Page 94 of When the Wicked Sing
“What is that?” Aurora’s question was laced with fear, making Mariana’s heart stutter as she turned around. Her gaze trailed to where Aurora was staring behind the boat. Her stomach tightened.
“How?” she breathed in horror.
Kosta and Dax finally realized what was happening and saw what was on the horizon. A royal ship. Sailing with Aurelia’s colors, directly toward them. Toward Sirenia.
As quick as a whip, Kosta jerked Aurora close and held a knife against her throat. “This ends here,” he said darkly while glaring at Mariana.
Aurora started laughing, a deep cackle that raised the hair on Mariana’s arms. “I knew it. I knew one of you would find a way to lead that snake to us. We should’ve killed you,” she said, staring at Dax.
Mariana’s eyes shifted to him, seeing the look of rage on his face. “Dax wouldn’t do this.” She focused on Kosta, determination in his cold, hard gaze.
“You selfish, arrogant bastard,” Dax growled.
Mariana touched his arm. Dax turned to her, setting his hands on her cheeks. “You have to leave now,” he blurted. “Get off the ship. I’ll distract them so you can get away.”
Kosta shouted, “Surrender now! There’s no escaping—”
A flash of dark, silvery scales launched up from the sea, and teeth sank deep into Kosta’s neck.
Chapter 51
Kosta’sgutturalscreamsentchills down Dax’s spine. Aurora slipped from Kosta’s grasp as they all stared at the ghastly serpent holding onto his neck.
It released him with a sickly slurp and turned its eyes on Mariana.
In a slithering, creepy voice, the serpent said through a mouth not meant for words, “Go get the amulet, little one.”
Mariana gasped. Indecision clouded her eyes, but Dax knew she had to leave. Otherwise, Halia would catch up with them, and it would have all been for nothing.
Pulling her close by her hand, he met her stare and kissed her. Her mouth instantly melted into his, her hands coming up around his neck, holding him tight. He never wanted to let her go, and his heart twisted painfully. Fear that this was the last time he’d get to hold her close sliced through him like a knife, nearly choking him.
He pulled back just enough to whisper against her lips, “Go, please. Saveyour sister.”
Nodding, Mariana swallowed hard as he kissed her knuckles and let her go.
“Keep her safe,” he said to Aurora, who nodded and grabbed Mariana’s hand.
Aurora glanced over her shoulder at Kosta and sneered, “If I see you again, I’ll kill you.” Then they jumped off the ship, splashing into the waves.
Aurora transformed and pulled Mariana along toward their forsaken homeland.
Gritting his teeth, Dax closed his eyes. His soul yearned to go with her, as he felt her getting farther and farther away from him. He fought every instinct, every muscle twitch that begged to jump into that water after them. But this wasn’t his journey; it was hers. And he wouldn’t hold her back.
Shaking his head, Dax opened his eyes and turned toward Kosta, his body shaking with rage.
Leaning on one arm against the deck to keep himself upright, Kosta held his other hand to his neck. Blood leaked through his fingers, his breath coming out in harsh pants through gritted teeth. His neck was healing—slowly. It was only a matter of time before they found out whether the wound would seal before he lost too much blood.
“How did you do it?” Dax asked grimly.
Kosta winced as he lifted the arm he was leaning on and stuck his hand into his pocket. He pulled out a polished piece of rose quartz with runes engraved all over it.
“Locus stone,” he panted. “Ophelia has the otherone.”
Dax hissed a slow curse. Of course, the siblings would have tracking stones. Scrubbing his face with his hands, Dax released a shout of fury. “Do you realize what you’ve done!”
Kosta’s gaze swept past him for a moment, his mouth a thin line. “The moment I saw the way you looked at her, I knew you wouldn’t stop them.” His jaw tightened. When his eyes traveled back to Dax, his frown deepened. “You’re in love with her.”
Dax straightened, his chest flipping uncomfortably. “No, I’m not,” he stated softly.
