Page 41 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)

Chapter 40

MELODY

I skip my morning class to pay a visit to Freya.

Except she isn’t the one who answers the door.

It takes me a moment to register the slicked back orange hair and pinstriped suit. An unnerving smile takes over the man’s face, his pale blue eyes flicking over my body conspicuously.

“Finally came to meet the mayor of Wolf Hollow, did you?”

The smile on his aged, freckled face falls somewhere close to a leer. The mayor looks like a retired tennis player with the lean body and self-confidence of a middle-aged man who exercises on the regular.

I wouldn’t say Anton Clementon is a handsome man, but he believes himself to be.

“Actually, I’m here to visit Freya.” Shifting my eyes over his shoulder, I try not to look too eager to get inside, “Wanted to check and see how her leg is doing. ”

“Ah, yes. She mentioned you’ve been coming to visit.” His eyes do another sweep of my body, “Rare for such a kind soul to wind up in this town.”

I clear my throat, “Is Freya inside?”

“She just popped out to the store, but she’ll be back soon.” He tilts his head with a smile, “Why don’t you come in and make yourself comfortable?”

I give him a tight smile, “Thanks.”

Stepping over the threshold, I try not to notice how closely Anton walks behind me. His breath is hot on my neck, the tip of his shoes almost brushing my heels. I quicken my pace and make a beeline for the winter-themed living room.

Sitting down on the far couch, I watch in dismay as the mayor takes the chair directly across from me. He props one foot up on his knee, giving me a charming smile that does nothing to dilute the tension in the room.

“Melody St. James.” Anton chuckles softly, “I cannot believe this is the first time we’ve met. You’ve been here for three weeks now?”

“Five.”

“Five weeks.” He whistles, a sharp sound that immediately grates my nerves, “And yet it only took you a couple of days to capture the attention of Marlin Seaborn.”

My eyes narrow, “Excuse me?”

“Your mother was the same way, you know.” He shakes his head with a rueful smile, “Arielle loved capturing the attention of the most sought after bachelors in town. Never looked at me, of course, her eyes were always on the darker, broken boys who couldn’t be fixed.”

A spark of anger ignites beneath my skin.

“You don’t know anything about my mother.”

“Given my late arrival to the town, I did not know her well , although it does not take much to make an impression.”

“Maybe you should keep your impressions to yourself.” My lips pinch into a smile, “Before I make a negative one of you.”

Anton’s eyes crinkle at the corners, “You are delightful, Miss St. James. I am so glad to see you are just as passionate as people say.”

Unease slithers through the anger, and suddenly I’m wishing I didn’t decide to visit Freya today.

Anton continues smiling at me, lowering his leg and lifting the other one.

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but there is an election coming up.”

“Yes. I am aware.”

“Then I am sure you are aware that Marlin Seaborn plans to run for mayor.” A ginger brow lifts, “Rather ambitious for a boy of his age, is it not?”

I smile sweetly, “Seems ambitious for a man of any age.”

The insult either doesn’t register or Anton chooses to ignore it.

“Fresh out of college and Marlin believes himself to be capable of running an entire town.” He shakes his head with a laugh, “Preposterous really, but I cannot discard the potential competition.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about Marlin.” I give him a fake smile, “The real competition isn’t your opponent. It’s the plan behind them.”

“Which brings me to my next point.” He taps the inside of his shoe as if it holds the winning hand, “I would like to know Marlin’s plan. Ready my battle strategies, if you will, and I need your help to do it.”

“I don’t know his plan.”

“Perhaps, but it would not take much for a pretty girl like you to find out.”

I stare at him, feeling the anger boil inside of me.

“I am not some doll you can play with and Marlin is not some kid you can bully into submission. He is ambitious and driven, and if you cannot see that, then the election has already been lost.”

Anton grins, blindingly white teeth sparkling from his corrupt mouth.

“She comes charging to his defence without a moment of hesitation. How marvellous.”

I glare back at him, burning a hole through his grinning skull.

“What do you know about Marlin Seaborn? Besides the ambition, of course.”

When I don’t respond, he chuckles knowingly, “Not the most open fellow, is he? Keeps his cards close to ensure no one can use them against him. ”

“You need to in a town like this.”

He waves off my comment, “Information is the name of the game, Miss St. James, and information is what I have at my disposal. Every child who is born within these borders gets documented and tracked until they graduate college or leave town. Whichever comes sooner.”

“As mayor, I get access to all of those files. With the exception of the Dragon’s daughter, there is no one in this town I do not have access to.” He pauses, “Marlin Seaborn is the only resident who does not have a file.”

