by LJ Andrews
Nova rolled her eyes but watched as Kobb moved impressively with the dangerous liquid, never spilling a drop or missing the intended location with his chair.
“I ain’t never been to the Unknown,” Kobb finally said. “But I knows how to make guns strong enough to make it through.”
“How do you know the guns are strong enough if you’ve never been there,” Nova asked, folding her arms over her chest. Kobb was eccentric and crude, and she wasn’t going to take his word for it so easily.
With a loud chuckle, which crackled the longer it went on, Kobb shook his head. “Yer pretty sure ye know everythin’ about the way to the Djinn, ain’t ye, girl.”
Nova took a deep breath, suddenly feeling self-conscious as Kobb removed his goggles to wipe tears from his eyes. Without the magnification, Kobb’s green eyes were small and narrow, practically disappearing beneath his bushy gray eyebrows.
“I don’t pretend to know everything,” Nova said.
Kobb’s eyebrows raised, stretching his skin usually covered by the goggles. “Okay, whatever ye say, girl. I knows the guns work because I talk to the men whenever they come back from the mountain. There be more people who travel to Dia then people know. I figure that be why the Djinn hate us so much and want ta take over. We keeps on takin’ resources, see,” Kobb paused, returning the goggles to his eyes to glance at her while he poured the boiling copper down a coiled tubing attached to a small, square stone box. “See this’ll keep the copper fresh until I needs it again.”
He looked at her, seemingly disappointed in her lack of reaction. “Listen, girl. Don’t take me word for it, then. Just go ask yer da’ and ol’ Briggsy. He be the one who brought the copper, how’d you think he knew what ta do?”
Nova’s mouth dropped. “You helped my father get to the temple?”
“The whole lot of them pirates under Phoenix. It been years now, Varick came as a young buccaneer an’ asked for the weapons. He made it back now, didn’t he? An’ now I’ll be buildin’ up all the weapons here.”
Nova clenched her jaw as she remembered why she’d come. “Mr. Kobb, did you take my dagger?”
Her voice was dark and angry as she imagined him corrupting the Djinn blade with black copper.
“I’ve got somethin’ special fer ye, girl,” Kobb said, turning his chair quickly, and wheeling to a long wooden box. He lifted a small, gold hilt. It seemed as if he’d begun to form a blade and just forgot to make the blade.
“What is this?” she asked, taking the handle and rolling it over in her palm. “Where’s my dagger, Kobb?”
“Push the bottom side with yer grip like this,” he said, mimicking someone squeezing a sword’s hilt.
Nova sighed heavily, frustration spilling through her veins, but the strange man looked at her with such bottled excitement, she relented. Applying gentle pressure to the handle, Nova jumped back when a glittering, sharp blade burst from the inside.
“How…how did you do this?” She asked, bewildered. “How could the blade fit on the inside?”
“It’s me spring-loaded design, very secret,” Kobb said, clapping his hands with glee. “It be a compact weapon, fully prepared to see battle.”
Setting the dagger on the wooden table, Nova frowned. “That’s all well and good, Kobb, but I want my dagger. It’s very important.”
“Ye know the Great Djinn’ll be lookin’ to rid ye of that dagger right away. Let me help—make it stronger against her wrath.”
Nova shook her head, feeling a worry pass through her as she wondered if Kobb had already done something to her dagger. “Give me my dagger, Kobb. Now.”
Rolling his eyes and releasing a breath of air dramatically, he reached into the wooden box and pulled out the jeweled hilt. The dagger gleamed brilliantly beneath the lantern light. “Fine, ye stubborn girl. Take yer dagger, but don’t be cryin’ when that witch below breaks it in two.”
“Thank you,” Nova said turning to leave.
“Wait a minute,” Kobb called out. “At least give me the honor of usin’ me other dagger occasionally. I spent a fair bit of me time on it.” Nova smiled faintly and took the hilt of Kobb’s creation. “Just push the small button on the back of the hilt to retract the blade.”
