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Mydreamsaretornapart by desperate shouts and the violent rocking of the ship. What could possibly be happening now?
A sudden flash of lightning paints everything in a stark, white light. The loud crack that follows pierces my eardrums as I sit up, staring out the port hole in my room. In the distance, the sea crests into mountains and valleys, and a wave smashes into the side of the ship, tall enough to drown out the round window. The frothy water bubbles and streaks until it disappears, leaving behind a view of choppy waves.
Up to now, I couldn’t imagine the water level being so high. The sea always rested against the floor below me, but the storm outside is massive and tosses and turns the ship like a child’s toy. It’s like Zeus himself has risen, determined to wreak havoc.
Is the ship always this chaotic? From blood witch wars to possessions, to sea beasts, and now to a storm that might drag us to the bloody bottom of the ocean, it’s like it never ends. Another flare of lightning illuminates my surroundings as I toss the blankets off me. Through the window, I can see the crew’s shadows from the top of the ship, cast on angry waves.
Why would anyone be up there right now? We don’t even have sails at the moment. Cursing under my breath, I discard my nightgown and struggle into my clothes, trying to stay upright as the ship tilts dangerously. As soon as I get my pants on, a wave slams hard into the ship, sending me flying into the wall. The port hole’s window cracks and water rushes in.
“No! No. No.” I hiss, rubbing my shoulder where I collided with the hard surface as I plaster myself to the far side of the room. I will not drown in here.
I glance at the door, the water rising inch by inch with every rough wave. It’s sealed shut. There’s no way for me to get out. Not unless someone opens that door. Frustration bubbles within me, knowing that I’m powerless while trapped inside this room. If the ship goes down, I’ll sink along with it.
I have to try...
The roar of water fills my ears, and panic claws at my chest. I can hear the wind howling like a banshee, wrapping around the wooden structure. The air is charged with static as lightning crackles overhead, leaving a sharp tang on my tongue.
I raise my hands, pressing my palms to the wooden slab of my door. Steadying myself, I open my mind until I feel the threads binding the ward humming beneath my fingertips. When I open my eyes, I find glimmering strings scattered about the room, and I start to search for a weak point. Every spell has one...
Whoever cast this is skilled beyond comprehension, with each string knotted in a hundred different ways. I could pick it apart, but it would take hours if not days. I don’t have that kind of time.
As if on cue, the latch of the door jiggles, and the lock clicks. The door bursts open, and I have to jump back to keep from getting hit in the face with it. Zephyr stares at me from the opening. His long black hair is soaked, sticking to his face. His clothes cling to him like a second skin. The ship tilts and he grips the doorframe to brace himself as I teeter into the bedpost.
“Get out of here, princess,” he barks, his eyes serious. “Don’t let me regret this.” And with that, he takes off down the hall toward the med bay.
I’m frozen for a moment, staring at the open door. Zephyr just saved my life, but why? I shake the seawater out of my hair, my heart pounding in my chest. Shaking out of my stupor, I bolt down the hall, opposite of the way Zephyr went.
The storm continues to rage outside, relentless in its assault on the ship. I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I know getting higher up is the best option. If I can get to the deck, maybe I can see something, or use my magic to search for a beast—anything that can take me off this ship.
Sebastian and his men will be too busy to worry about me. This is my shot. I’m not sure how it will work exactly, but I’ll have to figure it out as I go.
The ship lurches again and I grab onto the wall for support. The sound of creaking wood and splintering boards is almost deafening. Water sloshes around my feet as I try to steady myself. I near the end of the hall of cabins, stopping just outside the open birthing.
At least a dozen or so men move about the room. As soon as they see me, they’ll know exactly what I’m up to and they might try to play hero. But I have to cross this room. The companionway is on the other side and if there’s any hope of me finding a creature to control, I have to make it to the deck. I have to be able to see it.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before making my way into the birthing. The room is filled with vacant hammocks, crates, and barrels, some of which have toppled over and spilled their contents across the floor. The air changes, becoming almost sour. The men stop what they’re doing and stare daggers into me. A few unsheathe their swords while others start shouting.
“What are you doing out of your room, witch?” one of them demands.
“She brought this storm upon us!” another yells. “I know it!”
Five of them position themselves between me and the companionway, and I know they won’t let me pass.
I raise my hands, feeling the power coursing through my veins like electricity. My fingers twitch with anticipation as I narrow my eyes on the men standing before me. I thrust out my wand, sending a wave of energy towards them. They stumble back, some clutching their chests, but they don’t give up.
They advance again, one swinging a sword straight at my head. I duck out of the way just in time. My eyes couldn’t be any wider as panic seeps into my bones. My eyes lift from the sharp blade, locking on the man holding it. I flick my wrist, mumbling the only spell for fighting magic I know, and his body flies across the birthing and slams into the wall. His body slips down the wooden wall and slumps to the floor, out cold.
I roll my shoulders. Okay... I got this.
The others are on me in seconds, but I can feel the magic in my veins, the steady hum of power like it’s singing just for me. I thrust my hands up, fingers curled to the floor. They mimic my actions and though it doesn’t keep them from spouting comments, I command them into the nearest cabin room and shut the door. I quickly snatch the rope hanging off the wall just to the right of the frame and tie it around the handle, attaching the other end to the cabin across the hall. They’re not going anywhere.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I sprint through the birthing. The hammocks are attached to wooden beams that line the center walkway, each one has a plethora of hooks and various other items attached to it. I snag one of the hats, twisting my hair into it.
It won’t deter someone from figuring out that it’s me, but in the dark, it might take them a moment. It’ll be easier to slip through undetected if my white hair isn’t visible. It’s a dead giveaway and I’ll need every second to spare.
With the rain, it’s safe to assume most of the crew will be somewhere below deck and if they’re not in the birthing, it doesn’t leave my options. Zephyr ran toward the med bay, so it’s safe to assume some are there. I don’t see why anyone would be in storage right now, but that leaves the mess hall.
I stare up the stairs, taking a deep breath before climbing them. Here goes nothing. I reach the open area to find men filling the tables. Drinks in hand, like the ship isn’t getting tossed around with every wave that crashes into us.
