“Do it for me, then, Madoc. I’ve a Dark-Hunter who could use the release.”
Madoc grumbled under his breath, proving he had been spending a lot of time in dreams and that the residual emotions were still with him. “Fine. But you will owe me.”
“Don’t I always?”
He didn’t respond as they headed toward the portal that Madoc needed to take him to the mortal plane.
But once they entered the room and went through the portal, what they realized was that finding the Malachai and his army wasn’t as easy as they thought. There was a lot of evil in the world, and the Malachai used it to mask his own. Humanity was so easily corruptible, they were going wild with temptation and making it harder and harder for Acheron and Madoc to find the ones they needed.
Days went by as they did their best to locate the Malachai and his miscreants.
For whatever reason, Adarian had ceased to attack. It was as if he sensed they had something on board that weakened him.
Not even Nibo could locate the petro. They were attacking humans in concentrated waves.
Valynda stood back to watch as Nibo stood at the prow alongside Acheron, Bane, Kalder, and Thorn. Now that was about the sweetest view what any woman could ever hope to see.
Mara and Elf, the captain’s sister, moved to stand next to her. “Should I ask what holds your attention so?”
Valynda passed her a knowing smile. “Methinks you are well aware. And that you share it.”
Mara cradled her distended belly with her hands. “Aye, but there’s only one who holds my fascination.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the views of the others, sweet sister.” Elf’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “’Tis a pity we can’t bronze that and make it a permanent feature for those of us what can’t lay claim to any of those fine backsides.”
Valynda glanced askance at her. “Well, as one who does claim one of them, so long as you confine yourselves to looking …”
Elf grinned. “No fear. I’d never do such a thing to either of me sisters.” She kissed Valynda’s cheek and danced away to go and tease Sallie as he worked to repair a sail.
Valynda smiled fondly at the girl until her gaze was caught by what held the men’s rapt attention. “Lady Mara?”
“I see it.”
Slowly, all the Deadmen came up from below to mingle with those on deck so that they could see the ships that had gathered to meet the coming storm.
“What is that?”
“The last gate.” Mara sighed. “It’s been opened.”
Valynda held her breath as she saw the color of two ships she knew well. Captain Barnet’s and Rafael Santiago’s. There was no mistaking them. They stood still on the water, something easy, given that there was no wind whatsoever. It was as if they’d sailed into a vacuum of some sort.
Silence reigned. The still water didn’t move. It was like glass for as far as the eye could see.
The sun hung on the horizon with an eerie beauty. Still and flat. Chills ran up her arms.
This was bad.
Gathering her skirts, she made her way to Nibo’s side. “What’s going on?”
Captain Bane stood with his spyglass, staring out at the other ships. “I don’t see anyone on Barnet’s ship.” He lowered the spyglass. “Get us closer, Mistress Dolorosa.”
“Aye, Captain.”
But that was easier said than done, given there was no wind to fill their sails. That meant they’d have to rely on Strixa’s powers to move them.
Valynda wrapped her arm around Nibo’s. He covered her hand. She could feel the tension inside him. “Is it Adarian?”
“We’re not sure.”
