Morco stood still and waited for him to have enough air to finish.
“Lost them…and came here.” He heaved again, probably because they’d sprinted a long distance and then rowed nonstop to reach the island. “Took all the boats…hid them away from the shore…they shouldn’t know.”
Morco turned to the frightened tribe that watched the scene in horror. They’d just been socializing and playing cards at the tables, passing time because there wasn’t much to do. But now their world was destroyed. “Men, prepare for battle. Women, prepare to hide.”
My heart sank. Our sanctuary might be compromised.
Morco turned back to Caius, waiting for him to catch his breath so he could hear the tale without interruption.
Caius finally recovered and straightened. “We noticed them days ago. We’d change our course and wait for them to pass, but they always came right to us. They must be able to smell us…I don’t know. I think it’s a scouting party searching for our camp. After Hanne fell into the lake and we escaped, they probably found the secret passage in the wall and realized we were on the other side of the rocks. Now, they are searching for us.”
The guilt ripped me clean in two.
“They can’t smell us on water,” Morco said calmly. “And without boats, they shouldn’t be able to reach us.”
“I’m pretty sure we lost them before we got to the lake,” Caius said, still breathing hard. “But I’m afraid I led them straighthere.” He bowed his head and dragged his hands down his face. “I—I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry.”
“Caius.” Morco gripped his shoulder and straightened him. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay.”
“If they come, they come. You’re worth fighting for, Caius.”
His head remained bowed for a moment before he looked at Morco head on.
“You’ve sacrificed much for this tribe.” Morco pulled him in for a one-armed hug and clapped him on the back. “We will sacrifice for you.” He pulled away and turned to Liam and the others. “Prepare for battle.”
I’d witnessed him lead, but never in such a high-stakes situation. He did it so calmly and earned everyone’s confidence, even in fear.
“How many?” Morco asked.
“A dozen,” Liam answered. “Are the bows finished?”
For a second, Morco’s morale faltered. “Only two have been built. But the island is small, and the battle will be at close range. I don’t want to risk anyone’s life using a weapon for the first time in the heat of battle when they don’t have distance in their favor.”
Caius nodded in agreement.
“There are more of us than them,” Morco said. “Remember that.”
I remembered standing directly beside one, a mountain of a beast at seven feet in height, wide like a tree trunk, muscles that bulged with strength. Even if the numbers were in our favor, it would be a gruesome battle, and a lot of people would die.
Caius, Liam, and the others ran off to prepare for what was to come.
Morco issued orders to others, seeming to have forgotten me.
I stood by the table and remained frozen, silently criticizing myself for becoming so comfortable in a false sense of safety. On that island, I felt safe from the rest of the Depths. I never should have dropped my guard. I’d gotten so lost in the throes of passion with Morco, my life had become a dream, when it was really a nightmare.
Morco saw me by the table and came to my side.
I immediately reached for his hand and squeezed. “I’m scared.” I’d never been good at pretending to be something I wasn’t or hiding my feelings. I said what I meant and meant what I said. I should be brave like Morco and lead with confidence and morale, but I’d never been in a battle.
He didn’t appear annoyed at my confession, his dark eyes cradling mine with gentleness. “We will prevail.”
“But that victory will come at a cost. People will die.”
“Yes.” He comforted me, but he refused to do it with lies. “But they may not come at all. We may hide in the dark long enough for them to give up and return to their camp. We put out the fire without creating smoke, so they won’t be able to smell it in the air. They have no boats, so they’ll have to swim in the dark all the way here. It’s not impossible—they’re strong—but it’s unlikely.”
My fears were entirely selfish, because there was one person I cared about more than anyone else. “I just got you.” I grabbed his hand and placed it over my heart before I cradled it with both of my hands, letting him feel my heart race in fright. “I can’t lose you.”
