Page 88

“You must know,” he answered.

I blinked in response, searching my mind for an explanation, but coming up with nothing but more confusion.

“My…my sister,” I said, remembering Rune on the ground. I bent to help her, but he stepped between us before I could reach her.

I fell back into a fighting stance, wishing I had a sword. Magic tingled at my fingertips as I called the fire up inside of me. At least I had that.

The man laughed again, then narrowed his own eyes, where tiny flames erupted and shot outward like two small infernos on his face. The effect was more than disturbing, and I swallowed.

Okay, maybe something different.

I called to the sea behind the man and beyond the deck of the ship. A silent wave rose higher than the crow’s nest.

“Move,” I commanded, leaving no room for argument.

He tsked, shaking his head as his eyes settled back to the ethereal mass of colors. “We have important business to attend to, child of Revka. The human will be fine.”

Child of Revka? No one had ever called me that before. Was it because I’d come from Centos? How did he know?

Pushing aside my confusion, I spoke in a clear voice. “I’m not doing anything with you until I know she’s safe.”

Using my water wielding, I called the wave down as hard as possible over the intruder.

As the water crashed onto the ship, the man raised his hands. He, Rune, and I were suddenly encased in a bubble of air, remaining completely untouched by the onslaught. The water began to settle around our feet, a mere few inches deep. Before I could respond, he mashed his hands together, and the water rose and spun around our lower halves. It lifted the two of us into the air, propelling us up and out, beyond the boat and over the ocean.

I screamed, fighting the current that had ahold of me like the grasp of a giant hand, but it was futile. Still, I struggled against it as the man flew beside me, observing as though I were a fascinating specimen.

“Rune! Rivven!” I screamed as I was launched so far from my friends that the ships and battle appeared no more than toys in the distance.

“Do not fear, child of Revka,” the man said. I shouldn’t have heard him so clearly over the rush of the wind and water spiriting us away. “It will not serve you where we are going.”

Thirty-Seven

Leuruna

It felt like hands had reached down and torn my head open. I moaned, inhaling a large dose of salt water. I rolled to my side in an attempt to get up. Sputtering, I coughed, making pain reverberate down my spine.

Somehow, I managed to make my way onto my hands and knees before I opened my eyes fully. I wished I hadn’t. What I found was the entire crew locked in a battle for their lives. All around, men wearing the same strange uniform the captain and Fiorge had on swung swords, daggers, and all sorts of bladed weapons at my friends. The entire ship rocked violently, nearly tossing me down the hold I’d apparently fallen in front of.

Had it been three days already? And why hadn’t Nye briefed me before the switch?

I didn’t have time to dwell on specifics. I had to help my friends.

Rising, I used the side of the entryway as support. I searched the many duels around me, hoping to find Torvo. I saw the young red-headed man on his knees, one of the uniformed men standing over him, sword raised to deliver a deathly blow. Without thought, I reached out to find an air current to send the weapon flying, only to find…nothing.

“No!” I screamed, but the executioner was the one who lost his head as Rivven swung from behind.

Without hesitation, he yanked the weapon from the body’s hand and tossed it at the boy’s feet. The poor kid paled and retched all over the deck, adding to the mess. My stomach roiled in sympathy at the carnage. But Rivven just spun around and ran toward the next duo.

Prying my eyes from the disturbing scene, I stared instead at my trembling hand. My power hadn’t come. That had never happened before. I reached for my throat, thinking perhaps one of my father’s chokers…but no, my neck was bare beyond the leather of the bodysuit I wore.

“There she is.”

I startled at Fiorge’s voice, so close to my ear. Turning, I found myself swiftly pinned against the side of the entryway to the decks below. His arms stretched over my shoulders, his body pressed against me, locking me in place. His rancid breath wafted over my face, making me nearly vomit just as the young man Rivven had saved did moments ago.

“Were you trying to hide, Your Highness?” he asked, reaching up to brush away some of the stray hair that had escaped my braid. “I can help you with that.”

I braced myself, lifting my chin in defiance. “No. I plan to fight.”