Page 27 of Seducing Jenny
The question sharpened my focus, and I was on the ground within seconds. I jogged toward the least broken boat on the path through the halo ceiba. A wooden sea canoe, with a jagged crack in the hull. But only a crack. And two oars.
Perfect.
The rannat I’d swiped from the kitchen mixed well with the shredded cotton bandages to make a halfway decent patch paste. I soaked it in stolen banwine, struck a spark, and watched the flame set. The boat was too damp to catch fire beyond the sealant, just as I’d hoped.
Once the fire extinguished, I gave it a shove. The repair remained intact. I tested it a couple of times, then hoisted the boat into the water, lapping at the base of the nearest halo ceiba. No water leaked in.
Goodbye, Credo’s island.
I climbed in and let the current drift me a few meters out while I found my rowing coordination. Between the easy breeze and the mild waves, my escape felt ordained. I struck out from the island in a straight line and held to it. Sooner or later, I’d hit land.
The reflections of the quarter moons shimmered like silver dancers across the water. I’d never rowed at night before. It wasquieter than I’d expected. Peaceful. No seabirds. No jumping fish. Just the creak of wood and the pull of water under the oars.
For a few moments, I almost believe I was free.
I decided once I made it to land, I’d lean on my name. My reputation. No one would dare turn away Malice Ripper without a damn good reason. Not unless Justice had declared me a traitor publicly. If he had…I’d find another way.
Deep in thought, it took too long to realize my feet were wet. “Shit,” I mumbled to myself.
The water rose fast in the sea canoe, faster than I could bail. I glanced back toward the house, and it was far, but that didn’t matter in the moment, because the water was now up to my thighs and I had no choice.
Good thing I’m a decent swimmer.
I leapt clear of the boat to avoid the suction when it finally dipped below the waves. Floating in the dark water, the only land I could see was Credo’s island. I sighed and started my swim to it.
How am I going to explain this to the caretakers? Doesn’t really matter. They must know I’m going to try to escape. They would do the same in my—what the fuck just touched me?
I zeroed in on the swim, not allowing for other thoughts.Forward, left, right, forward…
But something brushed against my leg again. Something large.
Forward, left, right, forward…
It swam into me, knocking the air from my lungs. No bite. I gulped air down as hard as I could to refill my chest, but it hit me again. I coughed and realized I was facing the wrong way. I turned around with the island in sight and swam as hard as I could. Then my attacker tossed me with its tail, launching me several meters into the air.
In those airborne seconds, I tried to get my bearings and failed. When the water swallowed me whole, it hit hard, once again knocking the air from me. I couldn’t tell which way was up. Everything was inky black and I couldn’t breathe.
Panic set in as something touched my feet once again, and I tried to draw them up, while I forced myself not to inhale the saltwater. But whatever was below the surface grabbed my feet and pulled me under.Something is about to eat me!I fought with what little energy I had left, as my muscles seized from the lack of air. I kicked and pushed at the water, and unable to free my feet, I settled for attacking whatever was near me. Jagged teeth scraped at my back, jolting me with pain.
Suddenly, air rushed my lungs and I coughed and wheezed. I was above the surface and being pulled by the back of my shirt. I struggled against my new attacker, but heard, “Calm down, you’re okay.”
The sandy bottom scuffed against my backside. I scrambled to my feet and found myself at the beach on Credo’s island. Abacus and Ring had a large hook on a rope, and the hook was in my collar. I dislodged it.
“What the hell?”
“Told you,” Abacus muttered, clearly annoyed. “There’s no leaving the island.”
Ring sighed. “You took the sea canoe, right? The one with the crack?”
“Yeah,” I panted, trying to catch my breath. “How did I end up back here?”
Abacus crossed his arms. “The island won’t let you leave. No one can leave without Justice’s permission.”
“That’s bullshit!” I yelled at him. “What, you think he enchanted the whole island?”
Ring gave me a long look. “Do you doubt our ruler? There’s a reason the gods let Justice execute the conduits, Malice. He istheir chosen champion. No one knows what he’s truly capable of. He is our ultimate power.”
Annoyance rippled through me.Our ultimate power,my ass.
