Page 77 of Court of Secrets and Flames

Curiosity grips me, along with a budding sense of unease. I have no idea why anyone would go to such lengths to disguise a ship, but they must have their reasons.None of which are on the up and up.

Curiosity battles caution, and caution loses. Even if the situation didn’t intrigue me, I can’t afford to look a gift boat in the mouth.

Not when a secret boat might be the answer to a sneaky escape if Leesa and I end up needing one.

I descend to get a better look. As I get closer, though, my skin starts to crawl. Either my imagination is running away with me, or something on that ship is giving off seriously bad vibes. The kind of bad vibes that scream at me to fly back the way I came without delay.

I should probably follow my gut, my do I? Of course not. Instead, I circle while debating my next move. That’s probably why I don’t notice I have company until a winged man bursts from the shelter of the trees.

The surprise is far less alarming than the nocked arrow aimed at me.

Whiz.I dive just in time to miss the projectile that sings over my head. Adrenaline explodes in my veins, and I power my wings as fast as I can, zigzagging to avoid getting hit. I zoom between two trees, tunneling through the branches and banking to the left to avoid the sudden downpour.

Shit. As if the arrows weren’t bad enough, this murderous dickbag had to go and add water magic to the mix.

My short sword is worthless in an air fight, and with my lack experience, flying requires all my concentration just to maneuver. That liability becomes even more obvious when another downpour drenches my wings and throws my balance off. I overcompensate in a desperate bid to remain in the sky and almost nosedive instead.

Getting my shit together right about now would be a good idea.

Ignoring my mounting fear, I summon the magic coursing through my veins and use the fire to send heat into my wings. The soaked feathers dry, allowing me to regain my lost control and speed.

Even harnessing that tiny bit of magic midflight proves to be a challenge. Still, when another arrow zooms by too close for comfort, I conjure a fireball and fling it behind me.

Glancing over my shoulder, my stomach drops. Not only did I miss the target, but the asshole’s gaining on me. To make matters worse, a second flyer pops out of the forest to the left, causing my heart to buck against my ribs.

I toss another fireball in his direction before changing trajectories and flapping the hells out of my wings. The entire time, my mind keeps repeating the stupidest thing.

You’re going to die. You’re going to die because you were nosy about a godsdamned ship.

If only I could go back in time. I’d ignore the cove like it wasn’t even there and stick to my plan of wading in the ocean water instead.

A savage gust of wind snatches up my body, answering my unasked question about which element the second guy commands. The force somersaults me before chucking medownward. Dizziness swamps my head as I plunge into the trees, my arm stinging as a dry branch scrapes the skin.

By Ziva’s grace, I somehow manage to stop my plummet prior to going splat. Mocking laughter chases me.

“Give it up! You know you can’t outfly us!”

The worst part is? They’re right. Already, I’m tiring. The muscles powering my wings are fatiguing, and quickly. The town awaits somewhere up ahead, but it’s too far away. I won’t reach it in time to ask for help.

Emotions swell. Fear of what will happen to Leesa and my mother. Regret because I’ve only just tasted freedom.

And heartache, over Knox.

Gasping for breath, I burrow through the trees. I can’t die here. If I do, what will happen to my body? Will everyone realize I was murdered, or will they assume I escaped? The idea that Leesa might believe I left her behind fills me with horror.

I can’t even allow myself to think about Knox’s reaction.

No dying, then. Perfect. Now I just need to figure out how exactly to achieve that outcome.

My mind spins to fabricate a plan. Accessing my magic without worrying about crashing would go a long way toward keeping my blood pumping.

That settles it. I need to land.

I swoop toward the ground, rolling to avoid yet another arrow while mentally preparing to take my last stand.

The second attacker’s voice sounds entirely too close. “So much for the touted dragoncaller! Guess we’ll see if she bleeds the same as everyone else.”

I should have sucked it up and watched Dame eat the damn pig.

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