We'd swum all the way to the tank. I come up for a breather, eyeing the hull. Sailors line the deck, tall and frightening. These are the Eld, I think, disbelieving that I could be seeing them--and still have breath in my lungs. On my lead, we swim over to the aft. The rear is empty.I brace myself. The waves ripple silently, lifting me onto the deck. Warmth immediately engulfs my feet once they make contact with the floorboards. I line up against the metal edifice, daring a peek around the hulking structure. My blood runs cold.A few feet away are Eld warriors. Some lean along the rails, chatting. While a few remain watchful, menacing expressions on stoic faces. When one of them starts to look in my direction, I draw away instantly, not daring to breathe.I remain there for God knows how long before I'm hit with a stroke of inspiration. My arms lift and I shut my eyes. I draw on some last reserve of strength I have and soon the ship rocks. The men quiet. M

"We found two of them, boss," the one behind the wheel says into the phone with an American accent. "Thin, about five feet. Looks like they've just escaped an asylum, though.""Fantastic," a deep voice rumbles from the speakerphone.The man beside me snorts, muttering, "Always liked them mad."I scowl, directing saliva to his lungs. He hunches over and chokes. Someone reaches over to pound his back.The man in front asks, "You good, Chuck?""Yeah, I'm fine," Chuck says, shrugging off the helping hand roughly. "Just trying to help, man.""Keep your hands to yourself."After what seems like an eternity, we wind into a... Mansion. Not what I was expecting. Maybe a shady warehouse or some kind of illicit, underground holding, yes, but not this soaring Mediterranean structure oozing with flashy wealth and luxury . What would they need two girls of questionable sanity for?The question is answered once we st

MALCOLM __I wake to throbbing at the back of my head. Pain lances through my skull and I groan loudly, trying to think. After the stint with Elenora, I was heading back to my office and then--"Thought you were going to sleep forever," a female voice says.Female?I try to move. I'm bound!I struggle against the chains around my wrists. No! Gwen, I need to find her before it's too late."Rise and shine. Sorry, bad joke. Seeing as you can't stand. But you will shine when Gwen lights you up."My eyes snap open. Gwen?"Do you know her?" I stumble out to the brown-haired woman. "Please, is she who I think you're talking about? R-red hair, green eyes, about five feet four inches. Please," I breathe past a tightening chest. "I will do anything. Is it money you want?"The strange woman tilts her head at me, appearing almost confused."Please." My voice cracks. "Where is she?"

MALCOLM ___I don't know how long we stay wrapped in each other, but I feel a lightness in every pore of my being. Gwen is here. In my arms. How many nights have I stayed dreaming of this moment?She moves in my hold and I lower us to the floor. We lie on our sides, eyes locked. We don't say anything, our eyes expressing ourselves in a way our mouths can't. I reach out tenderly, slowly running a finger down her smooth skin. She lays her palm over mine and her eyes grow dewy. "Malc--""Shh," I say softly. "It's okay. I'm sorry I couldn't get to you." The moment will haunt me for the rest of my life."No. I understand now. It's just, I spent weeks...hating you. In a way, you were what kept me going, enduring."Anger expands my chest. "You shouldn't have had to endure. Shouldn't have suffe--""It's fine." She reaches out a thin arm and my wolf purrs when she runs her fingers through my hair. "It happened. I can only m

My back slams against the shelf. Books rain down, the sound hardly registering with Malcolm's lips moving fiercely over mine.It's the eight time today.My hands go to his chest and I push. It's like trying to move a wall. "Malcolm," I pant when his lips transfer to my neck.He hums against my skin. "Malcolm," I say louder. "We have to--oh," I gasp. He slides a hand under my gown, fingering the edge of my panties . I go to grab his wrist but stop when he cups me fully. "Wet," he rasps.I suck in a breath. "Malcolm. We have to head back. Rylan and Umber are still at the house. Without protection.""Protection," he breathes, kissing across my jaw. "We don't need that.""No!" I giggle. Then I get a grip. "Malcolm, wait."At my somber tone, he stops. "What is it?" He asks softly, tucking my hair behind my ear.I sigh internally. The way he looks at me..."Rylan," I say, trying