Page 76 of The Seer

As if sensing the dangerous atmosphere brought on by the subtle shift in Odessa’s stance, Taryn inched closer to him. “Uh, you can’t just”—she twiddled her fingers—“like her?”

“If I bring forth my Incubus without the necklace, it will kill everyone present. You’re friends included.”

Without removing his focus from Odessa, he subtly gestured toward the far side of the cave where Peter had returned with Brenna, Eoin, Narissa, and Creed in tow.

“Why the blasted fool brought those deadweights is a question for the ages,” Ardghal said. “Brenna and Narissa are backup enough.”

“They’re already shifting,” Taryn murmured.

“They recognize the threat, and their protective instincts are engaged,” he replied. “It may be good for us all.”

Odessa honed in on the newcomers and licked her lips.

A single thunderous clap from Ardghal snapped her attention back to him. If she let her hunger cloud her mind, she’d become more dangerous than she already was. Siren females were lethal when protecting a mate. A battle between the Sullivan women? It would be nothing short of catastrophic.

The tentacle struck without warning.

It whipped toward Taryn and woke Ardghal’s instinct to protect. Grabbing her, he twisted midair to shield her from the blow. The impact against his ribs was brutal, otherworldly, and hurled them both into the pool.

The cold rush of water flooded his mouth and stoked his rage. He’d grown soft and complacent in the shadows while Fintan toiled around this estate, hiding from the outside world.

No more.

With a few strong kicks, he surfaced. Taryn emerged beside him, looking far less rattled. Then again, water was her elemental magic, so drowning was unlikely.

But she was enraged.

So was he.

Their combined energy crackled like a live wire, and the water responded. Around them, it churned. At its center, a whirlpool formed, tossing them like dinghies lost in a hurricane.

“Control yourself,” he barked.

“It’s not me,” she hollered back. “The water, it’s aliv?—”

A wave crashed over her head, sucking her downward.

Ardghal didn’t hesitate. Nor did he think about transitioning; it happened instantaneously when he fell in. His legs fused into a mighty monofin, and with a swish of his tail, he cut through the current. He found Taryn fast and, clamping an arm around her, launched them upward. With one explosive surge, Taryn was airborne, flying toward the far side of the grotto.

Eoin and Creed were already waiting to catch her. Their intervention prevented her from slamming into the boulders along the shore.

Satisfied she was safe, Ardghal turned away. Swift and purposeful, he sliced beneath the surface, fury tightening every muscle. He was ready to tear Odessa’s mutated head from her shoulders.

A large portion of his anger was self-directed. He should’ve seen it coming. Should’ve warned Fintan that his aunt had a hidden motive for retrieving the necklace. But it hadn’t seemed important. The amulet would only work for him, its creator.

Narissa’s and Brenna’s Sirens had Odessa cornered, fierce and relentless in their mission to stop her.

But it wouldn't last.

She’d fed recently.

Odessa’s skin was rich ebony, taut and gleaming with vitality. She was fully charged.

Every time the Sirens advanced, she fended them off with a vicious tentacle strike or a razor-sharp swipe. If she meant to kill them, Narissa and Brenna would already be bleeding out on the cavern floor.

When her glowing eyes flicked from him to the overhead stalactites, he guessed her intent.

He twisted toward Taryn, trying to catch her attention. She and the men were huddled together, with Creed alert and ready.

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