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Ares trotted in after her, with his fearless rider. Soren’s gaze softened on hers like a siege to her soul. Not only had he helped her recognize who she was, but he’d helped her appreciate it.
Then, an unfamiliar female approached her, with eyes that matched her own. She stepped up to the windowsill and whispered gently,“Don’t be afraid my brave daughter. You may rest now.”
Thessa smiled softly, and let darkness sweep her out to sea.
A majestic voiceboomed across her mind, or perhaps her soul. “He will not help. I tried.”
“Who?” Thessa asked.
“The god of the seas, of course.”
“What?”
“Poseidon, my child. He’ll let the water take you. He’s very much into the,the water decidesandlet the tides bring what may,rubbish. You know the difference between male and female rulers, Thessa? Action. Hekate was willing to help me—help stop the hysteria her kind started. Not stand idly by. She had no problem visiting that friend of yours for me. To guide her to you. To help you, find him. Well, she wove the messages indirectly, but it worked all the same. After all, that’s what the grimoire was for. I certainly tried. Let it all not be for nothing.”
This had all been some constructed nonsense. “You lied too?”
The voice cut out.
Thessa shivered against a wet,jagged rock. Something acrid dribbled from her parted lips while what had to be death coursed through her veins.
Muttering sounded, then a sharp, “Get out of my way.”
She didn’t care beyond her own skin. Misery had seeped its way from her thigh, and into every crevice of her body. Clawing at the rocks for mercy, her body shook in agony.
Something pressed her down, popping her eyes open.
A familiar face, dark and golden from the sun, hovered above her. Soren had straddled her, bracing a flat palm atop her convulsing chest. His mouth was against his other wrist, tearing flesh away until a river of black-flecked blood rushed down his forearm.
“Drink,” he ordered her.
There was no room for protest. His arm smashed against her cold lips and the tang of metallic splashed on her tongue. When it pooled, she gulped. It tasted like a combination of copper and nutmeg, and her body solidified with each sip.
“More,” she mumbled before piercing her teeth into his flesh.
Warm, thick blood burst in her mouth. Every swallow was as satisfying and strengthening as the last. She fed for minutes before Soren drew back his arm.
“Alright, that should hold you over.”
Grasping his forearm, Thessa yanked him closer, drinking. She wondered, how long had the sea held her?
“That’s enough for now, we need to get you back to camp.”
Hissing sounded from behind her.
“She’s had plenty,” he snapped. “And you need to go, you’ve done enough.”
More hissing.
“I said, go.”
Withdrawing his arm, her lips quivered. “What happened? Who are you talking to?”
“Thessa, just breathe. You’re safe now. I promise you’re safe.”
Safe.
He’d said that once before. “I don’t feel so?—”