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Ainsley
My hands twitched with the sensation I was quickly coming to recognize as my magic. Killian moved fast, almost too fast for me to keep up once he actually moved his stubborn feet again.
His features appeared relieved when we broke through the tavern doors, but my fear was not so easily dismissed.
I peered back over my shoulder, searching for the purple robotic-like eye belonging to the half-machine woman, Gretta. The last time I’d seen her, it had been what triggered my magic, and it was impossible to forget that fear. I hadn’t believed I’d have to face her again so soon.
“We have to keep going.” I motioned to Killian as he slowed.
He furrowed his brow and pulled me into the shadows of a nearby alley. “I need you to tell me how you know Gretta. And fast.” He searched my face as though my features would give him the answer he demanded.
I swallowed, still unsure if I should be trusting one of the first men I had met on my own, let alone a pirate. However, he had agreed to help, so I did as Mother had told me and went with my gut. “That woman, well, calling her that would be gracious. That automation, machine, or whatever. She attended my father’s memorial service and caused a disruption. She— “I stopped. Killian had seen my magic after all, and it wasn’t as though I would be revealing anything new to him. “She brought out some of my abilities.” I stared down at my feet nervously.
Killian’s eyes were shut tightly when I dared to sneak a glance at him once more. “Gretta is more trouble than you know.”
He shifted his gaze around the corner of the alley where we’d hidden. He must have been satisfied because he gently tugged on my arm. “We need to make it to port.”
I hesitated. Was I really doing this? Was I going to leave with this stranger—aboard his ship?
“Now,” Killian snapped.
I followed his quick movements, and noticed Gretta’s violet eyes homing in on us, a sneer clearly on her face. I turned, running to keep up with Killian as we darted around people crowding the streets.
I glanced back and tripped, but before I could scurry to my feet again, a warm hand clamped around my wrist and pulled me up in a swift, sure motion.
“Please don’t make me regret agreeing to keep you safe in the first ten seconds of our bargain, woman.” Killian ran alongside me now.“Hand over that satchel, would you? It will be best if I carry it from here.”
I nodded and tossed it to him. Embarrassment flooded through me, and I set forth, even more determined and focused on our forward progress, not at how Gretta had begun closing in behind us.
Black-and-white sails became visible not too far in the distance, rising slowly in pairs as we crested the shore leading to port.
“Nearly there, Ainsley. Don’t quit on me now.” Killian’s voice commanded.
I wanted to turn my nose up at the comment but was too focused on remaining on my feet. I hadn’t exerted this much energy at once in a long time, and with the magic I had used earlier on, I was beginning to feel faint.
My feet pounding against the cobblestone began reverberating in my head with each step.
“That’s us.” Killian pointed, reaching down for my hand.
I wasn’t about to bother tugging it away. It provided a stability I clearly needed. My body had become weary, and my mind wandered back to emotions that were causing me to feel out of control. Those feelings would only conjure the magic inside of me. Something I’d like to avoid on the crowded public streets of Darkhold, even if I were disguised.
As we approached a gorgeous wooden airship, with brass cogs and railings, Killian shouted, “Rek, prepare to sail! Rek!”
Killian shouted the name “Rek” one more time, and suddenly, the ship we were quickly approaching sprung to life. Men dashed around the main deck, moving to and fro in a hasty, yet smooth and organized manner.
A wrought-iron plank dropped down from the side of the ship and Killian shoved me toward it. I ran, tripping at the top of the iron structure but catching myself as I lunged forward onto the beautiful ship.
Killian raised the plank with the help of two other men and brushed his hands off as the vessel jerked upward and began pulling away from the busy air dock. Gretta stood menacingly, smiling at the edge of the harbor. She did not move as her gaze held mine, and feeling somewhat safer aboard a ship flying in the opposite direction, I did not back down from the staring contest.
“She will come back,” I said as Killian moved closer to me.
He nodded. “In the meantime, welcome aboard the Phantom Saber.”
My palms were sweating as I spun around to face the men I had seen from a distance preparing the ship. Their bewildered expressions told me this was an occurrence that did not happen often.
“Care to explain?” A gruff yet husky voice came from behind Killian, and a rather large, quite muscular, and bald pirate swung his leg up onto the ledge of the ship as he addressed him.
Killian responded first with a smirk—one I was coming to recognize. “Up for an adventure, Rek?”
