Chapter 6 Dining with the Enemy
Dining with the Enemy
Siralaine
Ishake my head, trying to remove the thoughts of the sexy man-beast. Who is he?
My mind wanders to the wave weavers. Are they still searching for me? Why would they try to kill me? That couldn’t have been Father’s orders. I refuse to believe it. No matter how angry he is at me, he wouldn’t do that to me.
We had argued after my sisters accused me of crimes I didn’t commit, and then things got worse when I mentioned my mother.
I look at my skin under the running water of the shower; the faintest hue of iridescent blue is beginning to appear.
I’m going to have to shift soon. However, once I do, I will have to remain in sea siren form for an hour.
I can’t risk that here, not when I don’t know whose side this man is on; he isn’t human, even I know that much.
If he’s in alliance with the sky sirens, then he’ll kill me the moment he realises what I am, and maybe even more so when he realises exactly who I am.
And then there’s a risk of him desiring more. Sea sirens not only draw men in with their voices, but our appearances can also render men senseless, and a man can easily become a sexual monster with no self-control.
And with my scales being the darkest in the ocean, the fuchsia pink that becomes the blackest of black, everyone would know I’m none other than the daughter of Morcant, the Sea King.
Some think my tail is a unique miracle, but the majority think my mother practised dark magic.
That’s why she was brutally raped and killed.
I push away the anger, hatred and bitterness I feel towards those who were never brought to justice; her killers swim free to this very day, and my father allowed that, letting them do what they wanted to her. I vowed to find and destroy them, and I will.
Sighing, I look at my skin. As long as the lights remain dim and he doesn’t look too closely, he shouldn’t notice it. I hope he doesn’t, anyway.
Drying myself off, I put on the shirt, grateful for something proper to wear. The one I had on previously, I found discarded in an alleyway when I crossed the veil onto Earth. I return to the bedroom, limping towards the door.
He’s on the sofa, arms spread out across the back of it, legs parted, head tilted back, revealing his bobbing Adam’s apple, as a brown paper bag sits on the table in front of him.
His tan skin is beautiful, with a scar that runs across his face, only adding to his charm.
His deep brown hair looks thick and glossy.
The itch to comb my fingers through it niggles at me.
I drag my attention away from him and to the brown paper bag.
Oh, it smells amazing! Looking back, I can’t even remember the last time I ate.
His eyes rake over me, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. My core tingles just from his gaze. We sea sirens do lust for sex, too, and right now the idea doesn’t sound so bad. He smirks, as if knowing exactly what kind of effect he has on me.
“I see you’re feeling better,” he remarks as he gets up, saunters over to the refrigerator and takes out two bottles of drinks.
He then drops onto the couch, stretching his long, muscular legs out once again.
Reaching for the brown bag, he opens it, taking out two pots of hot noodles.
“Sit,” he commands, passing me a pair of chopsticks and picking up a pair for himself.
“Thanks,” I say softly. I pry off the steaming lid, making sure not to cut myself in my hurry. I’m ravenous.
“So, where are you from?”
I stiffen at his question before shaking my head. “Nowhere.”
“Everyone’s from somewhere, even if it’s from the slums.”
I glance up at him as he begins eating. Despite his casual posture, he holds dominance and power. There’s also a hint of grace in his movements as he eats. Is he from a noble family?
“Well, I did come from somewhere, but my father and I had a huge argument, and I can’t go back. I broke his most important rule…”
“Rules are made to be broken, darling.”
“Not when they are my father’s,” I reply softly, looking up at him. Should I risk it and tell him I’m not from this world? It would mean letting him know I know he isn’t human, but he might already know that I’m not either, and he may be trying to get information out of me.
“I’m not from here, but I will get a job and start my life here.”
It’s the truth. That is my plan, but only after I avenge my mother.
He’s silent for a moment, and I stir my noodles before I slurp some up. The hot liquid burns my throat, the spice making my eyes sting. I’m not used to spicy food.
“Not from here… so which realm are you from? You didn’t have anything on you, so how did you get through the barrier?”
“I ran,” I admit truthfully.
“You can’t just run. Every entrance to this world is guarded. To pass through a barrier, you need identification, which you weren’t carrying. Do you even have money to use here?”
“I’ll make money.”
“So, which world are you from?” he repeats.
He’s not just making casual conversation; he’s questioning me. I have seen that sharp glint in many eyes before him. It’s another trick. This state only has portals to one realm… “Varindor.”
He tilts his head, and I try not to pay attention to the way his shirt stretches over his chest. “Varindor…”
There’s a change in his eyes, a deadly glint that sends a shiver down my spine, and I have no appetite left.
