Page 45 of Claimed By the Depths

I lifted the bag. “We found the artifact.”

“Great,” she huffed before continuing, “put it somewhere you won’t lose it. We need to get the fuck out of here.”

“Why?” we asked unanimously.

“Because the chime you just heard wasn’t a mark of the hour; it was a warning. Royal ships are approaching.” Lorelie only offered Syoran and me her attention for a split second before honing in on Rohen. “Caspian has found us.”

CHAPTER 24

The Five Artifacts

ALASTAIR

Glancing down at the makeshift map Ignis had drawn by hand, I admired his confidence. Land masses etched with intention, they all reflected the cartography we followed when sailing Ellira’s waters. The overall shape of the continent and Ignis’ explanation of the terrain left me curious about how much he knew, especially considering his unwavering claim.

“Why don’t we start at the beginning, shall we, Alastair Seridean, the Child of Jaskor?”

The Child of the god whom I relied on most. The Child of the god who had never failed in ensuring my safety.

“The first artifact is going to be here.” Marking a designated X on the parchment, Ignis lifted their all-white gaze to meet us. “In an archive dedicated to the God of Luck.”

“Wait.” Leilani set her glass down and motioned toward the claimed location. “How do you know these things?”

The corner of his inky lips curled upward. “I suppose it would be rather stupid of me to presume the two of you would blindly trust my claims.”

“The two of us?” My other half glanced at Parran. “You mean three.”

Ignis shook his head. “Two.”

Brows furrowing, I interjected, “You cannot just assume they are willing⁠—”

“The things in which I share are what Parran is unable to.” Ignis peered across the table to the one we spoke of, and Parran dipped their chin. “Their binding with the wretched cunt makes it impossible for them to divulge to you the prophecy—the story our people have prayed to the Damned to allow to unfold. Fae and Shifters alike have waited for these days, the end times, where a war would be fought for the freedom of the lands and a reclamation of power.”

I looked to Parran as I had in many instances. “Is this true?”

They nodded.

Ignis smirked and clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “I am not a threat, Alastair Seridean. If anything, I am an asset to you and those you sail alongside. Especially if you wish to find the five artifacts that are needed to call upon the power of each god. While you could eventually uncover them on your own, I will speed up the process. And with another realm relying on your prompt response, time is not a resource to be wasted. Not if you do not wish to see Wraelira swallowed whole alongside its counterpart.”

Silence followed until Parran drummed their nails against the wood. I peered at them, watching as they curled their long fingers under the node of the chalice before bringing it to their lips. They took a handful of swigs before settling back against the table. “Ignis is like me—displaced by the nuances of this realm, and brought over here in an attempt to balance things in the Others’ eyes. Except that he slipped from Sorva’s influence before she trapped many of us, which is why his voice is free while mine is not. His words are truthful, and I wish I could express more than that.”

The genuineness coating Parran’s features was enough confirmation. I trusted them more than most of my crew, and based on the glint in their cornflower stare, they were not, and would never be, lying to me.

Snatching my rum from the table, I downed the rest of it before dropping the glass back to the worn wood. With an intentional exhale, I ran my fingers through my hair before meeting Ignis’ all-white gaze once more. “Okay, so if Jaskor’s artifact is here, what of the four remaining?”

“I was beginning to fear you wouldn’t ask,” Ignis hummed before trailing his sharpened nails across the continent. “Ellira has dropped hers in the waters she rules over.” Marking the Sea of Ellira, he continued, “Elaros rested his on the isle of the woman—Sereyn—who once held the goddess’ heart to display his commitment.” Another X. “The Goddess of Illusion, Delusion, and Seduction planted hers in the Capital, directly in the walls of King Marellan’s rule.” Another. “And last, but certainly never least, the Goddess of Life gave hers to a lake in Velispar.”

“That’s all five,” Leilani mumbled, slipping back into the booth. “Holy shit, Alastair.”

Booted foot tapping against the floor, I examined the parchment, committing each line drawn to memory. “Okay, so we go to the archive, find whatever Jaskor left for us, and return to the ship. From there, we disclose our route to the rest of the crew.”

“Which is?” Parran asked, a smile crossing their expression.

“Most logical would be to hit Velispar since we are near, followed by the Isle of the Sleeping Woman, the Sea of Ellira, and last… the palace.” Reaching for my drink, I couldn’t help but groan when I remembered it was empty.

“But?” Leilani clarified, already knowing my mind had slipped elsewhere.

“But I am almost certain things will not go according to plan. Not when we have royal fleets on our tail and the most trained hound among them.”