Adrift

by J F Rogers

  “Yes, you can eat them.” Maili picked a few and shoved them in her pouch. “Grab some extras. These will be nice to have on the ship.”

  I took a bite of the fruit, careful to avoid the seeds. It tasted similar to the rose hips at home but, like everything else here, much better. I picked a bunch and crammed them in my pack’s side pocket. I grabbed for another, and something bit my finger.

  “Ow!” I jerked my hand back.

  “Shhh!” Wolf came running, leaving Shimri and Pepin to carry the boat to shore.

  I inspected my finger. Blood gushed from the wound. I wrapped it in my T-shirt hem as a high-pitched squealing rang from the rustling bushes. A weasel writhed on the ground. By the time he reached the thing, it stopped.

  I backed away. He parted the branches to inspect it. “It’s dead. It must’ve been an unredeemable fasgadair. Even in animal form, it can’t ingest your blood and live.” He let go of the branches and walked back to the dinghy, brushing his hands. “Good to know.”

  Yeah. Great. I couldn’t wait to sustain more injuries to test fasgadair in human and animal form. Maili and I plucked a few more rose hips.

  Zakur grabbed Maili’s wrist. “I must get back to the elephants.”

  She stopped, her eyes glistening. “Keep them safe.”

  “I’ll watch them well.” His strong blunt hands patted her shoulders. Then, seemingly on impulse, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. He kissed her forehead, then released his grip.

  “Go.” She squeezed his upper arms. “God willing, I’ll return.”

  He hesitated a moment, his face pained. Then he took off in the direction we’d come while Maili headed to shore.

  A roar thundered from the south. The ground shook. The cacophony of noises grew deafening. Each sound indistinguishable from another until a hyena’s manic cackle, a large cat’s snarl, or an elephant’s trumpet rose above the din. Every hair on my body stood to full alert while I rooted to the spot.

  “Get to the boat.” Maili jarred me back to my senses.

  So much for removing my shoes or rolling up my jeans. My feet sank into the sand, kicking it up against my calves, slowing my pace. The cold hit me like a walk-in freezer on a 100-plus-degree day. I inhaled sharply, sucking in my gut, and pressed on as fast as the water allowed. Maili grasped my hand to pull me into the boat while Wolf and Shimri pushed it through the surf. The dinghy collided with a crashing wave and rocked. Maili tumbled backward. My hand slipped from her grip, and my elbow smacked into the boat’s edge. The shock from my not-so-funny bone traveled up my arm. I clung to the swaying boat and heaved myself up. Another wave pushed the bow up as I dangled on the side. The boat crashed back down. My bruised shoulder slammed against the seat. Searing pain pulsed from the spot. I righted myself and dragged myself to the seat across from Pepin. He sat in the stern, arms bracing himself on either side with eyes wide, frozen.

  Shimri and Wolf scrambled into the rowboat. They’d need my seat to row.

  “Pepin, you gotta move.” I nudged his shoulder. His grip remained tight. I pried his fingers. He slid over and gripped the seat bench instead.

  Shimri and Wolf sat in the center and took up the oars. Maili faced us in the bow.

  We’d made it beyond the breaking waves. A mighty ship with a strange symbol on its masts steered our way.

  “They’re here.” Relief smoothed the tension from Maili’s face.

  Horrific sounds vibrated from the shore. Mismatched animals appeared on the beach, howling, bleating, and screaming rage. A tiger, hyena, and elephant led the pack charging into the water.

  I sat on the edge of my seat, gripping the boat. Come on, boat. Move faster. Faster. I rocked as if it helped increase its speed.

  Maili shot the tiger. It roared, sending an icy shock through my body. The arrow slowed the animal but failed to stop its advance. The hyena burst ahead. An arrow struck its chest. It squealed and dropped into the water. The elephant caught up to the tiger. It stomped through the waves as if they were nothing. Each step sent up a spray and a wake.

  “’Tis not one of your elephants, Maili. ’Tis a fasgadair. Shoot!” Shimri yelled.

  Maili screamed. An arrow struck the elephant. It reared and trumpeted, then landed with a huge splash, sending a wave our way. Another arrow hit the elephant. And another. The elephant trumpeted again.

