by Eliza Tilton
Hold. Now!
Using my anger to fuel the command, I pushed the order down the magical bond. It only stopped the others. The rogue zombie continued chasing Arabella.
The sunlight ahead let me see how close the creature came to reaching her. Bone fingers snatched at the ends of her hair, only missing by an inch.
Arabella sprinted out of the cave to the rocky shore, stumbling through the water. Her dress caught on her heel, and she fell into the sea, screaming.
“No!” I ran to her, weapon raised.
A man appeared from the side and swung a sword into the zombie, slicing him in two. Arabella screamed, and I dashed forward. The waves crashed around her, and she flailed her arms above the surface.
I dove into the ocean and grabbed her. Water spurted out of her mouth, and she clung to my arms. I lifted her out and carried her over to the grassy part of the shore. Her clothes were drenched, and she coughed.
The mysterious stranger, dressed in a white tunic and matching pants, smirked at me. His irises were a vibrant yellow-green. “Is the lady all right?”
I tugged her closer to my chest, recognizing the stranger’s harsh voice. Shifty. “She’s fine.”
“Thank you, sir,” Arabella said.
When we reached the grass, I placed Arabella on the ground. I examined her hand where I had seen the blood, only a small gash. “Are you hurt?”
She pulled her hand away, tears in her eyes.
I’m dirt. I know it. This is my fault.
“Take this.” Shifty dropped a cloak around her shaking shoulders. “The mines aren’t a safe place.”
I eyed him, wondering who’s body he decided to possess.
“Arabella, I can take you home.” I ignored Shifty’s grin and helped her to her feet.
“No, Edgard will be worried. I’ll ride home.” She whistled, and a black mare charged down the hill. When the mare reached her, Arabella latched onto the saddle and pulled herself up into the seat. “Goodbye.”
My stomach clenched. The hurt in her eyes intensified the pain of losing her. She nudged the horse forward, leaving me and Shifty alone.
When she was over the hill, I turned around. “What are you doing?”
Shifty sheathed his sword. He was different than the few times I saw him in his human form. His jet-black hair made his light-yellow eyes brighten, and there was color in his normally pale cheeks. I thought back to the souls he took. Is that how he was able to stay in this form, or was this the vessel he needed?
“I was in the area,” Shifty said.
“I doubt that.”
He laughed and opened his arms wide. “Leo, Leo, such a sour boy. You should be happy. You’ve got everything you want.”
Nausea spread through me, and spots blocked my vision. I dropped to the ground and vomited.
“Still not able to hold that in?”
“Shut up.” I wiped my mouth and face and took a few deep breaths.
“I would love to stay and converse, but I have a very busy day.”
I glanced up at him, squinting at the sunlight. “What could you possibly have to do?”
He grinned, and it sent a chill through my already cold body. “You’ll see.”
Shifty whistled while he strolled away from the shore and up the hill. There was nothing that way except the port. Before I could go spy on him, I had to get rid of the corpse on the beach.
The body was far enough on the sand that the water barely reached it. I walked over and rolled the zombie farther out, rot and blood mixed in the clear sea. Digging my boots into the sand, I shoved the creature into the waves until they took the dead into their arms. I plopped on the sand and watched the thing I created roll and crash until it disappeared forever.
How did I get here?
Everything was wrong and only getting worse.
An ache filled my head, and all I wanted was the comfort of my bed. I sloshed my way back to the port, the whole time thinking of Arabella and what happened in the mines. She came too close to being attacked. How could I keep her safe? How was I supposed to keep any of them safe?
I wasn’t powerful enough to control those things, and I was petrified at what I’d have to do to get that much magic. The price was already too high. Questions buzzed in my head, making it throb around the sides.
After I splashed my face with water, I turned to head home. It had been a few days since I had been there. Momma was doing better, and the baby was okay, but the doctor had put Momma on bed rest. I didn’t make nearly enough at the post to pay for everything we needed. Mr. Barnum was kind enough to give us medicine, but soon he’d need coin.
Arbiter sat on the branch in the oak—his permanent home. I opened the front door and heard Francesca giggling in the living room.
She sat on a chair, holding a tea cup, dressed in her fancy pink dress, bonnet and all.
Across from her, Shifty sat in my pa’s chair, legs crossed while sipping tea.
“Leo!” Francesca put her tea on the end table, stood, and dragged me into the room. “This is Mr. Christoff Capetian.”
“Nice to meet you.” Shifty raised his cup with a fake smile.
“Why is he here? Where’s Ma?”
“Excuse us.” Francesca tugged me out of the room and into the kitchen. When we were out of earshot, she dropped the sweet tone. “Where have you been?”
“Working.”
She narrowed her brow, clearly not believing me. “It doesn’t matter,” she said with a shake of her head. “I have wonderful news.”
“What?” Crossing my arms, I waited for this wonderful news.
“You don’t have to worry about me marrying Mr. Owens.”
I didn’t like where this was going. “Why?”
“He’s offered his nephew’s hand instead.” She smiled wide, and panic had me tugging at my fingers.
“And who’s that?”
She glanced back at the living room. “Mr. Capetain, of course.”