Nova saw a small gold knob, and after touching it lightly, the blade whipped back into the curious structure inside the handle. “Thank you, Kobb, I’m sure it will prove useful.”
Nova walked briskly out of the room, trying to place as much distance between her dagger and Kobb.
Watching her go, Kobb rested back against his chair, ignoring the yellow eyes of Patus emerging from the darkness of the back room. The creature sent shivers down his spine, but he was a necessary evil presence to have—at least that was what Varick kept saying.
“Do you suppose it will solve our problem?” Patus asked, joining Kobb as they both watched in the direction Nova had gone. His voice made Kobb’s skin crawl.
“I done all I could do. It be in her hands now. Have ye got that Kismet artifact workin’ yet?”
Patus smirked. “The Great Djinn has used hers, as we hoped. Now, once I get the stone we will connect to the temple.”
“It can work through the Unknown?”
Patus nodded. “Of course, our power can see through the Unknown. But these people don’t need to know that. I trust you will keep it a secret, Mr. Kobb. You know how important it is her choices seem unguided.”
“Yeah, yeah, I knows. Now, I got a fair bit o’ work to do if ye don’t mind.”
Patus nodded and smugly sauntered from the room, leaving Kobb shivering from his eerie presence.
Chapter 14
Left Behind
Atlas stared out at the sky with its tendrils of clouds in the distance filled with falling rain. He leaned against one shoulder, his body slumped from fatigue. Nova tried to remember the last time she’d seen him so pensive. Something troubled him and deeply.
The docks were empty apart from them. The others had retired inside the tunnels as the storm from the North had grown in strength and threatened to beat against the island furiously once nightfall came. Silently, Nova cursed the storm for delaying them further in their departure. As she tied a heavy rope around a large burlap bag, Atlas had turned and stood at her side; she could nearly feel the torment washing around his thoughts.
“Do you really think she’s trapped out there?” he asked, keeping his eyes straight ahead.
Her brow furrowed. “Do you mean Raine?” she said, folding several linens before placing them in a large crate.
He nodded. “I mean, it could all be a lie. She could be safe.”
Nova bit her lip. “I hope it isn’t true, Atlas.”
“Don’t skirt around it, Nova,” he said sternly. “You’ve always spoken true with me. Tell me what you really believe.”
She swallowed hard, pounding the top to the linen crate until it sealed tightly. “It felt as if Lurlina was telling the truth. She wanted me to know where Raine was as if to taunt me. I think she wants us to cross into the Unknown, Atlas. We’re more vulnerable.”
His eyes darkened and the toned muscles in his neck tightened. “I never realized how good Raine was until she was taken. I feel a sort of…responsibility to get her back. I can’t rest until we do.”
“You two seemed close when we were all at the Tuckers,” Nova agreed. “I have to be honest Atlas, I didn’t know you cared so much. You’ve seemed…well, occupied since coming here.”
Atlas looked sideways at her, a glint of shame hidden in their depths. “All the female companionship I can ask for, yet I still wake up lonely and longing for something. I can’t seem to rid her from my mind. I just want to get her back in one piece. That’s all.” he said, turning back into the cave. Before he disappeared into the shadows of the tunnel, he turned and spoke softly. “I know we’ve had an… interesting relationship, Nova. But I am happy you’re happy with Tucker. Don’t tell him I said this, but he’s a good one. Sometimes, it’s hard to see something g
ood in front of you. Don’t take him for granted, especially when we don’t know what the future holds.”
Atlas tipped his head, gave her shoulder a tight squeeze, and left before she could say anything more. Nova leaned back against the crate, watching him go. It was strange to hear the words come from Atlas. As much as he wanted to hide them, she saw deep feelings inside him, feelings even he didn’t seem to want to admit. Raine was at the epicenter of his torment.
Nova looked at the distant clouds, inwardly vowing to find Raine and bring her home safely, not just for her sake, but for Atlas, too.
“There you are,” Kale’s deep voice came from behind. His strong hand wrapped around hers and pulled her against his chest.
