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“What’s taking you so long?” Aerin asked in a hushed rush. “Calipsa said you weren’t at the bar, and I said you must have gotten lost. C’mon, before she sends the curator to find us. I can’t get that damn woman off my back.”

“Shh, someone’s coming,” Gideon whispered as he heard the distant footsteps headed toward them. Luckily for them, his enhanced sight and hearing were finally back to normal. She grabbed his hand and led him out of the staff-only area, but it was too late for that. “If we walk out now, we’re going to run straight into whoever is on the other side of the door.”

Aerin let out a few expletives; he didn’t think he’d ever heard them from a lady’s lips. The door handle jostled, and Gideon picked her up and set her on the desk. Her eyes widened in surprise as he stood between her legs, gripping her waist. Her eyes locked onto his, then drifted to his lips. The scent of salt and her sweet vanilla perfume filled the air, like salted caramel. He’d never felt bloodlust like this.

No, not bloodlust, lust. Her gaze lingered on his lips, and he slipped his hand to the back of her neck and drew her lips to his. He expected a slap, but instead, Aerin grabbed his lapels, parted her lips, and deepened the kiss.

“I’m sorry, it happens,” he rasped as his fangs emerged, brushing her lower lip. He didn’t want to hurt her or poison himself again. His stomach tightened, sending shockwaves of pleasure through him as she ran her tongue along each fang. The desire in her eyes would be his undoing.

Aerin wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him closer until he felt every curve and dip of her body. The scent of her arousal filled the air as his lips found the pulse at her neck. He couldn’t feed on her, but he had to have her. He drew his lips back to her, devouring her. She trembled in his arms, her heart hammering against his chest, her need overwhelming his senses. He forgot this was meant to be an act; all he could think about was stripping her and making her his.

“What are you two doing up here? This area is for staff only,” the janitor barked at them. The couple sprang apart, pretending to adjust their clothing.

“Sorry, we got lost and then, well, a little carried away.” Aerin flushed, acting the perfect amount of embarrassed.

“You better get out of here before the curator finds out,” the janitor said, holding the door open for them to leave.

“Thank you for understanding.” Aerin approached him slowly and rested a hand on his shoulder as she sang: “You didn’t see us. You checked each room and didn’t find a single thing out of place.”

“Not a thing,” the janitor repeated calmly, leaving them to head back the way he came.

“You could’ve used your compulsion instead of manhandling me,” Aerin said, smoothing down her dress.

“I saw an opportunity and took it.” He winked. “Besides, I thought you frowned on using our powers on humans.”

“Not when it’s absolutely necessary,” Aerin said, hurrying down the hall, his hand in hers. “We need to get back before the speeches, or we’ll really be in trouble.”

“And now to award our guest of honor, could you all please put your hands together for Aerin Clifton,” the curator said, addressing the room.

Aerin and Gideon had just found their table when applause stopped them from taking their seats. Gideon kissed Aerin, acting as though they were standing for her to head up to the stage. Aerin hesitated, and he saw the reluctance in her eyes. She really didn’t like being the center of attention.

“Go on, you can do this. If you can control a Kraken, you can talk to this crowd,” Gideon whispered in her ear.

Aerin squeezed his hand and took a deep breath as the sea of clapping hands and masked faces guided her to the stage.

Calipsa waited on stage with the curator and presented her with a golden anchor. Gideon sat down at the table. Thankfully, the staff had taken away their dinner and replaced it with dessert, so it didn’t look like they had completely missed dinner.

“I wasn’t expecting an award, and if I’m being honest, I don’t need one. My family has been in the cove for generations, and I’ve protected these waters and the sailors for the past seventy years. I’ll continue to do so for as long as I shall live, not for an award or to be seen as some kind of hero, but because it’s what I love to do, and because I know how it feels to lose those I love most to the ocean we love so much.

“I don’t want anyone else to feel that pain if it’s in my power to stop it. I hope everyone who calls the cove home feels the same way. I hope this is the start of another great festival, and if anyone’s in the mood for a good spook, the sirens are hosting the Haunted House this year at Clifton Manor. Wouldn’t it be nice to know if the rumors are really true?” Aerin leaned into the mic menacingly, then grinned widely. “So please stop by and scream, I mean, say hello.”

Aerin’s short speech was met with applause, and he loved seeing her so bashful as she hurried off the stage and back to his side, as though he had become her safe space.

“Not a completely terrible night; you got an award, and I got my files,” he said as they left the museum arm in arm for home.

“That’s the last time I ever go to one of those things,” she said, handing him the award.

“You earned this. You should be proud. This is the cove’s way of showing their appreciation. Maybe you aren’t as much of an outsider as you think,” he said, thinking the award would make a good paperweight for the files they had stolen.

“I took you out of the sea, I can put you back in,” she said, snapping her fangs at him.

“Not another word of praise shall pass these lips,” he said, kissing her cheek.

Chapter Seventeen

Aerin

“I’m sorry. I wish I’d news for you, but the only bites I’ve had so far have been from humans,” Miranda said as soon as Aerin stepped into Brightwell’s, blowing on her freshly painted fingernails.