Page 62 of Dark Fey Captive

“Yeah. I can see that. We might need some kind of sink or wash-up bucket for you outside the house in the future.”

I nodded, surprised at how calm she was about this. Most females did not like seeing an infected’s head being removed or the aftermath.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ARENA

My fingers were shaking so badly that I didn’t know how I had managed to throw the bottle of water accurately. He’d ripped that infected’s head off like it was nothing. Less than nothing. And he wasn’t lying about it being a mess. He looked like an extra in a slasher film. Thankfully, he’d used the shirt like a washcloth before opening his arms to indicate he was ready to carry me.

Those arms started to wilt when I hesitated.

Move, Arena!

The sun was climbing higher, and the islanders were probably already in a boat and headed this way. We needed to get this note to the docks and back home before they arrived.

“Sorry,” I said, hurrying toward him. “I think I woke up too early and need a nap or something.”

His pupils dilated as he picked me up, and I knew he still didn’t suspect anything. Not me, though. I definitely suspected he was telling the truth about his illiteracy. He recognized items by their branding, not the words on the labels. He hadn’t even questioned the ridiculous no-sexual-contact-for-a-week “cooking instructions” I read to him earlier. The speed at which he’d put those back would have been hilarious if it hadn’t also shown his burning desire for sex.

With me? Or with whoever else was convenient?

“Hold on,” he said, briefly nuzzling the top of my head with his cheek.

His footfalls barely made a whisper of sound as he jogged toward the dock. I still watched for infected as I clutched the bags of supplies with the note I’d written.

Rumor confirmed. Stay away and stay safe.

I’d signed using a map legend instead of my name, like I was supposed to. Was it enough? Or would they see the neon pink arrows Nav had made and decide to follow them anyway? We’d passed several on the way here, clearly visible on the sun-bleached blacktop and placed close enough together so that they were easy to see. He’d even marked the dock, right next to the bag of supplies he’d left for them.

Kneeling next to the bag, I purposely used my knee to smudge the arrow as I looked through what he’d left for them. He’d included medicine, food, and chocolate. All very valuable items.

No one would give up that much without wanting something in return.

“I found the note under this rock,” he said, pointing to the small flat stone on the dock. “I’m sure they will see the supplies and come to check if there’s a note from you.”

His hand closed over my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

A warning or comfort?

What was I even thinking? Of course it wasn’t comfort. He wasn’t the first guy to pretend to care in order to get into my pants.

“They might not be the only ones who see these supplies and stop, though,” I said, taking out the note I’d written and putting it under the rock. “It would be safer to remove the arrows until we know who finds the supplies first.”

He frowned, looking from my note to the arrows as I put the additional supplies with his.

When I glanced at him a second time, he was staring out over the water.

Contemplating, or did he hear something again?

I stood and dusted off my knees.

“Looks like I got dirty and will need another shower.”

He didn’t roll his eyes at my dramatic sigh, but nodded in sympathy. I saw the exact moment he understood what a shower would mean for him. His heated gaze met mine, and I lifted my arms to him.

“Ready to take me home?”

He was running away with me seconds later. I looked over his shoulder and gazed at Superior’s horizon, hoping they wouldn’t try to look for me.