Page 357 of Kingdoms of Night

Relief flooded my veins. Whomever put up the magic barrier knew that the dead girl was a siren. I was thankful, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end again. I didn’t know anyone who had that kind of power.

Except Elian Westin.

He was at it again.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

THE PACT

Ifound myself grateful for my magic ring. It protected me from detection more times than I was willing to admit.

Now, I was angry. I spun around and marched my way down to the pier as he’d advised. My nerves were out of whack, and I was ready for a fight, no matter the consequences.

So, I stood there with my back pressed against the railing, and crossed my arms over my bosom. I had to use all of my focus to keep from visibly shaking with rage. I began pacing, going through my mind all of the events that had led to this very moment.

What was I going to do if he used magic against me? My talisman could only do so much.

I was in the right spot. I glanced over my shoulder to be sure that he wasn’t sneaking up behind me.

Then, I froze.

He was there, walking toward me in a crisp white blouse, dark pants, and a jacket with shining golden buttons. He strolled down the pier leisurely, as if he was on holiday, just taking in the scenery.

“Siddhe.” Elain said my name as if it was the last word needed to invoke a powerful spell. I’d never heard my name pronounced that way.

“Hello, Captain.”

“Shame its been so long since our last meeting.”

To my surprise, he gave me a charming smile.

I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that his eyes were an entirely different shade of gray in the sunlight. Somehow, it made him look innocent.

But, I knew that he was far from it.

“I agree,” I said. Folding my arms across my chest, I tried to look fierce. “Just tell me one thing, Elian. Did you kill the girl?”

He scratched his chin, and I noticed that he hadn’t shaved today. The stubble actually looked nice on him.

“Oh, of course,” he said with a heavy sigh. “You’re concerned about your sisters. It appears someone poisoned the poor girl. What a shame. She was quite a looker.”

Poison.My body tensed, though I tried to hide it from my face.

“Did you do it?”

“No,” he said.

My brows furrowed as I looked at him. I searched his eyes, hoping to see if they contradicted the answer he’d just given me.

“You see, I don’t need a siren’s scales for my magic, Siddhe. Its low level magic. It’s beneath me.”

I was speechless. I shook my head in utter disbelief, and looked over the horizon. The sun shone brightly on the still clear blue-green sea below. But, I couldn’t believe it.

Elian was telling the truth.

He followed my gaze. “Besides, I’ve never had the taste for killing women in general. If it makes you feel any better, I am responsible for the magic barrier. I set it when I came upon the body. There were already villagers swarming her, and I selfishly concealed that she was sea-folk.”

“Why?”

---