Something felt off. An odd sensation that carried a foreboding, but she didn’t know for what. Odd, since this place was supposed to be a haven for refugees and those searching for safety. Yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that they were all in danger in this place.
The murmur of distant voices drew her attention to a small woodland on a rise past the rocky hill on the beach. Men dressed in black appeared from the trees.
She gasped. “Raiders.”
Klyde yanked her down behind the crates as the men tracked down the hill path to the beach and made their way to the dock. He motioned for her to keep quiet, then peeked past the crates at the men. No, at the one leading them.
The tall man had a distinct scar running across his pale face, from his eyebrow to his chin. White-blond hair was slicked back out of his face, his eyes the color of ice. His long black cloak fluttered in the wind as he strode for the dock.
Tarn.
Lucenna knew it was him by the way Klyde froze at the sight of him. As if he had waited all his life for this moment, yet now that he was faced with it, he couldn’t do anything but stare. He slowly got to his feet, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.
“Klyde,” Lucenna whispered incredulously. “Get down!”
But it was as if he didn’t hear her.
“The Maiden must have lied,” one of the Raiders said as they approached them.
“Or the Druid wasn’t interested in coming,” another said.
“Maybe we should have offered up someone in service to him.”
“Are you volunteering?” Tarn said, his frosted tone making the hair rise on Lucenna’s arms.
The men quickly quieted and bowed their heads to him. The largest Raider barked at them to get to the ship. Recoiling, the men rushed off at the command, their heavy boots beating on the wooden planks as they rushed for the empty spot on the dock. Magic rippled in the air, and a massive ship with black sales appeared.
Tarn strode for it, moving past them with his hands in his coat.
A sudden chill wafted over her with his presence. Lucenna’s heart pounded wildly, shock trembling through her at the power she felt lurking in that man. Klyde blinked, his mouth moving with soundless words. He took a step to follow, but Lucenna snatched his hand, and her magic rippled over them like static.
Tarn halted on the dock. His head turned, and he peered over his shoulder—right at them.
Lucenna held her breath.
Tarn’s eyes swept over the crates and the pier, a slight frown flickering across his features. He continued down the dock and climbed the gangway onto his ship.
“He … didn’t see me,” Klyde said faintly.
“I made sure he didn’t,” Lucenna hissed. “Are you mad? You could have ruined everything!”
Klyde looked down at where they held hands. “You … cast an invisibility spell.” He exhaled a breath with a strange look on his face. “Here I thought…”
“That he didn’t recognize you?” Lucenna’s glower softened. “It’s been fifteen years, Klyde. You were only a boy when he left. There is a possibility he might not recognize you now.”
He rubbed his face. “You’re probably right. It’s not as if I should expect a wholesome reunion.”
“Whatdidyou expect?”
Klyde’s tired eyes lifted to the ship, and his brow furrowed a second before hardening. “Nothing. I didn’t come here for answers.” He drew his short swords with the grinning skulls and marched for the gangway. “I only came to kill him.”
CHAPTER 33
Dynalya
Dyna’s boots thudded on the steps as she ran back onto the deck. The Raiders stopped to stare as she bolted past them. Her heart pounded, her breath shaking. She didn’t let herself think of anything but one thing.
Bursting into Tarn’s quarters, Dyna snatched her satchel off the bed and shoved her hand inside. “Mirror!”
