Cursed: The Girl Who Shook the Earth by E.C. Farrell

Author:E.C. Farrell [Farrell, E.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy
Publisher: E.C. Farrell
Published: 2020-12-18T06:00:00+00:00

13.

TERROR SETS TREMORS off along my bones as every horrifying testimony I’ve heard about this man plays back through my head like the worst scenes from a horror film. Masera lazes back in his chair, relaxed, apparently calm, but his hand never leaves Ash’s shoulder. His grip tightens so much that the color along his knuckles seeps away.

Ash swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Nothing we have belongs to you.”

Claws extend from the tips of Masera’s fingers. They pierce Ash’s shirt and black blood slowly blooms out along the white material. “Now you and I both know that’s not true.” He leans a little closer to his son. “And we also know there’s only one way this can end.”

My pulse drums in my ears, almost as jarring as the tremors now rolling down my legs, and into the floor. It trembles faintly, barely noticeable. I breathe in slowly. Causing an earthquake in the middle of this restaurant might chase Masera away, but not without major consequences and possible injuries of random patrons.

Then again, I’ve been able to direct it twice before, maybe I can use it against Masera. If something goes wrong, though, that will also give him extra leverage. A guy in his position and with his power could definitely get me locked up “for the greater good.”

It’s better to play it smart here, or at least give it the old college try. Or whatever.

In spite of my fear, I giggle and twist a curl around my pointer finger. “So dramatic.”

I pitch my voice higher than normal, loathing how stupid I sound, but being underestimated is one of the best battle plans when confronting a bully. The less Masera sees me as a threat, the easier it will be for me to maybe maneuver us out of this situation.

A vein along one of Ash’s temples twitches slightly, but he keeps his mouth shut.

When Masera slides his eyes to meet mine, I rest my jaw on a palm and put on my “please adopt me” grin. One of his brows lifts. “The new waitress. Case, isn’t it? It’s no wonder that mermaid took you in so quickly. How many foster homes did you live in before you aged out? Was it them, or you?” He tilts his head.

A brick forms in my gut, but I manage to hide my terror with another vapid giggle. “Ooo, have you been watching me? I know it’s cute in books, but in reality, that’s called stalking.”

Masera smirks. “I make it a point to know very well who is around my family and who knows our secrets.”

I lower my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I love a good secret.” My muscles clench against the magical pulse inside me, a single phrase repeating through my head: he can’t know what I am, he can’t know what I am.

A full, almost warm laugh I definitely don’t expect rumbles from deep in Masera’s chest, softening his sharp features. For a moment, it’s almost tempting to forget he’s digging claws into Ash’s shoulder and wants to cannibalize his other son.

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