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She swallowed at the sound of metal hitting the boards. Her mother’s whimpers grew louder. “Let them go, Julius. Your problem is with me. They are innocent.”
“Innocent?” His wild gaze widened as an ugly laugh burst from his thin, chapped lips. It sounded bitter and raw. “Cora Elder, the records of your family tree fill a whole tome in our library. What a waste of parchment. The Crows should have killed you the moment they learned you wanted to escape.”
Violet couldn’t even disagree with that.
“Aww, I feel special. Is that why you came all the way here? May I remind you how you ended up last time?” She flashed her eyes to her sister, her hands were tied in front of her, and too far away for her to reach the knife hidden in her shoe.
Thalea’s eyes burned with determination, not fear. Violet knew they were thinking the same thing. Let the bastard believe he had it all figured out.
Calling his attention toward her was a dangerous plan, but unless Gavin came now with reinforcements, she wasn’t sure what else to do. She kept her voice from shaking and said, “you’re as pathetic as your cock.”
Julius eyes burned, but his fists released their wicked hold on her family. Mission accomplished. His magic were gray swirls over his hands. This time, only her mother wailed in pain.
“Stop talking,” Julius growled and walked toward Violet, dragging both her mother and Thalea along with him. “You know you won’t leave here alive. It’s up to you whether one of these two does or if they both die with you.”
Dread twisted her stomach, pooling inside her like acid. She had little power here. Without her weapon, and with her magic only a fraction of Julius’ strength, she would fail unless Gavin hurried up and helped her kill him. Together, just like they should have done back in Scoria.
“Why would you want to kill them? They’ve done nothing. You’ve won. Please let them go.”
Julius laughed again. “Oh, Cora. I will hurt them because I enjoy seeing women cry—you especially. I must admit, you got me in Scoria, and that just made me want you more. But there’s still that small matter of what you did to my cousin Morgan. So let’s just say… your kin will pay for the blood of mine.”
“Morgan wasn’t an innocent. They are. People in town will ask questions.” Violet swallowed, feeling sweat bead on her temple. She glanced through the broken window above them. The dark, stormy clouds were closing in.
Soon, the tide would flood this whole place. Why was Gavin taking so long? She couldn’t hear a thing from outside.
“Where’s the boy?” Julius asked, as if he’d heard her thought. “Don’t think you can surprise me today. I know he’s with you. I’m not alone either.”
“If you think that’s news, then you’re a dumb fuck.” What else could she say to stall him further? “We aren’t alone either. That shifter you pissed off will tear into you like you’re made of butter.”
Julius’ face sharpened with anger. The scent of his magic grew even thicker, and the air became almost too spicy to breathe without coughing. Thalea curled in on herself, crying in pain, yet her bound hands dipped inside her boot and pulled out the knife with a white knuckle grasp.
“Let’s not waste any more time. Pick who dies first, Cora. Your sister or your poor old ma?”
For a long moment, Violet stood still, frozen. Thalea wasn’t crying anymore. Their eyes met, and she knew it was time. “Now, Lea!” Violet screamed.
Julius’ shock bought them precious seconds as Thalea slammed her small three-inch blade into Julius’ boot. He wailed and stepped back, his hold on both of them loosening.
“Run!”
But her sister hesitated by their mother’s side. The attack didn’t buy them enough time. His power, dark gray, came out in a spell that hit her sister in the back, sending her flying forward across the wooden floor.
Julius stepped over her mother’s weak attempt at holding him back, like she weighed nothing. His gloved hand wrapped around Thalea’s neck, just as Violet picked her knife from the ground.
“No, no, no.” The words echoed in her mind, and she knew she’d run out of time.
Julius pulled out a wavy dagger that caught the stormy light. Violet surged forward and aimed her blade at the man. Static crackled in the air as her sister struggled in his arms.
“I’ll enjoy breaking you two.” He used the curved tip of his knife to pull up the chain hanging over Thalea’s neck. “Interesting. A god stone? Could this be hiding a magic-wielder from our King?” Julius clipped it off with the blade. “Death penalty to the guardian for such a crime.”
The stone clinked over the wooden beams, shimmering in the distance.
A body came crashing through the windows, rolling to a stop on the uneven floorboards. Gavin? No. It was a man, but he looked nothing like him. As if called by her thoughts, Gavin stepped into the room a moment later. His stern features softened when he spotted her.
They must have ambushed him outside. His face was bloodied and swollen, and his thick gray coat hung in tatters over his shoulder.
Julius cursed and threw Thalea to the ground, dodging Violet’s fire spell. Reinvigorated by the knowledge that Gavin was safe, she cast another across the boathouse, right at the bastard. He dissipated it with little effort, although his confident expression wavered. He jumped away from her sister and landed next to her mother, his blade plunging into her without a moment of hesitation.
Violet’s steps faltered, and a scream echoed through the place. Hers? She couldn’t tell. Rain pelted down on them, followed by thunder. The surging sea crashed against the dilapidated remnants of her father’s boat.