I stare at him, thinking about the empty folder I found in his filing cabinet.

“There are many stories surrounding the Sea Witch’s son. Horrifying tales that caution children from the shoreline spanning the Seaborn property.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying what everyone has been saying. A little boy went running into the water and a monster came out.” He holds up his palms, “Marlin Seaborn didn’t exist until twelve years ago. So, all of his documentation...”

“Doesn’t exist.” I finish the sentence, feeling my head swim with confusion.

“Precisely. That is why I need your help to figure out the man behind the expensive suits.”

It is a reminder. That passion is a man’s greatest downfall .

The shipwreck tattoo flashes behind my eyes. I’m seeing it from a different perspective, piecing it together with the morsels of information I’ve gathered.

The furious force of the waves. The ripped sails and the broken mast. The unrelenting pull of the anchor dragging the boat under the surface.

Dragging a little boy under the water.

“What was he running from?”

“His mother.” Anton shakes his head solemnly, “Terrible tragedy, but worst of all it leaves me with no ammunition against a potential opponent.”

The mayor seems intent on redirecting the conversation back to his problem, but I’m stuck on the revelation that has just been made.

“There’s got to be documentation somewhere. Proof of Marlin’s identity.”

“Oh, there is, but I am certainly not going to get it.” He gives me a pointed look, “It is said there is a grave that holds all the answers, but to get to it one must cross the Sea Witch’s cave.”

I frown in disbelief, “The answers you’re looking for have been within walking distance this entire time?”

“Clearly, you have never had the misfortune of crossing paths with the treacherous woman.” Anton shudders, “Nothing good has ever come from wandering across Seaborn property, and I am certainly not going to go on some wild goose chase in search of a ghost. Too many souls have been lost on that beach to deem it a worthwhile risk. ”

He isn’t willing to sacrifice.

I have to force the traitorous thought aside before my expression gives me away.

“Sounds like you already have everything you need.”

“That’s where you are mistaken.” Running a hand through his hair, the gelled strands don’t so much as move, “I need to find Marlin’s weakness. Discover the flaws in his plan so I can poke holes through them before they get a chance to fly.”

I start to laugh. Anton looks taken aback, and the expression on his face only makes me laugh harder.

“Marlin Seaborn doesn’t have any weaknesses.” The lie slips through my teeth as easily as my next breath, “His only fear is water, and given he’s the best swimmer on the team, I don’t think that will help you much.”

“He must have a passion of some sort.”

“He doesn’t believe in passion.” Grabbing my purse from the couch, I stand up, “Nor is he the type of man who would willingly share a well thought-out plan. If you’re looking for a way to beat Marlin at the election, my only advice for you is good luck.”

A smile hits Anton’s lips, “You care for him.”

“And you are afraid of him.” Brushing my skirt back in place, I start walking towards the door, “Face it, Mr. Clementon, you are nothing but a pawn in this game.”

“A man cannot love if he does not have passion. And you’ve proven to this town that he does.”

My steps falter, “Marlin doesn’t love me. ”

Anton hums thoughtfully, “But if rumour got out that he does, I have a feeling a rather large target would be painted on your back.”

I pause, turning to look back at him.

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m stating the facts. When people go for the kill, they tend to aim for the heart.” He sighs heavily, “That being said, if you get the information I require, I’m sure such a fantastical rumour would never find its way among the scum of this town.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“Crude language does not suit a face as pretty as yours.” He chuckles softly, “You have forty-eight hours to get the information I need or you will find yourself unable to walk these streets alone. And given the fact Marlin doesn’t love you… well, I’m afraid you will inevitably get the short end of a very sharp stick.”

I glare at him, “Threaten me all you want, it won’t make a difference.”

“How about your stepfather? Would that make a difference?” Anton shrugs modestly, “I could secure him a position at an esteemed firm within the city. He wouldn’t have to do any of the Dragon’s dirty bidding. Not now, not ever.”

A younger version of myself would have taken the offer. I would have grabbed the easy way out with both hands and not thought twice about the people I have to sacrifice along the way.

It’s the game I have always played except now the game has changed .

“Consider my vote officially lost, Mr. Clementon.” Giving him a tight smile, I turn and walk out the door.

“The deadline remains the same, Miss St. James! Forty-eight hours or every criminal in this town will be hunting for Marlin Seaborn’s latest toy-

The door swings shut behind me.

A strong breeze blows through the trees, whipping my hair across my face. Wrapping my sweater tighter around my shoulders, I keep my head down and start the long trek home.

It’s fine. Everything is under control.