Nova allowed her tense body to melt against him. He carried a heavy leather strap over his shoulders filled with flintlocks and coiled knives pulsing with the reddish black copper. She trailed her fingers along the hilt of one of the daggers, her eyes welling and her chest tightening with emotion.
“What is it?” he asked, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I want you to stay here. Stay with Jenna and Theo, Kale. Please,” her voice cracked.
For a moment, he said nothing. “I told you once before. Don’t try and go anywhere without me again. I’m not staying behind, Nova. I’m going to see this through with you.”
Shaking her head, she buried her face in the folds of his shirt. “Please. I can’t do this if you’re there. I just can’t…”
“What? Can’t what?” he said, his voice on edge.
“I can’t lose you, Kale.” It was over. Hot tears mixed with the burn of the Djinn inside her creating an unpleasant, painful release of emotion as she wrapped her arms tighter around him. “Lurlina…when I was in the fever…she threatened you. Kale, she’s going to strike at you to get to me. Please, I can’t lose you, too. I’d never forgive myself.”
Nova wiped at her eyes, feeling the cool wind blow as the storm crept ever closer. She wanted to stay in the moment forever. She wanted to forget what was about to happen. The terrors sure to find them in the Unknown. She wanted to forget the boiling, dark power surging throughout her body and return to her beloved Mollem, with Kale at her side.
Both his hands found her face as he forced her to look up at him. She saw the red tinge of emotion in the whites of his eyes as he spoke. “I can’t sit back and watch you do this alone, Nova. How you are feeling is the same way I feel. When you left me at my father’s house, it nearly destroyed me. Not knowing what was going to happen to you, or if I’d ever see you again. And when you went into your fever, it was the same, only worse because there was nothing I could do. I will not do that again.”
Nova allowed him to pull her closer. As if their hearts knew the trials which were to come, the passion which passed their lips as he pulled her face to his sent a surge of warmth through her heart. His back was pressed against the wall, but it seemed as if she could not get close enough. She closed any gaps between them as he kissed her.
Kale gripped her curls, drawing his lips across her jawline. Finally pulling back, Nova rested her head against his chest and stayed in silence, wrapped in his arms as they watched, somberly, the storm roll over the coastline like the looming darkness building in her chest.
Kale had finally brought them inside after tying down the supplies once the winds picked up outside. The tunnels all whistled as rogue wind bursts found small openings in the sides of the island. Nova rubbed the chill away from her arms as she walked toward her room. Briggs had asked for Kale’s help moving a large arsenal toward the mouth of the cave. Reluctantly, she’d parted with him, only with his assurance of being together later.
“We must rest for the night,” Talia’s voice carried through the tunnel, ahead of her.
Nova turned a slight bend and ran into Talia and Maddox by the arena door. “Are you going in to train again?” Nova asked. Both siblings practically lived in the arena, but this was borderline obsessive.
Talia sighed. “I’m trying to convince my foolish brother to rest so he will be sharp if we depart tomorrow. Hopefully, this storm will allow it.”
Nova nodded, looking up as a wind gust tumbled something over their heads along the island’s surface. “She’s right. We all should be getting rest.”
“I don’t need you telling me what I need to do. You rarely train, instead spending your time frivolously in the arms of your human lover.”
Nova hung her head, growing tired of Maddox’s complaints against her. “Here it goes again,” she said under her breath.
Maddox scowled as he sheathed his curved sword. “I tire of you pretending to be one of us. You play the part of love-struck female well,” Maddox said. “But when will you play the part of the Djinn? Because we only need one of the two.”
“Enough,” Nova shouted, her voice echoing along the tunnel. “Quit pretending you know what it is like to be me. Yes, I love someone, is it such a terrible thing? Didn’t my father, who you seem to revere as your great leader, didn’t he love a Djinn? Isn’t this why he joins with Hadwin and the band of shadows…for her?”
