Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Even as the thought crosses my mind, his voice raises. “You’re worthless.” He waves the knife at her. Too close. Too fucking close. “Get out of my kitchen before I gut you where you stand.”
I don’t make a decision to move. I hear Embry’s sharp inhale behind me, and then I’m between Henryk and Catalina. “Put the knife down. Now.” He threatened her. Pointed that blade at her fragile body and said he wanted to gut her. “Or I will put it down for you.” I don’t sound like myself. I sound like I want to rip his throat out with my teeth.
It’s not inaccurate.
He backs up immediately, his tentacles tight to his body in fear. “Thane. I didn’t know you were—”
“That should make no difference,” I snarl. “Embry, have the guards get him out of here. Permanently.”
“Wait, no!”
I ignore his pleas and turn to Catalina. “Go to your room and gather your things. We’re leaving.”
She’s gone pale, her eyes too big on her face. “Um.”
“Now, Catalina.”
“Right. Okay. Sure.” She backs up and then she’s gone, darting out the door. I’ve scared her, but I can’t think clearly enough to slow down.
The guards appear within minutes, and Embry manages the situation with far more grace and patience than I am capable of at the moment. I have to concentrate on holding perfectly still, on keeping my breathing slow and even when all I want to do is pick up that damned knife and . . .
Embry crosses to me but doesn’t touch me. Smart of zir. I am shaking. Why am I shaking? “He’ll be escorted from the keep. It’s over.”
“He threatened to gut her.”
“Yes, I heard.”
Ze doesn’t sound particularly bothered by that, but I can’t tell if it’s because ze is trying to calm me or because ze honestly doesn’t care that Catalina was in imminent danger. Surely it’s not the latter. Except I can’t be sure. “We’re leaving.”
“Thane.” Embry sighs. “That’s an extreme solution to a temporary problem.”
“No, it’s really not. There are too many people here, and we cannot properly control them. Catalina is a person who incites strong emotions.” I know that all too well. “If someone harms her, the entire territory will pay the price.”
“Uh-huh.” Embry props zir hands on zir hips. “And this has nothing to do with you being scared because she was in danger. It’s only the territory.”
“Of course.” It feels like a lie, but I power through all the same. “I’m taking her to the tower.”
Instead of looking reassured, Embry looks more concerned. “Thane, you have exactly two people on staff.”
“Two people who I trust implicitly and who will not threaten to gut Catalina.” Della and Annis are lovely ladies who have seen to my personal residence for many years. While I am not close with either, they have shown themselves to be quiet, calm, and professional at all times. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I won’t claim to know Catalina after two conversations, but she continues to seek out company.” Zir concern comes from zir in waves. “If you isolate her, she may start climbing the walls.”
It’s a fair judgment based on my limited contact with her as well, but that changes nothing. “Better to be restless than to be harmed.” There are wards on my personal residence that prevent anyone but Embry from gaining access. And Annis and Della, of course. There will be no one for Catalina to incite, and none of our enemies will be able to take advantage of this deal and harm her.
Funny how I hadn’t even considered that would be a risk until now. Henryk reacted in anger, but he spotlighted a significantly larger problem. Catalina must be contained for her safety, which means I must take her home with me.
It also means we’ll be alone together.
The realization thrills me before I shut it down. My home is close enough to the keep for me to spend my days here, and I’ll just sleep beneath the surface, deep enough that not even a reckless human like Catalina will come searching. She can’t swim, for all that the bracelet ensures she won’t drown.
It’s a neat solution. “I’ve made my decision.”
“Thane . . .” Embry shakes zir head. “Fine. Do as you will.”
“It’s the logical solution.”
Ze doesn’t answer, turning and moving out the door and away from me. Zir disapproval stings, but I’m making the best call for everyone. Catalina must be kept safe, and frankly, I must be kept from Catalina.
I don’t know who that kraken was who dominated her, growled commands at her. I don’t recognize him. He’s not who I was with Brant, and he’s certainly not the shell of a person I became after Brant’s death. Better to keep apart from her and ensure he doesn’t make a reappearance.
Ever.
“You want me to swim. Again.”