by LJ Andrews
Closing her eyes, she pressed her lips against his, wishing their kiss could last forever. Nova released him quickly without looking back and rushed to Briggs.
“I’m sorry, lass. I should’ve protected ye better,” Briggs said, sniffling as he pulled her against him.
“Please, don’t, Uncle Briggs. None of this is your fault,” she whispered.
Finally, turning to Atlas, she shrank beneath his bright eyes. Standing on her toes, Nova kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly.
“Use it, Nova. Please.” His eyes were begging as a strong hand pulled her away from him.
The masked man watched her with narrowed slits as two more men grabbed her from the sides.
“What are you doing?” Nova said, pushing back as the masked man moved toward her, slipping the shroud over her head again. This time, he tugged a small rope, tightening the opening of the cover around her neck and ensuring it wouldn’t fall.
“Nova,” Kale shouted. She heard him struggle against the man, once again on top of his back, but with the slap of skin, she knew they’d silenced him for the time being.
“Is this Smythe’s idea?” she shouted shrilly as the barred door creaked open and the man shoved her out into the ring.
“Fight hard, pirate. You’ll be fighting for your life,” was all he whispered in her ear, before taking her hand and forcing it around the hilt of what she took as a long dagger.
Nova gripped the dagger tightly, turning around as the jeers of the crowd bounced inside her head. The darkness of the shroud was disorienting, but as a sinister chuckle came closer, she pointed the dagger straight out from her chest, feeling the boil of turmoil begin.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment since we met,” Hadwin’s smooth voice came closer.
Nova turned around, feeling as if he was suddenly behind her.
“Over here,” he said laughing, as she whirled around again.
“Enough with the games,” she shrieked angrily, trying to rip the shroud from her head.
“It’s no use. If you remove it, I will simply kill you immediately. Those are the rules, pirate,” Hadwin said.
“It seems the rules would be in your favor,” she said, slashing the dagger through the air, which only made him laugh harder. “And besides, I’ve heard no such rules.”
“Fight me,” he replied. “If you are victorious, you will go free. If you are not…well, I think we both understand what that means.”
Nova tried to orient herself to the covered podium; she knew it would be her best strategy to get her hands on the commander, whether it be Smythe or another wicked soul. If she could get the leverage she needed and hold him hostage, it might end the certain bloodbath. Hadwin grabbed her shoulder and threw her back into the ring before she could get a solid direction for where the podium was.
“Let us begin,” he said.
The blade he pulled from behind his cloak hissed as the metal slid from the fabric sheath, the sound solidifying the weapon was long and deadly. How she wished she had her own dagger, she needed the burn of power in the jeweled hilt now more than ever. Through the shouts of the crowd, her senses pricked to attention. Every smell of the muggy arena came to life. The sound of Hadwin’s feet altering stance as they shuffled across the gravely stones painted a picture in her mind’s eye of where he had taken position. Closing her eyes, she appealed to the power to guide her, praying to get out of the death ring alive. Like blowing leaves in a treetop, Hadwin’s sword swung through the air toward her exposed chest.
Taking a deep breath, Nova dropped, tucked her head, and rolled out of the line of strike. It must have been exciting, from the roar of the crowd, but quickly she scrambled back to her feet, waiting for Hadwin to advance.
“Your skill is profound,” Hadwin said arrogantly. “Tell me, were you raised by pirates? Or did you choose the life?”
Closing her eyes, Nova felt a rush of pressure fill her chest. The dark power awoke inside, though it was still reserved in its strength. With each pump of her heart, her lips ticked up into a confident smile. Her feet seemed as light as a cloud as she pushed off the souls of her worn boots, flying backward, head over heels. The brush of wind slicing just below the shroud as she flipped over the blade sent shivers down her spine.
That was close, she thought when she landed awkwardly.
There was no time to regroup. The darkness swirled within her, pushing against the invisible barrier which had been hindering her abilities. Hadwin’s feet dashed across the stone several paces behind. Though he was light in his footwork, her ears picked up every skid across the gritty sand coating the stone. He was to her left. Without thought, Nova jabbed her borrowed weapon to where she was certain he’d be.
