Her hand trembles in the water, clutching that damn fish like it’s a sacred offering meant to earn my trust. I can feel her hesitation, the way her fingers tighten around the slippery bait as if it could shield her from what’s coming. But I’m no fool. I don’t need permission or pleasantries. I never have.

Before she can flinch or pull back, my grip clamps down on her wrist, strong enough to make her gasp, cold saltwater mixing with the quick spike of surprise and panic in her eyes. The ocean closes over us in a rush of currents and bubbles, and I drag her under with no regard for her protests or struggles.

The fish jerks wildly between my teeth, a last-ditch effort to escape, but it’s no use. I snap my jaws shut and swallow it whole—wet, raw, real. My tongue flicks around her wrist afterward, rough and tasting the salt, the faint metallic tang of blood she doesn’t know she’s leaving behind.

She thrashes in my grip, claws scraping my skin in a desperate attempt to break free, but I don’t loosen my hold. Not yet.

When I finally break the surface, dragging her up with me, water sluices down her tangled hair and slick skin. I watch her catch her breath, eyes wild and searching, trying to understand why the creature who claims to help me just pulled her under like prey.

A low, bitter chuckle rumbles from deep in my throat as I mutter words in my harsh, guttural tongue—a language she can’t possibly understand. “Gullible little pest.”

Because that’s all she is. Gullible. Fragile. A human who thinks a fish can buy her friendship in my cold, merciless world. She doesn’t get it. I don’t want friendship. I don’t want kindness. I want to survive. And survival demands teeth, claws, and a readiness to sink them into anything that comes too close.

Her lips part, probably to say something—apologize, explain, beg—but I’m already turning away, slipping beneath the waves again, the salt stinging my wounds and the taste of blood lingering on my tongue. Let her stew in the salt and cold, let her wonder what kind of creature drags her down just to eat her offering and spit out a curse.

One thing’s certain: if she comes back, she’d better be ready. Because I’m no friend. I’m the predator beneath the surface, and she’s just bait.