Once on deck, he found it was completely empty except for the captain. Her familiar demonic mask with elongated incisors in place.
“Illiyana.” He bowed his head in respect.
She had found him shortly after he landed on Violencia, one of her crew stealing him away in the middle of the night. And shortly thereafter, a deal had formed.
She would rescue any victims he brought to her, but he could only bring her women and children.
And despite her reputation, he trusted her.
“You bring me so many victims, but not any change.” Her voice floated through the air to him. She lifted her mask.
Even in the shadows, her features seemed unnatural. An ethereal pallor that nearly shimmered. Reminiscent of the Priestess, but not nearly as sinister.
Griffin contained his surprise forcing a blank expression as she narrowed her translucent gray eyes at him, her lips pressing together in annoyance.
She circled him, a predator studying its prey.
“I suppose you are still young. But it has been five years since you made your way to Violencia.”
Illiyana stopped before him, cocking her head up. “Soon the population in Violencia will plummet too. It is only a matter of time.”
Shock pierced him. “Do you know the cause?”
She crooked her lips. “Yes. Just as I know I cannot fix it. At least not yet.” She turned from him as lightning pierced the sky.
But it wasn’t fast enough.
Bile rose in his throat as the previously hidden lines on her face lit up, lattices that lathered one on top of the other.
Scars.
“Continue to bring me the victims. I will keep them safe. I will be the haven they need. But you must do more. Soonhumankind will die out altogether if you do not exterminate those who areunnatural.”
He screwed his eyes shut in frustration.
Unnatural.
The word circulated through him.
Unnatural.
Unnatural.
Unnatural.
His eyes flashed open in understanding, but she was already gone.
He huffed in annoyance but took the hint and returned to the ladder.
Unnatural.
He had a focused target in mind now.
Chapter 18
Men Who Left and Didn’t Return
Maverick
