He didn’t stay long in the common room after that, but slunk away to his room, stewing over the unwelcome memory of his family.
Chapter 9
Day dawned early in the tropics, and Saina woke to sunlight sending finger
s of light through the curtains over the big French doors to the porch.
When she gave her shoulder an experimental roll, it barely hurt at all, and she was relieved to find that she felt refreshed after the good night’s sleep.
She remembered Bastian’s last words about knowing when she would wake, so she was unsurprised when there was a knock on the door.
She was, however, surprised to find that it wasn’t Bastian, but a tall woman with shockingly red hair pulled back in an unruly bun. She buzzed with power to Saina’s senses, the air around her crackling faintly.
“You are Saina,” the stranger greeted her without preamble or particular warmth. “I am Scarlet, the owner here.” They exchanged a perfunctory handshake with Saina’s good hand, and Scarlet gave Saina a swath of fabric that proved to be a new dress and a pair of underthings still in packaging.
“I understand you’ll be staying with us for a while,” Scarlet said, not hiding her displeasure and giving Saina an appraising look. “Are you interested in working?”
Saina swallowed her protest that she wouldn’t be staying, standing up straight under the woman’s scrutiny. “I can, ah, sing. Perform, I mean.”
The woman’s gaze grew flinty. “This isn’t a Vegas resort,” she said dismissively.
Stung, Saina wondered if the woman assumed she was a Vegas-style escort. It would be a valid guess, based on the clothing she had arrived in, she realized with chagrin. “Of course not,” she agreed firmly. “But I can earn my keep.”
“Can you wash dishes?” Scarlet asked skeptically, looking at Saina’s hands doubtfully. “Make beds?”
“I’m not above hard work,” Saina replied defensively. “I can do any of that, or help trim hedges or pull weeds.”
“We have a landscaper,” Scarlet said flatly. “We’ll try you in the kitchen. On a trial basis.” She looked at Saina’s bandage and her voice softened. “When you are feeling up to it, of course. I don’t mean to rush your recovery.”
Briefly, Saina thought that the concern was genuine behind her cool face and polite words, and the idea unsettled her.
“I will also expect incidents like last night to remain at a minimum,” Scarlet added then.
Saina felt her eyes widen and she swallowed. “You heard about that?”
Scarlet smiled without humor. “I know everything that happens on this island,” she said dryly.
“I will make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Saina said with a shy, tentative smile. Not all siren charms relied on magic, she reminded herself. She didn’t like how unpredictably her magic worked here, and she didn’t like how dirty it made her feel to use her magic on people who had offered her nothing but charity.
Scarlet made a noise that may have been polite or simply skeptical, and turned to leave just as Bastian came running up the gravel path.
Saina didn’t like to admit how her belly fluttered at the sight of him, or how weak her knees suddenly felt. He was so gorgeous and athletic looking, with shoulders like a wall, and strong swimmer’s legs, shown off to advantage by his lifeguard uniform.
Scarlet looked from one to the other and said dryly to Bastian, “I believe you’ll be wanting the rest of the morning off?”
Bastian grinned and managed to look sheepish at the same time. “Yes, ma’am,” he said hopefully.
“Fine,” Scarlet said without smiling. “But we’re getting a new batch of guests with the charter plane this afternoon and I expect our lifeguard to be on duty when they are ready to enjoy the swimming.”
She didn’t wait for Bastian’s affirmation, but turned her attention to Saina. “If you are feeling up to it, we could use your help cleaning up after lunch rush in the kitchen.”
She didn’t wait for Saina’s answer either, but turned on her heel and stalked away.
Her exit took a tension that Saina hadn’t even recognized with her, like the pressure before a storm, and it left a new one in its place as she was alone with the man who had saved her.
He smiled at her foolishly for an awkward length of time, and Saina found herself doing the same, until she recognized it. “You mentioned a tour,” she suggested.
“Yes, of course. I’d love to show you around!” Bastian offered his elbow chivalrously.