Page 116 of Valour

Septimus swept her up in his arms. “You are incredible.”

Hester grinned. “I know.”

“And if he comes, we’ll face him together.”

“Together.” She intertwined her fingers with his.

Within the hour, a shadow, black as night, passed under the boat.

Hester’s mother appeared by her side.

“Heave to, drop the sea anchor,” Hester said.

Septimus leapt into action to bring the boat to a halt.

37

IN WHICH THERE IS A RECKONING

The black shadow grew, snaking away and then rounding back. Hester stuck out her chin and braced her hands on her hips, standing by the tiller, Septimus behind her. Orcus breached the surface in his killer whale form, the spray from his blowhole misting her face, prismatic rainbows dancing in the air. Her heart beat a rhythm against her ribs, like the drums on a battlefield, a call to arms.

Orcus opened his maw, all sharp teeth and the stench of death. His pink tongue rolled.

In the bottom of the boat, tucked away under the deck, Winston, Peggy and Frank shook with fear. But Hester was no longer afraid. Let him come. She would face him. Together, they would face him.

Beside her, her mother’s wings flared, golden light spilling from her. “You knew he would come.”

“I did,” Hester said, reaching behind for Septimus’s thigh, her fingers digging into the reassuring bulk of him. She would not cower from the demon any longer.

Orcus spoke, his voice cold and grating in her head, “My offer still stands. Come with me, and I will reveal your history, give you everything you desire.” He closed his mouth, water running through his teeth, and turned a black eye on her. The sea frothed around him, like even the water wanted to escape his presence.

“I have no need for history,” Hester said, ducking to grab the harpoon gun from the centre of the boat. She pressed it into Septimus’s waiting hands with two harpoons. She would save the third, the one Orcus had touched, as a last resort. “And I have everything I desire.” It was true. She had her friends. She had love. And while she had failed to find glory on this expedition, she had found so much more.

Hester crooked her fingers, flaring the power in her chest, and the black storm front that had retreated an hour ago crept back towards them, lightning flashing and illuminating the swirling mass of angry clouds. The pressure in the air built, but she would weather this storm, as she had weathered all the others. She threw a glance at her mother. There was no resentment left in her heart. No, she still had no idea where she came from, but she knew who she was. It had been inside of her all this time.

Another huff of mist blew from the orca. “You have everything you desire?”

“I do.” Her fingers tingled with power, the thunderhead rolling inexorably towards them. “The future is the only thing that matters.” A future that was shimmering just a little way out of her reach. A future with Septimus, with Charlotte, with her friends and her dog and even with Satan.

The first harpoon fired from behind her, the iron bolt spearing through the air to land in the black flesh of Orcus. Time seemed to stretch. And then the great whale reared, screaming with rage. Hester twisted her hands, bringing lightning streaking from the sky and crashing into the black monster. Her heart thumped harder in her chest, wicked delight roaring in her veins. To have the power to burn him was pure ecstasy.

She struck him again and again. “I would never abandon those I love to go with you,” she shouted over the foaming ocean. “I will not help you drown the innocent, either.” The orca thrashed in the water, and the acrid smell of lightning filled the air. Waves crashed into the side of the Tempest, almost sending them overboard, but Septimus gripped her as she struck the writhing devil again.

Hester panted, a snarl etched on her face. The power felt good. It flowed from her heart, through her blood, wrapped her up until she felt invincible, her cheeks flushing, skin prickling.

Orcus’s voice rang between her ears, “You cannot defeat me. I will devour you and all of your friends.”

Never. She would never let that happen. Would do anything for her friends, would give up her life for them. Wouldn’t even need to think about it. Sacrificing herself would be as easy as breathing. But no, it needn’t come to that. She would fight with everything she had and more.

She risked a quick glance at Winston, Peggy and Frank huddled in the bottom of the boat, and the magic surged around her, sparks dancing like fireflies in the air. She would never let him near enough. She would protect them until her last breath, and beyond it.

Hester smote Orcus again, lightning sizzling, dancing and spearing down from the sky, the pink afterglow zigzagging like scars.

Septimus fired another harpoon, carefully aimed, and it stuck just above the orca’s eye. The beast roared again, its enormous tail slapping the water, freezing spray raining down on them.

She passed the final harpoon into Septimus’s hands. The one she had stolen back from Orcus on the ice floe. It glowed faintly blue in her hands, like the heart of a glacier. The light faded when Septimus fitted it into the gun.

Septimus’s voice rent the air, “For the Intrepid.”