by LJ Andrews
The outline became clear. Nova’s breath caught in her throat as everyone stayed silent as if his presence stole every sound from their throats. Before her, a man smiled viciously. His face was clean shaven apart from bushy, red sideburns trailing the edges of his jaw. His hair hung about his shoulders in tangled cords beneath a large black hat. Beneath the black linen shirt, his chest was exposed, showing large scars and gashes from old wounds, but it was his eyes that trapped her in place. They watched her like glassy, black orbs as if there had once been a soul, but now only darkness consumed their depths.
Nova rose to her feet, clutching the dagger against her chest and allowing the slow burn of power to fill her heart.
“Captain Phoenix,” she said under her breath.
He laughed maniacally, running his hand over the hilt of his gold sword. “I can see why she is so drawn to you,” he said. His voice came out in a deep growl. His empty eyes fell upon Varick. Nova rushed in front of her father, blocking him from view of the frightening pirate. “He is mine to take,” Phoenix said.
“Not as long as I’m here,” she said, narrowing her eyes.
“It be only a matter of time before you come to her. If you care about these people, come now, and end the bloodshed.” Phoenix replied, now gripping his blade.
“You’ll have to kill me before I go with you,” Nova snarled, the darkness seeping out as if building a powerful cloud around her.
Phoenix glared, taking a step back. “If you have nothing left for you here then you will come,” he said. Every word he spoke came out darker, more sinister. A wave of anxiety filled her heart, putting her on edge, though she didn’t know from what.
Before she had the chance to react, Phoenix removed a concealed pistol from the leather belt across his chest and aimed at Varick, whose head was exposed from the side of Nova’s protection.
“No!” Nova screamed as he fired the deadly shot. The blast echoed loudly in the silent arena as a wave of power released from her chest. The metal ball seemed to sail through the air slowly, and she saw it creep closer and closer to her unconscious father. Inside, her fury rumbled against it. In a single command in her mind, she desperately ordered the bullet to stop.
The metal broke apart bit by bit until the deadly ball was nothing but fine dust blowing about the ring. Nova seethed at Phoenix, whose expression had twisted into an ugly devilish scowl. Feeling the wave of dark arrogance overwhelm her, she lowered the dagger to her side. Everything surrounding the two foes seemed to fade into nothing but a hazy cloud of afterthought. He was a demon, a wretch, and he was nothing compared to her. The captain she’d heard endless heroic stories of as a child was going to die at her hand.
Nova ran at full speed, the dark power pulsing through her legs pushing her faster and stronger. The dagger gleamed in the light breaking through the burning gunpowder cloud as she lifted it above her head. Captain Phoenix smiled venomously, revealing his brown, yellowing teeth. His lips were chapped as they pulled back, seemingly thrilled with her reaction.
A flick of hesitation passed through her mind at his joyful expression, but the anger, superiority, and fierce turmoil pushed the thought away. Phoenix towered over her when she stood next to his chest. He smelled of smoke and old sun-tanned leather painted in rancid sweat. His eyes were the black holes of a betrayed soul. She could see the thirst for his revenge reflected in the fury of her diamond eyes.
Nova narrowed her eyes, pausing for only a moment, and cried out in bitterness as she thrust the Djinn dagger deep into his chest. Her heart raced like a speeding armada over a tumultuous current, as the reality of what she’d just done overtook the darkness.
She released the hilt and met the dark eyes of Captain Phoenix as she backed away. Her shoulders heaved up and down, watching the jewels sparkle jubilantly as the silver blade was still embedded deep into his chest.
Phoenix, if he was stunned, did not show it. His countenance seemed annoyed, not that of a man breathing his last breath. Nova felt sick as his large fingers wrapped around her dagger, and slowly inched the blade from the chest. The wound wasn’t surrounded by charred skin, as the blade normally produced, but instead, it was covered in blood. The only time the blade had ever drawn blood was on her own skin.
When he removed the blade, he glanced down at his bleeding wound, then glared up at her as the skin around the hole slowly closed. He threw the dagger at her feet, just as the fatal opening finished healing before her eyes.
