Page 170 of A Storm in Every Heart
He holds his hand out, fist closed, and drops something into my palm. My breath catches when I stare down at an ancient brass key.
I hold it up to the light from the window, and it glimmers. “You still have this?”
“Apparently,” he says. “I forgot about it—I guess I thought I lost it years ago, but I just remembered it’s been here all along.”
I glance up, my chest constricting. I’m not entirely sure we’re talking about the key anymore—Maybe we never really were.
“My father told me this opens some treasure buried somewhere off the coast of Solistine. Who knows, maybe we can go find it now. It seems like we’ll certainly have enough time.”
As if he heard his name called, he suddenly glances sideways out the window. I follow his gaze and spot the outline of a dark ship bobbing on the horizon. A shiver travels up my spine.
Kastian looks back down at me, his brow furrowed. “You’re really sure about this? I don’t want you to be cursed along with me.”
“What about this is a curse?” I scoff. “You can never die? That seems perfect. And I also feel like you’re forgetting that I grew up on a ship. I love ships. And if you’re the captain now you’ll need to learn to do every single job on board. Fortunately for you, I’d be willing to teach you.”
He grins. “What about Vernallis, though? What about all our friends and family?”
I shrug. “Six months isn’t forever. We’ll come back, it’ll just give them enough time to miss us. If we leave soon, we could be back by yule. Belle is visiting again this year and I don’t want to miss it.”
Kastian grins. “As you wish.”
KASTIAN, FIVE MONTHS LATER
Iwake up to the sound of singing.
It’s not normal singing—there are no words, and hardly any melody, but nevertheless I recognize the horrible screechy sound. It’s mind-numbingly painful to listen to, so I roll over and pull my pillow over my head to drown it out. When that doesn’t help, I grab Odessa’s pillow too and pile them on top of each other.
Of course, Dessa isn’t in bed.
I knew the moment I heard the wailing, which I can’t understand but she swears has meaning, that Dessa was outside “talking” to her sisters…or subjects? I’m not entirely sure what the sirens are to her. She doesn’t know yet either, and until she decides we’re living in this strange limbo.
The “pack” are used to following their queen across the ocean, and they like to swim alongside our ship. Most of them have regained their independence now that the last queen haslost her hold on them, but they still remain close. Occasionally, when we sail into a harbor, the pack will transform into their other shapes and sit on the rocks waiting for us—or, rather, waiting for Odessa. The appearance of so many sirens in broad daylight has caused the sort of chaos and rumors that I’m sure have already made their way back to Vernallis.
I’m sure everyone will have a lot to say about it when we see them again in a few weeks. We’ve already changed course, and are heading back in the direction of Vernallis. We should arrive by yule, and when we arrive, we have a lot of questions for them as well.
The horrible shrieking sound continues and I groan, burrowing my face further into the mattress.
If I didn’t already know I was bonded to Odessa, I would have known instantly the moment I heard that grating, excruciating sound. It’s like metal on metal, and it’s hard to imagine how it could possibly be hypnotic or beautiful. At least, it’s hard to believe until I hear Odessa answer.
Whichever siren was shrieking stops and Odessa replies in a tone so persuasive and hypnotic I find myself climbing out of bed. Not because I have to—she’s not compelling me—but just because I want to.
I pull on pants, but don’t bother with a shirt. The tattoo of Odessa’s face that Magnus sliced open has healed as if nothing ever happened, and I know Dessa likes seeing it. I like it too, and go out of my way to make sure it’s visible whenever possible.
I climb the wooden stairs from the captain’s quarters and step out onto the sunny deck. A few crewmen nod at me. “Morning Captain.” “Nice day, isn’t it Captain?”
I nod back, not speaking as I know they can’t hear me. They’ve all got cotton shoved in their ears, and at the moment I envy them.
I’d thought Odessa and I would sail the ship on our own—between her knowledge of ships and my water magic, it hadn’t seemed so hard. She quickly dispelled me of that notion, and we hired a small crew in the first port we stopped at.
Having the crew is an adjustment, especially for me who would prefer to do every single job myself, but I’m growing used to them. The unpredictability of the sea has quickly taught me that no one man can be an island.
Granted, right now, I’d prefer the crew to disappear.
I reach for the nearest sailor and spin him toward me, then tap my ear for him to take the cotton out. He eyes me dubiously, and shakes his head. “I can’t. Sorry sir. I’d rather miss Odessa not have to jump after me again.”
Oh, right. This is the man who heard the sirens a few months ago and flung himself overboard, forcing Odessa to go after him. We were more careful after that.
“Go inside,” I mouth, pointing toward the door leading to below the deck. “All of you, go inside.”
