The logic slots into place so neatly that the question I was forming—since emotions fuel our magic and emotions come from our souls instead of our minds, why…
A warm breeze passes by, and the thought thins and frays like smoke in the wind.
“That makes sense,” Jade says, and Callie nods, apparently also satisfied with the explanation.
Even Kieran’s posture relaxes, although his grip remains tight on the hilt of his dagger.
It makes sense. Of course it does.
I’m not sure why I thought it was worth questioning in the first place.
9
JADE
About an hour later,the Lotus Eaters shuffle out of the trees. Their arms are full of water bladders and flasks, their empty eyes fixed on us like we’re the most fascinating things they’ve seen in centuries.
Which, honestly, fair.
“That’s a lot of water,” I say, because apparently my brain has decided to state the obvious instead of processing the unsettling image of forty-two zombie-witches following Logan’s orders.
“It should be enough for two weeks,” Evie says. “Possibly more if we ration properly.”
My chest tightens, and I can barely look at her. Because she doesn’t remember almost questioning Logan. She doesn’t know I watched him make her, Kieran, and Callie forget that he was able to compel the Lotus Eaters. She doesn’t know that I told Logan to lie about Oliver being on the boat, or that I was there when her brother died.
But Logan’s already wading to the beach, and I follow so I don’t have to look at Evie anymore.
The woman who spoke earlier holds out a water bladder. Up close, I can see that her eyes aren’t just empty. They’re peaceful, content in a way that makes my skin crawl.
“Stay,” she murmurs as I take the bladder from her hands. “You could be happy here. You could forget.”
For a split second, I want to. The memory of that golden haze, that warmth, that peace...
No. Stop it. I have people counting on me. A boyfriend who loves me and deserves more than the drugged out, lotus version of me. A goddess who thinks I’m worth something.
“Thanks for the water.” I back away, clutching the bladder to my chest. “But hard pass on the whole eternal bliss thing.”
The five of us form a chain to load the supplies. Me and Logan stay in the shallows, passing containers to Kieran on the boat, who stacks them against the hull. Evie and Callie help where they can, although Callie looks like a strong breeze might knock her over.
The Lotus Eaters watch the entire time, standing in the darkness and smiling those empty smiles.
Don’t look at them. Focus on the water. Don’t think about how close you came to being one of them.
“That’s the last of it.” Logan hands me the final flask, his fingers brushing mine. The touch grounds me, reminding me that I’m still here, still myself.
“Time to fish.” Kieran unsheathes one of his swords, his eyes flashing with excitement about stabbing things.
“We need light.” Logan raises his free hand, and orange flames bloom in his palm, casting a warm glow. The water turns from black to a greenish-blue, and I can see the sandy bottom now, along with tiny shadows darting beneath the surface.
Evie moves to the edge of the boat, her brow furrowed. “I can feel the fish,” she says. “Their signatures are cooler than the water around them, but they’re distinct.”
Thank the gods for Evie and her magical thermal vision, always three steps ahead of the rest of us.
“There.” She points at a spot about ten feet from the boat. “Maybe twenty fish, all clustered together.”
Kieran’s in the water before I can blink, his blade flashing in one hand, his fire glowing in the other. Within seconds, he’s showing off a twitching fish on the point of his sword.
“That’s disgusting,” I say.
