Page 59 of The Lost Child

I tripped and dumped the tub over, and licked as much as I could off the floor.

Gods, it tasted glorious.

I stared at the water, but it was hard to see anything except Nerissa’s face, unconscious as I’d plucked her from the ocean half-dead. I couldn’t shake the image of her face above mine, hovering in concern as nausea had wracked my body. Nerissa had never shied away from me like this female did. She had never been afraid.

Mate, my instincts screamed.

I swiped the water away. I didn’t have a mate. Monsters didn’t mate. I belonged to my master. It was how I survived.

You don’t need him to survive. Fight it.

The thought was new, and I froze, examining it carefully. I didn’t need clothes or baths. And he’d never given them to me in the past, had he?

He’s rewarding you for staying loyal.

Loyal to him over Nerissa.

Nerissa, who’d given me everything she had. She’d given her body and soul to me, and begged me to go away with her.

I tried. I couldn’t do it.

She’d screamed my name, and all I’d been able to do was crawl. A door had separated us for good. Before her, I never felt anything. I did what my master bid. Life was easy. Life was simple.

And dark. And meaningless.

Nerissa had shown me that not all pain hurt. She didn’t try to change who I was. She had wanted to take me away from here, and go somewhere where we could feel the sun on our face and live under the stars.

I had to keep trying. I turned towards the door and kicked it open. The female made a choked sound and backed away, pressing herself into the far corner. I focused on her face, and the faces of the other men who lived here. I could not leave as myself. The master would give a new order, and it would be very hard to resist it.

I frowned at the garments; soft pants and a shirt, and leather boots. I would have to be careful I didn’t catch anything on my claws. I thought of the master and the other men, and how they didn’t have claws.

And then quite suddenly, I didn’t have any.

The woman gasped with surprise, and I didn’t blame her this time. Pink, small nails winked at me from where sharp, black claws had just been. I looked down at my now human feet and shoved them in the boots without thinking. I tried to take a step forward and nearly fell on my face.

My wings were gone and with them any sense of balance I once had. My back spikes were also gone, which would make wearing the clothes easier, at least. The woman inched forward a bit, her face red. She gestured at the clothing in a silent question.

I snarled at her. She squeaked and took a step back. I felt around in my mouth for my fangs, but they were gone as well.

I finished dressing, but the buttons on the shirt proved too much. I left it hanging open, not wanting the woman near me. The boots were tight on my feet, and I felt stifled with the clothing.

This was a foolish idea, but it was the only one I had.

I took a step forward.

And wasn’t sick.

The world didn’t spin.

The master had ordered the woman to be with me, but he hadn’t ordered me to stay with her. He hadn’t given me any orders outside of guarding Nerissa.

Wait! Guard Nerissa!

That was it! Assuming I’d find her.

Assuming she’d forgive me.

Nerissa’s terrified scent floated down the hallways and I moved toward it automatically. I passed a few other men in the halls, but all of them backed away when they saw me coming. I gave them no thought. I could finally walk again. I could run. I could fight.

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