Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
That’s the problem. I can’t stand the thought of Evelyn’s green eyes going faded and blank in death. I’ve seen enough life snuffed out from this world. I’m sure if I explained as much, Miles would say that I’m soft and unforgivable and further erode the crew’s faith in me. I’m not the kind of stern shit a captain of the Cŵn Annwn should be made of. Maybe it’s even true. There are more than a few captains, like Hedd of the Audacity, who have no problem hanging crew members who question too many orders.
But if Evelyn flees and a hunt is called, it won’t matter that I’m not a captain like that. I won’t have a choice about joining in.
“I would rather catch her now, while there’s a chance to save her, than catch her with a blade in my hand.”
Dia considers that. I can’t read the thoughts on her wrinkled face. I don’t bother to try. She’s never had a problem telling me exactly what she thinks, and I highly doubt this will be the exception to the rule. “Go on, then. If you leave now, you can get ahead of her.” She takes another drag. “She’ll know better than to try to seek shelter in the village, so she’ll head into the trees around the perimeter. If I were a betting woman, I would say she’d head east. It’s easier going that way, and it will take her farther from the sea.”
Farther from me.
“Thanks.” I move back so she can take my spot. “The crew knows the protocol. I’ll be back to relieve you as soon as I’ve dealt with the situation.”
She cackles. “Take your time, Captain. These old bones were made for the sea. I have no interest in land.” A sly light comes into her dark eyes. “Maybe give that girl a good ride. That might be enough to convince her to stay.”
My face flames, and there’s no way she doesn’t see it. “That’s not why I’m doing this.”
“I know.” She grins. “But no reason you can’t have a little fun along with doing your duty.”
She’s still cackling behind me as I flip up my cloak hood and move to the railing. A deep breath and I wrap my power around myself and lift off the deck. I cross the water in seconds and descend to lightly land at the outskirts of the village. It’s still early enough that dawn is barely a hint in the sky on the horizon. No one will be out and about for a while yet.
I consider the various routes through and out of town before deciding that I agree with Dia; the witch will go east. Now it’s only a matter of finding a good spot to wait until she makes her attempt.
Each of the islands have evolved to match the portals they contain. This one is no different. The trees are monstrous, thick and curling things that are blue and green and purple. I hate being on this island, to the point where I avoid it whenever I can. I’ve never quite been able to put my finger on why, though. There are other islands that are even more unsettling. Islands where trees grow upside down. Islands where there’s no organic life to be seen, just rocks and dirt and death. Even islands where gravity seems to shift based on the time of day.
None of them make me feel like this one does.
The small hairs at the back of my neck stand on end as I turn in a slow circle, squinting against the rain falling in sheets around me despite the interwoven branches overhead. I’m close enough to the village to see the ladders and the lift that lead up to the walkways strung between trees. Even on a clear day, the buildings themselves are almost indistinguishable from the trees they’re built into and around. Today, with the rain obscuring my vision, they might as well not exist at all.
I’m surprised the residents left the ladders down, but I don’t know why. There are predators in these woods, but they don’t venture close to the village. They certainly don’t have hands to climb ladders.
No, the sensation bothering me isn’t one of being hunted. I’m all too familiar with that. Instead, this almost feels like … memory.
I shake my head and do my best to ignore the feeling. I’ll deal with the witch and then make my way back to the ship. We’re well stocked, so there’s no need to go up into the village to negotiate or trade. My crew knows the rules, and they know the consequences of disobeying them. All in all, it should be an uneventful stop.
If not for the witch.
I turn and head east, deeper into the trees. The sensation plaguing me only gets stronger with each step I take. I’ve never been out this way before, but judging by the well-trodden path I follow, others have. I continue down it, grateful for the rain making it hard to see.