"Well, Finn Blackwell," I say, mustering a weak grin, "I owe you one. You know, for the whole 'saving my life' thing."
He shrugs, the gesture somehow both nonchalant and self-conscious. "Just doin' me job, lass. Can't have ye drownin' before the Cap'n's had a word, now can we?"
I snort the sound somewhere between a laugh and a cough. "Heaven forbid."
Finn shakes his head, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Rest up, lass. Somethin' tells me you'll be needin' your strength."
With that, he slips out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the muffled roar of the storm. I sink back into the sofa, my eyes drifting shut as exhaustion claims me again.
But even as I slip into a fitful doze, Finn's words echo in my mind. He's right—I will need every ounce of strength and wit to navigate the treacherous waters I've found myself in.
Because something tells me that this is just the beginning of a very long, very dangerous journey, and if I want to make it out alive, I'll have to be ready for anything these pirates—and the cruel, capricious sea—can throw at me.
My thoughts drift back to Rhyland."I'm okay,"I inform him. "I'm in the Captain's Quarters."
Whatever these pirates want, I'll be ready. I'll keep my wits sharp and my eyes sharper. Not a chance in hell I'm becoming anyone's pawn or plaything.
Because when the time comes, I'll be ready to turn the tables and show them just what this "lass" is made of.
"I need to fucking get to you—now. I can feel your weakness. I need to heal you."
"I know."I'm so damn tired I can barely keep our mental conversation going."Let me speak with the Captain."
That's the last thing I manage to say before my eyes close and darkness sweeps me away.
Rhyland
3
Ipace the cell like a caged animal, my frustration and anger building with every goddamn step. The fact that these piece of shit pirates have the balls to keep us separated is a huge fucking mistake. They have no idea who they're messing with, and when I get out of here, they'll learn the hard way.
"She's safe," I grunt toErik, who looks like he's seconds away from going apeshit.
I feel you, brother. Being trapped in this tiny, dank cell is enough to drive anyone out of their fucking mind.
Erikand I just woke up not that long ago.Dani's fear pulled me out of that witch's coma. Once I was awake and coherent, I wokeErik's ass up.
Erik was going through all my emotions with me, my fear, my panic as I relayed to him what was happening to Dani—nearly drowning on this cursed fucking ship. With me not being able to do a damn thing to help her.
The worst part is the weakness that's settled into my bones. I've felt drained since we went through that portal and passed out. That witch did something to me like nothing I've ever experienced before, and it's trickled down toErik,too. My magic is gone—can't use my telekinesis. It's like Amara and her magic-draining bullshit all over again.
How long this will last, I have no fucking clue. Did the witch permanently curse us? The thought chills my spine, but I refuse to let it show. I have to stay strong, forDani's sake, if nothing else.
"I'm glad the Little Huntress is well and safe,"Erikmumbles from what I can only imagine is a piss-soaked floor. The stench here is enough to make my eyes water, and the constant rocking of the ship isn't helping matters.
Where they have us on this god-forsaken ship is a mystery. All I know is it's a small room with a cell that we're caged in like animals. The storm earlier finally stopped,but the thrashing and tossing us around like ragdolls has drained me more than I already feel.
I can't stop wondering how the fuck we ended up here. I would've thought Dani would conjure a portal to her apartment, maybe, or somewhere safe—not our next goddamn destination with Lucian captured and drained by those fucking witches, and now we're prisoners on a pirate ship in the middle of god fucking knows where.
Something must've happened while she conjured the portal. I know she was weak and just as drained. It would make sense why the misfire.
"So, assuming we're inAquaria,"Erikstarts, his voice rough with exhaustion, "What the hell do we know?"
I shake my head, trying to clear the fog from my mind. "A lot—and it's crawling with pirates."
I tell Erik what we all learned of this realm—filled with merfolk, pirates, and other creatures. There's also the grand Undinite Palace, where the merfolk Queen rules. Somewhere in this realm lies the ruins of an ancient civilization called Atlantis, which may hold crucial clues to our quest.
"But navigating this treacherous realm won't be easy, especially with us locked up and magic-drained by that fucking witch."
