"An insane genius," Cirrus corrected, grinning despite his breathless state.
Florence panted, hands on her narrow hips. "No. Just insane. Those things—I never want to see them again."
Vivienne barely heard them. Her mind buzzed with alarm, every nerve screaming at her. They weren’t safe. Not yet.
The rainforest behind them had gone eerily still, but the danger hadn’t passed. But she knew the men who survived would be regrouping. Hunting them.
"Keep moving," Owen ordered, breath still heavy.
"The beach is close," Cirrus added, wiping sweat from his brow.
Vivienne forced her legs to move despite the overwhelming exhaustion. The scent of salt thickened in the air, the distant crash of waves beckoning them forward. Hope flickered in her chest.
Vivienne staggered onto the beach, nearly collapsing as her boots met the cool, sinking sand.
Then—shouts.
Low, guttural, and growing louder.
"They’re gaining on us!" Florence warned, a flash of fear in her voice.
Vivienne snapped her head around. Figures burst from the tree line, sprinting toward them. Shadows twisted in the moonlight—Enyo’s men, weapons raised, rage burning in their eyes.
Adrenaline jolted through her body, making her lightheaded. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out—a silent scream trapped in her throat.We’re going to die.
"GO, GO, GO!" Cirrus roared.
He and Florence sprinted ahead, reaching the longboat where it bobbed in the shallow surf. They shoved against the hull, muscles straining as they fought to push it into deeper water.
Vivienne turned, breath hitching as she saw how close Enyo’s men were. Too close.
Cirrus seized her hand, yanking her into the boat. She stumbled into the rocking vessel, nearly losing her balance as it lurched with the waves.
"Row!" Cirrus barked, tossing her an oar.
Owen and Lewis scrambled in behind them, nearly capsizing the longboat in their frantic desperation. Florence collapsed into her seat, seizing another oar. The wooden planks groaned under their weight as they fought against the tide.
A sharp cry rang out—one of Enyo’s men had reached the shore.
Vivienne twisted just in time to see a hulking brute barreling through the shallows. His face was twisted with rage, his sword glinting under the moon. A single thought filled her mind:He’s going to reach us.
Florence shouted, “Banner, DUCK!”
Vivienne tucked her head to her knees as Florence grabbed the nearest oar and swung. The solid wood connected with the sailor’s chest in a sickening thud. The force knocked him backward, sending him sprawling into the surf. He hit the water with a choked gasp, his sword vanishing beneath the waves.
But more were coming.
More of Enyo’s men reached the longboat, splashing through the shallows. One lunged, grabbing hold of the hull to pull himself in.
Owen didn’t hesitate. He slammed his boot against the man’s face, sending him reeling backward into the water.
Cirrus, still outside the boat, swung his cutlass at the second attacker. Their blades clashed, metal singing as sparks flew in the moonlight. The man was strong, driving Cirrus back with raw force.
"Cirrus!" Vivienne cried.
The moment of distraction cost the sailor his advantage. Cirrus ducked beneath the next swing and slammed the pommel of his cutlass into the man's temple. The sailor crumpled into the waves.
A third attacker reached them, his short sword flashing in the moonlight as he swung at Florence. She barely managed to twist out of the way, the blade slicing through her sleeve. With a furious snarl, she retaliated, whipping her knife across his arm.Blood sprayed into the surf. The man howled, his grip faltering.
