Page 101 of Children of Anguish and Anarchy

ZÉLIE

WHERE ARE YOU?

Anxiety churns my stomach into knots as I wait for the first wave to return. Slowly, videiras begin to sail back from the fleet.

Tzain and Köa are nowhere in sight.

I climb down from the pedestal of vines and pace the perimeter of our videira as we wait. Nailah sits in the back of the boat, ready for us to hit the coast.

We sit leagues behind the first wave, at the farthest point from the Black Bay. I try to focus on the lightning in my core. I chart the ships I’ll need to hit to make the rest explode. But the longer we wait, the more I can’t deny what I feel. Too much time has passed.

Something is wrong.

“We need to go after them.” I turn to Amari and Mae’e. “Tzain should’ve been back by now.”

“Have faith,” Mae’e urges. “Our people are prepared.”

I want to believe her, but doubt gnaws at my insides. The medallion pulses in my chest, and I can feel the heat of King Baldyr’s breath against my neck. It’s as if he stands beside me now, watching his own bay from the enemy’s boat.

“Oya, please.” I whisper the words. My teeth shudder with my exhale. My goddess saved me once before. I called out to her on those seas. She answered me with her storm.

Let this be the end, I think to her spirit.Let my brother return—

“Do you see that?” Amari points.

Out in the Black Bay, a single red light peeks through the mist. It flickers in the distance, on the upper level of one of the ships.

“Do you think it’s the Skulls?” Mae’e asks.

I drift to the front of the videira, shaking my head. Another red torch glows from the line of ships closest to Iarlaith’s shores. More lights burn throughout the bay. One by one, torches ignite until they burn on every ship.

Then the chanting begins.

“Fyrir Föður Stormanna, blóð tekit úr öllum áttum—”

My hands fly to my temples. The medallion vibrates in my chest. The weight of the air intensifies. It presses down on my body like lead, bringing me to my knees.

“What’s wrong?” Amari drops to my side. I struggle to hear her through the noise. Everything shakes inside me as the chanting chorus builds.

“Komið saman á þessari helgu nótt, fyrir rauða tunglið—”

Veins bulge against my skin. Blood rushes to my head. The entire world starts to spin.

When I shut my eyes, all I see is red.

“Retreat!” I gasp. “Tell them to retreat!”

Amari makes the call, and it echoes through the vineweavers. A low whistle sounds, warning the first wave to return. I pray for the signal to reach everyone in time.

Then the black shorelines flicker to life.

No…

Heavy drums start to beat from the coast. The Skulls howl like beasts. Horror dawns as thousands of flaming arrows ignite at once.

“Retreat!” I yell, but my words don’t travel fast enough.

A long horn blows, and every arrow flies.

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