Page 13 of Kept By the Kraken

“No more questions. Leave.”

“Who are you?” Her sweet voice sounds behind me. The storm has washed away the scent of her fear, and all that remains is her hopeful florals, full of anticipation.

“I told you to leave.” I grit the words out, refusing to turn and look at her.

She laughs, but the sound is humorless. “I never was good at reading warning signs.”

That’s when I realize I’m the one who has to disappear. If I had known the cause of my new rune would find me so quickly, I would have fled after my trip to town for supplies this morning. But now it’s necessary. I need to move on to the next house and the newest identity. Whatever this is between us can’t be, and the longer I stay in her presence, the more I risk giving in to the pull between us.

She steps closer. “Were you with me in the water?”

This woman is infuriatingly curious. My Beast preens at the mention of their meeting and pushes against the veil, vying for control. I ignore her question.

The air shifts as she walks through the living room and into the kitchen. The creak of drawers and cupboards opening draws my eye.

“What are you doing?”

“I could use a drink.” She peers into the pantry and digs around.

I should flee, but instead, I grumble, “Top shelf on the left.”

She arches onto her toes, reaching for the bottle. Water drips on the floor, and her skin is so pale she looks blue.

Shifters run hot. I barely feel the cold right now, but she is human still, without my claim and protection. Her body is fragile even if her spirit is fierce.

I cross the room and crowd behind her, grabbing the moonshine. Leaning in, I murmur in her ear, “One drink, then you go.”

She trembles, turning to look at me over her shoulder. Even in the dim light, her eyes are bright and bottomless. Her pinklips part, her words tumbling out softly between us. “Who are you? Why do I feel like I know you?”

I turn away from her scrutiny and busy myself by pouring a drink. Once I hand her the mug, I take a swig from the bottle.The weight of her stare makes my skin crawl.

“My name is Bjorn. I’ll give you a change of clothes. One drink. Then you’re leaving.”

“Bjorn, I’m Penelope. It’s nice to put a name to this kinky adventure gone wrong.”

An unexpected chuckle leaves me, and the edges of her mouth lift into a pleased smile before she glares at me.

“I meant what I said before. I would have helped you. There was no need to hold me prisoner. Don’t ever fucking leave me tied up like that again.” She glares at me as she takes a sip from the mug. Her eyes widen as she coughs, patting her chest. “That’s rough… whew.”

My lips twitch. “Take it or leave it.”

Of course, she drains the glass. Penelope wipes her hand across her mouth and sets the mug on the kitchen counter with a flourish. One smug eyebrow lifts in a challenge.

“I’m sorry. I’ll use a more diplomatic approach in the future.”

“Something tells me that’s a lie.” She steps closer, her delicate hand reaching for me. “What are those symbols on your body?”

“Tattoos.” I sidestep her, fleeing the kitchen before I do something I’ll regret, like giving in to the urge to fuck her against the wall and claim her throat.

My Beast pushes against my skin. Feelers sprout and my fingers lengthen to claws. I fight him for control, barely managing to tuck him back in the recesses of my mind.

“Not when they glow like that,” she calls after me.

“It’s glow in the dark ink.”

She lets out an amused laugh.“Sure.”

I busy my hands by setting a fire. I can at least make sure she doesn’t catch her death of cold before I figure out a way to get us out of this mess.

---