Page 96 of Found at Sea
“Alek!”
I took off toward the edge of the ship, desperate to reach him. I didn’t care what happened to me, but the ones I loved wouldnotbe harmed. Not if I could stop it.
Frustration marred my friend’s face, as did worry. There was a brief flash of gold in his eyes, and then purple, but it disappeared just as fast as it’d appeared. He was trying to use his powers, but was unsuccessful, much to his dismay. And mine.
“Fletch, go back,” he said, attempting to loosen their hold and break free. “I’m what they want. They’ll stop now that they have me.”
“No!” I refused to accept that and raised my sword. A man lunged for me, and I jumped in the air before swinging down and slashing at the side of his face. “I’m not leaving you! Remember?”
I was so close to him now. Just a few more feet.
A tear trickled down his face as a wave of defeat washed over him. The men holding him laughed before shoving him toward the plank.
“Get ter moving,” one growled, pushing my friend.
They might not kill him that day or the next, but by taking him captive on their ship, they were condemning him. The king said he wanted Alek alive, and I was sure that whatever fate awaited him would eventually result in his death.
“Al!” I screamed as tears pooled in my eyes.
He was being pushed forward on the plank, now hovering over the rolling waves in between the ships. The men who’d been attacking our crew were ordered to retreat, and they swung back to their vessel, leaving all the chaos they’d inflicted behind them as if it were nothing.
I have to do something.
So I did.
Although it was foolish and would more than likely result in my death as well, I ran forward and snatched one of the men’s arms, yanking him backward. He yelled as he lost his footing and fell into the sea below. The ships came together then as the waves increased in intensity, crushing him in between them.
Red colored the area he’d been before being carried away.
Seizing the moment, Alek shoved off the other man and leapt into the air, catching one of the ropes hanging from the mast and swinging back onto theCrimson Night. I watched Alek, grateful he wasn’t being stolen away on the enemy ship.
I should’ve been paying closer attention to my surroundings.
The other man who’d been with Alek grabbed my arm so tight that I yelped. The whites of his eyes were yellowed, probably from way too many years of drinking and poor nourishment.
“You’ll pay for that, boy!”
A flash of silver caught my eye right before the man thrust his dagger into my stomach.
Screams tore through the air. As did a roar of anger.
“Fletch!”
Everything became quiet after that, and I sank to the deck, hitting the wood with my knees. I swayed as I tried to stay upright, but my control was slipping. With a shaking hand, I touched my abdomen, feeling something wet causing my shirt to stick to my skin. So much blood.
Kellan was suddenly in front of me, cupping my cheek in his strong hand. His eyes glistened. He was saying something, but I couldn’t hear well. His voice was muffled, as if he was beneath the water. Or I was. He raised his pistol at the man who’d stabbed me and shot him right between the eyes.
Alek appeared at Kellan’s side, his cheeks pink and wet with tears. He rushed over and threw himself on the deck, placing his hand over my wound and placing pressure on it. His eyes flashed gold before shifting back to their normal blue. I slumped against him.
Suddenly, he was yanked away from me.
Dax stood not even a foot away, holding Alek by his throat and staring into his eyes. The front of his shirt was drenched with his blood, and I suspected Kellan had bested him in the fight and left him for dead, not expecting him to survive the inflicted wounds.
Kellan stormed toward Dax, but before he reached him, Dax held a blade to Alek’s throat.
“Take one more step and I cut him open,” Dax spat. His teeth were red, and when he spoke, flecks of blood spurted out between his lips. Dax started leading him and Alek toward the railing where the plank still connected the two ships. “I’m not dyin’ here.”
I could barely keep my eyes open, but even so, I tried to stand. I needed to help Alek.
