Free The Kiss That Saved Me (The Tidal Kiss Trilogy Book 2) by Kristy Nicolle Page A

dilate my eyes, and spider web a map of power across my flesh once more. Containment, containment is the key. I turn and spot what I’m seeking in the crowd. Orion is coming down the stairs, his dress shoes padding like the paws of a jungle cat, soft yet ready to pounce into action at any moment. I narrow my eyes and zoom in on my target, lilac eyes, silver hair pushed back against his skull, a slashed eyebrow, and cheekbones that protrude at acute angles. I look at him and he stares right back, unwavering, intense and fearless. Psiren.

    “What the hell are you doing here?” I shout abruptly and he looks at me and shrugs to the people surrounding him, confused. They turn back to me looking increasingly unnerved.  
    Okay, not going to come right out with it then, rookie mistake boy.  
    I guess I’ll have to force him.  
    I launch myself, pushing forward on the balls of my feet and hoisting my skirt up around my haunches. The crowd parts, stumbling back into one another and quickly regaining composure. I reach out, fingers splayed, red nails claw-like and feel my expression turn feral as a map of azure darkness fades back into existence over my translucent flesh shell. I tackle him to the floor, no easy feat for someone my size as he’s taut with tightly packed, but minimal muscle. He looks short and therefore light, but he isn’t and it takes me by surprise as I knock him down into the cold hardness of the floor beneath. I’m straddling him and he looks up at me blazing.
    “Love, if you wanted a shag we could have gone outside. Bit public don’t you think?” He pulls out a thick, rough English accent which leaves me surprised. He smiles up at me with a cocky reverence that pisses me off.
    “You shouldn’t be here,” I growl at him, clutching his white tuxedo shirt in my balled fists.
    “I’d say underneath any woman willing to tackle me for my body is exactly where I should be, Love.” He laughs throatily and lies back, putting his hands behind his head, relaxing into the spectacle.
    “Pig. Psirens aren’t welcome here. I should know,” I bite out and shove his chest into the floor angrily.
    “Psiren?” My slow brother comes up behind me and looks down at the specimen beneath us.
    “Yes. I can tell.” I look at him intensely and I know my pupils have dilated. I know I must look like a Psiren myself. The crowd around is backing away. The silver haired man jumps to his feet in good spirit.
    “I must say. You guys know how to show a man a good time. I can see what mother meant about you. Really. Bravo. I’ve had four glasses of champagne already. That’s good shit you’re peddling there. But I do have one question… does anyone in here…” he turns, surveying shocked faces, “know where I can get a light?” He is pacing, arms loose at his side with an evil smile spreading across his bony features.
    “I’ll take care of him,” I say to my brother and he opens his mouth to argue. “I’ll take a guard of two Knights if you’ve got them. I need to make sure this piece of shit gets back to where he belongs,” I mutter and Orion relaxes at the mention of guards. Callie is standing at his side, watching in slight shock. I note that she can’t take her eyes off this guy.  
    What? Has she never seen a dumbass before? I know I have. I hear the mystery Psiren.
    “You wound me Love.” He looks at my gown and licks his lips. “But just so we’re clear Pet, the name’s Vex. You’ll need to know that when you’re screaming it later.” I snort as a sinister twinkle passes beneath the dusky lavender of his irises and wonder if he’s referring to torture or sex, or both. What the hell kind of Psiren is this guy? This is what you get when you recruit children. Poseidon should be ashamed. I think back to Callie, outfitted like some bejewelled icon of hope and snort to myself. Atargatis is no better.
    “Don’t test me boy. I’ve been dancing with darkness since before you were a speck in your