“No,” Maddox said, scoffing at her as Talia moved to the side, notably uncomfortable. “This is where you are wrong. Your father fought the Great Djinn before knowing your mother had been taken. He would still fight with us, even if the Lost Djinn weren’t there. Could you say the same? Or would you settle into a comfortable life, denying your power if your parents were tucked away safely in Launi?”
“Nova, do not listen to my brother’s mad ravings,” Talia said trying to tear Maddox away.
“No, she should know how we feel. Your mother fought for what was right, even though she could lose everything. You are not the Djinn we need. You will cave beneath the power of the Great Djinn, and it will destroy us and those depending on us.”
“You don’t know that,” Nova said angrily. “I am committed to the band of shadows, to my family, and to the people Lurlina has trapped. I can do what needs to be done.”
“Even if it means you have to give up Kale? If it were a choice between saving his life and killing the Djinn which would you choose?”
Nova opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came as the question gave her pause. The answer wasn’t clear. Could she do what she needed to do to end this battle?
“Just as I thought,” Maddox said. “You will be a valuable addition to the battle because of your skill with the blade, but not as the Djinn who leads us to break the Great Djinn’s hold on the oppressed in her courts.”
“I can do what needs to be done,” Nova called after him.
“Don’t listen to him, Nova,” Talia said. “Truly. My brother says things for his own reasons. Between you and me, he’s blinded by what motivates him just as much as you are motivated by those you love. He just doesn’t see it the same. You are exactly who we need. See you tomorrow.”
Nova wandered the halls, her chest tightening to the point her breathing was labored. Maddox’s words filling her thoughts until she imagined she would burst. But it was clear, if her mother or father, or Kale, or even Atlas and Briggs were under peril, would she continue the fight if it meant she would lose them?
Finally, she knocked on the door she knew could help. Her mind was too muddled to see anything clearly. Her father was still dressed, his weapons strung over his shoulders and on his belt as if he had expected to meet a small battle in the hallway.
“Ah, it’s always good to see your beautiful face,” he said smiling when he opened his door. “Come in, Love. We were just finishing.”
Nova stepped into his quarters. “Oh, Captain Tucker,” she said smiling. “It’s so good to see you, sir.”
Nova crossed the room as Kale’s father stood, his right shoulder bandaged in a cloth sling, immobilized across his body.
“Nova, I am so relieved to hear you’re all right. I’ve been getting to know your father and discussing a few strategies on how to move forward.”
Nova bit her lip. “You a
ren’t planning on coming to the Unknown, are you?” she asked, thinking of Jenna.
Captain Tucker nodded. “Don’t let this shoulder fool you. I still have a skip in my step. After the attack on my island and my family, I take it as a personal invitation to join the charge.”
Nova felt her stomach turn in sick knots as Captain Tucker tipped his head and bowed out of the room.
“Father, don’t let him go,” she said once the door was closed.
Varick chuckled softly. “I don’t think I could keep the man from the ship, Nova. He’s determined, much like you and I, but don’t worry. I will do all I can to keep him out of the temple. I’ve asked him to be the captain of the ship, but this also means staying with the ship.”
Nova sighed, opening a book full of star charts and inner workings of islands. Varick took the book from her and sat on the edge of the table in the center of his room.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked, patting the empty spot next to him.
She plopped down, resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make the hard choices at the temple if it means someone I love is going to get hurt.”
“Where is this coming from?” he asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. She just shrugged. “Maybe I can guess. Maddox?”
Nova pulled up, meeting his eye. “How did you know?”
Varick chuckled. “Talia may have spilled her brother has been giving you a tough time for mingling with mere mortals.”
Frustration toward Maddox boiled in the center of her chest, sending a rush of blood to her face. “I don’t know what I ever did to make him hate me so much. No matter what skills I have, or power, or whatever, it’s never enough. He still says I’m going to fail.”
“Nova,” Varick said, pulling her against his side. “Don’t let Maddox get under your skin. Every person on this island would be lying if they said they aren’t doing this out of love for someone else. Maddox included. Don’t be so hard on him, he has his own reasons for being desperate for us to succeed.”
