Page 50 of Tide Touched

‘You killed that wolf.’ Was it one, or more? I’m not sure what I expect back from him. Something which will help me think this mate isn’t as cold as the last one. I take in the wound on his shoulder, slowly healing.

‘I know.’ Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Killian wipe at his mouth, as though still trying to get the taste of blood out. ‘I—it was instinct. My mate was in danger.’ I catch the shame in his eyes before he flicks them to the ground.

Okay, so at least he feels bad about it. He didn’t revel in the violence. Not like Courtney. That’s certainly something. I glance back to Moira who inclines her head. She saw what I saw in Killian.

‘Where do you think this leads?’ Killian says, probably eager to change the subject. ‘And what are the chances a current brought us right here?’ Killian looks around as though for a sign or a clue written on the wall.

Hidden away in a secret part of the ocean, apparently, the tunnel leads deeper and deeper into the unknown. Seriously, how the hell did we get in here?

As though thinking the same thing, Moira makes a face at me. ‘So, what’s up with the tunnel, Katie?’ She says, as though I planted it here for some extremely weird, elaborate joke.

‘Something about this feels familiar,’ I say. ‘Which, I know, sounds ridiculous.’ I hold my hands up defensively, but no one comments on my craziness.

The tunnel suddenly forks, and we’re forced to turn. Part of me can’t stop thinking about Carter—did his uncle take his anger out on him because of my escape? If he hurt him because of me… my stomach clenches. I hope he’s okay. For all the weirdness of our, okay, let’s call it a ‘relationship’, I do feel like I know and understand Carter. I don’t wish him any harm. Especially because of me.

Someone sets a hand to the small of my back. To my surprise, I don’t jump, because it’s immediately warm and familiar, as though touching me is exactly what Killian is supposed to be doing with his hands. ‘Hey, are you okay?’

I’m afraid to look at him or otherwise acknowledge his hand, in case he second-guesses it and takes it away. It’s already a comfort I don’t want to be without. I don’t know how to answer—and I have a habit of being bitingly sarcastic—so I just nod.

‘So, we’re mates.’ Killian’s soft voice echoes lightly through the tunnel.

Part of me really wants to jump on that—him—and explore what we might have together. The other part of me wants to run away. I can’t deal with another mate right now. No matter how hot he is, or the wetness already gathering between my thighs at the possibilities. ‘Mmm-hmm.’ He deserves more than that. But not here, not now.

Before he can say anything else, a bright, blue light washes over us. We all cry out, raising our arms to protect our eyes. ‘What the fuck?’

A laugh booms through the tunnel, echoing, as though the owner of the voice stands all around us. ‘Such language for a young lady.’ The blue light slowly dims, revealing an older woman in a blue gown, the light still shining from her hand. ‘You remind me of someone. Come, come.’

I frown, holding up a hand. ‘Wait, hang on. Who are you? You can’t just be all like, come with me, I have pretty light. No, thank you. I’ve been abducted once, I don’t care for another round.’

The older woman turns, concern etched on her lined face. ‘Young wolf, you belong here. You needn’t fear us. Please.’

Killian steps forward. ‘Identify yourself. She’s not going with you.’ His broad torso partially hides me.

‘Okay, that’s sweet.’ I push past him—with difficulty. ‘But unnecessary. I think I can take care of myself against one old lady.’

Killian looks confused. Moira smirks. Elijah keeps his face perfectly neutral.

‘Who are you calling old?’

‘You called me young. Let’s say we’re equally agist. Now, who are you and what’s with the—?’ I raise my hands in a mockery of her shining light.

Her brow arches. ‘Her daughter, indeed.’ She sighs. ‘Fine. I am a Tide Witch, and a friend of your mother’s.’

I stagger back as though someone shoved me. My throat nearly closes. ‘What?’

Moira glowers. ‘Her mother is dead. Just tell us how to get out of this tunnel.’

The old woman—yeah, I did it, I called her old—gives us a strange look. ‘You’re not in a tunnel, dears. You’re under water. Katherine has tapped into her powers, so we created a path for her to find us. Her kin.’

I don’t think I’ve ever made quite such a What the fuck face as I do now. ‘I’m like a thousand percent confused.’

Moira ducks her head slightly. ‘So, you’re saying, this is all water.’ She gestures around us nervously, to what appears to be a cave wall, but is really just water carved away. Near Moira’s head, a fish swims past, its tail swishing. Moira ducks, glaring.

Even Killian’s shoulders tense.

‘Of course.’ The witch’s gaze lands on me. ‘Katherine, dear. This might be hard for you to believe, to understand, but your mother is alive. And she is one of us. A Tide Witch.’ Her wrinkled mouth kicks up in a smile. ‘As is a part of you.’

Before I can call bullshit on Old Lady’s weird story, and her claim that I’m part-Tide Witch, she grabs my hand and yanks me forward. Killian growls so the woman releases her grip on me, but otherwise doesn’t react.

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