Page 59 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

The dusty wooden racks were bare. Nola creased a brow.

“Anybody here?” she called again.

Nothing.

Nola left the red tent and walked to the next one. She continued down the road, looking inside each of the town’s businesses. Suddenly, a couple of children ran past her, giggling while they chased after a ball. She hurried behind them, but as she turned to the back of the canvas tent, they were gone.

What the hell?She said to her insides.

As she continued her search, she found no one inside any of the canopies. Nola ran her hand through her hair nervously.

What is this place?She thought.

“Have any of the food tents opened yet?” she heard Kitten say from behind her. The curvy pirate yawned as Nola approached her.

Nola turned. “I don’t know. I came here trying to find a place to eat, but everything seems to be abandoned. I heard a strange explosion in the distance and came to see where it came from but—” she waved her hand to the sign above her, “—I mean the open signs are out, but no one is here. That sign over there even has fresh paint on it.”

“Explosion? I ’eard no explosion. Hope everyone is alright! Anyhow, wha’ I really need is a coffee,” the golden-eyed pirate rambled on, rubbing her eyes to wake.

“Am I crazy?” Nola asked, running her hand through the front part of her hair. “You didn’t hear it? It was deafening.”

Kitten shook her head, her brows knitting together.

Nola looked back to the road to try to spot the little woman she had seen. “It was so hard to see with all the fog. I was afraid to venture too far from you guys, and then this woman—”

“What?” Kitten continued to gaze at her with wonder plastered on her face. “Wha’ are ye babblin’ ’bout?” she asked, scratching her head. “I ’eard no explosion and—” she pointed to the sign. “The signs are fallin’ apart, Nola.”

Nola quickly looked back up, and Kitten was right; all the signs were worn and damaged. “I swear! They were...moments ago—” she turned to Kitten. “I know what I saw.”

I am not crazy!Nola reminded herself.

“Hm, I believe ye! I thought it was just me, but this place seems off, doesn’t it?” Kitten asked. “I barely slept last night, and this shiver creeps up me back every time I look at someone in the eye.” She leaned on a heel, pulling her coat tighter around her body. “My eyes were closed last night, but—”

“You felt like you never went to sleep. Didn’t dream?” Nola completed Kitten’s sentence.

The golden–eye pirate’s mouth fell open.

Last night’s sleep felt strange. Nola’s mind had drifted into darkness and her body appeared to have floated above the sheets. The numbing feeling of being watched crept through the tent and her dreams were filled with memories from her past. She had not dreamed of anything other than the two dragons for at least a year.

Kitten nodded.

“We must wake the crew,” Nola said. “We need to leave.”

The pirate followed her closely until they reached the tent. Everyone still slept. The two ladies began tapping their shoulders until they all opened their eyes.

“Lincoln,” Nola whispered. “Lincoln, wake up.”

His eyes darted at the siren girl, letting out a soft groan and sat upright. “What is it, Nola?”

“We—we need to go,” she said, her voice stammering, “Now.”

The captain’s eyes held a puzzled look.

“Is it mornin’?” Mazie asked, rubbing her eyes. Then gripped her head. “I’m goin’ to need another drink to kill the poundin’ in my temples.”

Nola’s lips formed a flat line. “It’s just at sunrise.”

“What has you so spooked?” Mazie asked, sitting up and reaching for her shirt.

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