With a grunt, she heard Hadwin lunge beneath the blade. She stood stalwart, ready for a defensive strike. But instead, her senses processed his movements as he kicked over his head, wheeling several paces away from her.
The jeering crowd was now as silent as a stone. Nova’s smile widened. Their astonishment made it clear: she wasn’t the opponent they expected. As if two burning arrows struck her chest, she sensed Hadwin’s furious gaze focused on her. Nova twirled the blade in her hand, smiled beneath her shroud, and waited for him to attack.
“I was not raised by pirates,” she shouted across the ring.
The fury rose high into her throat, but in a single moment she felt the power seeping away; the shield was locking it from her reach again. Her throat dried from her anxious breaths. She couldn’t lose her keen senses, or she was certainly dead.
Fight back, don’t lose the connection, Nova.
Lurlina’s frantic yet powerful voice filled her thoughts. She was breaking through the blockade. Lurlina was back. Almost as soon as the euphoric feeling entered her heart, it began to fade, as Lurlina’s presence disappeared.
Nova cried out in fury and charged directly in front of her, feeling weaker with each step. Her dagger slammed hard against the large blade of Hadwin. He released a haggard breath, seemingly taken off guard by her sudden attack.
Nova spun out of the deadlock of weapons, then met his sword again as she swung back, her arms trembling with exertion. Hadwin pushed back in a fury, unlocking his blade and sending her footwork into retreat.
Clanging blades filled the arena, with tense silence from the crowd urging her to continue. Back and back Hadwin pushed her, slicing his sword with vigor until her body slammed against the back wall. Their blades locked as he pushed harder, inching the jagged side of his sword to the edge of her throat. Nova held her breath, her face burning from effort as the strength of her power dwindled to nothing but a burning flow through her veins. The black shroud spun into a storm of darkness as she felt her grip weaken on the blade.
“You cannot defeat me. I am greater than you in ways you cannot know,” Hadwin snarled before breaking her grip completely from her dagger.
She heard it smash against the ground as the tip of his blade traced the details of her collarbone. She held her breath, waiting for Hadwin to run her through, her legs threatening to buckle beneath her. The deadly blow never came; instead, a heavy jab to the side of her face sent her sprawling to the ground. Her chest rose in heaving breaths as his soft steps circled her head. Kale, Atlas, and Briggs were shouting her name and protests from the cage. This was the final moment.
Burning tears brimmed in her diamond eyes, not in fear, not in sadness—tears of utter fury, regret, and frustration. She’d come so far. She could not fail. Her parents’ loving faces filled her mind’s eye. Kale’s sacrifice, his kiss—she could practically feel it on her lips.
I cannot fail, she told herself as she heard Hadwin lower to his knee next to her head. His deadly blade was nearby; she could sense it.
As the burning emotion brimmed to the surface, she could almost feel the ground rumble in harmony with the pounding darkness beating its way out. Gasps and squeaks of confusion filled the ring. She heard mothers ushering their children away and men shout
ing confused protests, but the most gratifying was the sense of Hadwin’s overwhelming shock.
The power was leaving her; she knew she couldn’t hold on any longer. With a final surge of energy, the darkness caused a great shudder. She could hear the cracking of wood as some of the benches rolled away from their place on the hillside. Stones crumbled from the walls and people shouted calls for her demise.
Her head rolled to one side, all energy leaving her body. The bright light burned her eyes as the shroud was slowly pulled from her head, revealing her face to the arena. Hushed voices rippled through the crowd as they gawked at the fallen prisoner. Nova wondered if they liked to see the faces of the defeated before they were killed. It only added to their wickedness in her mind.
Hadwin stood over her, his gold eyes bright like translucent coins. His face was contorted in confusion and hesitation as he met hers.
“You can’t be,” he breathed out. Nova’s jaw pulsed angrily as she kept her focus locked on him. Though it was unclear how, she was certain Hadwin knew the truth as he stared into her eyes. But she saw something in him; something familiar flashed across his face in the moment that she knew he would be the last face she’d see in her existence. “Who are you?” he finally asked.
