How many had died because of her? Surely, the crew knew the risks they were taking. But this was certainly more than they bargained for.
She struggled to keep her gaze forward. She couldn’t allow herself to feel guilty. She had to worry about her own survival. That was all that mattered now.
Ropes descended on their little rowboat and the men quickly tied them off. Vi felt her stomach sink as the vessel lurched, hoisted from the water. It clanged against the side of the ship, sheets of ice falling into the water below. Like self-healing armor, the patches repaired nearly instantly with spindly fingers of frost reaching to cover the exposed wood.
The magic it took to create such a barrier—one that could regenerate on its own—must come from some immeasurable well. It prompted a dull, bitter thought for the darkened spark inside of her. But the ice itself jarred a different memory—her vision from the Crossroads, of the frosty beach. Given what the pirate had said… they truly did have her father, alive yet, somewhere.
The rowboat was maneuvered back into its place and not a second later Vi was all but pushed off with a gruff, “Out.”
Vi complied, stepping onto the main deck of the icy ship, nearly slipping in the process. She barely managed to recover. Vi tried to force her spark around her feet to give them better purchase, but it was still dark in her. No matter how hard she tried to summon the magic, it refused to heed her call.
Vi didn’t panic. Even if she’d had her spark, she was so outnumbered it was comical.
The crew was situated in a semi-circle around her. They didn’t brandish their weapons, but had them very clearly at hand even though she was constrained physically and magically. Most of the crew were wrapped in heavy wool and thick furs—but some wore loose-fitting clothing more regularly associated with seafaring.
Those would be the Firebearers or Waterrunners, Vi assumed. Firebearers because they could keep their spark right under their skin for warmth. Or Waterrunners, because the ice would not affect them nearly as much. Or perhaps they had some other magic entirely—either way, it gave her a rough estimate of the number of sorcerers aboard.
Magic did not surprise her.
But seeing men and women outside of her visions who were not-quite-human still did.
While all were human-like, two had upturned noses and a pale blue flesh with shimmers of magic that ran over what appeared to be scales. There was a man like the one she’d seen in her vision with her father on Meru—he looked as if he possessed some reptilian heritage, as he bore opalescent organic plates on his skin, an elongated snout-like nose, and slitted eyes. Several were nearly-human, but with faintly glowing dots on their brows in place of eyebrows.
“Welcome to theStormfrost, Vi Yarl Ci’Dan Solaris, crown princess to the Solaris Empire.” A woman emerged from the center of the group, commanding Vi’s full attention.
Her eyes held the ocean itself within, her hair held the winds of winter, and she walked with a cane held by an icy hand.
Adela. Vi recognized her from the vision at the Crossroads. But being in the woman’s presence was staggering. An impossible amount of magic radiated from her. A large bird was perched on her shoulder—bright-eyed and ruddy-feathered. It was the same one Kora had sent the day before.
“You are not the easiest woman to catch. But if anyone was to do it, it would be me.”
Vi glared at her, balling her hands into fists.
Adela ignored her silent anger, turning to the crew that had been with Vi on the rowboat. “Where’s Kora and the lady of the hour—our dear Jayme?” Just the way Adela asked betrayed she already knew the answer.
“She killed them.”
“My my, killing my crew.” Adela walked over to Vi slowly. She stopped when she was a mere breath away. “What am I going to do with you?” she whispered, looking Vi up and down. For once, Vi couldn’t read someone’s assessment of her. Whatever thoughts Adela had, she was keeping them well away from her face. “Take her below.”
Adela punctuated the statement by bringing her cane before her, tapping it lightly between their feet. Light shot out from its tip, spreading across the icy coating of the vessel and running up the masts. The sails unfurled at the silent command, and the ship began to move.
“We make headway for Salvidia immediately. The elfin’ra want her fresh.”
Two men grabbed her at her elbows, hoisting her off the deck. Vi didn’t even bother struggling. It wouldn’t get her anywhere.
“Oh—” Adela stopped the men carrying her with a sound. “Do not take the gag from her mouth under any circumstances. I’m told she’s a Lightspinner.”
“To feed her?”
“Feed her?” Adela gently petted the bird on her shoulder. “It’ll only take us six days to get to Salvidia. If she’s anything like her father, I think she can sustain for that long without dying.”
The men picked her up once more, dragging her below the main deck of theStormfrost. The rest of the crew parted to make room, then continued about their duties, as if already bored with her. Vi was helpless to do anything other than be manhandled.
She needed to save her strength more than ever.
She had six days to plan an escape from the most infamous pirate in the world… or be handed over to those who would sacrifice her to their dark god and bring about the end of days.
Chapter Thirty-One
