Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Nox passes the first handful of houses, their attention on a larger building positioned in a slight expansion of the road that must make this the village square. The patterns painted onto our destination’s walls are a true eyesore, bright yellow and purple and green zigzagging and spiraling and . . . I blink against the dizziness threatening. “What the fuck?”
“It’s a spell.”
I didn’t realize Maeve had fallen into step beside me until her voice snaps me out of my daze. I pointedly look down at the ground. That, at least, is normal and expected and doesn’t make me worry that I might vomit. Finally, I ask, “What kind of spell? Warding? Or just repelling?”
“Repelling. It’s meant to ward off bad spirits and those with ill intent.” There’s something in her tone, something almost like mirth. “It doesn’t usually affect humans.”
I’m not human, for all that I look it. I’m no spirit, either, but one could argue I have ill intent. “Charming,” I grit out.
“Maeve.” Nox speaks without turning back. “Stop tormenting my vampire. We’re just here to drop you safely with your mother and grandmother. Everyone else, we’ll get a drink, pick up any news, and then head out again. No trouble. You especially, Eyal.”
Eyal raises his hands in defense. “Hey now. That was one time.”
“You drinking yourself under the table is at least a monthly occurrence.” Nox says it with no heat and a boatload of charm. “It’s not personal. We just don’t have time for it tonight.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll behave.” Eyal moves with an easy rolling gait that speaks to his shifter nature. I’m not quite sure what he shifts into. It’s not a wolf—I’d smell the mange on him a mile away. It’s something . . . I still can’t quite put my finger on it, and it drives me to the brink of frustration. Oh well. I suppose it won’t matter much in a few hours.
I’m not returning to the Audacity tonight . . . or ever again.
chapter 6
Maeve
For days, I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell Nox that my mother and grandmother don’t know about my missing skin. For days, I’ve failed to find the right words. I know what Nox would say—my family loves me and won’t think less of me for falling into such a simple trap.
Maybe they’re even right. Maybe my mother wouldn’t get that stony look on her face and blame my foolishness of getting involved in the rebellion. Maybe my grandmother wouldn’t shed enough tears to drown me, lamenting on how worried she always is and how I’m going to put her into an early grave. My family does love me, and desperately, but all that means is they worry.
Even worse is the fact that losing my skin had nothing to do with the rebellion. I have nothing to blame but my own terrible judgment and the loneliness that sometimes becomes too much to bear. Without those two working in tandem, I’d like to believe I never would have been seduced by Bronagh.
Shame becomes a physical thing that plagues my steps as the distance shrinks between me and the tavern where my family lives and works. It’s too late to run. I already did that. I even convinced myself that I was being brave and resourceful in trying to track down Bronagh without help.
Maybe if I’d admitted the truth as soon as I realized what happened, my mother and grandmother could have helped. Maybe I wouldn’t be facing down a journey with no definitive end.
That bastard took my skin. He played me with sweet words, seduced me with his touch and gifts, and the moment I dropped my guard, he stole part of me and sailed away. With each day that passes, the distance grows greater. There’s no guarantee he’ll hang on to it, either. A selkie skin can go for a high price on the black market. It’s a bragging right that the worst of Threshold loves to hold close.
I need to move. To get out of here. To find a ship, find a crew . . .
The enormity of the task before me makes my knees threaten to buckle. Nox is right in their own way; I’ve never been anywhere but Viedna. I can measure the distance of my world in a finite number of steps I’ve traversed more times than I can begin to count. I know every rock and tree and the quirks of the currents beneath the waves. But only here. Only on this island.
Out in the greater world? I thought I’d have a chance, but evidence points to the contrary. I don’t have the skills or experience to do any of this. The last time I tried, I ended up as a captive and put the entire rebellion at risk because Nox had to come save me. What makes me think I can do this?