The Daath Chronicles- The Complete Series

by Eliza Tilton

  She’d either punch me or let me go further.

  It was worth a punch.

  My hand was inches from her chest. Her heartbeat pulsed through the fabric. It took all my self-control not to go faster.

  An owl hooted nearby.

  Raven broke away from the kiss, patting my chest. “Avikar, look.”

  What could be more important than this?

  I turned to see what distracted her. A white owl sat on a wooden post. One I didn’t realize was there until now.

  For all the times I’d spent in the forest, I’d never encountered an owl. Sure, I’d hear them hooting around at night, but never saw one this close. The owl had gray feathers sticking up like ears, and big black eyes.

  “It’s just an owl.” I brushed my lips across her neck in an attempt to get her mind refocused.

  “It’s staring at us.”

  “I don’t mind an audience.”

  She pushed me aside. “I wonder what it’s doing here.”

  I banged my head against the tree. “It probably lives here.”

  Stupid bird.

  “Don’t be an idiot,” she said.

  Since the bird ruined any chance of me getting closer with Raven, I sat on the branch, leaning against the tree.

  “Hey, there.” Raven held out her hands, walking in slow steps toward the owl.

  The owl blinked its big eyes.

  “There’s something on its leg.” She titled her head and pointed.

  I stood and followed the direction of her finger. “It’s a note.”

  Raven reached for the owl’s leg and the owl hopped away from her.

  “What are you two doing here?” Jonas stood behind us, closing the door.

  “I needed some air,” I quickly said.

  It was hard to tell if he was frowning with that big mustache blocking his mouth. “I see you met Croxley.” He held out his arm and the owl landed on top of it.

  “He’s yours?” I asked.

  Jonas nodded. “He’s our messenger, gives us news from outside the wood. Now, go on, git. You two shouldn’t be up here.”

  Raven grabbed my hand and we walked back to the door. Jonas took the note off Croxley’s leg, and I didn’t miss the lines of his forehead crease as he read it.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Lucino

  My conversation with Jeslyn had long passed, and we spoke very little to one another—a few words at night or at meals, but nothing more. She moved around the ship with ease, her stomach finally having adjusted to the rocking motion. The men had grown used to her and even showed respect; she had found her place among the crew. The captain called out a command and she snapped into action. I admired her tenacious nature.

  “Make yourself useful.” The ship’s second in command handed me a bucket.

  “You must be joking.”

  “You rather be cleaning out the pots?”

  “No, this will do.” I grabbed the mop from him and began washing the deck.

  I was grateful Lucy wasn’t here to witness me washing the floor like a commoner. She would have had a good laugh at my expense. Even Romulus would chortle.

  Keeping busy, I blended into the background, observing and listening to the sailors around me.

  Again, I was rewarded with useless dribble. Does no one have anything of importance to discuss in this world? The only interesting character aboard the vessel was a merchant named Tavo. We’d spoken briefly during the late hours. Young but wise for his age, the boy had spark. While I believed little that came out of his mouth, he was interesting enough company.

  “Look, there she goes again.” One of the sailors pointed to Jeslyn climbing the main mast with that dark-haired fool, Del, following her.

  I’d have to watch that one more carefully. I saw how his eyes glazed over in her presence, and not in a gentlemanly way. I almost regretted saying she was my sister, but having her accompany me as a sibling seemed more logical, our quest for gems more believable.

  The suns were hot, reminding me of the dry, torched sky back home. The men complained about the heat while I invited the warmth. It fueled me. The suns were another reason this world would be suitable for my kind. Our home planet also had two suns.

  The wind carried the scent of salt across the deck, another part of the journey I enjoyed. The mixture of salt and sun kept me calm, especially when the ragged fools around me sang their ridiculous bard songs. How I wished Lucy would come sing them all off the plank.

  The sailors began another song and I wanted to stuff my ears.

  “Ravagers!”

  Del’s cry pierced through the jolly tune, spreading fear throughout the crew. Two black ships flanked us, quickly gaining speed.

  Our vessel wouldn’t be able to combat both efficiently.

  The deck erupted in a storm of chaos and preparation, the captain yelling orders, and the crew scrambling to ready the cannons. While everyone prepared, I ran to the mast. Jeslyn needed to move, and quickly.

  “Jeslyn!” I yelled, cupping my hands around my mouth so she’d hear me.

  Her wide eyes met mine, and I gestured for her to hurry down. She nodded and began her descent.

  A blast sounded to my left. The merchant, Tavo, stood with hands ablaze, streams of fire exploding from his outstretched palms rocketing skyward toward the enemy ships.

  A mage?

  Tavo was no mere merchant at all, but a master of the arcane art who must’ve been hired for the journey. In all my years in this world, I’d only come across a few mages, and they were all employed by The Order. How interesting one of his kind would be here, and from the ferocity of the energy he shot forth, he must’ve cost dearly.

  The black ship on our left returned the attack with cannon fire that landed in the water just shy of the port side of the ship. The next hit would be a direct one.

  Jeslyn was almost back on deck. My pulse raced as she closed the distance between us too slowly for my liking. “Hurry!”

