Trapped By Claws (Of Seas and Tides)

14. Interrogated

Ididn't know who was coming or why, but my instincts warned me it was bad.

I snatched Mama's little book off the corner of the table and dropped my glass and spoon in the washbasin with the bowl before Corvin grabbed my arm.

He dragged me to one of the large shelves, opened a sliding panel in the back, picked me up, and shoved me inside. I startled, not even realizing that the shelves had false backs. A smuggler's ship must have wrecked in these waters.

"No matter what happens, don't say a word. No matter what. Not even if they attack me. If they find out you're here, you'll never see your mother again," he hissed. Then he pulled the panel shut. A small crack allowed me to peer out.

Another pounding knock struck the door. The rune marks on it flared bright yellow. "Answer!"

Corvin raked his hand through his hair and then opened the door. "You feel the need to interrupt my rest?" He demanded, faking sleepiness in his voice.

Three fae shoved inside. The largest, a broad-shouldered warrior with glistening embellishments and epaulets over light leather, entered first. He had thick silver-green hair and dark-green eyes. His teeth were sharp, and his heavy-veined hands had claws. He strode in, the metal on his shoulders and his belt clinking with each heavy step.

My heart pounded. This man was bad news. I bit the inside of my lip as I stared through the crack.

One of the smaller fae had wings like fins folded against his back. His skin was purple and blue with sharp blue ridges along his cheeks and actual gold worked into his flesh. He shoved Corvin hard as a third fae with solid black eyes and black claws slammed the door shut.

Corvin staggered back, his expression hard. "What do you want, Lishen?" he demanded, his gaze fixed on the largest of the three.

Tagger bristled, his hackles shooting up. He trilled and chattered. Black Claws moved to kick him.

Corvin darted in front of Tagger, not deflecting the blow but taking it instead. He didn't even flinch when the fae's boot connected with his leg, but he bared his teeth at Black Claws. "Touch the otter, and I?—"

Lishen struck Corvin across the face, knocking him to the ground.

I cringed, covering my mouth.

Corvin hit the ground hard. Tagger shook his head, hissing and squeaking. He stomped his paws like he was about to attack. But Corvin snapped his fingers at him. "Away, Tagger!" He pushed himself up, wiping the blood from his mouth.

Tagger looked at him, his dark eyes sparkling. Then he bolted under the table.

"Leave the pet alone," Lishen ordered coldly. He clicked his tongue at Corvin as he stood. "You know why we're here."

Corvin pressed his hand to his mouth. He was still bleeding, but there was murder in his eyes as he stared at Lishen. "I do not know. I have already been to the king and answered his questions."

Lishen strode farther into the room, his gaze narrowing as it fell upon the woodstove. "You have made some changes to your residence."

Corvin glared but gave a slight nod. "I also made food."

"You had company?" Lishen gestured toward the washbasin with the second bowl and glass.

Corvin shrugged. "I ate. Then I went to rest, realized I was hungry again and needed to take the medicine. So I got another bowl. Stew's still hot."

Lishen's eyes narrowed. He chuckled, shaking his head. He dipped his finger in the bowl, then nodded. "So it is. I didn't know you had the skill." He drew in a deep breath. "You've been full of surprises." He set his arms akimbo as he strode back. "And we do not like surprises, Corvin."

"I am not aware of any surprises," Corvin answered, his voice low and deadly. Tagger watched with glittering eyes from behind Corvin, teeth still bared. "All has been as it should be."

"Except it hasn't. This last wreck. There are survivors on the island. And they aren't dead. They aren't even close to dead. The leviathans should be hungry. Yet they were sated. As if they had devoured all aboard the vessel, the way it should be. And someone saw you speaking with a dwarf captain."

"I warned him that if he stepped into the waters again while the boundary encompassed the island, he and all with him would die. His luck will not hold out a second time."

Lishen wagged his finger, a slight smile curling at his lips. Black Claws and Blue Ridges started searching the cavern. They opened the doors and the cupboards, rattling about noisily. Black Claws flung open the bedroom door as Blue Ridges searched the guest room.

I held my breath, grateful I hadn't left anything in there. Nothing except my spoon on the woodstove. My stomach twisted.

Corvin remained motionless as Lishen stepped in front of him.

"So you have never met the dwarf captain before?" Lishen asked, his voice almost sickeningly sweet.

