Page 61 of Seas the Reckoning

Councilman Taylor’s office is warded, but I have to believe a portal created by a god can overpower the spell of an average supernatural.

“We’ll need a boat and someone to sail it,” Starla says. “We could also use someone adept at making last-minute travel plans.”

“Cannon!” I shout. Then slap a hand over my mouth.

Starla grimaces.

“Your brother has gallivanted all over this darned globe, and even more, now that he and Malcolm are hosting those Spelled By You gatherings.”

I whip out my phone.

“Great tides, please let him pick up,” I say as the phone hits the fourth ring and nothing happens. His voicemail message starts, and I move to click off the call, disappointed.

Then, I see his name flash on the screen. He’s calling me back.

“Hi, Leen! Sorry, I was in the middle of a salsa and had to step away.”

“Like chips and dip?”

“Dancing,” he clarifies. “An activity for this weekend’s speed-dating event. We’re having a lot of success! We’ve even been invited to a few weddings of people who met on the app.”

“Listen, Cannon. That’s wonderful. I’m proud of you, and happy for you, really I am. But we have a time-sensitive issue.”

I can feel him grow more serious on the other end, his voice going from light and bouncy to flat and steely.

“What do you need?”

As fast as I can, I give him the bullet points of the situation, letting him know that I can explain more later, but we’re working with a fast-dwindling spell.

“I’m going to ask Malcolm. He’s been all over the oceans, and ocean travel is what you need. I’ll go grab him and call you back when I have an answer.”

“I can’t hold this much longer, Leena,” Starla warns.

“Have Malcolm text me,” I tell him.

“Right.”

As the phone hangs up, my ears pop. Starla rubs at one of hers.

“That’ll be the end of that. We’d better get back to our room. It’s getting late. I’d hate to be poorly rested at breakfast tomorrow. I want to look nice for my betrothed. I do hope he’s excited. I mean, it’s not as if he’s proposed. But my father will settle all that for me.” She’s back to talking as if we’ll be staying, so I know she’s anticipating that we may be monitored.

We make our way back into the manor.

Starla’s father could catch you both. He could force her to stay.

It doesn’t escape notice from either of us that there are now men posted outside the doors when we reach our rooms.

“Where were you?” Dennis practically growls at us.

“Your father is worried sick,” Chaz adds.

“I was filling Carolina in on some very happy news. I’m not sure whether my father has trusted you with the details, but I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough.”

Dennis scowls at the insinuation that he’s not important enough to know what’s going on, letting us pass.

Once inside, we change into our pajamas and I text Jackal to let him know our plan, such as it is.

I get a response within minutes that all the men are in agreement with whatever solution Malcolm and Cannon can come up with to get us out of here, and to approach Exos tomorrow with the portal.