Page 113 of Children of Virtue and Vengeance

Roën steers us until the coast is only a speck on the horizon. The wind turbine shudders as it comes to a stop. He throws the anchor overboard before removing his shirt and kicking off his pants.

“Is this a ploy to get me naked?” I ask.

“Zïtsol,we both know I don’t need ploys for that.”

He unzips the smaller of the two bags and pulls out two strange-looking masks. As he works, I remove my tunic, leaving only the wrap fastened around my chest.

“Listen closely.” Roën fastens the first mask around my head. “Bite down. Breathe in. Don’t let go of my hand.”

I stay still as he tightens the straps, running my tongue over the built-in mouth guard. It takes a few breaths before the oxygen begins flowing. The stale air dries my throat.

“Do everything I do,” Roën continues before fitting the second mask over his head. “There’s no time to hesitate.”

Before I can ask a single question, he pulls his mask over his face. With a grunt, he throws one bag overboard and stretches out his hand. I don’t get a chance to brace myself before we jump in.

I clench my teeth at the ocean’s bite. It feels like crashing through a sheet of ice. Bubbles fly as water surrounds us. I squeeze Roën’s hand, allowing the weight of his bag to drag us farther down.

My breath hitches when we slow to a stop and we hang, suspended in pure blackness. Roën guides my hands to the rusted chain connecting us to the boat above. From the way he squeezes my grip, I can almost hear him saying, “Hold on.”

I squeeze the chains as my breaths start to slow. There’s a strange peace this far underwater. I take it in as Roën brushes my side, hands moving to the large bag. He unhooks the latch and I have to squint at the glow. Orbs of light float up from the opened bag, all connected in a spiderweb of chains.

What is this?I tilt my head at the sight. The orbs fill the water above our heads, shining bright through the darkness. The spiderweb of light brings the ocean to life. I can hardly believe my eyes. A rush spreads through me like the first time I watched Mama do magic.

There’s no place fish don’t swim. Long eels with silver scales zip under our feet. Crabs with metallic shells skitter along the surrounding coral reefs. A giant sea turtle passes overhead, so close it swims through loose strands of Roën’s hair. My breath shudders as I run my fingers over the reflective mosaic on its shell.

The sea turtle swims toward the spiderweb of light, joining the thousands of fish now circling above our heads. The sight is so majestic I nearly lose my grip on the rusted chain. I didn’t know the water I loved could be so beautiful.

I try to catch Roën’s gaze, but he stares off into the distance. With no warning, he snaps into action, removing a crossbow from his pack that’s loaded with a flat hook instead of an arrow.

What’s going on?I drift closer to him, trying to figure out what he’s doing. He grabs my wrist and kicks down, taking us deeper into the blackness.

A speck of light shines in the distance, glowing brighter over time. But as seconds pass, I realize that it’s not glowing brighter.

It’s growing bigger as it races toward us.

I try to kick away, but Roën forces me to stay. It’s difficult to remain still when he places the crossbow against his shoulder and takes aim. The beast cuts through the water like a cannon, so large it changes the ocean’s currents. It lights up the sea with its approach. My heart thrashes when it nears.

For the love of Oya.

My chest constricts as the blue whale zooms overhead, so big I can’t take it all in. The sight is so bewildering, I forget to breathe.

The blue whale fills an entire stretch of ocean, glowing like the bioluminescent plankton of Jimeta’s coast. The light spreads from the tip of its nose to the flukes of its tail. It’s like the fabric of night shines through its smooth skin.

The beast opens its mouth to feed, consuming the tornado of fish that swim above. It devours thousands in one bite. Then it begins its ascent.

Hold on!

I feel the words through Roën’s grip. He hooks an arm around my waist as I wrap both of mine around him. With a jolt, he pulls the trigger of his bow, launching the flat hook through the water, and the projectile connects under the whale’s massive flipper. A moment is all we have before the connecting cord yanks us through the water.

Every bone in my body rattles as we shoot forth. It’s like being pulled by a thousand elephantaires. Water pounds against our skin as we fly through the ocean at unimaginable speeds. The whale’s glow lights up the sea like the sun, illuminating more than any lanterns ever could.

Massive stingrays flash by. Rainbow scales crackle across the water like lightning. It all feels like a dream, one I never want to end.

I wheeze as we breach the surface. The whale arcs through the air, so large it blocks out the moon.

Roën’s arms wrap around me as he lets go of our connection. The beast twists in a circle before crashing back into the sea.

“Brace yourself!” Roën yells over the roar.

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