The scene of what was to come played out in Eira’s mind in conjunction with everything that was unfolding in the city around her.
The ship her friends were on was swiftly moving down the river, toward the closed gate. If the gate wasn’t opened, they’d be forced to make a hard stop right underneath that towering archway where guards and Pillars could rain destruction down on Eira’s friends. There weren’t any docking points positioned that close to the gate—just high walls. Docking would be just as risky. And the ship wasn’t letting up any speed. There was nothing but faith that Adela would see to it that they had a way out.
There were no other options.
Olivin and Yonlin rushed around her. They exchanged words between each other, plotting their tactics and approach. But it was just noise. She stared up at the pirate queen, glaring.
“You don’t care about anyone but yourself, do you?” Eira looked Adela dead in the eyes. “You didn’t have any intentions of keeping my friends safe. You were just holding on to them because Cullen could make the boat launch from a dead stop. Because Noelle is a good combatant and Alyss can repair the vessel.” Eira thrust her hand in the direction Olivin and Yonlin had sped off in. “You didn’t care about helping me save them; you wanted to separate me from my friends because you knew that if I was with you, if they saw me trusting you, then they would help your crew without question.”
A slow, evil smile worked its way across Adela’s lips. It split her face, the expression allowing the woman’s true nature to shine in the lamplight as the rain soaked them both.
“Loyalty is a heavy burden, Eira.”
A chill stole her breath, one that had nothing to do with magic. Eira’s whole body was numb.
“I’ve been a tool for you, haven’t I?” she whispered. “This whole time, I was a tool to help you figure out magic. A tool to hold my friends as leverage so we could do your dirty work for you…that way your hands could stay clean here on Meru. You’re not the one attacking the gate, we are. You’re not the one who’s commanding a swift departure from the Pillars, I am.”
“Very astute, Eira.” Adela tilted her head slightly to the side. “Now what will you do with this information? Choose quickly. Your friends’ lives are in the balance.”
Eira had no doubt now that there was some kind of signal Adela could send that would cause her crew to kill her friends where they stood. They’d never suspect it. Perhaps Ducot was in on it…perhaps not. Either way, they were outnumbered.
“Fine.” Eira took a step closer to the woman. Anger was lubricating her joints; hot rage fought against the cold horror that had tried to consume her. “But once we are in the ocean, no more stalling. You return my magic to me.”
“We’ll see.” “Swear to me.”
“And what is my word worth?” Adela held out her hands with a shrug. “Trust me or don’t. Help your friends or don’t. It matters little to me. I know I’m not dying tonight.”
Eira wanted to scream. She had known from the start that tangling with Adela was a dangerous game. But they hadn’t had any other choice. The draw of the mystery of her parentage aside, there was her magic. And even if Eira could let that all that go…even if she could consign herself to being a Commons for the rest of her days…it was safer with Adela than out in Meru for them. The Pillars had already tracked them this far. If they’d been on foot, they probably would’ve already been dead.
“You might be wicked, but you’re at least a wickedness I know,” Eira said more to herself than Adela. She turned. But before Eira could sprint
after Olivin and Yonlin—already lost to the night and the pounding rain—a frosty hand encircled her wrist. She twisted, meeting Adela’s cruel, familiar eyes.
“I will see your magic returned,” Adela vowed.
“More empty lies,” Eira shot back, even though the words echoed with unexpected sincerity.
“No.” Adela slowly shook her head. “You possess a gift, girl. A might that could make the world tremble if you learned how to wield it. It would be a shame to see talent like that go to waste. I will teach you, or kill you, that I swear.”
Eira’s heart pounded louder than the rain. Louder than the rising shouts and screams coming from the river and from the direction Olivin and Yonlin had run off in. Everything seemed still, suspended.
“I swear it,” Adela emphasized. “On all my treasure, I will return your magic.”
“Swear it on the lives of your crew,” Eira whispered. That was Adela’s real treasure. They were the ones who did her deeds and guarded her name and wealth.
Loyalty has a cost, Adela.
The pirate queen’s lips parted slightly and every carefully curated mask fell away. The tension slipped from the muscles of her face.
She smiled, and this time it was not sinister. This time there was almost a proud glint to her eyes. “You learn fast.”
“When I must…” Eira swallowed thickly. “When I have a good teacher.”
“I swear it on my treasure and my crew, Eira Landan. I will do everything in my power to return yours.”
That was all Eira needed. She stepped away and Adela let her go. Eira shared one last look with the pirate queen. One stare to encompass the words: Don’t you dare betray me. But the feeling seemed to be mutual.
Eira turned, and began to run.
Rather than taking the docks, she leaped from the high vantage onto a nearby roof. The docks were certain to be crowded, thickening further with people, as the commotion grew along the river and in the streets. The tightly packed rooftops, however, were completely vacant.
The thatching and wooden shingles had gone soft with the rain and Eira wobbled as she landed. With a pinwheel of her arms, she was able to find
her footing again and she was a blur in the night.