"Not that I am aware of," Corvin said calmly. He folded his arms over his chest, his head tilting. His voice had taken a hard edge. "But many have come and gone over the years. I only concern myself with those on ships that stray beyond the boundary and those who require warnings. I do not worry myself with remembering those who live or die. Why burden myself with the useless?"

"Hmmm. Except I am certain I saw that dwarf before. The green and indigo kraken tattoos…they are distinct. Are they not?"

Corvin shrugged. "I don't concern myself with such things."

"What do you concern yourself with?" Lishen demanded.

More dishes clattered and broke. Black Claws started pulling items out of the cupboard by the woodstove. Blue Ridges flung the mats out from the bedroom and ripped one of the blankets in half. The ragged tear of fabric dragged out as Lishen stared Corvin down.

"I concern myself with my duties. I have fulfilled all of them to the letter," Corvin said coldly. "I am charged with ensuring that ships violating the boundary are destroyed. The ship was destroyed. Every ship that has crossed the boundary has been destroyed."

"There was a young woman," Lishen said softly. "A human woman. Where is she, Corvin?"

He gave a bewildered grunt that was actually convincing. His expression remained like granite, blood leaking from his lips, his eyes dead. "Drowned, most likely."

"Strange. All those survivors. And the only one missing is a very pretty human female."

"The sea has no mercy."

"But you do." Lishen stared at him. "And it's a funny little coincidence, isn't it? You're going through your medicine faster too. When you were in the king's court, you informed the warden that you needed more. But you were restocked a month ago. Why are you taking so much more?"

"I was injured. I wasn't aware that there were rations on the medicine. I have been instructed to take it whenever the heat starts. Am I in error?"

"No. We wouldn't want you to die. But we are concerned about why you have suddenly had such a change in your requirements."

Corvin shrugged at this. "I got snagged in the boundary more than once. You know how powerful jellyfish venom is."

Lishen nodded. His expression unchanging, he struck Corvin with his fist, dropping him to the ground once more. "You made no mention of that in your report. Nor did you mention feeding the leviathans."

"There are already rumors about you, worm food," Black Claws sneered. He pushed the washbasin over. Water splattered all over the floor, the dishes inside shattering. The basin itself cracked.

"Rumors that have been addressed," Corvin growled. He stood once more, signaling Tagger to retreat again. "I have answered every inquiry on everything."

"All except…when did you feed the leviathans?" Lishen demanded.

Black Claws shoved the pot of stew onto the floor. The broth and chunks of fish, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes spilled out.

"After they destroyed the ship and I realized they were still hungry," Corvin said.

That was a lie.

I bit the inside of my lip, silently begging Lishen to believe his story and let him go.

"Well…we'll see, won't we?" Lishen said with a shrug. "But truly, there is one point that just keeps bothering me. It would seem that everyone but that pretty little female you claim drowned made it to the island," Lishen said, circling him. "And the funny thing is…the older woman—before the dwarf dragged her off—kept asking where her daughter was. She believes she's alive."

"Delusion, most likely," Corvin said flatly. "If she isn't on the island, then the girl is dead."

"Oh?" Lishen snickered. He crossed his arms. "That's the only other option?"

"What are you implying? I have no mate. I am not permitted, and I cannot take one," Corvin said sharply. "And if I could, I would not let her anywhere near you."

Lishen's nose wrinkled with disgust before he struck Corvin again. "You say that, but we both know what shifter fae do when they find their mates. It's practically uncontrollable. Nothing else matters. But it isn't like she had to be your mate for you to snatch her. You could have just grabbed her because you wanted something to warm your bed."

Corvin spat out a mouthful of blood and straightened his shoulders. "I have fire now."

The three fae laughed coldly. Then they attacked.

I cringed as the three fae beat Corvin, their blows falling swift and fierce. There were no more questions. Just strikes.The only thing that held me back was knowing I would make it worse for him if I revealed myself.

He staggered under the beating until he at last fell and did not stand. Blood dripped from his busted lip. His right eye swelled shut. The stripes along his face and body bulged and darkened in sickly shades.

Blue Ridges kicked Corvin onto his back. He then put his boot against his chest and seized Corvin's wrist with the claw bracelet. Corvin sputtered, choking on his own blood. Before he could do more than groan with pain, Blue Ridges snapped two of the claws in Corvin's bracelet directly into his wrist.

Corvin spasmed, the veins in his neck bulging. He gasped in agony.

Lishen pulled out the knife I'd used to chop the tomatoes. He held the blade up, looking it over. Then he jammed it in Corvin's side.