Water Nymph Tears-weakens psychic connection
Poppy Flower-impairs judgement and makes one more susceptible to influence
Mandrake root-causes dangerous hallucinations
Calder Essence- causes temporary paralysis and in extreme cases causes the blood to boil
“You know, they say poison is the coward’s way.”
“It’s not. Take it from someone who’s tried every manner of murder—the best weapon is the one they don’t see coming. Nothing works better than being underestimated. Kills faster than anyblade in this world.”
She keys open the compartment and starts digging around, passing me a glittering orange vial to hold.
“Careful with that—it will grow you horns.”
I shoot her a look, catching a glimpse of a familiar blue powder in a glass jar.
“That blue stuff—what is it?”
“Blue moon? Oh, just a sedative. This one might be my favorite. Comes from the venom of the rarest reptile in the world.” She proudly holds up a beautiful iridescent vial, like crushed diamonds in liquid form. “Hunted the bastard for years in the jungles. Nearly killed half my crew before I severed its head and took its tail as a keepsake.”
Okaaaay.
“What do I owe you for this?” I hold up Dover’s cure.
She walks over to a small broom closet, pulling out a bucket and a long, rough-bristled brush.
Shoving it at my chest, she says, “Tell your little prince friend that the deck needs scrubbing.”
After a week of rough sailing—thesix of us crammed into one claustrophobic cabin—the ship rolls to a stop in a shallow, rocky harbor. I stand on the deck, listening to the crew shout orders as they lower the creaking ramp to the pebbled shore.
Heeled boots echo across the floorboards, and Kai glances up from his scrubbing as the Pirate King appears from the upper deck, a jeweled belt of weapons slung low on her hip. I take it as no coincidence that Kai chooses that moment to shuck off his shirt and wipe the sweat from his brow.
He’s been on cleaning duty for days as punishment for his crimes. The scutwork doesn’t look fun, but it beats the plank.
He sinks back on his heels, the wet floor around him glistening as the Pirate King approaches.
“Missed a spot,” she says, breezing right past him to stop beforeZadyn and me. Kai’s gaze climbs her legs as she adjusts her wide-brimmed hat over one eye. “Showtime, witch.”
Our feet have barely touched down on the ramp before she wheels around, pressing a hand to Zadyn’s chest. “Where do you think you’re going, handsome?”
His eyes shift between us. “With the two of you.”
“I don’t think so, lover boy. The more the merrier does not apply here. But don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.” She flashes him a flirty smile as she wraps her long fingers over my shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Zadyn catches my hand.
You call me the second you feel something is wrong, he says, a stern expression on his face.
I will.
His hold tightens a fraction before he releases me.
The Pirate King leads me through a patch of wild trees until the forest thins and we step onto ashen ground.
Skull Valley yawns before us—cold, barren, and brittle. As we wind the grim-looking gap between gray, snow-dusted mountains, I see where it got its nickname.
Piles of skulls line our path through the towering ranges. The sun-bleached skeletons of people and horses are littered all around in a macabre fashion. There are so many, it’s hard to avoid stepping on them. I try to focus my attention ahead, but every so often my gaze wanders, and my stomach twists. I squint up at the bright sun as a dull ache begins to form between my brows. I rub my temples, trying to ease some of the tension.
