Page 40 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
“That’s even worse.” With that, I walk out, fury and worry beating in time with every step. I don’t believe in coincidences, and rogues appearing in San Tico on the night of the challenges—where I scented her for the first time—doesn’t sit well with me.
If they know something, I’ll find out. Even if it means ripping it from them a bone at a time, because I’ll never stop fighting for what is mine. And Nerissa is just that.
My mate. My home.
The airdown in the underground cells is damp, heavy with body odor and fear. The latter of which is heaviest, especially for threewolves who’d been wearing scent blockers the last time they’d been in my presence.
They thought they’d been clever.
That they could cheat me.
Torren and his brother are standing just inside the iron door, leaning against the wall, but they straighten when they sense me. Both nod, their hulking forms half-hidden by shadows, but it’s the glint of metal that catches my attention. It’s my sword in Otto’s hand, that and the leather scabbard.
“How?” I ask, but it comes out edged with steel.
Otto flinches, but fights himself while keeping his neck bared. “The blacksmith delivered it last night. Said it was sharpened and balanced; he didn’t want to disturb you, Alpha.”
“Thank you.” Taking it from his extended hands, I run a finger down the sharp blade before wrapping my fingers around the handle. I test the weight and balance, twisting it to see how it feels. A slow swish cuts through the air, clean and precise, as three rogue wolves are brought to their knees before me.
Filthy. Fearful.
The first to the left is a male with the intelligence of a potato. No pack wolf or rogue would bare his teeth at an alpha wolf, especially one who looks as if a strong breeze will knock him over.
That bravado will not save him.
“You reek of piss and fear,” I murmur, crouching low while tilting my head to the side. He’s easily sixty pounds less than me with no muscle mass or weapon, and I pity the idiot. “You’re also too stupid to realize you’re already dead.”
He laughs at that, the sound ugly, a hint of panic in it. “I’m not afraid to die, but you should be.”
“Is that so?” I bring the tip of the sword to his ear and saw back and forth slowly. The skin flays easily, as if it were butter,and I make a mental note to send the blacksmith a gift in appreciation. “Tell me more.”
“We’re not afraid of you,” he spits out, fighting back the urge to flinch away. What’s left of his ear will fall to the floor with two more glides of my blade.
“Sure.”
“Spiro had a powerful backer. She’ll protect us.”She. Interesting.
“What else?” The cartilage is hanging by the thinnest thread as blood spurts and seeps from the wound. Nothing big or traumatic, just small increments that bring a smile to my face. After the last few days, I need an outlet, and this fool is the perfect target. “Don’t be shy.”
“The mer?—”
Gagging behind us cuts him off, and I look over, finding the female retching, deep, painful heaves with little to nothing coming out, and I give Veris a look.
Get her water and a chair.
He doesn’t respond, but I hear him exit the room and return a few minutes later. The scrape of metal is loud as he drags the seat over, and I raise a brow. Veris shrugs, but he’s gentler when handing the woman a paper towel and an unopened water bottle.
She’s grateful for both, whispering an almost too low to hearthank youwhile the other male shows me his marked neck. Same one she has. A sign of respect from two rogues, I could easily kill within these walls, and no one would bat an eye.
The punishment for trespassing is death. And yet, nothing pleases me more than the look of utter disgust on their companion’s face. He’s angry. Disgusted. Jealous. It all pours from him, mixing with his already putrid scent—the combination tickles my nose.
It also amuses me, and after the last few days I’ve had, it’s appreciated. Makes me feel warm inside. And in the spirit of being a good host, I make a few decisions.
“Veris, get these two moved across from him and into a clean cell. I want them fed, offered a shower, and given a mattress and blanket to lie on.” Once my beta leaves to do what I need, I give the final pull of my sword, severing the assholes ear completely off. It lands near his knee after a bit of bouncing, earning me a glare. Pitiful as it is. “Is there a problem?”
15
KAI