“It…it didn’t burn you,” she stammered, taking another step back.
Phoenix tossed the blade onto the stone ground and stalked her slowly. “You have no right to kill me when I come on Her power. This dagger was created by Her. You think it will kill when the power that fills its blade fills my veins?”
Nova saw Varick lift slowly to his feet out of the corner of her eye. Her father held a pistol out from his chest and aimed it at Phoenix. The gun gleamed in a gold shell. It wasn’t the same flintlock he’d taken from the weapons magazine, but Nova was suddenly drawn to the intricate engravings on the sides. The gun radiated strength, and Varick held it steadfast, never looking away from his intended target.
“Perhaps Lurlina’s dagger cannot harm you, but another Djinn weapon can. Step away from my girl,” Varick growled.
Phoenix scoffed, but he stopped prowling in her direction. “I saw that Djinn you took, Willock. She’s not lookin’ so fine these days. Seems she got herself into some trouble with the Great One. Pity, she could’ve served such a greater purpose until you came and ripped her away.”
Varick said nothing but cocked the hammer of his pistol as his face shadowed even more. Nova met Phoenix’s eye as he began backing away as he spoke to her.
“Do not be foolish and think you can win the war. You may have won this small, meaningless battle, but you have no right to break my dealings with the Great Djinn. I will take my revenge on that dog, and you will come to the temple. But I cannot take you like this; she insists you come on your own accord. If you resist any longer, you will regret your choice” Phoenix backed away toward his ship, never lowering his gaze from Nova. “There be ways I can convince you to come, though. Take a look for yourself.”
Nova’s eyes trailed the large hull of the dark ship to its main deck. Her eyes widened as two men dressed in bright blue clothes dangled a struggling woman over the rail.
“Raine!” Nova cried out.
The former queen kicked and fought valiantly against her captors, but they held firm, dragging her thin frame back over the rail and out of sight.
“Let her go,” Nova snarled, stomping after Phoenix as he clasped one of the rope ladders.
“I tracked you to the royal island, but unfortunately you had abandoned your allies like your cowardly father. No matter—the great Djinn has taken an interest in this one and cannot wait to meet with her. I cannot say the same about the other woman.” Phoenix laughed wildly as the ship rose higher out of the ring with him still holding tight to the dangling ladder.
“No,” Nova cried out, chasing the ship.
“Nova, stop the ship,” Atlas shouted behind her, sprinting after Phoenix. “We need to get her back.”
But they never caught the ghostly vessel as it broke out of the arena and lifted high above the small island the band of shadows called home.
Nova felt an angry ball of power settle into her chest as Phoenix rejoined what was left of his crew on the deck and offered one final, arrogant glance down at her. The ship sailed higher, breaking through the haze of clouds and disappearing.
Nova released a cry of frustration as Atlas breathed heavily next to her. “Where are they taking her?” he said.
Nova glared at the skies. “To the temple.”
“Why?” he said, sounding angry. “She has nothing to do with this. Where’s Katherine?”
Nova faced him, her lips curled down in an angry scowl. “Dead, Atlas. Phoenix killed her because of me. The Djinn at the temple is using Raine to get me to let her i
n. She has taken everyone from me, and now she is going to pay for all she’s done.”
Chapter 16
Rise of the Shadows
Varick stood at the center of the circle. The fire light danced across the attentive audience, the flickering shadows playing imaginative scenes across their pale faces. Nova leaned on her knees next to Kale, who listened with keen interest like any good soldier. Atlas was particularly glum and cross at any mention of Raine.
“She was our responsibility!” he’d raved when Nova had dared asked if he was faring well. “She should’ve never stayed behind.”
Briggs stood next to Varick; after rejoining his captain, he seemed to be ten years younger and perfectly returned to the true element of his heart. Hadwin was on the other side, his gold eyes blazing in fury for the attack on the temple. He’d been unable to defend against the power of Lurlina surging through Phoenix and had taken the blood of those who’d fallen upon his own hands.
