Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Merritt,” Narah began, “you must understand, I wanted you to come of your own free will. I never wanted Justin to use his power.”
His power? What power?
“Mother, you can’t think that I will—”
“Of course you will,” she told him. “Merritt did us a great service last night, he saved Evan today, and crazy or not, the children all saw something last night, something that Merritt alone communicates with.”
When I glanced at Fletcher, he was looking at me like he was in pain, and I could feel the regret rolling off of him. Whatever he thought was about to happen, he felt very bad about it, even though he was apparently powerless to change the outcome.
“I know you’re powerful, Merritt,” Abel told me, “and I need that in our ranks. For me now, as well as for my son, later.”
He wasn’t making any sense.
“You both felt his strength in the room today with Evan,” Narah stressed to her son. “You need to make him part of our pack.”
“Tea is off the table,” I told them. “I think you should all go.”
“We can’t do that, Merritt.” Abel’s voice had changed to the low growl of his wolf. “And I know the barrier on your land will respond to a threat of violence, but we don’t want to hurt you, only bring you into the fold.”
“Even without my permission?”
“Yes.” Abel turned to his son. “You must. For the pack.”
Justin and his father had a quick staring match before Justin muttered “Fine” as though giving up, and then focused on me. “Though you don’t smell like a wolf,” Justin murmured, coming around the island, stalking toward me, “I bet you’ll fall into line just like the others. And you’ll enjoy being one of many I visit in the night, Merritt.”
I had a moment to dwell on that truly noxious comment before his pheromones almost punched me in the face. It was like running the gauntlet of perfume testers in a department store, which I’d done years ago. I understood that people had to ask you before they sprayed you with the next best thing now, but back in the day, there wasn’t the same emphasis on individual choice. I got the feeling that Justin wasn’t used to concerning himself with what other people wanted either.
If I had been susceptible to his pheromones, I would have either been fighting for my life at that moment, or as powerless as a fly caught in a spider’s web. The lesson, about exerting sway over others, was what I’d been trying to teach Ondine for years—that as a siren, she needed to use her power for good. She would argue that it was like the fable of the scorpion and the frog, that it was in the scorpion’s nature to sting. I would always point to myself and remind her that what I was made for was not what I was. I was used to getting a very dismissive wave in response. Even though she was far older than I was, I had learned certain things faster.
But now, as I stood there, I thought that me trying to force Ondine to change wasn’t fair. She had to come to the realization herself. I would apologize the next time I saw her, but in the meantime, I was still being inundated with the scent rolling off Justin. It was cloying and far too sweet. I was catching vermouth and cognac, sandalwood and…fig?
“Is that fig?” I asked the wolf in my kitchen.
Justin stopped moving toward me and stared. “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying to pick out all the individual scents in those pheromones you’re trying to drown me in, and I can tell you, it’s not good.”
Fletcher, who had turned away as though he didn’t want to see the fly get eaten by the spider, looked back at me, appearing both startled and faintly hopeful.
“You said people like to roll around in his scent. Is that true?” I asked Fletcher.
“Uh…yeah.” He sounded nervous.
I turned back to Justin. “Wolves fall all over themselves normally?”
“Without question.” Justin looked wary.
“Have you taken advantage of anyone when you made them drunk on your pheromones?”
“You think I’m, what, some frat boy spiking drinks and accosting coeds?” He looked affronted now, glaring at me.
“I don’t know.”
“This is my power, Merritt, to call others to me. To make them pliable and open to reason. And suggestion.”
“Ah, okay. So I’m supposed to do what? Share my land with you, my home, and the profits from my business?”
“Yes.” He smiled, tipping his head as he stared into my eyes, clearly not grasping how little power he had over me. “And you are a beautiful creature, Merritt Baker. That is absolutely without question. I think with the correct handling, we can figure out your secrets and bring you into the pack.”