Page 44 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

By the stairs. I think the three words, imagining them scrolling across my head, as if I’m reading them from parchment.

A growl rumbles through my skull. Get inside.

That sounds like a great plan.

I drop to my hands and knees and start crawling toward the stairwell. Sharp rain stings my skin, soaking my hair flat against my scalp.

I reach the doorway that leads below and freeze. Shit.

What is it? Rian’s voice floods my mind. What’s wrong?

I stare at the heap of barrels and splintered crates blocking the doorway. The way is blocked by debris.

Well, climb over it, he snaps. Get off the damn deck.

I bristle. I’m working on it.

I crawl forward and take my time as I try to move over the obstacle.

The ship lurches violently. I press my body into the deck to keep from sliding into the waves. Then I haul myself up and begin to climb over the debris.

Shattered wood scrapes my hands. Splinters bite into my palms. My power flares instinctively, numbing the pain.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

The magic warms my hands before curling back into my chest, preserving its energy.

I’m halfway over the obstacle when something slams into the side of the ship. The impact sends me sprawling over the shattered crates. I shift back and lose my balance.

I fall onto the deck. “Oof.”

Elara!

I’m fine, I toss back to the aggravated prince, pushing strands of soaking hair out of my face, angry at myself for losing my little bit of progress.

Are you inside?

Not yet.

A growl of disapproval echoes through my head, followed by a pulse of shadow that flies over the ship. The dark power recedes to a single point—the Shadow Prince.

Rian stands at the bow of the ship. Through the torrential downpour, his eyes shine brightly like twin silver moons.

Shadows flow off him in waves that rival the viciousness of those below. It’s hard to confirm, but I swear that flickers of blue pierce through the darkness.

The urge to be at his side is strong.

Next to him, I’ll be safe. I know it.

That fierce certainty is the only explanation I have for why I begin to crawl away from the staircase at my back—why I leave the promise of safety for the unknown danger that lies in front of me.

And I don’t just mean the monster.

My pounding heart steadies as I move, following the tug of the thread tightening between us.

Shadows continue to pulse from Rian. Through the deluge of rain, I count four dark figures posted behind him. Shadows flow from their outstretched arms like ribbons, plunging into the sea.

A bone-rattling roar blasts through the air.