I broke the surface with a gasp. Fumbling along until I could wade, I finally fell to my hands and knees as the tiniest remnants of waves caressed my skin.

For a moment, they lulled me with their comfort, convincing me of their innocence.

I let my head drop low between my shoulders. My hair hung limp in salt-laced chunks, my ribcage strained against my skin as I struggled to breathe, and goosebumps lifted the hairs on my arms as a soft breeze swirled across the beach.

My fingers dug into the sand as I drank in the air. The sun warmed my back through my tattered clothes, its touch like an old friend.

Welcome home.

I curled further into myself, sinking into the wet sand. It gave, forming itself around the shape of my body like a lover's embrace. Exhaustion dragged at my eyelids, the grit underneath them making every blink an effort.

I just wanted to rest.

A seagull flew overhead, its shadow blocking out just enough sunlight to jolt my heart into overdrive.

I have to keep moving.

Abused muscles screaming, I shoved myself to my feet. I had to keep moving, before—

As if called back by something ethereal, the waves suddenly receded, racing over each other back into the sea. I watched them go, leaving an eerie stillness in their wake. Even the breeze died like a candle in a gust.

I shivered.

With a tremendous splash, he rose from the water, fingers crooked and arms already outstretched. He moved with inhuman grace, cutting through the surf with alarming speed.

Run.

I stumbled forward, my movements stiff. The beach stretched out ahead, seemingly endless, smooth and untouched. My lungs screamed as I pelted across it; the sand turned dry, burning my bare feet; sharp shells tore at my toes.

His soft footfalls followed, far too close. I felt the heat of him bearing down on me, but I focused on what lay ahead.

The sun. The gull. The dunes, the trees that began at the edge of the beach, the air.

It was beautiful.

And then an iron grip caught my ankle, bringing me down hard and dragging me back in a wash of sandburn. I clawed at the ground for purchase, only gouging useless ruts into the beach. As I rolled over to try to kick him away, I froze.

Eyes the color of the clearest sky, shoulders broad as a tank, lips so elegant and refined that every tiny twitch of them teased their allure.

He was beautiful, too.

He pulled me back to him, gently this time, and wrapped his arms around me from behind like a blanket.

I was paralyzed as he eased us backward, the waves once again lapping at our feet. His chin fell on my shoulder, a gentle weight with its own language.

Dead or alive. You're coming with me.

I could only take one last gulp of air as he pulled me back under.