Page 53 of The Seer

“Not really. Damian once or twice, and only because he sensed my turmoil.” She shrugged and looked away. Everyone meant well, but how could they understand the self-contempt attached to bringing a killer into their home?

“Taryn.”

“I’m okay.” She brushed off his compassion. “To answer your question, Damian offered to take away the worst of it. But what if it resurfaces when I least expect?”

“What did that bastard do to you, love?”

“Nothing as horrible as what he did to Josie,” she replied quickly. But Morcant had undermined her confidence and taught her to distrust herself. He almost killed her niece, for fuck’s sake! And he had murdered Viv. Thankfully, Damian had a Death Dealer in his back pocket. Yet coming back from that was the hardest for Taryn. Her stupid decisions had caused trauma for those she loved.

Fintan embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her head.

“I’m sorry, Taryn-Taryn,”he said through their connection.“If I’d have been stronger, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten close to ya.”

“If not me, he would’ve targeted Soleil. I’m glad it’s my burden to bear and not hers.”

“Josie shares in your burden.” Fintan hugged her tighter, and Taryn allowed his soothing energy to permeate her fragile shell. “You should talk to her, and soon,” he advised.

“I will. I owe her a sit-down and a massive apology.”

“Grand. Oh, and Soleil is stronger than ya give her credit for.” He shifted her to face him. “I’ve seen her give Trevor shite, and it’s a feckin’ joy to watch.”

Taryn laughed, feeling oddly lighter, before sobering again. “I hate that the Authority allowed Buttagier to use us as pawns. If they’re willing to—what is it?”

His face contorted as if he were in pain, and her panic spiked.

“Fintan?”

Falling to his knees, he clutched his head. “Run!”

“What?”

“Run!” he commanded. His voice deepened, wrapping around her and compelling her with the single word. All will left, and she headed for the exit.

“No, child!”a man shouted inside her mind. Halting, she spun back and searched for the source.

The blue-green light emanating from Fintan stole her breath with its brightness, but it was the fear etched on his face that froze her to the spot.

“Go!” he shouted. “I can’t hold it back.”

“It?” she squeaked. Did he mean his Siren?

Understanding came with the barrage of his frantic thoughts and those of another.

It will consume her.

Freedom.

Power.

Fuck her.

The last three weren’t Fintan. Or not the him she’d come to know.

His eyes glazed as his body transformed, growing a foot in size. The creature’s shoulders were one and a half times that of Fintan’s, and the bulging muscles tore through his clothing like paper. Muscled thighs befitting Mr. Universe played peek-a-book with the shredded chinos, and ultra-thin iridescent scales formed over his exposed skin. If she hadn’t stood within a few feet of him, she’d have assumed his skin had taken on a sweaty sheen.

Then, Taryn caught a glimpse of the forming erection. Heart beating like a wild bird’s wings in a cage, she met the creature’s burning gaze.

Desire was reflected back. There was also a predatory gleam, as if the creature felt the need for dominance. To possess.

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