  The moment her feet landed, I grabbed her hand, pulling her to the stern of the ship. “Stay close.”

  She unsheathed the thin sword Del had given her. I didn’t know how much swordplay her father had taught her, but if he was smart, he would’ve trained her enough to defend herself.

  The ship portside sailed closer. Tavo summoned a fireball resembling a huge flaming skull, its gaping maw swallowing the other ships mast, incinerating most of it instantly. Boarding ladders dropped against the side with a loud thud, and men scurried across from the fiery wreckage.

  “Attack!” the captain yelled, and we rushed at the advancing men.

  “Beware of the poison,” I yelled to Jeslyn, darting in front of her to block an oncoming sword, turning the blade harmlessly away as if it had been swung by a child.

  The ravager thrust forward. The tip of his rapier dripped with black ichor. I parried the blow, low and outward, disarming him at the same time. His blade was well balanced, allowing me to keep it spinning around my own sword. I slashed diagonally, sending the man’s sword flying at his comrade who had entered the fray. My own blade slid deep into his neck, and a weak cry left his gurgling lips. His companion fell on top of him, sending the poisoned rapier through his own face.

  The ravagers poured onto the deck in a black wave. Their dark clothes contrasted against their pale skin and creamy eyes. Jeslyn’s eyes widened at the sight of them moving like locusts, covering every part of the ship.

  The ground at my feet was slick with a fresh coat of blood. I grabbed the rapier from the man’s head. He would no longer need it, and it would be a shame to waste such a fine blade.

  “Lucino!”

  Jeslyn cried my name, and I turned just in time to see a scoundrel’s blade slash forward. He thought he had me, but I burst into motion, slashing across his gut as he slid on the slippery deck. Jesly
n delivered the coup de grace as she dodged sideways while slashing at his back, sending him over the side of the boat.

  The ravagers were no match for my strength or speed, but even I knew the futility of it. There were too many. If I survived, I couldn’t sail a ship with just Jeslyn—we needed the crew.

  Tavo’s hands were a blur as he twisted his arms in different formations, manipulating the fire in the direction he wanted it to go. Clouds of steam poured from his open sleeves, engulfing the oncoming rush; not only scalding the ravager’s skin, but also drowning them in the searing mist. Dozens were dead in a few moments, but when the steam dissipated, more rushed in. The captain’s men fought desperately to keep the ravagers away from the mage. Tavo would determine how this battle would end, but judging by the sweat pooling on his skin, he didn’t have much power left.

  The ravager captain stood on the deck of the second ship firing bolts from an enormous ballista. If we killed their leader, the rest might lose focus, giving us the advantage.

  “Jeslyn, we need to board their ship.”

  She held her sword with two hands. “How?”

  I pointed up.

  We ran across the deck, and I cut a piece of rope from the sail. “Get on.” Jeslyn jumped on my back and wrapped her arms around my neck. With the rope in hand, I ran, and vaulted off the ship, swinging a wide loop onto the black deck of the ravager ship.

  We landed behind one of the stowed boats. The captain hadn’t noticed.

  “Stay hidden,” I whispered.

  “Be careful.”

  I laughed—as if these men would be a challenge at all.

  Two ravagers stood near the captain, shooting flaming arrows at our ship. I ran up behind them and stabbed them both before they had time to turn around. The ravager captain saw his fallen men and growled. He spun the ballista and fired. Its javelin-like bolt streaked past my head, nearly slicing the tips of my hair.

  He reloaded the massive bow, and I leapt across the deck, sword flashing in the sunlight. His head hit the floor before the bolt could be set into place.

  “Lucino!”

  I turned to see Jeslyn in the deadly embrace of a ravager, her eyes wide with fear. She tried to break free, but the coward put his dagger closer to her throat. Blood left my face, and coldness crept in behind my ears, dulling my reason.

  Rage coursed through me. “Remove yourself from her.”

  Power pulsated in my arms and legs. My grasp tightened on the hilt, the weapon feeling lighter the angrier I became. The panic in her eyes filled me with all-consuming anger.

  The ravager spoke, his words guttural and undecipherable, smirking as if he was in control.

  “Let her go,” I growled.

  She went to speak but he cuffed her muffled cries.

  The dagger almost touched her skin. If he pricked her, the poison would work its way in, paralyzing her from head to toe in a matter of mere seconds.

  “Release her.” As the words left my mouth, an arrow landed in the ravager’s ear, a look of disbelief twisting his face. I searched the surrounding area and spotted Del on the other ship, his bow still braced against his shoulder.

  I ran to Jeslyn and lifted her chin, examining the flesh of her throat. “Did he hurt you?”

  “No.” She picked up her fallen sword. “I’m fine.”

  Searing heat slammed my back, singeing the flesh with its sharp claws.

  “Rose!” Del shouted from the other ship and pointed behind us.

  An inferno spread across the ship, quickly reaching the powder kegs.

  I grabbed her as the deck exploded, the force sending us overboard and into the frigid water below.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Jeslyn

  Cold water filled my mouth and lungs, drowning me. I kicked my feet, struggling to reach the surface as my chest burned with fire. I breached the top, gasping for air, and a wave splashed over me, forcing water back into my mouth.

