4. Sasha

Chapter 4

Sasha

T he moment I step out of my car, the first drops of rain kiss my face. I stroll toward my rented cabin, nestled on the edge of the woods, loving it when it rains. With the sun already descending, coating the sky in a dark golden hue, I'm contemplating a quick swim in the pool at the back of my place. The fjords brought something out of me today, something I missed—that connection with nature. Something I hadn't done for a few months back in South Africa from a lack of time.

"I'm home, Chowder!" I call out as I shut the door behind me.

Instantly, there's a scramble of claws against the hardwood floor, and then, like a tiny furry hurricane, Chowder bursts into the living room. The little otter, with his gleaming eyes, mouth stretched in an almost smile, never fails to brighten every single day since I made him mine.

My heart beams at his cuteness, at his eagerness to see me.

Brown fur, richer along the top and the cream color underneath, glints in the hallway light. Seeing that Chowder wasn't fully recovered from his injuries caused by that jerk, Zane, I picked up a cozy little vest for him. The fur along his back took the worst hit and hasn't quite grown back yet. I wanted to make sure he stayed warm and comfy while his fur gradually returned.

I bend down and scoop him up into a hug, his body still long and lean but getting stronger every day. "How was your day, little one?" I ask, holding him close. I couldn't bear the thought of handing him over after rescuing him from that cage, not with the risk of him being put down because of his injuries. So, here he is, having snuck into my life and now a part of it.

"Did you miss me?" I murmur as he nuzzles his face and cold nose into my neck, making little chirping sounds.

"Food?" he squeaks out. "Who's hungry?"

It's astonishing, really. Whatever Zane was doing with these animals wasn't just trafficking—but experimentation involving magic, and now, Chowder can speak. It's basic, sure, and usually phrased like a question, but it's clear evidence of a mind working beyond animal instincts.

"Always food with you," I joke, walking us both to the small kitchen. The cabin isn't huge, but it comes with two bedrooms and a bathtub—perfect for Chowder to have a place to dip into water any time of the day or night.

I place him down on the counter and reach for a can of chowder from the cupboard. The first time I brought him home, I'd made a fresh batch, and he was all over it, starved, so I let him polish it off. That's when I decided it made for a perfect name.

Watching him eat, I stroke his head, loving that I no longer come home to a lonely cabin. Moving into the bedroom, I start undressing from my semi-wet clothes when a heavy knock comes at my door.

Who's that?

I grab a robe, pulling it around me, calling out, "Give me a sec."

I hurry to close the sliding door to the kitchen, Chowder still devouring his meal and unbothered.

Who could it be? A neighbor? The landlord? The cabins nearby are spaced well enough for privacy yet close enough that a visit isn't uncommon. A knot tightens in my stomach as I open the front door.

Instantly, a shiver runs down my spine.

There stands a wide-chested man in a dark guard's uniform, a blade at his hip, and the unmistakable emblem of the House of Sea and Serpentine emblazoned on his chest.

My heart's thundering in my chest.

Oh, fuck!

Half of me expects Asbesta herself to float up behind him, but when she doesn't, I count my blessings. Hopefully,she's gone back home to Brazil, as far from Norway as possible.

With his eyes fixed on me, I muster my composure and lean casually against the door frame as if his appearance is the least startling thing of my day. He's a towering figure, his face set in a stoic mask that looks like he hasn't cracked a smile in years. He's stern, rigid, his brow furrowed.

"Can I help you?" I manage, biting back the sarcasm itching on the tip of my tongue.

He clears his throat. "You have been caught illegally trespassing in sacred waters belonging to Asbesta, and I am here for reparations."

I swallow hard, the dryness in my throat making it difficult to speak smoothly. The idea of pleading ignorance flashes through my mind, but making an enemy of the goddess could be a death sentence. For all I know, she's still lurking nearby, ready to exact whatever punishment she deems fit for intruders.

"In truth," I begin, "I was in the fjord out of necessity for work, chasing a murderer, not for pleasure. I can offer confirmation from my place of work. Surely that must be taken into consideration? I believe this man I was chasing has entered her waters illegally, and my intention was to bring him to justice."

He glares at me, unimpressed, with a slight rise of one of his eyebrows. "We don't accept excuses. Even if you run into the water to save your life, you are still breaking the rules and must pay."

