Page 9 of Trapped By Claws
"Such rage." The teasing faded from his voice as he leaned closer to me, his emerald-green eyes half shaded. "Why?"
"Because dreams are pointless, unless what you really want are opportunities for disappointment."
His eyes widened briefly as he cocked his head. "Well…that went dark. You really think that, darling?"
The note of sincerity in his voice startled me. I hung there and stared at him, forcing my gaze to remain hard. "You think it's not true?"
His expression wavered, a look of contemplative sadness reaching his eyes. "Hadn't thought about it for a long time."
"Probably for the best."
"Then why are you so determined to get back on the ship? What has your fires burning so strong?" he asked, softer now.
"My mother and I are trying to find my sister." I had said this so many times over the past years. Heard the story told even more times than I had spoken it. Watched the life fade from my mother as we gave up everything to find Erryn. "She went missing years ago."
"And you think she's out in this sea?" His eyebrows arched. He continued to hang off the rope, but he didn't pull away or draw closer.
"No. We're trying to get to the oracle who lives beyond the North Sea in the Shining Pass."
"That oracle is a fraud." He scoffed, suggesting visiting her was the most ridiculous thing he could imagine.
I bit my tongue, wanting to agree. "Yeah, well, we're going to stop at an island near the boundary first. Apparently, there are a pair of grounded staircases with portals at the end that Mama thinks could be used to shorten the trip. Maybe she'll find something else to help. But what we do is our own business, allright? I didn't ask you for your advice. So unless you can tell me where my sister is or how to find her, I'd appreciate it if you'd just shut up and get out of the way."
"Hmmm." He narrowed his eyes at me as his voice hummed low. "Intriguing." Then he released his hold and dropped into the sea. His body knifed under the water with careless ease.
I breathed with relief and then resumed my climb, my muscles shaking and stiff. My body protested with each inch I gained, but at least I was over halfway there.
Corvin's dark form disappeared into the deeper shadows of the water, followed by Tagger.
A pang of unease struck me.
Something else was watching me.
Urging myself forward, I continued my climb. Less than fifteen feet away now. The rope angled up more, and it eased forward as the ship pulled ahead. But even if I fell in, I was so close—wait.
Movement caught my eye.
Oh, salt's bane!
The shadow of the reptilian creature near the ship circled before the bow and started toward me.
Damn it!
My heart clenched. Whether a water dragon or a sea croc or something else, I had to get to the ship. I gritted my teeth and pulled myself forward faster.
The shadowy creature drew closer, its sinuous movements hypnotic but deadly. As it turned its triangular head to the side, the glint of a red eye gleamed up through the waters. Then, graceful as a deadly swan, it ducked its head and charged down.
Damn the beast!
I dragged myself along faster.
It was going to breach.
The barnacled side of the ship loomed before me, so close and yet much too far for me to make it in time. The water lapped at the glistening wood.
Come on, faster. Faster!
I ground my teeth together. The water had made the rope slicker.