Weeks of training, days of fierce competition, constantly looking over her shoulder, had all paid off. With every forceful landing of her feet against the rooftops, she felt nearly unstoppable, even without her magic. Jumping from roofs to balconies was almost effortless.
Confused diners shouted as she sprinted around their tables across a second-story balcony. She’d caught up with Olivin and Yonlin. They were in the thick of the market, slow to progress, as she’d expected.
“Olivin!” Eira shouted. His attention swung up to her, a flash of confusion and then a soft ah of comprehension. Eira pointed at a second- level doorway. “There!”
Further communication wasn’t necessary. Olivin grabbed Yonlin by the hand and abruptly changed their course. He pushed his way through the crowd as Eira jumped from the balcony she was on and grabbed the nearby roof. With a swing of her legs, she was able to get a knee up and scramble on. By the time she made it to the gutter above the doorway, Olivin and Yonlin were there.
Eira stretched a hand down and Olivin swung up first. They both reached back and practically pulled Yonlin up with upper-body strength alone. Wasting no time, Eira began running again, the two men behind her.
They’d managed to catch up to the boat. An explosion of fire burst from its starboard side. Eira wanted to stop, to get a closer look at the combat unfolding. But she didn’t dare slow her pace. The Pillars had no doubt engaged them. That, or the law of Ofok had taken stock of the commotion and were getting involved as well.
Or both.
Either way, her friends could take care of themselves. But what they couldn’t do was open the gate looming ahead of them. A task Eira was left to figure out on her own.
“Plans?” she panted.
“Yargen if I know!” Olivin’s dark hair was slicked against his face. He brushed it back, trying to get it out of his eyes to little avail. “Get in there, by force if we must, and make them lift the portcullis again.” He glanced at her from the corners of his eyes. “Are you going to be all right doing this? Without your—”
“I’ll be fine,” she insisted before he could finish. Yes, her magic was gone, but she wasn’t worthless. Eira continued before he could misplace his
concern again, “Could you just shatter the iron with magic?” She had been feeling strong, until she tried to talk while keeping her pace. But Eira didn’t let up.
“It won’t work. Look—there—the joints. The arch.” Olivin wasn’t able to be very descriptive while running, but he didn’t have to be. This close to the gate, she could see what he was pointing out.
“Runes.” Yonlin could only manage the single word.
Eira remembered the runes in the coliseum—what was supposed to help strengthen, but in actuality helped bring the whole thing down. She doubted the same weakness was perpetuated here.
“Breaking through those will require an incredible burst of magic… You wouldn’t happen to have any flash beads on you?” Olivin asked.
“Why, of course, I just keep a handful in my back pocket.” Eira gave him a look to convey how ridiculous she found the question.
“The sarcasm is not helpful.” Olivin jumped and extended a hand back for her. Eira wasn’t too proud to accept the help. Their fingers closed around each other and he pulled her to him. The sensation of their bodies flush was emphasized by heaving chests and the sizzle of cool rain on hot skin. In a second, she was back against the wall in Champion Village. His mouth on hers…
Before the moment could linger, they split apart and both reached for Yonlin.
“The winch to lift it should be up there.” Yonlin pointed to the top of the arch as he got his footing. They carried on. “Think of it like a spindle and thread, two chains attached to the iron grate. If we can get to it, we could alternate kot sorre to push the wheels that will make it rise. We’ll also need to disable the quick release.”
“I can do that.” She couldn’t help them with their magic, but she could at the least figure out how to disable the quick release…whatever that meant. “You seem knowledgeable about this.”
“Weapons always fascinated me.” Yonlin’s breathing was becoming heavier. Luckily they were almost at their destination. “Any tools of war.”
“Much to my personal dismay,” Olivin muttered. “You make it hard enough to keep you safe.”
“The shadow and the war expert, what a pair both of you are.” Eira grinned at Olivin, who returned the expression. Though his fell some when he glanced back to Yonlin.
“You find odd hobbies with a background like ours.” He seemed to very much wish that wasn’t the case for his brother.
“Don’t I know it?” Eira agreed under her breath.
“If only he’d let me help him more.” Yonlin gave Olivin a glare. “I never wanted you to be at risk,” Olivin said.
“Good thing I’m going to be perpetually at risk from here on. The hero- ing isn’t just up to you anymore.” Yonlin didn’t sound upset in the slightest. Eira could feel Olivin’s discomfort radiating off him at the idea. She could see it in the conflict on his face. He knew Yonlin was no longer a boy,
but he would always see his younger brother as the child he once was.
Just like, no matter how much she grew or how capable she became, Marcus had always seen her as his younger sister. Someone to protect and take care of. Nothing in the world would change that, not even his better sense.
She wanted to reach out to Olivin and grasp his hand, letting him know that they would keep Yonlin safe, together. But there wasn’t an opportunity. Yet, as they jumped again from building to building, his eyes met hers.
Time seemed to slow again in the way that only he could cause. He gave a small nod. She returned it. There was an unspoken understanding between them. Yonlin would be kept safe. No matter what happened, they would both look after him.
