Orion’s expression was dark. “A half-monster, half-pirate abomination. Simon Black, the former Pirate King, banished Blackheart long ago for nearly destroying both the Isle of the Pirates and the Isle of the Monsters. His sister, Saldusa, is worse—she’s a malevolent sprite who’s delved deep into forbidden magic.”
“It looks like they’ve returned,” Drago said. “This time with a fleet of ships.”
“How many ships did you boys see?” Orion asked.
“At least twelve, plus the flagship,” Zohar said. “There were a lot of strange creatures aboard the ships.”
“Yeah. The dragons and wispy things that followed us were covered in barnacles and looked pretty bad,” Bálint added.
“One other thing you should know,” Zohar said, looking at Bálint with a grim expression.
“What’s that?” Drago asked.
“We’re pretty sure Amber and Jade landed on the Isle of the Pirates and they’re on one of the ships now,” Bálint replied, looking around at the other teens.
“You’re ‘pretty sure’? Why?” Phoenix asked.
Zohar grinned. “Who else do you know who deploys Bubble Binders and Glitter cannons?”
The group groaned.
“Why do they get all the fun?” Roam mumbled before hissing when Spring elbowed him. “I mean, we really should help them.”
Drago turned to Orion. “We have to help Ashure. If Blackheart and Saldusa capture him, the entire realm will be in danger.”
“But we can’t risk the kids—” Orion started.
“We’re not kids,” Roam muttered under his breath.
“We can help,” Phoenix cut in.
“Oh, we can definitely help,” Alice said, tweaking her fingers and sending out a shower of colorful sparks.
“Bring it on,” Adaline replied with a grin.
“You kids need to stay on board where it is safe,” Drago growled before he nodded to Orion.
“Drago and I can handle this,” Orion added before he and Drago turned and headed toward the helm.
Zohar turned, his eyes blazing. “We have to help. At least we know where Amber and Jade are now.”
“I’m more worried about what Drago and Orion said about Saldusa,” Phoenix said softly.
“Leave Saldusa to Adaline and me,” Alice said confidently. “We can handle her.”
“Phoenix, can you get us to the battle faster?” Roam asked.
Phoenix bit her lip and turned toward the horizon, studying it. Her pulse thundered in her ears. She could feel the energy coursing through her. The power of the Guardians was calling to her.
“Open,” she breathed, lifting her arms and spreading her fingers.
A breathless silence fell over the deck as her fingertips began to glow, radiant with silvery flame. She focused her eyes on the horizon, drawing in the ancient magic that hummed through her bones. The sky rippled like water. Wind whirled around her, tugging her braid loose as her feet lifted slightly off the deck.
The clouds ahead shimmered, then split with a low, resonant chime.
A glowing seam opened in the sky—a swirling oval of light growing larger with every breath. Through the shimmering veil, they glimpsed flashes of chaos.
Ships locked in battle.
