Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I haven’t been that kind of safe in a long time. Certainly not since I joined the rebellion, but even more so now that I’ve lost my pelt. It’s like what I imagine losing a limb might feel like. I keep instinctively reaching for it only to remember its loss all over again, as if for the first time. “I have to go to Khollu.”
“We’ll talk about what happens next after we get you back to the Audacity.” They hustle me across the deck to another crimson-sailed ship.
Reality catches up with me and I dig in my heels. “Wait. I can’t be on Hedd’s ship. It’s just as bad as this one.” Maybe Nox can shield me a little, but ultimately they have to keep their cover. They can’t let the Cŵn Annwn know that they’re a double agent for the rebellion.
Which means they can’t protect me.
I look at all the death around me, and all the evidence of rebellion. “What have you done?”
Nox, instead of seeming as worried as they should be, slings an arm around my shoulders and guides me to the railing. “A lot of things have changed since I saw you last. I’m captain now.”
I twist to look at them. “What?” There’s no way Hedd would have given up the position, even if he was voted out. Which means he must be dead, but . . . how?
“I’ll explain when we get over there. This isn’t the place for that chat.” They motion to someone on their crew, and it feels like a giant hand wraps around my waist and lifts me gently into the air. I freeze, too aware of how easy it is for a telekinetic to do more harm than good when they carry someone. My heart is in my throat. I’m not afraid of heights, but there’s something deeply disconcerting about staring at a long drop between my helpless body and the surface of the sea. From this height, it would feel like crashing into a solid surface if I fell. My concern is apparently for nothing. A few seconds later, I’m deposited safely on the deck of the Audacity.
A person with shoulder-length blond hair and suntanned skin hurries up with a blanket. “You must be freezing. I’m Evelyn, she/her. Did they hurt you?” She drapes the blanket around my shoulders with a warm smile. “It looks like Lizzie killed them all, so I guess that’s . . . Well, that’s something.”
This woman is pretty in a way that makes me blush, but her bubbly energy immediately sets me at ease. She’s about my size, full body poured into a pair of skintight pants and a shirt that shows off a significant portion of her chest, most of which is covered in vaguely familiar magic glyphs. A witch, though I’ve never seen one who tattoos their spells onto their skin.
I’m saved from having to say anything by Nox and then Lizzie landing lightly on the deck. Behind Lizzie, the Dragon is already alight in flame.
Nox waves two members of the crew over. “Make sure the fire takes the ship to the bottom of the sea. Quickly.” They’re already turning away, barking orders at the rest of the crew.
If I don’t catch them now, they’re going to take me right back to Viedna.
I rush after them and grab their arm. “Nox, I need you to listen to me. I have to go to Khollu.” Bronagh lives there. Even if he’s not there right now, he’ll return there eventually. I just have to hope he still has my pelt when he does. It’s a long shot. My pelt could be anywhere by now, sold for a tidy profit. I might chase rumors for the rest of my life and never find it. The thought makes me shake. “Nox, please.”
Nox shakes their head. “Things are moving faster than we expected. I need you in your home village and keeping an eye on the southern route.”
My skin heats, and it has nothing to do with potentially flirting with the pretty blonde. No, it’s shame making me wish the deck would open up and swallow me whole so I don’t have to admit the truth. “I won’t be much use to you as a spy. Not in my current condition.”
Finally, they slow down enough to turn and face me. “What are you talking about?”
“My pelt.” I can’t make myself meet their gray eyes. “It was stolen. I have to get it back. I can’t go home until I have it.”
chapter 3
Lizzie
A selkie who’s lost their skin. What a cliché. I hang back and wait to see what Nox will say. Even taking this detour to save the selkie was a risk. We’re supposed to be hunting some . . . I forget. It’s not mermaids again, and Evelyn has argued long and hard against “murdering” dragons, but there’s some monster of the deep that we’re supposed to be dispatching right now. It’s all wasting my time. Hunting monsters might get my blood going with the thrill of facing down an opponent who actually has a chance of taking me out, but I can’t fully enjoy myself with the damn sword of my family hanging over my neck.