Page 7 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)

Chapter 6

MELODY

I’m attacked the moment I walk through the door.

“Thank God.” Erik crushes me to his chest, “When you texted saying you didn’t need a ride I thought for sure someone had kidnapped you.”

I laugh weakly, “Pretty sure they would have sent a picture for ransom money.”

A heavy exhale presses against my chest. I squeeze him back, offering the physical reassurance my words always fail to offer.

“I’m okay, Erik. Really.”

“I know.” He clears his throat, finally releasing me, “Come on. I’ll get you something to eat.”

I kick off my shoes and follow him into the kitchen. A wooden countertop sits in the middle of the room, its surface wiped clean of dirt and grim. The dishtowels from our old house hang off the ancient oven and my mother’s favourite culinary set sits above the rickety cabinets lining the walls.

It’s a kind gesture, taking the time to unpack our things so this place feels less like a haunted house and more like a home, but all it does is reinforce the person missing from our family.

I swallow, forcing my eyes away from the familiar utensils. Erik busies himself making me a sandwich, pulling out fresh bread and cheese he must have hunted down sometime today.

“So, tell me. How terrible was it?”

“It was fine.” Dropping my backpack to the floor, I climb onto a barstool, “I owe you a pocketknife though.”

Erik looks at me in concern, “Did you have to use it?”

“No, but I probably should have.” I scowl, thinking about Marlin and his slippery fingers, “Next time I’m slicing first, asking questions later.”

“I don’t like you going to school with these people.”

“And I don’t like having an unemployed stepfather. Guess we both have to make sacrifices.” Reaching up, I rub my jaw softly, “Could you pass me some ice?”

He passes me the sandwich before turning to the freezer standing next to the window. Natural light seeps through the arched panes, highlighting the salt-and-pepper streaks threading through Erik’s dark hair.

The grey seems to have doubled in the last fourteen days.

“The job search is going well, thanks for asking.” He blows out a breath, “There’s a local convenience store that needs some help -

“No.” Cutting him off, I shake my head, “We did not come all this way just so you could make minimum wage. We have a plan and we’re going to stick to it.”

“We only have six months until the inheritance money runs out.” He sighs, “It’s too risky. Let me find something steady and we’ll figure out the next steps then.”

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Erik. You can’t just throw it away because you’re scared.” Meeting his gaze, I give him a nod, “We can do this. You just have to trust me.”

The way I trusted you.

The unspoken words float between us, the echo of our past never far behind.

“I trust you.”

He looks at me with bloodshot eyes, the tell of too many sleepless nights. I soak in the weary face, resolving to make this work no matter the cost.

“I met the mayor’s daughter today.” I give him a rueful smile, “She was the only person who didn’t try and scare me.”

Concern fills his eyes, “Did you get hurt?”

“Not badly.” Taking the ice from his hands, I press it against my jaw, “What do you know about the Sea Witch of Wolf Hollow?”

“Quite a bit, actually. Ursela Seaborn is the town fixer. Employed by the Drache family, she’s responsible for collecting information and conducting interrogations on anyone who stands as a potential threat. ”

Erik leans back against the counter, “The nickname comes from the torture methods she uses during interrogations. From what I’ve heard, electric eels are her favourite.”

I grimace, “Sounds like a delightful woman.”

“Her intelligence is supposed to be incomparable, a trait that has been passed down to her only son. His name is-

“Marlin.” I sigh, “An equally delightful character.”

Worry creases Erik’s brow. I hold up a hand before he can launch into another lecture.

“It was a short but memorable interaction. Nothing to worry about.”

The memory of Marlin’s thumb stroking my bare skin has my cheeks flushing without consent. Darwin’s theory is clearly fucked up here because someone as sick and twisted as him should not have the face of a model.

He’s an apex predator for God’s sake. Give him devil horns or claws or something that turns off any attraction.

“Marlin is also employed by the Drache family, but I believe it’s a side hustle run by the Dragon’s daughter.”

“Dragon?”