Everything in me went numb. My heartbeat pounded in my chest. When I went to Shifty and told him of my problem, I wanted him to bewitch the owner or something to stop the marriage, not take his place. “You can’t.”
Francesca rolled her eyes. “It’s always something. No one will ever be good enough in your eyes.”
“That’s not true.” I was stumped as to what to say. I couldn’t tell her the truth about Christoff. “Trust me.”
“Francesca”—Shifty sauntered in—“sorry to interrupt, but I’m needed at my Uncle’s.”
She gave him her widest smile and held out her hand. “Of course.”
Shifty kissed her knuckles, giving me a wink as he did.
I’m going to kill him.
Marrying my sister was not the agreement. I agreed to set him free in order to save her, not take her. Hot anger rolled through me, and I balled my fists.
“It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said.
If I opened my mouth, neither of them would like what I had to say.
Francesca elbowed me in the side, and I noted the anger in her furrowed brow. She could hate me all she wanted.
I opened the door and held it. “I wouldn’t want your uncle to wait. Good day.”
Shifty’s lip curved into a grin. “Good day.”
He disappeared, and I slammed the door behind him.
“What’s your problem? He’s a nice man. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
He’s not a man.
I brushed past her to go to my room. I ignored the insults and anger she threw at my back; none of it mattered. My head ached, and I couldn’t think. After some sleep, I’d read all the damn tomes I could find to figure out how to kill Shifty.
My sister was not going to marry a demon.
Chapter 23
Arabella
&nb
sp; Tears blurred my vision. I gripped the reins for support and galloped back to the gardens before the sun set. None of this made sense. How could Leo be the necromancer? And now that I knew, what should I do?
Even I knew the punishment for such crimes.
Father told Edgard and me stories when we were children about the dangers of magic, how it twisted and turned until it had corrupted the soul from within. I could see it on Leo’s face—the hollowness. What about me? Would this ability change me into something evil? Edgard believed my magic was a gift from God. I prayed he was right.
When I reached the gardens, Edgard was outside the main gate, pacing.
“Where have you been?”
“For a run.” I slid off the horse and took the reins to lead the mare back to the corral.
“Why don’t I believe you?” Edgard groaned from behind. “You stole a horse and just went for a trot in the woods when you know they’re dangerous? We had a deal.”
I was too tired to argue and replied softly, “Sorry.”
He picked at my sleeve. “You’re soaked.”
I thought back to before and how Leo pulled me out of the water. When I fell into the ocean, the creature only feet behind me, I thought that would be the end. I would die, eaten alive by a beast the boy I cared for had brought to life. The memory sent a shiver through me.
“What happened?” All annoyance left Edgard’s voice.
“Can we go home now? I need to bathe. I’m tired.”
He frowned and waited for me to say more, but I didn’t. Finally, he sighed and took the horse from me. “I’ll put the horse back. Go wait in the wagon.”
I held the cloak around me, trying to get warm.
Who was that man on the beach? I never gave him a proper thank you. I’m sure Leo did. Still, it was very odd that a man dressed in such fine apparel would appear out of nowhere. Though, I was thankful he did.
Leo.
My heart hurt when I thought or said his name.
I shouldn’t have cared about a boy I barely knew, but I did and couldn’t stop the pain and want that flowed through me, warring with one another in an endless dance. Sunlight warmed my face, and when I climbed into the wagon, I breathed in the day and prayed.
I prayed for the men who’d died, and the ones who still would.
Leo might have been lost, but I wasn’t. If I couldn’t get through to him with words, I’d find another way.
Edgard returned, and soon we were heading home. He didn’t ask me any more questions. Every so often, he turned to me with a worried expression, and I looked away.
There was very little I could hide from my brother. When I was ready and had answers, I’d tell him about Leo.
We reached home before dusk, a blessing in this dark day. I didn’t wait for Edgard to help me out and jumped to the ground. My wet dress dragged across the dirt, turning the lace brown. Mother would be furious I’d ruined another.
Edgard opened the front door. “We’re home.”
Mother peeked her head out from the kitchen. “Oh, just in time! Nan and I have been working on this new soup recipe made with turnips, basil, and duck. I think we may have a new favorite.”
Her happy demeanor faded when she saw my dress. She hustled over and immediately started inspecting my clothes. “Arabella! What did you do to yourself?”
“Funny story.” Edgard laughed.
Mother glared at him. “How is my drenched daughter a funny story?”
“I’m fine,” I argued as she took the damp cloak away from me with a cringe on her face.
“Nan,” she called.
The servant promptly arrived. “Yes, ma’am?”
Mother handed over the cloak. “Take this and draw a bath for Arabella.”
“I’ll do it myself,” I grumbled.
I didn’t want anyone else around me, not even Nan. Normally, I’d wait for Nan to draw the bath and add the different oils and flowers, but I didn’t care about any of those frilly things. “I’m going upstairs.”
“All right,” Mother said to me, “but dinner will be ready shortly.”
Dinner was the last thing on my mind.
