Circe clapped her hands.
In that instant, a huge windstorm began. It blew in from the water to arc up and over onto the deck. There the water formed hands that lifted her and carried her from Circe’s ship back to the deck of theSea Witch II, where it set her down gently in front of the captain.
The reaction there was much more animated.
First, they rushed to attack her, as they assumed she was an enemy in their midst.
Valynda ran toward the aft to escape their frenzied madness. Nibo manifested between her and the others and brought up a wall of magenta smoke. He lifted his staff to hold them back. “Stop!”
They drew up short.
Only then did Nibo turn around to stare at her in awe. “Vala?”
She nodded.
Nibo couldn’t believe what he was seeing. ItwasValynda. Whole and restored. Not the poppet monstrosity they’d made, but the beauty he’d fallen in love with. He felt tears stinging his eyes as so many emotions flooded him at once that he couldn’t even begin to sort through them. Before he could even think better of it, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
When he lifted his head, he saw that familiar blush on her pale cheeks that he’d missed so much. The one that had always made her eyes sparkle and glow. Dear heavens, how he’d missed it.
“How?”
“Circe.”
“Her ship’s gone.”
They looked over to Bart, who had his spyglass trained on where the ship had been.
“What do you mean, her ship’s gone?” Captain Bane asked. Bart handed his spyglass over. “See for yourself, Captain. They vanished as eerily as they’d appeared.”
The captain scowled at Valynda. “Did she say anything to you?”
“Not to trust the Malachai.”
“You think? Because that’s always such a great idea, yeah?” She glared at William for his unwarranted sarcasm, then returned her attention to the captain. “And she wants her son back if I’m to remain human.”
Thorn’s eyes widened at those words.
Then he burst out laughing. At least until he realized she wasn’t joking. “Question, my little lamb. Did she happen perchance to tell you anything about him?”
Valynda shook her head.
Thorn let out a disgusted sigh. “Well, that’s something, I guess.”
“How so?” Nibo mirrored her curiosity, especially given the odd note in Thorn’s voice.
When Thorn finally spoke, he understood. “Oh, ’twas nothing too serious, mind you. Just that he happened to lead his army against the gods. As you can imagine, they were a little miffed, shall we say, about the whole affair, and being that they’re what we callgods”—he overemphasized the word—“he’s being punished eternally for his blatant and rampant stupidity. Because when in the whole history of the universe has that ever worked out well for anyone, I ask you? So, I’m going to postulate a theory here, children, that getting someone from them after they’ve been so crossed isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do.” He blinked and smiled. “What do you think? Huh?”
Ignoring his sarcasm, Nibo gave him a pointed stare. “But you’re going to try and get her son back for us, aren’t you, Thorn?”
“Ah hell n …” His voice trailed off as he looked past Nibo to Valynda. Then back again. “Now here’s a thought, what with sonny-boy being dead and all, and you being a psychopomp and all, why don’tyoutake a trip down there for once, and do the heavy lifting? How about those pineapples? Huh?”
He gave Thorn a peeved glare. “I would do it in a heartbeat were I able. Sadly, this one’s on you as it’s someplace I can’t venture.”
“ ’Course it is. It always is.” Grinding his teeth, he curled his lip and glared down at the sea. “Hate you, Father. Would say I was hoping you were roasting your nuts over an open flame, but I know you’re not, you worthless piece of shit.” Growling in the back of his throat, he finally stopped, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll go, but you know you owe me.”
Nibo took her hand. “Knew you were a good demon cackle-berry.”
Thorn rolled his eyes. “I hate you so much, Nibo.”