“The Great Djinn has found us,” Varick said solemnly. “She has manipulated even more of your brothers and sisters. There is no one in the room who has not been affected by her greed and disdain for the people of the kingdom below and the people of Launi. We must decide tonight how we proceed.
“For so long, Hadwin has crossed through the shroud separating our worlds and taking the oppressed out of the reach of the Djinn, but as we saw today she has been making new deals with desperate souls to do her bidding. If we do not stand against her, it is only a matter of time before she overtakes Launi Kingdom, and there shall be no mercy for those who rebelled. You know where I stand. She has my Kamali, and I must fight for my family, but I have never lived beneath her rule, so I will leave it to this council to decide the course of the band of shadows.”
Varick gave a stoic glance to the entirety of the circle before sitting on the other side of Nova. It was silent, a silence that made even the calmest of people turn flips in their insides. The decision was a precipice of life and death. Nova could sense the deliberation between the people she’d come to respect. The band of shadows, once her enemies, were none other than people fighting for the freedom they so desperately deserved. They were the people of the Djinn, the first people. Her mother had cared enough for their well-being to risk her life freeing them. A burst of emotion solidified deep in her throat. These were her people.
Hadwin cleared his throat, though his voice was so smooth, so clear it was a pointless habit he had developed. “I made a vow many years ago to stop my sister, Lurlina, and her tyrannical reach. I’ve seen her power, I’ve been a part of her devious plans. I know what she’s capable of. I am Djinn, and you, my friends, are not. I will continue to fight for your freedom, but I would never fault anyone who decided to leave this cause now. If we go against the temple, it will not end without sacrifice.”
Kale shifted uncomfortably next to her, Nova watched him out of the corner of her eye, wondering what he was thinking as a young man stood up once Hadwin stopped speaking. The young man had shoulder length ebony hair. When the firelight shone on his hair, it seemed to burst in shiny blue flames. His face was pale, but not to the extent of the others who had remained on the island. It seemed as if he’d traveled beneath the white sun and had a pleasant coloring. He was taller than most of the men she’d met in the band of shadows, but had the same thin, nimble frame the other acrobatic warriors shared. And a warrior was what he was, made clear by the long, curved blade hanging menacingly on his hip.
“I stand with you, Hadwin. You have never led us astray. Commander Varick, you have helped us more than we can re-pay, beginning with your wife. Without you, I would have never found my sister,” he said, pointing to the stunning, raven-haired woman next to him. “I will not let you take on this battle alone. I, and Talia, will stand with you.”
“Thank you, Maddox,” Varick said.
Slowly, the people surrounding the blaring fire stood, gripping their blades. Their faces were determined, ready, but more touching—they were willing. Nova swallowed the pride in her throat, watching the strength shine forth through the band of shadows. Men and women alike were willing to risk it all to save those from below who fought against them. Those who had attacked without thought for their lives were those the band of shadows would have risked their lives defending. An incredible sense of valor, honor, and power surged through the large circle. Those were feelings Nova had gone without during the years spent amongst the pirates of the Launi. She smiled, feeling the sting of tears brim across her eyes. This was a fight worth fighting. This was a purpose worth having.
“I’m with ye, Varick,” Briggs said gruffly, slapping her father’s shoulder hard. Varick smiled and nodded, glancing around the circle.
“I’m going,” Atlas suddenly said, standing with a cutlass firmly in hand. “That pirate has our companion, and I cannot stand by while she’s trapped in that pit.”
“I’m going too, Father,” Nova said quietly.
Varick’s jaw clenched and he closed his eyes. “Nova, you are what Lurlina wants most. She’s not going to let you go easily. Love, you don’t know the things she’s capable of using against you. She could use your mother or even me to force you to comply to her desires.”
“I have to,” she said. “Whether we like it or not, I am part of the Djinn, I am a part of these people, and I need to end this or I will never be free of her.”
