AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ainsley
Iwas going to die.
The water attacking Jackson’s ship was relentless, and while those aboard weren’t safe either, I was even worse off. As the vessel plunged downward, I had already tumbled over the edge.
Killian’s ship was nearby, and I could hear him screaming my name as though I were all that mattered.
I whirled in the air as best I could to avoid the metal plank that had fallen askew from Killian’s ship. Instead, I reached for a few stray ropes as I fell—anything I could get my hands on to prevent myself from plummeting to my death.
An abrasive piece of rope brushed between my fingertips, and I jerked my arm farther out as quickly as I could. The burn of sliding down the old rope had me screaming, but I pulled my weight forward, grasping it with both hands as it swung over the railing.
I slammed into the side of the Phantom Saber.
“Hells bells!” I cried out.
The commotion on Jackson’s vessel was worsening as his airship’s plunge began to appear as though it would quickly break in half at any moment.
Killian’s crew, those who had remained on his ship, were now swiftly tossing ropes to Jackson’s, and one by one, I could see people swinging from the two decks. Rek’s burly figure made it safely across as I refocused and examined the only clear path I had before me. My own daunting task of getting to safety.
I pulled my body up, once, twice. Climbing and breathing heavily as I cursed the many times I’d been dangling from bloody airships in the past few days.I. Was. Done. This was horrendous.
Well, at least I still had my life. That was a plus, yes? As of yet, anyway.
Keep climbing, Ainsley.
My gaze went to Jackson’s vessel, wondering where the other crew members were. As if on signal, Killian’s head popped over the edge as he shouted my name once more.
“I’m here, Killian. I’m here.” Oh, thank the heavens above.
He staggered when he saw me, bringing his head to the wooden railing.
A crash below us drew my attention, and I gaped at the swirling funnel of water making its way up toward Jackson’s ship once more.
“Another attack is heading your way!” I screamed as loudly as I could. “Brace yourselves!”
I climbed higher, more quickly now, knowing I needed to be right-side up and help in any way I could. “Get off the ship, Killian. Now.”
A few more people were able to make it onboard the Phantom Saber when it suddenly lurched forward. I grasped the rope tightly, swearing under my breath as my body slammed against the side of the ship a few more times.
Rek.Rek must be flying the airship closer. Thank the heavens for that man.
The water had nearly reached Jackson’s vessel, and a swarm of crew members successfully leapt from his ship to ours. A wall of water formed on the other side of Jackson’s airship, facing the Phantom Saber.This was not good.
Killian was still on board, hauling people up to the ledge, one by one, forcing them to make the jump to safety.
The water paused, and my heart nearly stopped in my chest as I wondered if it were somehow sentient, if it could comprehend the chaos it was causing. Whomever was casting this dreadful magic, could they see through their element?
“Killian, now,” I shouted.
He glanced at me, ran back, and then I saw his body soaring through the air and landing on the Phantom Saber. Fiercely, the vessel jerked away from Jackson’s, and I swung again, my hands slipping slightly.
“No!” I shouted more to myself, half-begging and half-furious at the quandary.
Jackson’s airship was swallowed by the water and quickly dragged down, down, down. The clouds blocked my view of exactly how far away the water’s surface was as we flew overhead. However, from my vantage point, it was clearly far enough that his ship would not survive.
And neither would I if I continued dangling from the Phantom Saber. My arms quivered, and I prayed I’d have the strength to continue on.
“Ainsley, heads up, love.” Killian’s voice sounded over the edge of the ship.