My thought flies to the gorgeous guy in the water and how he was asked to join the House of Sea and Serpentine for his errors. Is that what's going to happen to me?

"Look, I've just moved here, and I'm not ready to swap alliances to another House."

He raises both eyebrows that time. "What makes you think we want someone like you in our House?" he sneers.

I instantly hate him. His arrogance has me glaring in response. My shoulders shoot back in a bristle as he steps forward, muscling his way into my apartment. His sheer size forces me back a few steps.

"First, you'd be lucky to have someone as skilled as me in your House," I snap back. "And secondly, I never said you could come inside."

But he's already shutting the door behind him with a decisive thud, sealing us in together, and I flinch at the sound.

"I'm not leaving until you pay your fine, even if I have to take it by force." His voice deepens, a rumble that fills the small space, meant to intimidate.

I meet his glare head-on, standing my ground. "I'm not scared of you." I've faced bigger assholes than him. In the back of my mind, I'm already calculating the distance to my bag, where my taser is tucked away.

"Go on, then," I spit out when it's clear he's not going to respond. "What's the payment? Then I'll decide if I pay it. Then you can get the hell out of my house." I take a casual sidestep toward the table by the window where my bag lies, then another.

"It's a binding agreement the moment you enter our waters," he affirms, locking eyes with me.

I just meet his stare, waiting to hear it.

"Let's get this done," he says. "You will pay Asbesta two of your mermaid scales." He heaves a heavy sigh, his broad chest rising and falling.

I balk, a scoffing sound spilling past my lips. "Are you kidding? You want to ruin my tail?" I haven't lost a scale in years and spend a lot of time taking care of it. Plus, it takes ages for my scales to grow back.

He chuckles, seeming amused by my reaction. "It's our currency in the House of Sea and Serpentine, and like I said, you hand them over, or I take them by force."

I blink at him, irritation flaring. I'm starting to really hate the smirk playing across his lips. He's clearly enjoying this too much.

"Fine," I say grudgingly, despising the thought of damaging my tail. But facing off against the goddess herself seems like a worse option. "I'll get it done. Are you happy now? Where do I send them?"

"Nope," he cuts in. "You're going to pay right now."

I inhale sharply, grinding my teeth. Mermaid scales are precious, valuable beyond many other currencies, so of course they'll demand them as payment.

"Stay here," I mutter, turning toward the bathroom. "I'll go do it."

But he steps in my path, blocking me. "I need to see you doing it so I know they're your scales."

I glare at him, frustration boiling over. "Sure. You can watch me in the tub."

He shakes his head, his annoying smirk deepening. "You're doing it here, now. You're wearing my patience."

"Forget it," I snap, well aware that transforming into a mermaid outside of water is possible but is excruciatingly painful. "You're being a real jerk," I add.

He reaches for my arm.

At that same moment, a movement from the direction of the now open kitchen door catches my eye. It comes so fast, a blur of motion, that I barely have time to register it.

"Chowder, stop!" I shout, lunging for him as he launches at the guard, a growl in his throat.

All I see then are his teeth—two rows, sharp like a shark's, his jaw expanding and growing at a monstrous rate. I'd seen him do this once before when I first brought him home. Another magical trait forced onto Chowder by Zane in the labs. He's a little attack dog.

The guard reacts too slowly.

Chowder is fast and latches onto the man's two last fingers and chomps them right off.

"Oh, fuck," I murmur.

My insides freeze.

The guard howls and shouts, his voice erupting like a volcano. Blood spurts wildly all over the floor and him from his flailing hand.

Chowder spits out the digits, hissing venomously at the man, his fur bristled up in aggression. His transformed, oversized mouth is a terrifying sight.

My head spins for a split second, shocked and unsure what to do next.

Then, I rush to grab Chowder as the guard tries to kick him away. Swooping him up, Chowder snaps his teeth at the guard, furious and frightened. I'm holding him close.

"Chowder, no, don't attack him." I'm gasping for air.

"Bad, bad man hurts you."

The man is wailing, "What the hell is that thing? You dare harm one of the goddess's guards? You will pay for this severely."