Varick took her hand in his. His countenance was sullen and troubled. “I could never imagine the things you have accomplished in my absence. I won’t stand in your way, Nova, but I cannot live with myself if anything ever happened to you. I insist you train with some of the band and Hadwin to prepare yourself.”
Her shoulders slumped but she nodded. “I’ll do what needs to be done.”
Kale stared straight ahead, the muscles in his jaw twitching as his eyes seemed to glaze over. She wrapped her hand beneath his arm and tugged him slightly closer. Drifting from his daze, he took her hand in his and smiled. “I’m with you,” he said. But Nova sensed there was something beneath the surface he was keeping hidden.
Varick stood tall and strong. “It is unanimous. We will go to Dia and we will end the rule of the Djinn once and for all. We cannot do this alone, my friends. There are many people throughout Launi who will rise to our cause, and we must find them out and appeal to their services. We will separate into groups to bring them together, but keep your defenses high. Not all those we seek will be allies at first. Many are dangerous.
“But, for tonight, return to your families. Enjoy peace for now, for soon our lives will change more than we could ever imagine.”
The small gathering broke, slowly and with a somber fear rippling throughout the band of shadows. Atlas followed Maddox and his sister as they gathered weapons for inventory, while Varick and Briggs were surrounded by several warriors before leaving.
Hadwin eyed Nova, notably uncomfortable since their first meeting. Her eye fell to a gold barrel in the folds of his dark clothing. It was the gun her father had used to frighten away Phoenix. The gold weapon glinted in the dying firelight, and the markings ignited a comfortable strength in her soul.
“What is so special about that gun?” she asked, surprising Hadwin.
He looked at his belt, then withdrew the weapon. “It is made with Djinn power, just like your dagger. It is made with my power,” he said, holding it out for her to inspect. “A Djinn can infuse one object in their lifetime with power to help a mortal twist their own fate. I have heard of Djinn legends stating we are beings granting wishes with lamps and such foolishness. If we join with a mortal, we can offer them something they can draw power from—like your dagger. It was Lurlina’s. She created it long ago for one of the sorry souls she used to manipulate. Your mother stole it from her when your father took her from the mountain.
“When I saw it, I almost couldn’t believe I was seeing it again. Be careful with that blade, Nova. If it goes against Lurlina, its loyalties may change.”
“Who did you cre
ate your gun for?” she asked, gulping down the heavy burden of her own Djinn weapon.
“Your father, of course. When I learned of Lurlina passing her power to that pirate captain, I knew he would come after Varick. He would need to use a weapon against him, especially after we found the wreckage from his former first mate. Your father said that man had kept you captive.”
“You saw the Vengeance? What happened?”
“Phoenix found the ship and disposed of it. After I saw that, I knew Varick would need protection.”
Nova nodded. “I’m grateful you made it for him.”
Hadwin smiled, returning the gun to his belt before rocking awkwardly as silence encompassed them.
“So,” Nova began slowly. “Should I call you Uncle Hadwin or something?”
Hadwin chuckled and shook his head. “I think Hadwin will be just fine.”
Nova smiled as he offered a kind nod before returning to Varick’s side. For a moment, Nova took in the fading scene of the band of shadows. She was one final step from getting her family back. So much had happened since she’d ran from Arbeiten, and something told her the end was coming, but it would be the greatest trial of them all.
Kale sat on the beach, just beyond the line of the heavy brush of trees. The hazy peach-colored clouds floated by lazily. It seemed the barrier of the Below was much closer, and less light made it clear the micro-island was nestled far beneath the upper Launi Kingdom.
Nova watched him from behind for a moment, enjoying the way the sunlight brightened the dark shadow he’d worn on his features since the meeting. The dark pants the band of shadows had offered her hugged her legs, but the color trapped the heat of the sun, adding a muggy discomfort to her attire. A kind woman had given her plum flower soaps to wipe clean the snarls and grime from her rose-gold curls, and the breeze wrapped them around her shoulders in soft waves. In the two days since the council fire, the island had repaired itself from the battle and burial arrangements for the fallen people had commenced.