  The tiger lost its footing but continued to swim. The elephant’s wake crashed over its head. The tiger snorted, blasting water from its nose. One by one, the animals retreated.

  The elephant’s wake continued toward us, struck our dinghy, and sent it rocking. I tightened my grip. Pepin moaned.

  The sound I’d heard when I was shot at in falcon form came from the ship. “Vvvvt. Vvvt. Vvvt.” Arrows flew into the sky. Struck birds squawked and fell, splashing into the ocean. Their skewered bodies resurfaced and bobbed on the waves. How many of them were just birds? A full-body shudder shook me. Thank you, Shimri. Good thing I hadn’t been in falcon form.

  “Shark!” Maili hollered.

  A fin cut a straight line through the water. Everyone braced themselves. Wolf, being the closest to the projected impact site, secured his left knee on the seat and right foot on the floor. He raised his sword above his head. Thrust the blade down seconds before the shark struck the dinghy, slowing the impact. I clung to the sides and planted my feet as the boat wavered. Murky redness spread from the shark as Wolf removed his blade.

  I laid a hand over my racing heart and took deep breaths. The angry mob of animals shrunk, and their threatening cries dimmed as the distance increased. The mismatched group lining the coast looked bizarre, like something from a bad sci-fi movie.

  Blood dripped from my finger over the rowboat. Salt water would help heal it. I peered into the water for danger, then dipped my finger under the surface. My pack sat on the other side of Wolf. Not wanting to interrupt his rowing, I wrapped my finger back up in my shirt.

  Maili rooted around in her satchel, then handed me a cloth. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” I bandaged my finger as waves lapped the boat.

  Water sprinkled from the oars between dips beneath the surface. The sun warmed my skin, making the water shimmer. The tension in my body eased, and I zoned out, staring at the ship. Like something Columbus sailed, it dominated the water. But the flag was similar to a Celtic symbol. A tree. Its roots and branches fanned out and connected, forming a circle.

  “There was nothing you could do, Maili.” Shimri’s voice strained as he paddled. “It wasn’t an elephant. And you needn’t worry about Zakur. He’s in God’s hands.”

  Turning her gaze from shore, she wiped her eyes. “I know.”

  We reached the ship and climbed a rope ladder. Wolf tried holding it steady. But each step jiggled. I lost my footing and dangled, wishing I could change shape and fly aboard but remembering the felled birds.

  I neared the top to find a familiar face. I needed a second to place him.

  “Evan?”

  “Fallon. It’s good to see you.” He grabbed my arm to pull me onto the deck. “I wanted to greet you, but I was asked to remain with the ship.”

  “Well, you’re here now.”

  He hugged me, filling me with warmth. This was what it was about. My purpose. To save more lives like his…and Wolf’s.

  Evan was the reminder I needed. Stepping back, I studied his face. The friendly smile. The healthy glow. He still looked exotic with his dark hair and skin and bright blue eyes. Hard to believe he’d ever been a fasgadair, never mind my captor. But I’d seen it. I’d caused his transformation.

  No. God had. But He used me.

  It was worth it.

  Thank You, God. Thank You for reminding me why I’m here. Give me strength to do my part.…

  Wolf dropped the bag with the raccoon at my feet.

  …I’ll need it.

  Chapter Nine

  ◊◊◊

  I STARED OUT THE captain’
s cabin window, trying not to breathe in the stench of bad seafood mixed with ale and body odor. Tin mug in one hand, stale roll in the other, I sat on the window seat in the corner. The sun touched the horizon, illuminating both sky and sea in brilliant red and orange. The shore was long gone. I took another bite of bread, hoping to settle my stomach and keep down what the constant rocking threatened to bring up. Watching the horizon helped. But I needed to get back on deck for fresh air soon.

  Pepin gripped the table edge. He hadn’t touched his food. His ruddy complexion had taken on a green hue.

  Maili and Shimri didn’t look great either. Both were pale. But Evan and Wolf seemed fine. Comfortable even.

  Evan took a swig from his mug. He sat on a bench at the table, facing me. “What are your plans for the raccoon?”