“Overall, that’s quite a reckless move. Varkhazan still has soldiers in Varindor, even after Morcant won the war. Have you thought of approaching someone from his army for help, or on the other hand, calling for the council of King Morcant?”
I look into his eyes. They are a gorgeous molten shade, one that reminds me of gold and amber combined. Is he trying to see which side I favour?
I may not get on with my father, but he is the one I will, or should I say, would have chosen. With the wave weavers wanting me dead, I’m not so sure anymore.
I sigh and shake my head. The delicious taste of the noodles suddenly tastes bitter.
“I don’t know if any of them can help me. Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never been one to delve into the political power of the country.”
He nods slowly. “I see, well, right now the veils are guarded by fae working alongside Morcant.”
“Not all… There was an entrance that only I knew of, but today, when I tried to get there, I found it was guarded by sky sirens.”
“You do know that hiding a crack in the veil from the authorities is a federal crime?”
The more we talk, the more my mind is telling me to run.
“Oh? Seems like you know the laws pretty well. Or should I say Varkhazan’s laws,” I say quietly. I need to get out of here. My heart is thundering as his eyes narrow, glinting cunningly.
The moment a cold, humourless smirk crosses his lips, I dart from the couch, knocking my pot of noodles over in the process as I jump over his long legs and make a run for the door, but the split second I need to unlock it, he’s behind me, grabbing hold of my arm, yanking me back and pinning me against the wall like a weightless ragdoll.
“Who are you?” he snarls, this time his voice menacing.
“Who are you?” I shoot back instead, trying to calm my emotions. I can’t let any of my true form show through or he’ll figure it out! My stomach twists with nerves as I try to stay in control.
“None of your business,” he answers. “Why did you run?”
I clench my mouth. “I’m not going to dine with a Varkhazan supporter!” I snarl, bringing my knee up ready to do some damage, but he traps my thigh between his legs, making me gasp. He’s strong.
“And here we have a Morcant follower. Any supporter of Morcant is commanded to be executed on the spot,” he whispers huskily as he leans in, his voice chilling, yet seductive at the same time.
One hand holds my wrists above my head, the other now wraps around my neck.
“But you’re such a pretty little thing… Maybe I’ll keep you as my plaything for a while. ”
My eyes flash, and I know he saw the glow as his eyes now narrow. “I’d rather die than let you touch me!” I snarl.
“Are you sure? Because I’m sure I can have you spreading your legs for me willingly…
” He raises an eyebrow in mock challenge, and then I’m being pulled away from the wall and dragged into the bedroom, where he tosses me onto the bed.
My top rides up, and I reach to yank it down when he roughly turns me, pinning me face down on my stomach.
He straddles me, and my heart hammers.
What-what is he going to do?!
I’ve heard of far too many stories of men and sky sirens stealing sea sirens and using them for their sexual gratification.
But I never thought I’d be in such a position.
He grabs my arms and forces them behind me. I hear him reach for something, and then he’s binding my arms.
I’m too weak to fight back. I’ll just be giving away what I am, and he’ll still win.
“Let go of me! I’ve done nothing wrong!” I exclaim, trying to keep the tremble from my voice.
His hand tangles in my hair as he tugs my head back. “Then why try to run? If you behave, I might just help you.”
I do not trust a word he’s saying.
He doesn’t release me; instead, he ties me up tightly and clucks his tongue. “What a waste of a good meal.”
I don’t bother giving him an answer, seething.
“I’m going to go shower, and I assure you, if you even attempt to move, I will hear it.”
“Fuck you,” I spit resentfully, turning to give him my most hateful glare. I don’t care if he helped me earlier. I don’t trust him anymore.
He cocks a brow. “You turned nasty quick.” He smirks coldly. “But I like a girl with bite.”
Oh, if only he knew how much I can bite.
He turns away, untying the string on his pants as he walks to the bathroom.
If I need to, I can entrance him, but I will need to play my cards just right.
He leaves the door open, and I internally scoff as he gives me a view of his naked body. I’ll get out of here, but whilst I’m kept captive, I’ll just enjoy the view of the dickhead. He might be a jerk, but at least he’s attractive.
He strips out of his pants, causing my cheeks to heat as I admire his ass. Gods, he’s delicious…
But then my gaze trails up, and I find myself looking at the tattoos that cover his broad back and arm, a tattoo that includes the crest of one of the deadliest dukedoms of Alvazakh.
My gut twists with fear.
He’s not just a supporter of Varkhazan and his tyrannical ways. He’s one of his most loyal dogs.