Thorne (The Thorne of Winthorpe High Book 1) by Ketley Allison

Author:Ketley Allison [Allison, Ketley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mitchell Tobias Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

18

Thorne

“For what? What do you have planned for me?” Ember retorts. Her voice is ravaged, though she hasn’t unleashed one scream.

The ocean’s freezing waters inch closer, its foaming edges washing over my shoes before being dragged away, then coming back stronger.

Ember’s disheveled and tangled form curls up on a crescent of sand on the cave’s floor, the force of the waves starting to push at her body and forcing her to brace.

In a blink, she turns into Savannah, stripped, bruised, and rabid as she claws at the sand to get away. I blink again, and she’s gone, replaced by a confused and wary Ember.

Fuck. I can’t take much more of this.

“The tide’s coming in,” Ember says, her eyes not on me but at the mouth of the cave. Her profile glows orange in the single torch’s light. “Fast. Do you really plan on drowning me?”

“Not if you can make it out.”

Her eyes snap back to mine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

The bottomless darkness of her irises simply gleams in the flames. Her ash-blond hair is a mess, tangled on one side and hanging in damp, sandy clumps, but fuck if she doesn’t look like a mermaid washed up on my shores.

I hadn’t allowed anyone to touch her when the drug took hold and she slumped over in the dining hall. She was mine—even unconscious, she was mine. Not because she resembles Savannah, though that’s uncontested, but because in such a vulnerable state, I didn’t want anyone close to her. I couldn’t save Savannah, but I could protect this one.

Ember’s slim body fit against mine perfectly but ran so much hotter, her sweet strawberry scent made stronger with her pulsing panic before she succumbed. I carried her across campus to the lighthouse as promised, then laid her down gently while I peeled off her jacket, knee socks, and shoes. I’d caressed her calf—couldn’t resist—those delicate ankles coming close enough to my mouth to dart out my tongue and taste. But I stayed in control, requesting that Jaxon get the rope, and watched my little pretty sleep until everyone else arrived.

I carried her down the perilous hidden staircase carved into the side of Winthorpe’s highest cliff before we hit the shores and the caves below. One can’t see the way down from any true angle, not with a helicopter or a drone, but instead must go by feel and experience. Considering I’ve been indoctrinated into the Nobles for well over ten years, I could take these rock-strewn stairs in my sleep.

Ember was pliable in my grip. Docile. It’s a great memory to reflect on as she tries to melt me with her mind alone, staring up from the ground, frightened yet furious.

“If you’re so concerned about getting splashed,” I say, “then go ahead and stand up.”

Her attention strays to her feet, where her ankles are knotted together with rope.

“This is a test of communication.” I cross my arms, the heavy, outdated robe crimping at my inner elbows. “Will you work with me to stay, or against me to escape? Remember the three traits I mentioned.

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