Her small hands clutched at my shoulders, nails digging in and leaving behind the sweetest burn. I could stay here forever, but a large wave and the room tilting sideways was a harsh reminder that now wasn’t the time.
“What was that plan, princess?” I whispered against her lips. “Tell me, and if it gets us out of here, then maybe I’ll go easy on you for not listening and putting yourself in danger.” I rubbedmy finger over the deep crease in her brow. “Glare later. Explain now.”
She did, and with every word, my pride for her grew. So did my fear. I wasn’t aware that Kol was on this boat. Four djinn was no problem when I wasn’t caught by surprise with a knock to the head. But four djinn, Kol,andhis damn pit bull? I wasn’t liking those odds.
“If we can get the guard close enough for me to touch, I’ll ensnare him,” Eryn explained again. “That’s one less dude on their side and more buffer for us.”
“It’s also a major distraction for you,” I argued. “Your attention will be split. That’s too dangerous.”
She crossed her arms. “I can always command him to jump overboard. One less distraction.”
I chuckled; she was fucking adorable when she tried to be vicious, but my girl didn’t have a mean bone in her body. It was all well and fun toplanto hurt someone. Actually following through with it and living with the consequences was a different matter entirely.
“I don’t want that on your conscience.” I cupped her chin when she tried to look away. Tears filled her eyes, but they didn’t fall. “Could you live with yourself if he didn’t make it back on board and drowned?”
“They killed Rani.” Her admission was followed by a spike of sorrow down the bond. She’d been hiding it behind adrenaline and rage, but it was there. “One of the hunters told me they tossed her overboard once they had you. So yes, turnabout is fair play when you murder my best friend.”
Gods. Rani didn’t deserve any of this. I knew Eryn blamed herself, but I was the one at fault. I played my games instead of being truthful about who I was. I allowed us all to get so involved in the human world when I knew the dangers that wereafter us. And most of all, I allowed my confidence to overshadow the obvious actions I should have taken to protect our friend.
I pulled Eryn close and tucked her into my chest. “I’m so sorry,” I murmured into her curls. “I know that doesn’t mean much, but they will pay for what they’ve done. I’ll make sure of it.”
I held her as the boat rocked and the night wore on. Any minute, one of Kol’s men would come down here and check on us, and this little bubble of calm would be broken. Eryn would have to tap into more power than she’d ever used before and potentially commit acts that would leave scars on her kind heart.
It was ultimately up to her. She was my partner, my bonded. We were stronger together, and it was just about time to show these fuckers what happened when you messed with us…but part of me would mourn the sweet girl I knew would be left behind in the process.
twenty-nine
Eryn
I’d never used this much magick before. It was in small quantities, hardly enough to register, but still. I had feelers out in a hundred different directions—just call me Medusa. If it were visible, I was sure my magick would look like a bunch of writhing snakes coming out of my head. That’s what it felt like.
There was so much to keep track of. I kept a steady watch on the djinn nearby and made sure they didn’t call out for any reinforcements. Ezra was a constant light in the back of my mind as I followed him on my mental map. Even Kol’s damn pit bull had a special place on my radar. I never felt so betrayed by an animal before, even one who wasn’t real. It left a sour taste in my mouth.
“Hey,” Kai whispered, pulling me from my plotting. “It’s going to be okay.”
His reassurances were sweet, but he couldn’t guarantee we’d make it out of this. With every hour that passed, I grew lessconfident in my plans. So much could go wrong, and everything relied on my ability to…use my abilities.
You’re not supposed to be talking out loud, remember?I admonished, and he grinned.
I much prefer this type of communication with you anyway.
I rolled my eyes as he winked.
Flirt.
The boat rocked a little too roughly, and we nearly fell off the bed. Loose knickknacks were tossed about the room, new projectiles only the latest in bad signs. The change in weather provided a new level of complications for our escape, and I only hoped we could enact our plans before things got too bad out there. There was a storm coming, in more ways than one, and what would be left when the skies cleared remained to be seen.
They’re steering us back in.
Kai stared out the small window as another angry slap of water crashed against it. Raging waves and wind weren’t ideal conditions to escape in, but if it brought us back to shore, it made part of my plan easier at least. Ezra wouldn’t have to swim to us, for one. The entire room tilted to the right, and this time I did fall off the bed, thumping against the wall loudly enough that our captures were sure to notice. Shit. They definitely heard that. I pulled on the back of Kai’s shirt and scrambled back onto the bed.
You’re supposed to be unconscious,I mentally warned.They’re coming.
Part one of the plan: surprise attack. We knew Kol was waiting for Kai to wake so he could showboat his glee at one of his evil schemes finally working. The only way we were getting out of this room was to be paraded in front of him and his goons. We’d be outnumbered and at their mercy, stuck on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and none of that led to a happy ever after. Just ask my best friend.
Thinking about Rani filled me with sorrow and an overwhelming amount of rage. I was doing this for her just as much as myself. She deserved revenge, and I was going to get it for her.
Focus, princess.I met Kai’s stare as he haphazardly draped himself over the side of the bed.Don’t let your emotions cloud your senses. I can’t do this without you.
