Free Proven (Daughters of the Sea #1) by Kristen Day Page A

once. That's what the rest of us are here for...to be your minions." His charming grin and puppy eyes almost let him get away with his persuasion.
    "I don't want minions," I scolded him. "I like doing the dirty work."
    "Which is why I love you Pasha, but-" He started to launch into another argument filled with logic and rational points, but I wasn't up for listening to things like good, sound judgment. I put a finger to his lips to shush him, leaned forward, and then replaced it with my mouth; kissing him in earnest. I knew he wanted to protect me, but convincing me to stand idly by while everyone else fought was a battle he would lose every time. Thankfully he gave up the fight without much convincing and held me close as he kissed me back.
    A sizzling, magnetic energy tickled the outside of my essence and I instinctively focused on the surface of the pool above us. That familiar electric buzz sent my thoughts reeling and I gawked at Finn with wide eyes.
    "Oh my God," was all I could spit out before pushing off of the bottom and shooting straight up.
    "....she was sprawled out on the front lawn-" Maera had appeared poolside, but was suddenly overshadowed by a figure who stepped out from behind her and into the light. I almost didn't recognize her with an inch of dirt caked onto every patch of bare skin, streaks of dried blood smeared across her face, hitchhiking leaves in her hair, and the feral gleam in her dark eyes. But as soon as she spoke, there was no denying who stood in front of us.
    "What's a girl gotta do to get rescued around here?"

    S TASIA
    The indoor pool erupted.  I was what could only be described as attacked by Stasia as she flew out of the pool and spider monkey-ed me; almost knocking me to the ground.
    "Olivia!"
    My waning energy surged at her close proximity, proving to me just how much I was connected to her. I actually felt my plethora of open wounds tingle as the skin began to close up and heal on contact. I squeezed her back and relaxed into her cool essence and supportive arms. All too soon, a blur of faces replaced her life-giving presence as Natasha, Phoebe, Avery, and even Carmen welcomed me back with squeals and hugs.
    As if harboring the power to part the Red Sea, which was probably not too far from the truth, the girls quickly melted out of view as Sebastian's sudden appearance set my heart on fire. His turquoise eyes locked onto mine and he strode from across the pool in a matter of steps. He stood before me with a look that resembled shock muddled with confusion, struggling to find words as his eyes said everything his mouth couldn't.
    "You just gonna stand there all night?" I put my hands on my hips in an effort to suppress the urge to scream and throw myself at him in a display of shameless hysteria. "Or are you-"
    Before I could get the words out, I was locked in a rock hard embrace of muscles and endless kisses that made my head spin. I breathed him in and decided I could stay exactly where I was all night. Or at least until my legs gave out, which would be sooner rather than later. He leaned back not even an inch and set to wiping the dirt from my face and then the blood from my lips with undeniable tenderness. His frantic eyes soaked me in as if I could vanish again at any moment.
    "We looked for you.... We tried... I can't believe...How...?" he attempted several times. Finally, he settled for another suffocating embrace and melted my heart with gentle kisses.
    "Likely story," I kidded him softly. My gaze landed upon his broad shoulders and I realized his traces were gone. "What happened to your-"
    "Shhh..." he purred in my ear. My eyes narrowed with suspicion and I frowned at him.
    "Still haven't told her?" I accused him in a low tone. Unfortunately, I already knew the answer.
    "Alright, Romeo," Avery's caring, yet stern voice interrupted as she instructed Sebastian; placing a healing hand on his forearm. "I need to get to work."
    "Take her to your room, Sebastian." Maera winked at