Panic surges through me. I rush and shove Chowder into the bedroom, closing him inside, despite his growls echoing. I'm back in the living room within seconds, facing the guard who's clutching his bleeding hand, his howls filling the space.

"Shit, we need to bandage that properly, and the fingers can be reattached," I mutter, more to myself than to him.

I grab his arm and drag him into the bathroom. He's too shocked to resist, trailing behind me in a daze. I rummage through the cabinet, which is mostly empty, but manage to find a roll of bandage and some tape.

"Hurry," I urge, directing him to place his hand in the sink. Blood is spurting out so fast that I'm genuinely worried he might pass out.

"I will personally cut off your fingers. An eye for an eye, and for that feral thing that attacked me..." he cries out with pain in his voice.

Nope, it's fine if he passes out.

"It's not my fault you got attacked. You were being aggressive, and you entered my home uninvited," I explain with a wobbly voice, my hands shaking as I wrap his hand. It's a mess—blood all over the sink and mirror. I'm trying not to gag. I somehow manage to use the entire roll, securing the bandage so the bleeding stops. While he leans against the wall hurling insults, I'm already climbing into the tub filled with water, sitting on the edge. My whole body trembles. I want him out of my place, so I'll give him what he wants.

Why do things always end badly for me?

Calling forth my mermaid form feels urgent, desperate. The transformation sweeps over me with a rush, every inch of my skin responding to the need.

"Look, I'm giving you my payment," I say softly, hating every moment of it. "Then we can just forget this incident."

"For this, I'll take your whole fucking tail, bitch," he retorts.

With trembling hands, I reach down to the base of my aquamarine tail, which glints in the light, where the scales are smaller, less noticeable if missing.

"Don't think about it," he growls menacingly. "I want the two big ones, the golden ones right in front..."

"You ass," I spit back, the words hissing through my clenched teeth. This whole situation is spiraling out of control, and I'm left bargaining with my own body parts to appease this brute. I touch the shimmering golden scales and slip my finger under one, then I grip it tightly and tug hard. I wince at the sharp pain, like being cut with a blade. I make quick work of the second scale next to it, and already I see the hole they leave behind in my tail, sticking out like sore thumbs.

I almost laugh at my own sarcasm when the guard, snarling, stumbles out of the bathroom. Just as quickly, I call back my human form with a single thought, my body tingling with the fast transformation. With the bottom half of my robe also soaked, I rush after him.

He's stumbling, his shoulder banging against the walls in the hallway. I pass him and dart into the kitchen, grabbing two small containers with lids from the kitchen.

In one, I gently place my two scales, my heart already mourning their loss. Then, I'm in the living room and gingerly picking up his severed fingers from the floor. I drop them into the other container. Gross.

Locking eyes with him, I grumble, "Well, it was terrible to have you visit. Now I think you should leave." I shove the containers into his pockets as his face pales, then I open the front door. "Want me to take you to the local medic?"

He growls a no and pushes outside. "You'll hear from us again, and when I return, you'll be sorry for the fury that Asbesta will bring down on you."

My half smile feels forced, my insides quaking. "Okay, have a nice day," I say sarcastically, shutting the door behind him and freaking out. Of course, he's going to heal, and magic medicine is amazing these days. That's not what I'm worried about.

I pace back and forth.

Chowder's scratching at the bedroom door. I dart down the corridor to let him out, noting his sharp teeth are gone, and he darts into the living room, searching for the guard.

"Oh, Chowder, I adore you, and thank you for protecting me," I murmur, lifting him into my arms.

"He can't hurt you," he says, licking his mouth, which still has a bit of blood on it. I might have cringed if I didn't find him super cute.

"This may just plunge us into major trouble." I hold on to him in my arms, contemplating my options. Go into hiding? Or maybe come up with a plan to explain to Asbesta that it was all a mistake after the guard forced himself into my home, threatening me? Already, I'm running through the details in my head.

Blood is on the carpet and the walls, so I jump into doing the one thing I can control. I start cleaning it up before I completely break down. As I scrub the floor, Chowder tries to help me by mimicking my actions.

The truth of what might come next looms over me like the growing murky clouds outside. Whatever happens, I know one thing for sure. A huge, dangerous storm from the House of Sea and Serpentine is just beginning, and it's headed straight for us.