Gathering every piece of strength she had, Nova swallowed hard and spoke in a ragged, yet powerful voice. “I…am not a pirate. I…am…Nova…Willock!”
Hadwin’s eyes widened as he took a step back. Nova’s brow furrowed at his reaction, but soon her attention was drawn away to a commotion moving toward her like speeding current.
“STOP!” a man shouted.
She turned toward the canopied podium just as he leapt over the rail. He was tall—tall and broad with a trimmed brown beard covering his chiseled face. He was dressed in black, but unlike the pale people of the band of shadows, his skin had been kissed by the white sun for what seemed like months.
Nova’s breath caught in her chest, her lip quivered uncontrollably, and her eyes blurred as he ran to her. The gawking crowd silenced again as they watched the strange turn of events.
Nova’s sobs spilled out as she met his eyes when he slid to her side. She covered her mouth, trying to keep the sobs trapped inside. She wrapped her hands around his muscular arms, feeling like a small child as he scooped her head into his lap. He gently brushed one of her curls off her forehead and blinked away his own tears.
“Is this…real?” she sobbed. “Father, is it really you?”
Chapter 14
Unlikely Allies
Varick brushed her hair away from her face incessantly as if the curls might disappear any moment. He smiled through tears and kissed her forehead, rocking back and forth.
“My girl,” he said over and over, holding her close to his chest. “What…I don’t…I don’t even know where to begin!”
Nova cried, breathing in his scent. Nearly four years. It had been so desperately long since her father had held her close.
“I found you,” she finally said, holding tighter to his arms.
Varick pulled her closer, his chest heaving in emotion. “I almost allowed you to be killed,” he snarled, more to himself it seemed.
Suddenly, he pulled her face toward him. His eyes studied her as if searching for something. His shoulder slumped once he found it.
“It’s happened, hasn’t it? How did you get away without taking the tea, my girl? Your mother is relentless on that ritual,” Varick said, rubbing a thumb methodically over her cheek as he held her face.
Nova’s brow furrowed in pain. Her heart throbbed for her father; he didn’t know anything that had happened to his family since he’d been taken. Nova imagined he’d believed both she and Kamali had lived peaceful lives without him, and she was the one who had to tell him the truth.
“Father,” Nova said, fresh tears falling from her eyes. “There’s so much—ˮ
“Varick!” Briggs bellowed from across the ring. Varick eyed the holding cell in surprise. Briggs was peering through the bars, his thick fingers gripping the iron to the point of white knuckles. “Varick, I can’t believe me eyes. Let us out of this darn prison, ye dog!”
“Briggs?” Varick said in true disbelief. “Hadwin, let them out, please. It’s my first mate,”
Two men immediately opened the door to the arena. Briggs spilled out, nearly trampling the smaller men as he crossed the ring. Varick gently released Nova and stood to greet his oldest friend.
Briggs enveloped Varick completely, pulling him into a hearty embrace as he laughed joyfully.
“Briggs, you old rat, what are you doing bringing my girl out into the skies?” Varick said, trying to sound angry but his satisfaction at seeing the old man was easily detectable.
Kale and Atlas stood aside watching the reunion with amazement, but also looking slightly ill. Kale met her eyes. Nova felt weak as she sat up on the ground, but was so overjoyed she couldn’t keep the tears from falling.
Kale took slow steps across the ring and kneeled next to her. Like Varick, he brushed her hair away from her eyes and smiled gratefully. “How are you? I’ve never felt so helpless watching him tower over you like that,” he said.
Nova didn’t trust her voice but tried to stand. Kale wrapped her in his arms once she was firmly on her feet. He looked at her, his eyebrows raised in playful amazement. She gave him a watery smile before kissing him quickly. As she pulled back, Varick stood near them with one eyebrow raised as he eyed Kale up and down.
Clearing his throat, Kale pulled back quickly, shifting his feet while he held out his hand for Varick.
