Filed To Story: The Saltwater Curse Book PDF Free
I carefully maneuver her body to avoid any scrapes as we reach a bend in the tunnel. The edges of dull green leaves sway up ahead, and light descends on us. Cindi’s arms and legs tense around me. She looks up, unnervingly quiet. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach. I spare a glance at her calculating face, and her eyes brighten, like there’s a plan forming behind them I won’t like.
Buka, I think as I approach the mouth of the tunnel.
The invisible door pulses an iridescent blue only noticeable with great focus.
Hot air assaults my skin the moment I pass the magical barrier that stops the elements, creatures, and critters from coming in. I scowl up at the blinding sun, feeling the sensitive skin of my tentacles wither against the scalding heat. They rapidly change to a lighter brown to match the dirt and keep cool.
“Wait,” I tell Cindi, wrapping another tentacle around her. “Do not make a sound.”
She stills, breath no more than a whisper against the gills of my neck. The sensation makes me shudder, and I have to remind myself I’m meant to be surveying my surroundings for predators.
At most, there will only be the bats that survive without the fruit that no longer hangs on the many trees on the island.
Krakens are forbidden from accessing the island—not that they would even if they were permitted.
Malediction Island, as my people have named it.
When I first inhabited it forty years ago, many were tempted to steal leaves or wood for their homes. The only reason it stopped was because krakens spread rumors the island is contaminated with my disease, and I’ve somehow poisoned all life here from the blood running through my veins. Some even began believing they may look like me if they so much as swam near my den.
The island sits in the middle of the ocean. The nearest body of land is nothing more than a giant rock formation that barely scratches the surface of the water. The palace. It’s where I should be residing as king.
I moved out decades ago when Chlaena still lived. It was hard to sleep knowing krakens were beyond the rock walls, whispering about me, wishing for my demise, finding a way to sabotage me. Plus, my body hated being underwater for long periods of time.
Taking post out here, away from the main eastern city, at the edge of the territory, was packaged to our subjects in a way that made it sound more like military strategy, rather than cowardice or weakness.
I held post here, watching for intruders, bandits, enemies from neighboring territories. I have killed many in protection of my kingdom. I was foolish to think if I tried hard enough, my people would accept me, but not once have I ever received thanks or commendations for what I’ve done.
Now, without threat of invasion, there’s nothing for me to occupy my days with, except hunting or experimenting with the human tools I’ve found.
“What are you searching for?” Cindi whispers when the silence stretches on for too long.
“Threats.”
“What—” She swallows, fingers digging into my shoulder. “People?”
My tentacle presses to the dirt to sense for any kind of magical interference or new presence. It’s possible humans have come to investigate the island. It wouldn’t be the first time. The runes hidden around the island and the palace deter them from venturing this way, not prohibit.
As for krakens, we may not have passed any on the way here, but there would have been a trail of her scent the seasoned hunters could follow. I can only hope the storm diluted her scent enough to make her impossible to track, and no one is foolish enough to investigate.
“Krakens,” I answer, closing the distance to the beach to scan the shoreline. “Witches. Sirens. Ghouls wouldn’t swim this far out. But you needn’t worry. You are safe with me.”
Her jaw drops. “Did you just say ghouls?”
I nod.
“They’re real
?”
I dislike how much interest she’s showing them. “Have you interacted with them?”
“What? No.” Cindi’s brows flatten. “Are vampires and demons real, then? What about the grim reaper? Dragons? Faeries or fae or whatever you’re meant to call them.”
Uh. “I am not familiar with the creatures on land, although demons come in many forms.” I can’t say I’ve had the misfortune of encountering any.
I brace myself for her disappointment. It never comes.
She huffs out a breath. “It’s better I don’t know.”
I like this. I like when Cindi is talking. Her eyes get brighter, and the lines around them soften. The sunlight kisses her tanned skin as I step out of the shade onto what my people call
Mutant Shores. She’s not glistening beneath the light as she did the other times I saw her. Her shade isn’t as rich and warm, doesn’t appear as feather-soft to the touch.
Is she sick?
Is it because she hasn’t been eating?
Exhaustion?
Was it because she was attacked?
“Is it safe?” she asks.
I blink, forgetting what I was meant to be doing.
I nod.
For now.
“Can you put me down?”
“Yes, but I do not want to.”
“Put me down,” Cindi orders.
“You’re—“
“Don’t you start with me being injured. Put me down right this second.” Cindi’s voice is infused with the confidence of a queen and the rage of a provoked shark. Her scent is the only thing giving away her fear.
I almost smile. I never want to see her show neck again.
Slowly, I lower her. I fight my instinct to pick her back up when she flinches when her feet touch the ground. The poultice has worked quickly to heal the worst of the wounds, but even slight discomfort is unacceptable.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.