Page 100 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

43

Kora

Everyone gathered around the familiar opal table within the deserted ballroom. The same abandoned cots still lined the far wall, whilst Aerion fluttered over the papers on this side. An array of them stuck to the towering walls that blended in with the greyed sunset through the ironed windows.

A patch covered Hector’s right eye as he sat back in a low, dark purple chair, glowering at Kora. Leto lingered behind him, his arms folded whilst Mara fidgeted on his shoulder. John and Circe had been granted rooms in the west wing—which apparently was where everyone stayed. The Windwards stood opposite the pirates, leaving Kora side by side with Aryn in between them.

“Will your father be gracing us tonight?” Kora asked Raiden quietly. His diamond eyes hardened.

“He’s been called away to the west side of the island, past the Horrow Mountains. He left this morning.” His reply gave nothing away, and she found herself testing the bond, reaching out, seeing if she could connect to understand more.

“Tell us everything you saw,” Aerion commanded as he inspected various parchments of maps. Endless scribbles lined the edges, along with pins marking key areas of interest. The Citadel had a giant cross upon it, so did the west of Talmon, for Barron’s mysterious new camp, followed by Stormkeep Fortress. Kora’s gut twisted.

“We were leavin’ the Dead Islands, Leto’s magic kept us hidden,” Hector’s voice croaked, the roughness intensified like he’d been screaming. He signed as he spoke. “But the lad can only keep it up for so long.”

Leto made a strangled sound, the vibrancy of his eyes muted. His hair was lank and his skin ashen, resembling a true Lord of Ghosts. “Sleepy,” Mara parroted.

“Understandable,” Aerion replied. “Our gifts can only take us so far.”

“Then I saw it!” Hector waved his weathered hands to the sky with dramatic flair. “A hawk. Black as the night. It screeched and suddenly the ships appeared, firing cannons from all sides. We lost one Galenite ship, but Fallen Angel and Bone Rattler saw us through.”

Raiden’s head bowed, and Aryn bristled beside Kora. Hundreds of lives had been lost.

“A black hawk,” Skylar frowned. “How could a hawk locate you through magic?”

Hector shrugged. “It was unnatural. Shadows leaked from its wings, its eyes glowed purple. I think they’re up to something on Talmon.”

Kora shivered, recalling the sickening guards Barron possessed. The way his magic leaked like tar, threatening to drag victims down and drown them. But also, she’d been attacked by a shadow with purple eyes and claws in Mistros City . . . it wasn’t a dream like she thought.

Stupid human. A cold voice snaked around Kora and she rubbed her temple with a hiss. Aryn gently touched her wrist, concerned as Hector continued ranting about this hawk; the way it could see them through Leto’s magic.

Kora was no stranger to hearing voices, but hers was dark. It reeked of something acrid, burning the inside of her throat, her veins turning to ice as it grew louder with each passing day.

“It’s clear the hunter is the rat,” Hector finished, swivelling his bruised hand at Kora. She blinked in response, her mind catching up with the present.

“Bullshit,” she spat. “I was attacked by a monster of smoke and claws, with purple eyes my first week here. Clearly, someone has infiltrated this land and possesses dark magic.”

“Aye, it’s ye! Ye are corrupted. Ye are tainted. Ye are the darkness that plagues Galen!” Hector’s spittle flew across the grand table. The chandeliers clinked, a familiar wind pulsating from Raiden’s tense form.

“Hector, explain your thinking instead of hurling insults,” Raiden ordered, his tone harsh.

“She’s the only newcomer. Ye may see a face of the past, but I see the face of a killer. She could’ve sent a hawk after our departure. She’s Barron’s spy.”

“I had no idea where you were going,” Kora rolled her eyes. “Stop being so blind.”

“Once a killer, always a killer.” Hector’s lips curled with disgust.

“Tell that to your crew,” Kora bit back. “Finlay, and countless of my crew members are dead because of them.”

“Cannon’s men would never!” Hector argued.

“What about James?” Cassidy appeared through the doorway, a vision in yellow. Her ringlets bounced as she rushed to Hector’s side, checking him over. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you returned!”

“Stop, lassie,” Hector waved a hand. “I don’t need coddlin’. She’s accusing Cannon’s crew of murder.”

Cassidy’s blue eyes flashed. “James was the nicest of us all. Be careful with your next words.”

“Cannon never tried to harm me,” Kora recalled with realisation. “In fact, he was trying to . . . I think he tried to save me. Two of his crew—Jack and Silas Flint—were the murderers on my ship.”