Sailors screamed.
One creature swooped overhead, letting out a shriek that shattered a lantern and sent glass raining onto the deck.
And in the middle of it all, Devin stepped forward.
He didn’t speak. He justunleashed. Darkness. Shadows. Death magic.
The shadows around him surged like a tidal wave, pouring from his hands, his feet, his eyes. The deck darkened, a domeof black mist swirling outward as his magic rose like a storm, answering the threat with a voice older than time.
Creatures dove at him—three at once.
They didn’t make it.
A wall of obsidian spears exploded from the shadows on the ship’s planks, impaling one mid-flight. Another froze midair as a chain of runes wrapped around its throat, yanking it into the sea.
I backed against the cabin wall, eyes wide, heart racing. He was magnificent. Andterrifying.
A creature made for war. For death.
The wind howled. The sea churned. Another wave of monsters surged from the depths, trying to swamp the hull, their claws dragging down sailors and tearing at the sails.
Devin roared, his voice echoing with power—and his magicerupted.
The creatures died screaming, their bodies dissolving into smoke and shadow as his deathlight consumed them. The sky turned black. Lightning cracked the heavens.
And then… silence.
The deck was slick with blood and ash.
Devin fell to his knees. Then collapsed.
I ran to his side. His body was hot—too hot. Magic still radiated off him in waves, flickering like coals.
The crew circled, hesitant. The wind-caller stepped forward, his voice sharp with command. “That was not standard death magic. What is he? And why is he on this ship?”
“He saved us,” I snapped.
“They came for him,” another sailor said, pointing at the remains of the creatures. “They attacked because of him. This washisdoing.”
“No,” I said. Those things had come forme.I’d felt it in my bones, a cold, creeping awareness that sank its claws into my flesh and refused to let go.
“Yes,” the fae snapped. “He drew them here with that Veil magic. And now we should toss him overboard before his dark magic summons more.”
Several crew members muttered in agreement.
I stood. Slowly. Drew the dagger from Devin’s belt.
His magic pulsed through the blade—dark and cold—but I didn’t falter.
I turned to face the crew, heart pounding, fire singing in my blood.
“Touch him,” I said, “and I’ll show you whatrealStarfire looks like.”
The wind shifted.
The air trembled.
And the golden light that burst from my skin lit the deck like a star in summer.