  The water sloshed as I sipped, spilling onto Drochaid. I’d never get used to this rocking. “Find out if it can be saved, I guess.”

  “You’re going to let it bite you?” He bit his roll.

  My stomach lurched at both the swaying and the thought of facing the fasgadair. “Isn’t that why I’m here? To rescue them if they can be rescued?”

  Was I crazy to consider allowing these creatures to drink my blood? Was I playing a twisted version of Russian roulette?

  Evan leaned back against the table, mug in hand, and finished chewing. “I suppose so. But you know nothing about this one.”

  “I didn’t know anything about you…or your brother…or Wolf.”

  “Aye. But we’d been fasgadair for a long time. There’s no telling how long this one has.”

  My stomach tangled like a drawer full of necklaces. “What difference does that make?”

  After a long drink, he bent in toward me. His denim-blue eyes somber. “When you first become a fasgadair, all reason is gone. All that remains is a bloodthirsty monster.”

  “Isn’t that how fasgadair are all the time?”

  “Not always. It’s difficult to explain. When you first change, you don’t think at all. You feed. The longer you’re a fasgadair, the more your mind clears. All are guilty of murder. Some fasgadair come to hate themselves for what they’ve done. Those, I believe, are the ones who can be saved. Others revel in their newfound powers and murderous nature, seeking any opportunity to kill. I think those die when they bite you. Others fall in the middle of the extremes. You never know which way it will turn out.”

  “So…” I crumbled an edge of the bread in my hand, bits falling on my lap before sifting to the floor. “Your theory explains how you were saved…and Wolf. But what about your brother? Why did he die and Aodan didn’t? Look at all the evil Aodan did, threatening to kill his twin sister. And me. Why was he redeemed?”

  “Perhaps there was something more to Aodan. Despite everything else, he protected the Cael from Morrigan. My brother?” Evan’s lips pinched white as he gazed out the window. “I’m not surprised he didn’t make it.”

  ****

  The dark waters swallowed the sun, and Evan brought me to the raccoon’s hold on the main deck. The electric fasgadair scent strengthened. Shimri and Wolf sat on deck playing cards while supposedly keeping watch. I thought the cards would be a great way to pass the time. Perhaps bringing them was a mistake. These guys caught on quick and hadn’t stopped.

  “Oi! You there.” A thick man with a cloth wrapped around his head pointed at Shimri and Wolf. “Are ye playing or watching for fasgadair?”

  Wolf stood. “I assure ye, Captain, we are keeping an eye out.”

  Shimri moved to stand beside Wolf.

  “Hmph.” The captain crossed his arms and stood taller. “Night has fallen. Surely you understand what that means.”

  Wolf bowed slightly. “We do.”

  “Then yer aware those birds we dropped into the sea regenerated hours ago. They could fly on deck at any moment. Do you know how difficult they are to spot at night?” The captain paced before Wolf and Shimri. “Like charcoal in black mud.”

  “I—”

  “And what of the sea creatures?” the captain cut Wolf off. “They’re able to shift into their fasgadair form and climb on board. Those shifty beasts are skilled enough to climb without a rope. And they’re quick.”

  “Aye, I—”

  “Take starboard. And you”—the captain pointed at Shimri—“take port. Be vigilant.” After pivoting on his heels, he marched away.

  “Well…” Wolf smirked at Shimri. “I’d say our game is over for the night.”

  Grimacing, Shimri rubbed his bald head. “He has valid points.”

  “Aye, this is my first time aboard ship. Somehow, I thought a ship would be easy to defend,” Wolf said. “Will ye be all right without me, Fallon?”

  I shrugged. It’s not like the fasgadair could bite him for me.

  Maili and Pepin arrived. Pepin walked with his stubby legs and arms splayed.

  “Pepin, why don’t you lay in a hammock below decks?” Evan placed a hand on Pepin’s shoulder. “You’d feel better there.”

  “Fallon might need me.”

  Aww. Pepin’s willingness to put aside his illness and hatred of all things associated with water was touching.

  A grated hatch enclosed the hold. The moon shone bright, enhancing my already excellent Ariboslian night vision. Nothing stirred in the dark hole.

  “Hello?” I called. “Are you in there?”

