Page 21 of Trapped By Claws
He raised an eyebrow. "What are you offering?" The low music of his voice intensified. "You'll come with me willingly?"
"I'll come with you to your home so long as you swear to spare every living being from this crew." My voice shook at the end, but I steadied it, my gaze fixed on him.
He paused, mulling things over. The muscles in his jaw and neck tightened. "I cannot spare the ship, but I can see to it that all who were upon it survive. If you come with me." He said the last part low and husky, the words vibrating through my core.
Terror chilled me more than the rain. I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Then I accept your bargain. I swear that I will come with you to your home if you swear to ensure that all from this ship survive."
That sharp hunger returned to his eyes. He reached out to take hold of me, but I held up my hands. "No. You have to show me that you spared everyone."
He grunted, his eyes narrowing. "And how am I to accomplish that?"
"Get creative," I said sharply. "But the bargain requires that everyone survives." I had to at least see that Mama lived. A greasy ball of emotion formed in my stomach, sickening me. "Swear to me."
He scoffed, then set his hands on his broad black belt. For a breath, he seemed to consider this. He nodded. "I swear it." He breathed those words with the solemness of a vow. "But you cannot remain on the ship. I'll put you somewhere you can see what is happening and where you'll be safe. The ship will break apart soon. We cannot delay."
Though part of me wanted to argue, the other part recognized he was speaking the truth. I nodded.
Just like that, he put his arm around my waist and whisked me into his arms. The waves thundered and roared almost as much as the heavens. Rain lashed at my face, stinging like needles even when I turned away. My stomach lurched with the ship as it pitched and swayed.
How was he staying steady?
The few sailors who'd remained behind struggled to man their various posts, staggering and clutching at the holds and grips, ropes tied about their waists. Did they have any idea what was coming?
Almost before I realized what was happening, Corvin leaped into the air. My stomach dropped.
I flailed and clutched at him, my feet kicking in the dark air. The white-capped waves peeked and struck at the vessel, the massive column of jellyfish spreading and grasping in the waters below.
With a jarring thud, we landed on one of the stone pillars.
He dragged me beneath the overhang. "Stay here. Watch. Don't step out from underneath the shelter," he shouted in my ear. He pressed me back firmly against the pockmarked stone, both hands on my shoulders. His eyes caught the flashes of the lightning, glowing green.
I stared at him, suddenly terrified. This was the fae I'd just bargained with to save Mama and the rest of the crew. He could kill me if he chose, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.
He gave me a grim smirk, then lunged off the stone pillar.
Shivering, I clutched my soaking shawl around my shoulders. The chill sliced right through me. Already my fingers and toes burned from the cold.
Lightning lit up the sky in forked branches and multi-tongued formations. It froze the scene for the briefest of breaths, then faded into darkness. The ship fought against the waves.
I edged farther out to search for the three boats in the water.
There!
Lightning flashed again, illuminating the terrified faces of the passengers huddled together. The dwarves rowed with all their might against the crashing waves.
My eyes searched frantically for Mama. Where was she? Another bolt lit up the water—there—in the rearmost boat! Mama's ashen face stood out among the others, locked in fear as she clung to the side, her hair and green shawl plastered against her.
Where had Corvin gone?
Lightning struck again. Now there were dark shapes in the waters. Two massive crocodilian creatures swam beneath the ship, the pale, pulsing jellyfish parting to allow them passage. The sky darkened with billowing thunderheads dominating the horizon.
The longboat with Mama tipped up.
I jammed my hand against my mouth. "Mama!" I screamed. The wind ripped my voice into the howling void.
A dark shape moved beneath the boat as the wave crested.
My breath locked in my throat.
