She quickly pumped against Isla’s chest while summoning the water from her lungs. It rose out of Isla’s mouth in a thick stream, making her back arch. Kai expelled the water back into the ocean, relieved when her friend inhaled beneath her. She put her hand under Isla’s neck and bent her forward to help her cough up the excess salt water from her lungs. After a few moments, Isla’s body stopped convulsing and she was able to take slow, deep breaths. Kai slumped onto the deck.
“You okay?” she asked.
Isla nodded, keeping her eyes closed.
“You still feel like killing me?”
The girl opened one eye, grimaced, and shook her head. “No, thankfully,” she croaked.
“What? Why would she want to kill you?” Aidan asked in alarm.
Kai let out a long breath through puffed cheeks. “Before I get to that, I need to know: how long were we gone? How far out is the king?” Kai asked, fatigue seeping into her. She was too tired to reach out and feel for the king’s ship. She kept a watchful eye on Isla, but the girl stayed slouched against the railing, looking as worn out as Kai felt.
“Only an hour. The lookouts have still not spotted an oncoming ship,” Rynn said icily. “What did you do to her?” he asked.
Kai ignored him. “Someone tell August to lift the storm anchor. We need to get going before the king covers any more ground.”
“We already did when we saw you come flying through the water. Now, would youpleasecare to explain what happened down there?” Jade asked, her arms crossed in impatience.
“Long story short: we found the dagger.” Kai lifted it from where it was tucked into her tights. Isla groaned as she leaned her head against the inside railing of the ship.
“What’s wrong?” Bri looked down at Isla.
“Oh, well, it makes her crazy and want to kill us,” Kai answered for her, moving the dagger behind her back. Now that she was no longer in contact with the weapon, Isla appeared to be back to normal, but Kai couldn’t be too careful.
“What?” Aidan shouted.
Isla coughed and cleared her throat, her voice coming out hoarse. “I’m so sorry, Kai. I can’t believe I did that.”
“It’s not your fault,” Kai said. “But we still need to figure this out.”
“Figurewhatout? None of us know what you’re talking about,” Jade huffed.
Kai turned her attention to Jade. “Apparently, the Dagger of Volnus gives its wielder the uncontrollable urge to kill us elementals. My guess is, since that was one of the dagger’s abilities granted by the Primeval gods, it makes whoever holds it want to kill immortal beings. Or, maybe it just makes Isla’s family want to. I don’t know, but the second she grabbed the handle, she changed. Something violent came over her, and I had to make her pass out to get her back up here before she used the dagger on me.” Kai pursed her lips. “She attacked me without even thinking. It was like it wasn’t evenheranymore.”
Isla rubbed the back of her neck, unable to look any of them in the eye.
“Are you sure you are alright? You don’t feel any lingering side effects?” Rynn crouched at her side, but Isla flinched and pulled further away from him.
“It’s gone, I promise. It must only happen when I touch it.” Isla directed her answer at Kai, and Rynn stood and backed up, rejection painted on his face before he cleared his features.What had he expected?He’d been an idiot and hurt her, and now he wanted to take care of her? Kai didn’t blame Isla for wanting nothing to do with him.
Kai added, “Like I said, I don’t know if that would happen to anyone who touches it or specifically someone of the Vasileia bloodline, but it’s a rather annoying little feature.”
“Well, we can answer that question right now.” Bri, who had drifted to Kai’s side, reached out and plucked the dagger from Kai’s back. A shot of terror pierced Kai as she cried out.
The girl simply shrugged and rolled the dagger between her hands. “I guess it only affects Isla. I don’t feel any more annoyed with you all than usual.”
Jade and Rynn glowered while Aidan’s booming laugh filled the air. “That was a bold move there, friend. I approve.”
If she still wasn’t coursing with adrenaline, Kai might have smiled.
Jade spoke up, visibly annoyed. “Let me make sure I understand this. The dagger has a mind of its own and makes Isla want to attack us, but we may need her to use it to help if things go poorly with the king. This weapon does not sound like something I want in her possession. What are we supposed to do about that? The king will be here in mere hours.”
Isla cleared her throat. “Let me try again.”
Kai stared at her. Isla sighed and held out her hand. “Please, just let me see if I can control it this time. I’m ready now and I know how it feels. Besides, with all of you here, I’m pretty sure you could stop me before I do any damage.”
As much as Kai hated to admit it, she was right—and they needed to get past this sooner rather than later. Letting out a long breath, she slowly nodded, hoping she wasn’t about to regret this. “What’s the worst that could happen?” she asked.
