Chapter 10

Thebes

I wasn't a warrior.

I'd always been a charmer, even when we lived in a world that demanded I fight to survive. But here in the human world, I'd spent the last decade as a storyteller, sharing our tales and history with the Internet. And women like Ashlyn.

No, I wasn't a warrior.

But when I felt my Mate stiffen in my arms like that, when I saw the joy leach from her expression, when I heard her stepfather's disdain…I wanted to rip him apart with my bare hands.

How dare he come to Eastshore and ruin Ashlyn's happiness?

So yeah, I was growling as I turned to him, unable to stop myself from pushing her behind me. I wanted so badly to make a good impression, but from the way he was scoffing at me, William Cinders didn't think much of me .

Or maybe orcs in general.

"Father," Ashlyn said stiffly from behind my shoulder. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" The older man scowled at her, then at the people around us as a shorter stranger stumbled up beside him. "I'm stopping you from making a fool of yourself! And me."

I heard her take a deep breath, and gods of the ancestors, I was so fucking proud of her when she stepped up beside me, chin held high. "How exactly was I making a fool of myself, Father ?"

The older man scoffed and waved airily at me. "Flaunting yourself with this—this—"

"Orc, sir," the man at his side said obsequiously. "I told you the island was full of them. Apparently, it's not seen as strange for human women to…um… date them here."

Ashlyn's father brushed that off, still glaring daggers at his stepdaughter. "I don't care what is considered typical . You are a Cinders, and as such—"

"I'm an Anderson," she said quietly. I watched her gaze dart across the room to where the framed photo of her smiling parents hung, and she seemed to gain even more strength. "I'm an Anderson, not a Cinders, and I can do what I want when it comes to my personal life."

I didn't want to take this from her, so as much as I needed to protect my Mate, I resisted the urge to tuck her against my side. Instead, I placed my hand on the small of her back, willing my energy and strength into her. Use me! I wanted to shout. I'm here for you .

Maybe she heard me, because Ashlyn was wearing the smallest of smiles when she glanced at me. But I could still see the fear lurking in her lovely eyes.

"You're being ridiculous, Ashlyn," her stepfather growled, jerking his thumb toward the man at his side. " When Martin called to tell me you were refusing to do as you were told, I had to reschedule four meetings, charter a plane, and fly here to deal with you—and the contracts myself."

"That must've been hard, Dad ," she shot back. "Having to put a family member ahead of work."

"You've just stated you're not my family," he growled in return. "This is your last chance! We're going to your hotel room, we're getting the contracts, and tomorrow at nine in the morning, you and I and Martin are going to sign them!"

But Ashlyn just shook her head. "There is no hotel, and you can read Martin's copy of the contracts because I'm not going to be involved in this. As I tried to tell him—as I'd tell you, if I thought you'd listen to me—selling this building and the blocks around it is a horrible idea, especially for someone who is planning on building something so alien to Eastshore Isle."

Around us, you could've heard a pin drop, but at that announcement, I heard the murmurs start. As her stepfather glanced around, Ashlyn stepped forward, looking like an avenging goddess.

"If you're determined to destroy Eastshore, Father, then I can't stop you. But I'll be damned if I'm going to help you sign that contract."

I wanted to cheer and didn't bother hiding my smile.

The shorter man, Martin, cleared his throat. "You have to be there, Ms. Anderson. Your signature is required."

Well, that didn't make any sense. And judging from the way Ashlyn huffed, she agreed.

"Your last chance," her father growled again. "If you're not back here at nine tomorrow to sign those papers, you're fired."

"Fine!" She was so angry; she was practically vibrating. " I don't want to work for you! In a few weeks, after my birthday, I'll—"

"If you don't do as I say, you'll never gain your inheritance!" he snapped, face going blotchy. "I will ensure it's tied up with the lawyers until long after both of us die from old age! You'll never gain your independence!"

Ashlyn turned white as the blood drained from her face. "That is mine. From Mom."

She sounded so pitiful that I wrapped my arm around her waist, just in case. My Kteer growled, demanding I do something, but there wasn't a single thing I could do to fix this.

Although punching his nose would make me feel better .

"You'll survive without it, I'm sure." The older male sniffed haughtily at me. "Maybe your boyfriend will let you move in."

I felt her sag. "Honey, it'll be okay. You don't need him. You don't need it." It was true; I had enough money for both of us…

But even as I thought it, I realized this wasn't about the money. This was about her memories of her mother. Her mother, who loved Eastshore as much as Ashlyn now did.

"I'm going to destroy this town," her stepfather growled. "And tomorrow at nine, you're going to help me do it."

He turned and stalked out, the other man scurrying behind him.

And I had to admit, it would be a badass exit if I wasn't so mad at the guy.

"Ash?" I murmured, gathering her in my arms. "Honey, it'll be okay."

"No it won't!" she sobbed, and yep, that was definitely a sob. "He's going to do it! "

I squeezed my eyes shut and pressed my cheek to the crown of her head.

I'd done as I'd been told to do; I made her fall in love with Eastshore so she wouldn't sell it…but all that meant was now the pain I felt about the future was her pain as well. We were going to lose our home, weren't we?

"I have to go," she whispered. "I have to—to be here. At the end. I have to see it through."

Would she sign the papers? The buyer said her signature was necessary, but why ? Could we use that to our advantage somehow? Maybe the lawyer could help us.

I didn't know what to do.

And the sound of my Mate's tears was breaking my heart.