Leaving his body, I quickly tucked the daggers into their protective sheaths, feeling a sense of calmness wash over me knowing that they were back in my possession. I didn’t want to look at Holmeth, or any of these vampyres, ever again. Thankfully, I saw my new friend and Barnabus in the distance. I tucked my daggers against me with one hand and climbed up onto my ride, and the creature immediately took off into the violent storm. Relief poured through me. Holmeth was going to die.
He wouldn’t be a threat to me, my family, or my new home anymore.
As we rose high into the sky, shooting toward the Tridian Empire’s lands, my eyes widened in shock at the chaotic, terrifying beauty of the sea monsters that lived within the Cursed Divide.
Three of them rose above the water, but I could make out the slithering shapes of several others beneath the surface still, attacking the ship from all sides. One rose so high above the water it was level with the main mast, and the roar that filled the air seemed to have originated from its long neck and massive jaws. Its neck shifted with large fins that pushed the air down around it. There was another that seemed to be diving in and out of the waves like an enormous snake, but with three heads! The third that I could make out seemed to have created a whirlpool that was drawing the ship toward a massive mouth in the center with teeth that glinted like black onyx thorns.
They were going to die…and I had the pleasure of watching.
Chapter Seven
Kyella
And what a pleasure it had been.
Only moments later, the whirlpool sucked the ship in, any possible screams of the crewmembers completely absorbed by the storm. The other sea creatures immediately dove toward where the ship disappeared, sinking underneath the water in search of their prey while the swarms of bats turned heel and followed us.
My body shook with adrenaline as I watched the dark clouds slowly dissipate, evaporating like a heavy fog that lingered over us. Bright rays from the sun began to stream through, highlighting the ocean as well as the beautiful land before me. The castle was lit up like a beacon, and I barely resisted the urge to cry happy tears.
Unlocking my death grip from my new friend’s neck, I forced myself to sit up and look around. Glancing back at where the ship had been minutes ago, I grinned as bits of broken wood floated to the surface of the water—the only sign that something had happened there.
Holmeth, Gregory, and Frederick all got what they deserved. And the best part? They wouldn’t even make it back to Malakai. I hoped that fact alone caused that bastard to reconsider attacking us. He was far too cocky, and perhaps this would be the first dose of reality that he needed to understand he couldn’t do whatever he wanted and expect to win anymore.
I knew this marked the beginning of his downfall, and I couldn’t wait to one day see the look on his face when he realized why he lost it all. My soul wouldn’t rest until that day came to pass. I wanted him to look at me and understand that the girl he manipulated and abused was long gone, and in her place was the woman who rebuilt herself to take him down.
He once thought of me as his prized possession, but instead I would become his worst nightmare.
This situation only further cemented in my mind my need to train hard each day—it was necessary with the understanding that we were entering a time of war. I needed to hone my skills and lend as much aid as I could to Myrin and her empire. It was thanks to her that I even had this place to call home, and Iwould notstand on the sidelines while lives were lost in a war because of her decision to let me stay.
Tilting my head back as I closed my eyes, I allowed myself a moment to bask in this insane moment as the gentle breeze blew against my skin, my hair flying behind me.
I was free.
I was going back to my men.
I was flying on a bat.
I was flying on the back of a gigantic fucking bat and there were sea monsters!
Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have even begun to imagine that life could be this…extraordinary. Vibrant. There was so much more out there than my mind could ever comprehend.
Hysterical laughter bubbled out of me as I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin once more. The way it crept into every pore of my being and warmed me from the inside out was healing. Physically, I knew it was my own abilities healing me, but there was something comforting in the thought that it was the universe healing me instead. It felt as if the universe was telling me that it had my back and that I was on the right path.
Opening my eyes, I spotted blue skies encompassing the world as far as the eye could see once more. The bat clicked beneath me, and I immediately ran my fingers gently against the soft, dark fur of its neck. “Thank you for saving me.”
I was still beyond confused as to what the hell had just occurred, but I wouldn’t balk at being helped out of that wreckage, no matter how strange it had been.
More clicks came from the bat, and while I couldn’t understand what it meant, I swore the creature smiled at me as it turned its head slightly to the side, a large black eye staring at me.
Glancing back at the large, looming castle we were quickly approaching, I recognized three figures standing on a balcony, waving me down. A small gasp of excitement tore from me as I focused on Myrin, Kolvar, and Dakath.
Until I noticed Elijah crumpled on the ground next to them.Was he okay?!
Worry gnawed at my stomach, but I quickly reminded myself that Dakath and Kolvar definitely wouldn’t be smiling as big as they were if there was something seriously wrong with Elijah.
I wasn’t sure how to tell the bat to fly to the balcony, but Myrin placed two fingers in her mouth, letting out a high pitched whistle. The creature pivoted instantly. My eyes widened in surprise. Was she seriously in control of these bats? I thought I was insane for thinking that earlier. Is that why she had Barnabus around so often?
After gliding over to the edge of the balcony, the creature came to a stop and extended its right wing over the ledge. The others backed up slightly, dragging Elijah along with them and depositing him onto the couch.
