Chapter 76.

Asteria POV.

Waking in the middle of the night, my skin is tight and itchy. The fabric of the quilt is irritating my skin further and I want to rip my skin off. I climb out of bed and head to the bathroom. Turning on the shower to the coldest setting, I step under.

My skin sings as the icy water cascades down my body. The itch is now dull. I rest my head against the tiled wall. My skin prickles with each movement. It feels like thousands of needles piercing my skin and I need relief. My talons extend and my teeth turn to sharp points.

But it hurts, and it has never hurt before. This is a definite sign of the mating season. I need my paste. I keep the shower running but step out and run towards the balcony and grab the jars. Hearing hisses coming from the water. I turn and look and see male sirens in the water.

My eyes widen as I back away slowly into the room. I close the door and lock it. My hands shake and my knees buckle under me. I sit there and watch in horror as my legs begin to