Sunlight reflected off the paisley-gold wallpaper in the bathroom. I locked the door behind me before turning on the hot water. The shelf next to the porcelain tub was arrayed with varying scented salts, oils, and soaps. I took a salt bottle and dumped the tiny flecks into the steaming bath.
I stripped the wet dress off my shivering body and threw the dripping lace on the tiled floor. A full-length mirror showcased every heinous scar on my skin. Taking my underthings off, I stared at my reflection and how the light hit the scars, igniting them pink. Standing there, I was a broken vessel. No boy would find this figure attractive. Even though I had a thin waist and curves, the image was ruined with jagged symbols and ancient Latin words. I moved my long hair over my chest to cover my damaged breasts. There wasn’t one area of my body I found beauty in.
When Leo gazed into my eyes, there was no disgust, only admiration and want. It was as if he could see past my scars. How could he be the necromancer? And what would I do about it? Leo had been nothing but kind to me. What if something darker in the mines had twisted his mind like Mr. Garrison?
I shut off the water and slipped into the bath, hoping to relax and think more clearly. The hot water kneaded my tired muscles, and I leaned against the tub. Stretching out, I wiggled my toes and tapped them against the rim.
In the corner of the ceiling was a spider webbing. I began to sing, partly to ease my nerves, but also to practice. Now, more than before, I needed to master this gift, embrace it, and make it my own weapon to wield.
Warmth spread from my chest out across my body, sending tingles to my arms and fingers. Raising my voice, I pointed at the spider, who spun, and let all my emotions out into this one verse. My voice choked on the words as they got harder to sing, the sadness overwhelming me.
I will not be a victim of this.
And neither will Leo.
If he won’t stop, then I need to make him.
With both hands out of the water, my fingers thrumming the air, I sang with my entire body until it zinged from the notes. The room vibrated with color, and heat surrounded me in a blanket. Instead of being afraid, I let it soothe me. I let all the magic inside me out into a dance of notes. They touched every plant and flower in the room, brightening the natural shades to vibrant hues of green and red. The room was alive with color. Tears spilled down my cheeks, but not from the aching hollow always in my bones, rather from the joy of the music. Music had always been my coping mechanism, a way for me to deal with the wrongs in the world.
Each note represented a loss, a love, a fear. I lost track of what I wanted the spider to do, only that I wanted it to keep spinning its web. When I finished, the spider crawled up the wall, leaving its massive web on display.
A web in the design of Leo’s face.
Chapter 24
Leo
No matter how much I turned and tossed, sleep wasn’t coming. My mind wouldn’t shut up with all the worries running through it. One decision had caused a domino destruction of everything in my life.
How do I fix this?
I flipped over and hugged my pillow to my chest. My stomach grumbled, and I couldn’t remember when I last ate. Yesterday? The constant ache in my head lingered, forcing me to close my eyes and plea for sleep.
Arabella was gone. What would she do? Would she tell everyone about me? If she did, they’d come. The whole port would descend on me like a plague of hungry locusts, and if they didn’t kill me, I’d be exiled or sent to prison. I couldn’t sleep, not yet. If they found me before I stopped Shifty, Francesca would spend the rest of her life paying for my mistake.
I swung my feet to the floor and found whatever strength I had left to stand.
There were two th
ings I needed to do before I went after Shifty, neither of which I wanted to do. It was still dark out, plenty of cover to sneak around. I needed a plan in order to make sure my family was secure and Shifty and Mr. Owens were both gone. Taking my dark cloak, I went into Momma’s room.
She slept on the bed. I knelt beside it and put my hands on top of the blanket. There was so much I wanted to tell her, apologize for. When she woke up, I’d be gone.
I can’t leave them with nothing, but how can I protect their future when I won’t be in it?
I reached over and took Momma’s hand in mine.
I would never survive this if I didn’t have an idea that would protect my family.
I kissed her hand and placed it back on the bed. She breathed in and out, and I memorized how delicate she appeared before leaving. I stopped by Francesca’s room and peeked in. She’d stretched out, fast asleep, one arm falling off the edge as she snored away. My little sister . . . She’d take it the worst. She wouldn’t understand, not that Ma wouldn’t be upset, but at least she could make sense out of this hell.
There was nothing more I could do here. I locked the house before leaving. Arbiter flew out from the tree and then landed on my shoulder. His talons dug into my clothes and kept me alert.
“We have some work to do,” I said. “Shifty’s in the port. I need you to be my eyes and find him. Once you do, watch until I call you.”
Arbiter cawed and took off into the clouded night sky. The only way to protect my family was with money. I wasn’t a robber, and right now I wished I had the guts to be one. It was bad enough I set monsters to kill those who may have deserved it, but taking from the richer folks who did nothing wrong?
Think. Think.
An idea formed in my head. No matter how much I hated the thought, I knew it was the only way.
With my cloak hiding my face, I walked on the outskirts of the port, counting the days Francesca said she’d wed in. Even though the previous arrangement was with Mr. Owens, I was sure Shifty slid into that same spot.
Three days.
I needed confirmation though. With only one church in the port, Father Henry would know. Father Henry lived a few houses down from the church. I had known him my whole life, good man, and one that would answer any trouble in the middle of the night.