  “Lucino!” I coughed, desperately needing air, only to be slapped with more water.

  We’d lost each other, and now the sea closed in around me, only the ships in sight.

  “Creator, help us!” I spread my arms in front of me, swimming, searching. Where could he be? What if he drowned? “Lucino!” I screamed, tears bursting forth.

  Lucino’s head popped above the water and I swam to him.

  He coughed, and water spilled from his mouth. I didn’t know what to do except wrap my arm under his shoulder and help him stay afloat. A gash across his head bled red into the clear blue water.

  “I’m fine,” he sputtered. “We need to swim away from the ship before it takes us down.”

  The ravager ship we jumped from had flames covering the deck, swallowing it in bright orange. With all my strength, I kicked and swam, trying to swim away from the burning ship.

  “How will we get back on board our ship?”

  Not often had I seen worry cross Lucino’s face, if ever, but today, concern drew his eyebrows down over those blue eyes as his gaze darted around, searching the sea for something to help us. I imagined his thoughts quickly working together to create a plan.

  “Stay here,” he said, breaking away from me.

  “Lucino! Where are you going?”

  He dove in and out of the water in quick strokes. A wave crashed over me, and I held my breath, bouncing back above the surface.

  Please hurry, Lucino.

  Then I saw him, swimming toward me with a large piece of wood.

  “Hold on to this.”

  I grabbed the oversized plank and watched the sinking ship. Sounds of battle continued, a cacophony of screams and cries filling the air. I prayed our friends would all be safe. A wave came, pushing us farther from the boat.

  We kicked and kicked until my legs screamed at me to stop. “I can’t.” My chest heaved up and down. It was useless. The current kept moving us further away from the ship.

  Lucino grabbed my side. “Someone will come for us.”

  Of course the captain would discover we were missing and send a search, and if he didn’t, Del would. Del had seen us jump. We were still close enough that he could spot us. We continued to tread water, Lucino’s arm around me, trying to keep me warm. At least we weren’t in the winter season. The water was cold, but not unbearable. If this had been winter, we wouldn’t have survived.

  The sea rocked us back and forth. The fire danced around the waves, tempting to scald it. The deadly dance continued as the suns heated my face. I grew tired, even though I didn’t want to sleep. How could I? My eyes blinked, and I fought against their weight.

  Lucino held me tighter. “They will come for us.”

  Our ship seemed farther away than before. Was it leaving? How could they? Didn’t they realize we weren’t aboard? No; the ship wasn’t leaving for it still fought with the second ravager ship.

  We were floating away.

  No, this is not how my life ends.

  Then, as I’d done many times before, I recited the prayer for protection, over and over until I lost myself in the words.

  Lucino hoisted me onto the wood.

  “What are you doing?” I laid flat against the board.

  “We can’t stay in the water.” He pulled himself up beside me. “We’re too far now.”

  Too far? “They’ll turn around, won’t they? They can’t leave us . . . .” Panic threatened to consume me, and my breaths came too fast. “Help! Help!”

  “Jeslyn.”

  “No, if we scream they might hear us. Del saw us jump. He knows we’re here. Del!”

  Lucino grabbed my arms. “It’s too late! Even if he wanted to, the captain isn’t going to risk his ship and crew for us.”

  “That’s it? We’re left alone to die out here?”

  “We won’t die.” His voice softened. “I’ll make sure of it
.”

  Lucino gave my arm a squeeze. “We weren’t too far from land. Ravagers hunt the coast. The winds are blowing from the west.”

  “Isn’t that the opposite of where we want to be?”

  “No. The winds are pushing us east. As the currents follow the wind, we’ll reach land.”

  Our ship was gone, leaving us alone in an empty sea. Out here with nothing but calm water, I felt deserted; terrified. All those mornings I’d wished to venture out into the sea, to explore its beauty and splendor, I had no real understanding of the danger. How easily it was to be lost—and what about the creatures? We had no weapons, and if a shark attacked, how would we survive?

  I wrapped my arms around my sides, praying and wishing this was all a horrific dream—that Grandfather was safe in his bed, snoring, and none of this was real.

  Because if it wasn’t a dream, I was going to die.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Lucino

  The suns took a toll on Jeslyn’s fair skin. I had nothing to shelter her with, and no clouds hung in the sky to block the scorching rays. Her skin burned. With no water, and the heat bearing down on both of us, we wouldn’t last long.

  “My brother said you weren’t human.”

  “He was wrong.”

  Her mouth dropped open in confusion and I elaborated, “I’m half human.”

  “Half?”

  Should I tell her? I thought about not telling her the truth, but at this point, none of it mattered. If we didn’t find land soon, we would both be dead, and all the years I had spent creating my intricate web would be lost.

  “My birth mother was human. My father is Reptilian.”

  “And what is Reptilian? Is that a type of magic you use?”

  “I come from another world—”

  Her eyes widened, so I stopped, but she nodded for me to continue.

  “There are gates between our worlds that allow us to pass. Reptilian is one of the races of my home world, Mirth.”