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As soon as my magic drops, the crew is there with harpoons and fire and various magical attacks. The shrieking takes on an agonizing tone as those attacks find their victims. The water churns violently, dark purple blood coloring the blue.
And then they turn on their injured counterparts. They’re equal opportunity predators, and a little cannibalism doesn’t bother them in the least. I knew it was coming, and it still makes me sick to my stomach. It’s not enough to stop the next attack, though. They’re insatiable, bottomless destroyers.
“That’s it! Send them to a watery grave!”
The mermaids shouldn’t gather themselves for a singular attack again—not when a portion of their number are eating their injured comrades—but I still keep an eye out for the possibility as I bat individual creatures from the air before they can make contact with the deck. It takes nearly as much effort as the wall did because there’s an element of precision involved. If I’m not careful, I’ll sweep the crew members into the water, and that’s a death sentence.
In the chaos, I catch sight of Nox on the other side of the ship, their crimson duster flaring out behind them as they send streams of fire and air in turn against the mermaids. Very few people with elemental-based powers have access to more than one element. Nox can tap into all four.
Hedd appears next to me, his form shifting and growing. It’s not a pretty sight, but once he’s in his berserker rage, he can go for hours and he’s damn near unstoppable. There’s not a lot of room left for coherent thought, though. “Let them on board!”
I frown. “Excuse me?”
“Is this a fight or is it a fight?” He smacks my shoulder hard enough to stagger me. “Let them come. That’s an order.”
“People will die!”
“You will fucking die if you disobey a direct order. Let. Them. Come!” He raises his ax menacingly. “Or I kill that little witch cowering behind you.”
CHAPTER 27
Evelyn
I KNEW THAT THE CAPTAIN HAD A BAD VIBE, BUT EVEN I hadn’t anticipated this level of recklessness. Bowen is the only thing keeping those shrieking mermaids off the deck. Even from where I stand next to the mast, I can see how sharp their claws are, how vicious their teeth. Bowen is doing his best, but they’ve dragged no less than three crew members down into the deep.
And now the captain wants to make it worse.
“Don’t do it.” I don’t mean to speak, but Hedd immediately turns his vicious attention in my direction. It’s too late to back down. The only way through is through. I lift my chin, trying not to flinch as someone screams far too close. “It’s the wrong call.”
Hedd looks at me for a moment and then dismisses me just as quickly. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that mutiny.”
“Someone questioning a dangerous order is not mutiny!”
Bowen answers without looking at me. “That’s enough, Evelyn.” He nods slowly. “Of course we’ll follow your orders, Captain.”
Hedd grins and rushes toward the railing. I waste no time grabbing Bowen’s arm. “You can’t seriously mean to obey. I thought we were past this.”
“He’s a berserker.” Bowen speak so softly, I can barely hear him over the sounds of fighting. “If he attacks you, even with all my power, it will be a battle of attrition. While we’re fighting, the mermaids will kill too many of the crew. There’s no choice. Set up a shield around you and Dia. Don’t argue with me, Evelyn.”
He considered all that in the span of seconds? I don’t want to admit that he’s right, but I can’t find a fault in logic with what he just said. I lick my lips. “What about you?”
“I’ll be able to function better if I’m not worried about you and Dia.”
There’s no time left to argue. I grab his shirt and pull him down for a desperate kiss. “Don’t you dare die.”
“And lose out on even a moment with you? Never.” He guides me back to the mast. “Shield. Now.”
I pull my chalk out of my shirt with a shaking hand. Dia watches with interest as I draw a circle just large enough to encompass both of us. I hesitate to close it, but Bowen is already moving away. He’s trusting me to do what I said I would. I have to trust that he’ll do the same. I press my hands to the deck and speak the words that bring the shield into being. It snaps into place with the strength that makes me shudder.
Dia carefully presses a hand into the air in front of her. “Neat trick. Most folks I’ve seen make shields do it with a bit more pizzazz.”
“I don’t know about other types of magic, but if a witch is using a bunch of song and dance to cast a spell, it’s likely for the benefit of those watching.” I don’t rise. I can see clearly enough from my position where I’m crouched. Besides, if I need to break the shield, it will spare me a second or two. “Why is he doing this?”
“Hedd?” Dia shrugs. “He likes a fight, and berserkers aren’t built for long range.”
I have nothing to say in response to that. This man’s selfish desire to commit violence is going to get people killed. His people. And there isn’t a damn thing anyone can do about it. I’m so furious, I can barely breathe past it. Or maybe that’s fear. It’s hard to tell the difference right now.
I don’t know if it makes things better or worse to be able to watch Bowen in action. It’s the first time I’ve seen him truly fight, aside from the cat-sìth. It’s never been clearer that he’s in his element.
