Page 42 of Found Objects

“You know a lot about watermen,” I said petulantly. “And gods.”

“It’s true. I know a lot about the fae as well, but if you’re done being contrary…”

I groaned. “Fine.”

“We should be talking about what it is you like at the moment.”

“Or not,” I grumbled at her.

“Why do you stay away from love?”

“That’s not love. Him and me, that’s lust. You, of all beings, should know the difference.”

“No, I felt the strength in him. He would make a good mate.”

“He needs a wolf mate, and he needs to lead that pack.”

“The human side of him says no, be grateful, be humble, remember what his aunt and uncle have done for him. It’s the wolf that knows better, knows what’s right and what needs to be done. The animal in him wants to draw blood.”

“How do you know all that?”

“I heard what you said, and you know that when people speak, I can see their memories.”

I did know that. “Right.”

“I’m going to go swim in the stream. I might go all the way to the lake and see what’s there. Maybe let some fishermen see me.”

“Don’t—”

“Please,” she said with a roll of her eyes, which looked really odd with the all-black sclera she was sporting at the moment. “I haven’t drowned anyone in ages.”

I nodded.

“I might make a snack of someone, though. I haven’t fucked in ages either.”

“Just don’t bewitch anyone.”

“I’m not a witch,” she reminded me, her voice going dark with warning.

“Enchant anyone. Is that better?”

“Yes.” She suddenly brightened, sounding cheerful. “Better.”

“I don’t want anyone following you home.”

“Of course not.” She was back to sounding terse. “It’s my sanctuary too.”

I’d overstepped. I knew she didn’t bring strangers home. Now I needed to distract her. “And leave Teague alone if you see him.”

She scrunched up her nose as if the very idea was distasteful.

“All he said to me that day was, ‘there’s a mermaid in your bathtub,’” I said in defense of my friend.

“Yes, I know. But what he might have said, instead, is ‘there’s a seductress in your bathtub,’ or a nymph, a siren, or an angel—though I doubt he’s ever seen one—or even, as banal as it is, ‘there’s an ethereal mermaid in your bathtub with the most glorious tail…’ But he said mermaid as though I were beneath him, or common.”

I couldn’t count how many times we’d had the same conversation over the years. “The fact that you heard him in your head should tell you something.”

“I’m certain I have no idea what you mean.”