!” she screeched.

“Holy fuck is right,” Creed said from the doorway. “Is that Fin? For the love of all things Hulk! Who knew he was sporting an anaconda? Has he—oh, shit. He doesn’t look as thrilled to see me as he does you.”

A horrified laugh escaped her, and she slapped her hand over her mouth.

The Siren frowned at her, and his head pivoted toward the door. All at once, the predatory expression disappeared, replaced by outrage.

Intruder.

Rival.

Destroy.

The creature had cataloged Creed as competition for Taryn’s affections, and she feared for him. Fintan’s musician’s fingers elongated, and shiny black nails replaced the tips. The claws were easily five inches long and another two in width, resembling a grizzly bear’s paws. And like a bear, they probably weren’t razor sharp, but they’d do substantial damage.

“No!” Forgetting any threat to self, she jumped between them.

“Mine,” the Siren hummed, and a shiver of awareness rolled over her.

All will abandoned her for the second time, and she stepped forward to within touching distance.

“Taryn, we need to teleport out of here right now,” Creed warned. “That thing isn’t the Fintan you know.”

“What’s happening?” Noah’s voice drifted to her. The creature’s reaction was immediate.

He grew another half foot and flexed threateningly.

“I guess now’s not the time to discuss Damian’s thoughts on Bloodstone’s necklace,” Noah said dryly.

“How the hell can you joke when that thing’s one-eyed monster is staring you down?” Creed demanded.

Horrified amusement bubbled inside her, and she giggled. Her humor was on the darker side, and uncontrollable laughter was an embarrassing side effect.

Other than an irritated shake of his head, the Siren ignored them, hyperfocusing on her. His claws retracted as he wrapped a hand around her neck and dragged her closer.

“Mine,” he hummed.

“Fintan’s,” she found the courage to whisper, breaking his hold on her.

It grinned, displaying gleaming-white, vampire-like teeth. The rest of his shirt fell from his torso as ebony bones sprouted from his shoulder blades, unfurling into the shape of dragon wings. At the topmost joint, a claw, about twice the size of those on his hands, formed. The flexible outer membrane of the wing was similar to a bat in texture, but the color was a rich oceanic blue.

“Taryn—” Creed clamped his jaw shut when Fintan bared his teeth.

“You should go, Creed,” she urged. “You both should.”

“We can’t, in good conscience, leave you alone with that thing, love.” Noah cultivated a tone that was soft and unthreatening, and the creature dismissed him, keeping his focus on Taryn.

“He’s little more than an animal right now,” Creed argued.

The Siren’s aquamarine eyes locked with hers, as if challenging her to run. Deep in her soul, she knew if she did, it would give chase. But just as assuredly, it wouldn’t hurt her if she stayed.

“Go, guys. I’m not leaving Fintan.”

His creature purred its satisfaction, and panic filled her as she realized the harmonious sound tickled all her private parts.

“Five notes,” it murmured.

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