Page 28 of Love & Heart Braking

“We’re going to take them out,” he said in two voices.

My eyes widened. “Why is that happening? Your voice, your eyes.”

Devereaux pressed his lips together. “My predator and I are in absolute agreement.”

“What about?”

“That no one will ever lay a finger on you.”

7

We’d rolled through water nearly high enough to enter the carriage for some time, but now we creaked to a stop before two stone pillars coated in slime and mold. The attached gates were rusty and hung askew.

Initial impression? The kraken’s nest left a lot to be desired. Despite that, I couldn’t help peeking out.

At a glance, the Dethnels’ estate appeared to be an expansive wetland with no buildings, but a closer look showed me that small channels and moats wormed in an impossible maze for as far as the eye could see.

I suppose descendants with a water affinity wouldn’t live above ground. They must sleep under the surface.

I shivered as a voice crackled through a rusty speaker on one of the stone pillars.

“Detective Vincori, Cerys Concordia, we’ve been expecting you. Enter.”

That was easy.

The carriage rolled forward through the water, and I eyed it nervously. I was a good swimmer, but the water had a dim, slimy appearance I really didn’t want to dip my favorite tan boots into.

Devereaux and I exchanged a glance in the dark.

This estate visit felt different to the others. More… loaded? Like a cocked gun. We weren’t just here digging about the break-in—which was our cover story again—we were here for Dev’s dad and the alliance too. On top of that, the Dethnels, one of the top four rich families were neck-deep in the criminal underbelly of Nepos and knew what I was.

A growl ripped from Devereaux’s throat, and his muscles strained at the material of his long coat. One of his irises turned blue again.

“What’s up?” I murmured low.

He drew in a long inhale, fisting his hands. “Having some trouble with you here.”

Maybe revealing my real type on the way here wasn’t the best idea.

I had to calm him down, but there could be cameras on us and people listening. Time to speak in code. “That attitude won’t help to keep Yearning Hearts safe,” I said to his predator. “Your usual work will.”

Devereaux shook.

“Even if you don’t agree, we probably need both to be the same color,” I added.

His blue iris faded to gray, and he exhaled, throwing me a grateful look. He cleared his throat and straightened. “I agree, Miss Concordia.”

The carriage halted again, and a tentacle slapped against the window where it dragged downward and curled around the handle before yanking.

“Stay close, please,” my berserker muttered under his breath.

I followed him out, wrinkling my nose at the fishy smell. At least my tan boots weren’t wet yet—we stood upon a large, flat stone.

A huge kraken head popped up to my left and I held my ground… just.

The descendant’s bulbous head was dark green and shiny with slime. Its eyes were pitch-black, and the water type spoke from a huge red beak. “This way.”

I released a slow exhale at the swordlike teeth filling the visible parts of his—or her—mouth.

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