Erik nods, “The woman who oversees the black market operations in Wolf Hollow. She’s got a history of human trafficking and child abductions, but now she’s expanded her business into the drug trade. She recently purchased a manufacturing plant that specializes in pharmaceuticals, and for the last two months, has been slowly getting the business off the ground. ”

Taking a bite of my sandwich, I chew thoughtfully, “Where does Marlin fit into this?”

“He’s responsible for the distribution. Rumour has it he created an algorithm that allows residents to order a shipment and have it delivered straight to their door.”

“ Skip the Dishes but make it Skip the Drug Dealer. ” A laugh escapes me, “That’s actually brilliant.”

Erik frowns, “It’s illegal and unethical.”

“Obviously.” I roll my eyes, “Does he work alone?”

“No. The delivery boys rotate every few weeks and any complaints are handled by Gus Cartier.”

I snort, “Muscle daddy strikes again.”

Erik shoots me a warning look, “This isn’t a joke, Melody. You need to take these people seriously. Calista is known for being ruthless and wildly violent, especially when someone threatens the Drache empire.”

“Wait.” My heart starts to pound as green eyes and sharp canines flash behind my eyes, “The daughter’s name is Calista?”

He nods, “Calista Drache is the Dragon’s daughter.”

My sandwich threatens to make a reappearance as the reality of my situation starts to sink in.

I’m not going to school with the next generation of common criminals. I’m going to school with the heirs of a black throne.

The children of the most powerful villains in Wolf Hollow.

“That’s great.” The words stick to the roof of my mouth, “Super awesome. Think I’m going to head to bed now. ”

Erik opens his mouth, but I hold up a hand, “Not tonight. I can’t do it tonight.”

The disappointment on his face is clear as day when I push back my chair and deposit my plate in the sink. The guilt presses down on me, but I shove it aside and leave the kitchen.

I keep my head down the entire walk up the stairs, refusing to look at the piano quietly waiting in the living room. Tendrils of grief snake their way into my heart as I enter Arielle’s Chambers, the pressure in my chest teasing into lyrics that no longer have the strength to make it past my throat.

My mother once said there was nothing more tragic than a sailor who couldn’t find his way home. A man without a compass is a man without a love waiting for him ashore.

I was her compass. The beating heart that always guided her home.

The lights flick on, illuminating the bedroom in an unflattering yellow hue. The newly cleaned ornaments stand tall and proud along the dresser, my mother’s random knick-knacks meaningless except for the fact they were once hers.

Checking the hidden nook for any intruders, I double check the windows are locked and the closet is empty before making my way to the bed.

Once I'm absolutely certain there are no monsters lurking in the shadows, I strip off my skirt and crawl under the covers.

Exhaustion slaps me in the face as I lie down, the emotional toll of the day finally setting in. My eyes flutter close as I roll onto my stomach, sliding my hand under my pillow .

Cold metal hits my fingers and my eyes fly open.

Yanking my hand back, I snatch up my pillow and clutch it to my heaving chest. Reaching out, I grab the shadowed object, carefully wrapping my fingers around the familiar blade.

“What the fuck?”

I stare down at Erik’s pocketknife, hysterical laughter bubbling up in my throat. It’s the same knife Marlin stole from me which can only mean one thing.

He was in my room.

He touched my bed.

I clench the knife tighter as the low rumble of his laughter plays through my mind. Those violet eyes peer at me from the shadows, the hard press of his body coming up behind me.

Whirling around, I pull back the sheets and stare at the empty mattress. Blood roars through my ears as I scan the room, seeing that perfect smile mocking me from every corner.

“He’s not here.”

My voice fills the silence of the room, falling short of the reassurance I was looking for. Pulling the duvet up to my chest, I fight back a shiver, refusing to let that asshole get the best of me twice in one day.

Wear the black skirt tomorrow. The one with the little bow. I think your legs will look particularly ravishing in that one.

“He’s not here.” I whisper again, wishing the words true.

“Not yet.” He whispers back, “You’re not mine yet.”