27. Sasha

Chapter 27

Sasha

I 'm back home after dropping Kaden off in the city. He mentioned he had a few people to ask about Lilia, so he took off while I took Zane to my work. After handing him over to my boss, I felt an enormous weight fall off my shoulders. My boss was ecstatic, singing my praises, which I've never had a boss do before. She even called up my old work in South Africa with me standing in her office, putting him on speaker. My new boss knows that this is the first mark I ever missed and hence, it got me transferred to Norway. I didn't say a word, but hearing my old boss stammer and sound honestly surprised made me smile so hard my cheeks hurt.

The authorities are involved now, and there's a comfort in knowing that something that has haunted me for so long is finally being resolved. Sure, Zane has others he works with, but catching him is a huge step toward stopping his animal-trafficking operation.

With a lingering smile, I stroll through the mansion, calling out, "Chowder?"

In seconds, he comes scrambling toward me, chirping excitedly. His little legs can barely keep up with his enthusiasm. I scoop him into my arms, hugging him tightly. "Today has been a great day," I murmur into his fur. "Sure, there are other issues, but that asshole who hurt you is now caught."

Chowder stares up at me, his gaze innocent, as if he's trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation. I kiss the top of his head, unable to resist his adorable confusion.

"I think we need a celebration," I announce, the thought of a carefree evening lifting my spirits even more.

"Food!" Chowder chirps instantly, his eyes lighting up at the prospect.

I laugh, shaking my head. "You're insatiable with food. But I was thinking we could go swimming down in the basement pool afterward."

His tail wriggles with excitement, his entire body vibrating with anticipation. Chowder loves the water almost as much as I do, and a swim sounds perfect after such a tense day.

I set him down, watching him scurry around my feet, and head to the kitchen to whip up something quick. My thoughts drift back to the confrontation with Zane and the information he spilled about Lilia. There's a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, a sense that things are far from over.

As I prepare a simple sandwich, I keep one ear tuned to the soft sounds of the house, listening for any sign of Kaden's return. The shadows in the corners seem darker today, the usual comfort of my home tinged with unease. There's something about the quiet that feels charged, like the air before a storm. I can't work out if it's me or that I know she's still a threat to me and is out there somewhere.

Chowder and I are at the table while he munches happily on smoked salmon. After we finish eating, we head to the basement, and I'm ready to dive in and unleash my mermaid side. It feels like an eternity since I've done so. The corridor is dimly lit, and the sound of our footsteps echoes softly against the stone walls.

"When do we go back to visit Eryx?" he asks.

"Not sure," I reply, smiling at his enthusiasm. "Why? Missing your new friend already?"

"Yes! I like him. And flying! Do you think we can do it again?"

I chuckle at his eagerness. "We'll see, buddy. I'm sure Eryx would love to take you on another flight. But first, we've got to figure out some other things."

The hallways seem darker than usual, the shadows looming larger as we descend the stairs. I try to shake off the feeling, focusing instead on the plans for our swim. But my instincts are screaming at me, a subtle warning I can't ignore.

As we reach the bottom of the stairs, a creaking noise behind us makes me stop in my tracks. The hairs on my nape prickles with unease. Chowder spins around, a hiss on his lips.

"What is it?" I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Before I can react, something hard slams into the back of my head. Pain explodes across my skull, and my vision blurs. The world spins and darkens, swallowing me whole as I fall to the ground, unconscious.

A dull ache throbs across my head as I slowly regain consciousness. I groan, blinking against the dim light of the room. The space around me seems to sway, but I can't tell if it's the room or just my pounding head. I struggle to sit up, rubbing the sore spot on my skull, trying to piece together what happened.

"Chowder?" I call out, my voice hoarse.

A small squeak answers me, and I look to see him curled up beside me. My heart aches at the sight. I reach over and scoop him up, holding him close to my chest.

"Where are we?" I murmur, glancing around the room, trying to ignore the pulsing pain in my head.

"Why he bring us to boat?" Chowder asks.

The room sways again, and the salty scent of the sea fills the air, confirming Chowder's words. We're on a boat. The walls are wooden, creaking softly as the ship moves on the water. It's a small room, empty except for a single door.

"Who brought us here?" I ask, though I'm not expecting Chowder to know.

"Big man," he squeaks. "Why did he throw us into this room?"

"I don't know," I reply, moving to the door and finding it locked. I place my ear against it, listening for any sounds outside, but all I hear is the muffled creak of the ship. I glance around for anything useful and find a pin in my pocket. Thank God for my paranoia. I always keep tools on me just in case things go bad.

Chowder watches intently from my shoulder as I fiddle with the lock, his whiskers tickling my cheek. My hands work quickly, and soon, I hear the satisfying click of the lock giving way. I open the door cautiously, peering out into a narrow wooden passage lined with several other doors.

"Stay quiet," I whisper to Chowder, moving stealthily toward the small steps.

The ship's creaks grow louder as I ascend, my heart pounding in my chest. Fear claws at me, but I push it down, knowing I need to stay focused. Chowder clings tightly to me.

When I reach the deck, I emerge into the open air, staying low. The fishing boat we're on is large but in need of maintenance, its wooden hull groaning as it cuts through the waves. The salty breeze tugs at my hair, and I take in the vast expanse of the sea surrounding us. Norway's coastline is not too far behind us, meaning we just left shore.

I keep my eyes peeled for any signs of life on the deck, my heart hammering in my chest. The boat's rusting rails and peeling paint tell me it's been a while since it was last cared for. The deck is cluttered with ropes and equipment.

"We have to get off this boat. We're going to swim back," I whisper to Chowder.

The air is cold, the chill biting through my clothes as I edge closer to the railing. I spot a set of stairs leading up to the captain's area.

As I near the railing, I hear voices—a low murmur that sends a jolt of fear through me. I freeze, straining to make out the words, but they're too distant, too muffled by the sound of the sea. I can't risk being seen, not now.

I edge closer, my movements slow and deliberate. The voices grow louder, but they're coming from the other side of the boat, near the stern. I peer around the corner, careful to stay hidden, and catch a glimpse of figures—two men, their backs turned to me as they talk.

Suddenly, a tightness squeezes around my throat.

Panic surges through me, and I'm frantically reaching for my neck, but there's nothing there… yet the tightness squeezes as if invisible hands are choking me. I scratch at my neck, gasping for breath. Chowder hisses and growls while clinging to me.

"What's happening?" I manage to choke out, struggling against the invisible force. Fear pulses through my veins, and my mind races, desperate for a solution.

The world spins as I'm yanked away from the railing, my back slamming against the wooden deck. Pain explodes through me, and I gasp for breath, the grip around my neck unrelenting.

Chowder's terrified squeals pierce the air, but they're almost lost in the rush of blood in my ears. Terror tears into me, and I struggle against the hold, my fingers clawing desperately at the invisible force.

This time, it's different—stronger, more relentless. I feel myself being dragged across the deck, the wood scraping against my skin.

"Chowder!" I choke out, my voice barely a whisper. But he's still with me, his little body a warm presence against my skin.

I fight with everything I have, thrashing against the hold, refusing to give in to the darkness closing in around me. Chowder's terrified cries surround me as shadows close in around me.