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So, rong withfaithful? My inability to properly coenes--I knew this because I’d seen hundreds of loyal, happily bound couples while I’d lived down here, couples who had been together for decades and even centuries

So if it wasn’t ainto?

Wasn’t it bad enough that I’d grown gills and a tail and noa a siren, those maids who couldn’t be faithful to anymen and then lured them to their deaths?

Just the idea made me shudder

Which was stupid, because any idiot could tell I didn’t have what it took to be a siren I mean, I’d neverabout the--they’re dark and dangerous and have irresistible voices Which ruled ht, no one’s ever described erous before And my voice … let’s just say it’s far fro with me? I loved Kona I really did So why did I suddenly feel so drawn to Mark again? Why, in those mo, ever?

It just didn’t erous--to me, to uard slip for only a second What would happen if I actually let myself pine after him?

No, I couldn’t do it I had to stop this, had to stay away from Mark forever He was part of o back to Not when the clan needed me so desperately

"Ouch!" A sharp pain in my tail yanked me forcibly out of my head and back to the present, where the healer had just stuck one of the very long, very thick needles mere centimeters froly "A couple ht, thank God The lidocaine, or whatever it was he was injecting into me, took effect, and suddenly I felt a whole lot better--at least about hi to take a lot o away

On the bright side, one look at Zarek holding the needle and special thread they used to keep the saltwater fro the stitches and I was instantly distracted from my other problems

"You know," I told Kona as I turned my face into his chest, unable to look, "I think it really sucks that selkies have ular er over the back of ive youyou like this"

"I know" I snuggled deeper into his ar the feel of his hard chest and war But with his arlad you’re here," I whispered, running ht shoulder and bicep

He shuddered a little as he buried his face in ot the e and realized how far away you were, I nearly lost my mind A wound like that could have easily killed you"

"I was more concerned about the sharks, to tell you the truth," I said, trying to make him smile "I know you say they won’t hurt me, but I ran into one on the way here who looked like he thought I’d , I’ all the way out there, anyway? I thought you were ho?"