  “Leave me be.” A weak voice rose from below. Female. Somehow, that made me breathe easier.

  Pepin, Evan, and Maili responded with shrugs and raised eyebrows. Lord, help me. I returned my attention to the thing in the hole. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No. Please, leave.”

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Why did I ask that? What would I do? Push in a few people for her to feed on? “Don’t you want to go home? Anything?”

  “No.”

  Full of inexplicable courage, I drew in a deep breath and nodded to Evan. “Lower me down.”

  Evan crossed his arms. “No way. She might kill you.”

  “Like you did?” When he didn’t respond, I pressed further. “Like your brother tried to?”

  “Fine.” He dropped his arms. “Let her in.”

  They tied a rope and threw it over a wooden beam. I stepped into it and pulled it up to sit. Pepin held the other end.

  Evan grasped the rope. “If she hurts you, burn her.”

  “You want me to set her on fire?”

  “If you have to.” He handed me a lantern.

  The image of Aodan howling when I’d set his hair on fire resurfaced. Guilt washed over me. I shuddered as my stomach rolled. I wouldn’t be able to set my worst enemy on fire…again. But Evan didn’t need to know that.

  The fasgadair scent increased to high voltage as I descended, mixing with rancid sea, mold, and decay. I gagged and tried to breathe through my mouth. Goosebumps broke out as I dangled, spinning midair, defenseless. Had I just delivered myself into the lion’s den?

  Chapter Ten

  ◊◊◊

  I TOUCHED GROUND AND stepped out of the rope. Moonlight shone spotlighted me. The ship rocked, and I nearly lost my balance. Dangling objects clanged. I planted my feet and splayed my arms.

  “You plan to kill me?” A whisper came from behind.

  I twisted around, expecting to find her right behind me. Nothing. I crept forward until dirty feet came into view. A young woman covered in muck huddled in a corner. She clutched her legs, head down, naked.

  “Hey!” I yelled to the others. “Throw me down a coat or a blanket.”

  Within moments, a blanket floated down, and I threw it at her.

  She pulled it over herself. Stringy hair fell in thin clumps down her face. She trained eerie eyes on me. “I’m ready to die.”

  “I’m not going to kill you.”

  “But that’s why I’m here.” Her voice rasped, coming from somewhere so deep inside her, somewhere she still had human thought, as though each w
ord pained her to speak. “An angel. Promised redemption. I have to die.”

  Shivers coursed through my body. “An angel sent you here? To us?” God planned this?

  “Aye.” A bitter chuckle crackled from her chest. “He told me where to wait. When you’d arrive. He promised…” Tears coursed down her cheeks, trailing through the dirt. “I should have known better.”

  “What if you could be healed?”

  “’Tis not possible. I’m damned. Forever.” She lowered her head, resting it on her knees.

  “Bite me.”

  She jerked her head up. “What sick game are you playing?”

  “No games. Just bite me.”

  “Why would you ask me to?” Frigid anger chilled her voice, lashing out and shivering through the room.

  “Because it will either give you your life back or kill you. Either way, you will no longer be a fasgadair.”

  She remained frozen, unblinking. “You’re off your head.”

  “Well, that’s debatable.” I laughed.

  She continued to stare.

  “Well?”

  “This is how the angel intended me to die?” Clutching the blanket, she stood and neared me. “I won’t harm you?”

  “You won’t.” Then I remembered the last times I’d done this. “Well…not much.”

  She shuffled into the moonlight. Creepy eyes focused on me. Cast against the moonbeams, she looked like something that crawled out of a crypt. Her eyes caught the light and flashed yellow.

  I fought a shudder and the natural urge to run. Every hair on my body rose and quivered like antennae on high alert. Ignoring the warning, I averted my gaze from the eerie, searching eyes, gathered my hair away from my neck, and forced my body to stay in place.

  Inch by inch, she crept forward, bringing the charged scent of death with her. She paused. My cells jerked, urging me to bolt, but I stood rigid, refusing to budge…or look at her. She bent over. Her breath moist, reeking of decay, her teeth broke my skin like an expert nurse at a blood drive, so gentle. I barely felt the simultaneous pinpricks or the slow draining of blood.