PartOne
Prologue
PRESTON: SOMEWHERE OFF THE COAST NEAR POSSESSION… 1890
SONG: ONLY HAPPY WHEN IT RAINS BY RONIIT, SAINT MESA
The boat dips as the waves crest over the top of the barely buoyant vessel. My brothers and I had scrimped every last copper, pulling our funds to buy ourselves this ship. And now it’s being torn apart by the elements. The boat is taking on water and soon we’ll have nothing left. This storm crept up out of nowhere, swallowing us within minutes, leaving us fighting for our lives. We were inexperienced and arrogant enough to attempt to change our fortunes. Now look where that’s gotten us. In the middle of a thrashing, angry ocean. It’s as if Poseidon himself poured all his rage into the water that now threatens to capsize us.
Saltwater sprays in my eyes, drenching my clothes and sloshes the woolen socks in my boots while I grip the helm with white knuckles. I know my efforts are futile, but I can’t seem to let go. Images of what I’d hoped for our future evaporates before my very eyes.
The wind rips into the sails, shredding them to tatters. My brothers hang onto whatever they’re able to as we’re tossed about on the angry waters. My heart leaps into my throat as the bow of the ship slams straight into a tall wave, submerging us for what feels like years before rocking back up to the surface.
“Preston! The ship is lost!” My brother, Beaumont yells as his face is whipped by the wind.
A crack fills the air as we’re jostled from our positions. My hands slip, and my feet slide out from under me, my boots squelching against the grain. The wheel turns without my hands to hold onto it. My fingers slide against the wet boards as I try to stand up. I see a smattering of rocks ahead and I scramble to grab hold of the helm, but it’s too late. Our boat crashes into the rocks, splitting the already half sunken ship into shards. The wood planks explode upon impact, and we’re plunged into the icy depths- at the mercy of the torrential storm and unforgiving tide.
I kick into the water with everything I have, fighting against the strength of the ocean as it sucks me down into its belly. Water fills my mouth, and my sight is comprised of only a blur of the twisted ocean waves that sling me about. Bubbles of water and salt grab at my flailing form as I sink deeper with the broken ship below me. Black ridges form against my eyes as my lungs scream out for air, begging for me to take a breath. But I know if I do that- I’ll die.
Panic claws at me as I search frantically for the top, desperate to get out of here alive. I feel my limbs become sluggish with each stroke I take. Each kick has less momentum behind it than the last, as I quickly succumb to the inky waters that wish to claim my soul. Despair claws at me, knowing that all the sacrifice, all the turmoil was for nothing.
I feel my body slump as I drift along the current- the struggle leaving me as I drift helplessly into darkness.
* * *
Sand gratesagainst my exposed skin as I’m shaken awake by rough hands. I sputter saltwater out of my mouth, heaving involuntarily as my body gasps for air. My chest burns as I cough up heaps of gurgling ocean water that coats my tongue in a slimy film.
“We thought we lost you.” Beaumont says, helping me up and clapping me on the back.
The beach is full of debris, but miraculously, I count all six of my brothers in various states of injury. I seem to have been hit the worst- my head bearing a lump of where something must have crashed into me, rendering me unconscious. My clothes are ripped to shreds, barely hanging onto my tall frame.
I’m lucky to be alive.
“Where are we?” I manage to ask. The storm has dissipated, leaving behind a fine mist that clings to the ground. It rolls with the light salt-stained breeze, scuffling over the rocks and shells that litter the beach.
“Couldn’t be too far off from port, but can’t be too sure.”
“Who goes down there?” a voice calls down, off the rocks at us.
A dark figure emerges through the mist, lantern in hand swinging it as he moves down a path that leads to the beach.
My brothers shuffle closer together as the stranger approaches.
“Looks like you lot need some assistance.” The stranger declares. I swallow my smart retort. Being callous would do us no good, since we unfortunately do need help. We’re stranded, location unknown and it’s getting darker and colder by the minute.
“Where are we?” Beau asks the man.
“Where are my manners? Come let’s get you out of the cold. Name’s Claudius. Welcome to Possession, why don’t you come back with me to my house and get warmed up?”
My brothers give each other a wary look. What kind of name is Possession for a place?
He chuckles reading our concern. “Or you can stay out on this beach with no food or shelter. Up to you.”
The lantern illuminates the gleam in his crooked-up smile. My stomach roils with unease as we follow him, broken and limping, up the path. I turn to look back at the ocean and am met with a sense of foreboding as I take in the flotsam from what was supposed to be my family’s future. Now it’s nothing but broken fodder for the water.
CHAPTER1
Chapter One
