Page 7 of Beasts of Briar
I almost fell to the ground, so relieved my plan was actually working so far.
“Stop,” a voice yelled as the crew members raised the plank while a dock worker stood down below, untying the line.
My head snapped up. In the distance two figures ran toward the ship. One was a tall, lean man with light brown skin and curly brown hair, and the other a shorter plump woman with pale skin, freckles, and red hair in a tight bun. I didn’t recognize the woman, but the man—Fuck. I’d spent too long picking a target. Nothing could ever be easy.
Now they’d found me.
The crew members were busy hoisting up the two masts, the sails a sapphire blue color. I peeked over the edge of the boat, the dock worker almost done untying the line, setting our ship free. I swore. I needed her to work faster.
Mary squinted at the man and the woman, running through the snowy village toward us.
“Don’t let that ship leave!” Driscoll yelled, the wind carrying his voice.
Matthew took no notice, observing his crew members as they continued to heave the thick, heavy lines slowly but surely, the sails above unfurling, flapping in the wind. At least the wind was strong. That would make for good sailing conditions.
I glanced around at everyone. The town was mostly empty this early in the morning, only a few nosy elementals sticking their heads out of their businesses or homes, seeing what the commotion was. The crew members were still distracted, other than Mary, who now had her head cocked, her suspicious beady eyes trained on me.
I didn’t like to use my magic out in the open, not when everyone on this continent thought that my magic—star magic—was extinct. Or, rather, star elementals were extinct. But I had no choice. I had to use my magic. I had to risk it. If I didn’t, Driscoll and this woman could ruin everything.
“Who is that?” Mary snapped, pointing at Driscoll and the woman, who were getting closer to the dock. “Why are they trying to stop our ship?”
I shrugged, shooting her a withering glare. She was watching too closely.
Humans might not have been as perceptive to magic use as elementals, but I had a feeling Mary would notice if I used my powers.
“Mary,” Matthew called. “We need your help.”
Mary’s gaze bounced between me and my pursuers. She huffed and spun on her heel, marching toward Matthew.
“You can’t leave,” Driscoll shouted again. “You don’t understand!”
I shot a look behind me at the busy crew. The dock worker almost had all the lines untied. We were so close. We could escape them, outrun them. Then again, what good would that do me? They’d just find another way. They wouldn’t give up, notwhen I had something they wanted. I tightened my hold on my satchel.
I glanced up at the lavender sky, stars still visible in the waning night. They’d disappear soon as the sun rose. I needed to act while I still had a chance.
I lifted my hand, calling to my star magic. I felt the stars pulsing far above, felt that pulse inside of me. I called to it and directed it straight toward Driscoll. A yellow glow surrounded him. My magic at work. He stopped, the woman stopping with him, putting her hand on his arm.
“You’re all good!” the dock worker called from below. Four men heaved their body weights against the ship, shoving it away from the dock. The sails billowed overhead right as Driscoll collapsed into unconsciousness.
The women looked from him to me. “What did you do to him?” she screamed.
“What’s going on there?” Arno asked from beside me as I watched them from the main deck.
I shrugged, then stumbled around and made a gesture that mimicked drinking.
He nodded, a frown on his lips. “Some people can’t handle their liquor.”
“We will find you,” Leoni yelled as the ship sailed farther out to sea. “And we will stop you!”
Arno shook his head. “That lady needs to sober up.”
I gave a weak smile and shivered as the wind picked up, the ship pushing through the slushy sea. I was safe for now. But it was clear that safety was fleeting.
Chapter Four
BELLAMY, FOUR WEEKS LATER
It had been four weeks since I’d seen land. I was not made for the sea. I wasn’t made to spend my days in a dark, dank cargo hold full of barrels, dust, mold, and feathers. So many feathers. I looked at the seven swans surrounding me, all of them with drooping necks, looking as miserable as I felt.