“Kale Tucker, sir. It’s a pleasure.”
Varick met Nova’s eye as he gripped Kale’s hand more tightly than a normal greeting. “It would seem I have much to learn.”
Nova chuckled and wrapped her arms around Varick’s waist again, afraid if she let go she’d learn it was all a wonderful dream.
“It really is a pleasure,” Kale continued. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Ah, well I hope to hear the same about you,” Varick said, as he wrapped an arm protectively around Nova’s shoulders.
“Varick.” Hadwin’s voice came through the excitement, soft but powerful.
Nova snapped her head toward the man who had nearly ended her life. Her eyes narrowed fiercely, feeling the anger boil beneath her skin.
“Nova,” Varick said gently as if sensing her struggle. “I have some explaining to do, but first I want you to come meet Hadwin under his true light.”
“I’d rather not,” she snipped, folding her arms across her chest.
“Please, love,” he said. “This is my doing. If we had realized who you were, I assure you Hadwin would not have harmed you.”
“Answer one question first, Father,” she said in sudden resentment. “Why did you never return to us? You’re the commander of the band of shadows, aren’t you? I don’t understand why you would choose them over us.”
Varick sighed and took her face in his hands again. “Nova, I will tell you everything. I often wondered if I would ever get the chance, but now that you’re here please believe I never would have stayed away from you if I hadn’t had to for your own safety. When I was taken, events were set into motion that I had to see to the end before we could ever safely live our lives. There are things…about my past, love, that you don’t know. Your mother and I never wanted you to be dragged into this,” Varick admitted. The mention of Kamali seemed to snap him to the realization she wasn’t present. “Where is your mother, Nova?”
Nova bit her lip uncomfortably, feeling the eyes of Briggs, Atlas, and Kale on her as the guilt of her mother’s situation washed over her.
“Varick, maybe we should go on an’ talk somewhere else,” Briggs said.
Varick’s eyes widened and he looked at Nova frantically. “Nova, what’s happened to your mother?”
“Father, I have so much to tell you, but…you must know this is my fault.”
“Tell me what’s happened.” His voice w
as strained and desperate.
Varick pulled Nova into the small holding cell. Briggs followed behind closing the door.
“Briggsy, tell me, what happened?”
“I can fill in a few gaps, but I think this should be explained by Nova. But, lass, stop with the guilt on yer shoulders, ye hear? It’s not for ye to hold the blame, there’s enough of that for the lot of us.”
Varick turned to Nova and waited, silently pleading to learn of his beloved Kamali.
“It started two years after you were taken,” she began, pushing the clump of emotion down into her throat. “I ran away, Father.”
Nova sat next to Varick, telling him of the dangerous adventure she’d had in the wild world of sky pirates. She told him how she’d started to change and slowly learned the truth of the Djinn. Varick listened intently, occasionally running his hand through his hair in disbelief. Strategically, Nova left out a few of the more dangerous moments she’d experienced while on the Star’s Vengeance, especially how Atlas had nearly gotten her killed. She didn’t think Varick would take kindly to the tale.
When she’d finished, Varick leaned back against the wall, keeping his eyes closed so long, one might think he’d fallen asleep. Finally, he rested his elbows on his knees and shook his head.
“I should’ve gotten word to your mother sooner that I was alive. We had a plan should they ever come for me. We vowed to stick to it, for you.”
“You just didn’t realize your wild card was me, I suppose. She would have stayed true to your plan, if not for me,” Nova said, frowning.
Varick held out his hand, clasping hers tightly. “This isn’t on you. I never thought I’d say it, but I’m grateful you have the power. It seems it is the only thing that saved you from Charlie Smythe. That bilge eater, I would’ve killed him myself.” Varick seethed silently for a moment, while Briggs agreed with a very pirate-like “Aye”.
“He’s still looking for us, I’m certain,” Nova said. “Perhaps you’ll get your chance.”
Varick shook his head. “Love, Smythe is gone,” he said flatly. “You don’t have to worry anymore about the Vengeance coming up behind you.”
