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“Bad stuff. Whatever happened, hopefully it happened long ago.” He shoved his hand into his pocket. “Stole this from the cook.”
Declan handed me a white cube.
“Sugar?” I picked it up and popped it into my mouth.
“Yeah, we don’t get many sweets out here.”
The sugar had softened from being in Declan’s pocket and melted around my tongue. We settled into a comfortable silence, watching the crew and the waves. It wasn’t long before someone called Declan down. I decided to stay in the nest for a little longer. The quiet helped me sort my thoughts.
No matter what happened on this adventure, I was committed. I’d be careful, but most of all I wanted toliveeven if just for a moment, and so far, I was getting more than I bargained for. Father complained I had too much of my mother in me and I found that a compliment. She would understand, and if he was being honest, her wild nature is what captured his heart. After her passing, he’d grown bitter and angry with everyone. They were soul mates, and he’d never been the same since she passed.
I picked at my nail, noticing the jagged side. A few days on the road and I was already in need of proper grooming. Blood caked under my fingernails, and my dress would have to be tossed overboard. There’d be no bathing on the ship, but at least the blood had washed off my face after that dip in the sea.
Leon had swooped me off the ship and then thrown us back on board with his mesmerizing water magic. Over the past few years, I’d seen many elements of power, though not all twelve. The element of time hadn’t been seen in generations, and I’d yet to see plant power that was one element I’d love to see in action. I’d always imagined what it would be like to grow vines out of the ground and twist them into shapes or to make a wilted rose bloom again.
The Oasis seemed like a good place for all of those possibilities to happen.
As long as thatthingbelow deck kept its fangs off my neck.
I’d never seen a twisted up close until today, and I had no desire to relive that experience.
One man shouted, followed by another. I glanced to where they pointed behind the ship. Ripples moved in our direction, not from a wave, but from a creature underneath. Wine colored skin breached the surface, then went under again.
I moved to the other side of the nest and searched the sea for the creature. Was it a serpent? A dragon? Something more horrid?
A thud hit the ship.
I gripped the mast, holding on, my heartbeat drumming in my ears.
There on the portside, a long tentacle latched onto the side of the hull. Another thud and another tentacle curled around the bowsprit.
Oh, no. It’ll take the entire ship apart.
Leon and his men would never make it back in time, even if they saw the attack.
Declan called out orders, and the crew attacked the massive octopus with polearms and swords, slicing bits of flesh off onto the boat.
It was then I noticed the massive octopus had black wounds in certain areas. A festering darkness that seeped shadows. The rest of its skin had a purplish hue. Only a darkthing could have turned the creature’s skin black.
Oh no . . .
Had my magic called the creature? Darkthings were not in my region, but out here, could using my power draw them? I didn’t think using a bit to light the storage room would cause anything. If magic from the Never had corrupted the octopus, the crew would need my help. Even though I hadn’t been in real combat, the moment my powers awakened at the age of ten, I had been training to fight.
The octopus flayed another tentacle at us, hitting the foremast where I sat. Declan gazed up and yelled at me to come down.
“Happily.”
I hurried down the rope ladder until I was close enough to jump the distance.
A burly man flew past me as the creature swiped its corrupted coil across the deck. I dove to the side, missing the bits of wood flying my way. Declan pulled a wand from his belt and shot a bolt of lightning at the creature; it squealed and released its tentacle holding the bowsprit.
Sending my magic to the bracers, I released the thin blades, ready to fight with the crew. I ran forward, stabbing the nearest tentacle. Dark purple liquid oozed out of the wound, and I lunged forward, stabbing the monster in multiple areas.
Declan shot at the octopus again and it screeched and thrashed against the ship. Wood splintered, sending shards all over, one slicing my cheek.
Something hit the other side of the ship. I turned, and the creature had another tentacle slipping onto the deck. How big was this thing?
The ship swayed as the octopus crawled onto the ship. The monster turned its attention to Declan, removing a tentacle to grab and pull him over the edge.
