Nolan stalks forward with each step I take backward.
“We are here for something. Well, you could say many things,” he laughs, wickedly. “I know you are aware of that, though. We came for the book I’m assuming you took from the Archives, for the stone that weighs down your pocket, and that other tether.”
Shock rattles my core. “Fen?”
Nolan nods. “Indeed.”
“Good fucking luck getting near her,” I snap.
Nolan glances toward the shore. “I don’t think we’ll need any luck.”
Carobon.
Rohhit.
“Is Rohhit here?” I shudder at the thought.
“Rohhit? He’s long gone, and we want to make sure it stays that way, which is why we need Fenmore.”
“I won’t let you touch her.”
He laughs wildly.
“As for Carobon,” Nolan pauses, and my heart thumps. “He is here. And there. And over there. He’s wherever he wants to be, Briar.” He looks back at me, and continues, “I’m merely here to set the plans in action. Then, you won’t see me again until it’s time.”
He’s here.
Rohhit is here.
The water rises around my ankles, and I lunge backward, slamming my axe against the ropes holding the lifeboats in place. The wood caves in from the force, and the ropes spiral out of control. They barely fall into the water before floating next to the sinking ship. The creatures continue to hiss as water pools around them. They claw at their skin, as if the liquid burns them to the very core, and I cut the other ropes.
“Go,” I scream. “Wielders, leave the ship. Head for the pier or board the lifeboats. Warn the others while you still can.”
I turn, watching the third ship grow closer to the shadowy black wall with each passing second.
“The third resurrected ship is about to dock,” I shout again. “Hurry.”
The Wielders scramble as I keep a close eye on Nolan, who continues to study me from a few feet away. His hands remain in his pockets, and I realize he bears no weapon for defense.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Briar. Not yet, at least. Too much is in the works for that part of the plan to unfold yet.” He remains still. “Plus, what would be fun about that? I will most enjoy watching you suffer from afar.”
“Afar?” I step forward, gripping my axes so hard my knuckles whiten. “You stand right in front of me. You are so close that I could swipe this blade across your fucking throat.”
My eyes catch sight of movement behind Nolan.
I see Captain Darcy creeping up behind him with his sword drawn. I try to remain calm, not to signal his presence, and as badly as I want to stop him, I remain motionless.
“Wrong again, sis,” Nolan teases. “Gods, you should really stop being so cocky all the time.”
Nolan lifts his hand and snaps his fingers, the click rattling into my mind.
A blood-curdling scream leaves Captain Darcy’s throat, and I watch his leg break at his shin, his bone splintering as it protrudes from his leg. He falls to the ground, and I slap my hand across my mouth, muffling my scream. I start to race toward him, but Nolan raises his hand.
“Not yet.”
I pause, frozen in fear and sorrow.
Darcy lies on the ground, clutching his leg. If I can get to him, he’ll be fine, but if I can’t, he will likely go down with this sinking ship.
