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Gerarda shoved me off and stood. “I should be asking you.” Her eyes fell on the silver fastener along Henris’s neck. Her lip curled in disgust. “A pitiful replacement.”
I turned to the others to see their titles.
“Shield and Bow,” Gerarda answered, rubbing the back of her head.
I pursed my lips. “Odd that he wouldn’t send all five.”
Gerarda shrugged. “Perhaps they captain this fleet.” She pointed at where the black sails were disappearing around the smoky mountain. “We should go, if you’re well enough.”
“IfI’mwell enough?” I scoffed. “You almost died.”
“You had a seizure.” I recognized the mix of rage and fear in her face.
I turned away, unable to deny it.
Gerarda smacked me across the head. “You did not suffer all these years to be so happy to die.”
“I shall not to die today.” I sheathed my dagger. “Take it and be happy. We need to go.”
Gerarda grumbled but started toward the shore where we had surfaced. I clucked my tongue. “We won’t be going that way.”
Gerarda raised a brow and I pointed to the last black sail along the southern horizon. She grinned and nodded.
“Ruin the sails and leave the men.” I tightened my weapons belt and cloak.
Gerarda flipped a dagger in her hand and tilted her head to the side. “I’d prefer to leave them dead.”
I rolled my eyes. “Stand there.” I pointed to a spot on the ground and began backing away.
Gerarda’s eyes narrowed. “Keera, we’re running out of tim—”
Her last words were cut off as I charged at her with full speed and extended my arms out beside me. I closed my eyes as a flash of light flared and my body crashed into the frozen beach. Gerarda lifted a brow but knew enough to stay quiet.
I wiped the snow off my knees and tried to concentrate on that new part of my magic. Shifting forms had been harder for me to master than any other power. I gritted my teeth and charged toward Gerarda once more. A quick flash of light exploded and my body transformed to one with wings. I soared high, letting myself adjust to the power of my new form and then I dove for Gerarda.
She lifted her arms in a brace and my sharp talons wrapped around her forearms. There was a loud rush of air with every beat of my wings until we were high enough to soar. Gerarda marked the ship trailing behind the rest of the fleet and we dropped.
I let out a high-pitched call and felt Gerarda ready herself in my grasp. I let go and she tumbled toward the sail of that first ship, slowing her fall by piercing the sail with two long blades and leaving two jagged gashes behind.
I flapped my wings and soared to the next ship. A flash of light and I transformed too soon, falling high above the deck. I pulled out two long blades and drove them into the linen of the sail, using the friction to slow me down enough to roll along the planks. I stood and the soldiers gasped in horror as I set their black sail alight. I leaped from the ship and transformed once more before my boot struck the water. I pumped my feathered limbs and climbed high above the scene to see it all.
Gerarda had laid a dozen soldiers to rest. I called once more as a signal and transformed high above in the sky. As I fell, I let thatnewfound magic stroke my spine until it was made of ice and then I released my power. The back half of the fleet was frozen into place as the water underneath their ships turned to ice. I waved my hand and created a ledge for Gerarda to climb along each one before another flash and I was a bird once more.
I soared high above the front sails and disappeared into the clouds. I flew past the ships and saw that the others were fighting three sails of their own. Though both our ships remained intact.
I turned my attention back on the first ship of the eastern fleet and dove. The air whipped against me, but this body was made for speed. Even as the sides of my vision blurred beyond the point of comprehension, my target seemed to move in slow motion. I transformed just above the mast, cutting the sail with my blade just as Gerarda had.
I singed the edges of my slice with the flames underneath my skin. The remaining hole was much too big to stitch. The ship would never be able to follow us back toFaelinthin such a state. I scratched along the mast and set the pole aflame for good measure.
The captain swung his sword at me but I dodged it with ease. I rammed my sword upward, slicing through the man’s forearm and pinning him to the mast. I didn’t turn as his screams filled the air. I merely leaped from the quarterdeck and let my wings take me to the next ship.
Within a matter of minutes, the ships were disabled beyond quick repair. I pierced the hull of the frozen ships by extending those slabs of ice into the wood. When the sea melted back into itself, the ships would become wrecks along the bottom.
Gerarda ran for the edge of ice as I flew to her. She lifted her arms and my wings carried us away. Relief flooded my body just as Gerarda yelped beneath me. I looked down and saw an arrow embedded in her leg.
“Keep flying,” she urged. “It won’t kill me.” Her lip curled in pain and I only beat my wings faster.
I let out another high-pitched call and watched as Lash turned the barrage of arrows aimed at my chest to smoke. I slowed enough to drop Gerarda onto the deck and soared above the rest. I landed on the eagle’s nest and my heart fell. Both ships were encased by violet flame.
