Page 22 of A Descent Into Darkness

“We’ll talk more once this is over. I think I have a plan for us,” I said as I reached for the door. “And just so you know, I’ve always loved you, secrets and all. I’m the one whose failed. I’ve failed to be the man you could bare your soul to. If you’ll only give me a chance, I promise I’ll prove myself worthy of all of your demons.”

When my boots hit the deck, the mist that had plagued us the whole voyage had swallowed up the entire ship. I could barely see the mast as I walked towards the castle deck.

“James, it’s about damn time. You almost missed it,” Teach called to me. His dark eyes looked wild as the mist swirled around him, caressing him as if it were sentient, taking weight of his character.

“Hold on to your hat’s men!” he called to the crew. The ship lurched starboard, and the deck dropped out from below my feet. I grabbed for the railing as the world turned to chaos around me. Screams from the men mixed with the sound of groaning wooden planks, the ship protesting as we plummeted into nothingness. The mist blinded me. The wind whipped my hair, and the spray of water stung my face. I was losing my mind. One minute we’d been sailing solidly upon the ocean, and now we were falling through time and space. My heart raced in my chest. The only thing I could do was cower on the deck and hold on for dear life. The roar of wind drowned everything out, except forTeach’s sinister laugh, the sound of it chilling me to the bone.

When I was absolutely certain that I wouldn’t survive, theQueen Annjolted to a stop, sending me sprawling across the deck. The ship bobbed like a cork before settling on a calm sea. The mist that had engulfed us evaporated, leaving nothing but blue skies. I quickly composed myself, holding back the urge to run below deck and check on Kat. She was precious cargo. Teach would never have put her at risk. She was too valuable to his plan.

Unlike the rest of us, Teach stood firm on the deck. The only indication that he’d been affected at all was his wind-blown hair.

“Come, James, feast your eyes on the land of perpetual youth,” he said. A wide grin spread across his face as his hand clamped down on my shoulder. A lush, green island nestled in sapphire waters, beckoning us forward. It instantly reminded me of Neverland and that certain ethereal beauty that did not exist in our realm. The air was warm and fragrant with the smell of jasmine on the wind as it filled our sails, delivering us to the harbor.

“Bring Katherine to me. Manann will be waiting for us when we reach the shore. It’s time to let her work her magic.”

Iwas having a hard time keeping my gaze from lingering on Kat. She’d never looked so beautiful. Her hair was pulled back from her face and soft blonde waves cascaded down her back. The dress appeared to have been made of spun gold and silver, woven into a lacy pattern that revealed glimpses of her porcelain skin beneath. Her silver locket, the one she always wore, hung between her breasts, drawing my attention there. The fabric clung to her perfect curves, and she looked every bit of the fae that Teach wished she was.

A delegation of fae males and females, eachone more exceptionally beautiful than the last, waited to welcome us as we came to shore. An imposing man stood at the focal point of the group. His chiseled features were framed with chestnut hair that hung in waves around his bearded face. He wore no shirt, only a simple woven cape hung from his shoulders displaying intricate tattoos in patterns across his sculpted chest. His demeanor alone commanded respect, and I knew instantly, this was no man. This was thegodwe’d come to see.

“By my word… Éadbard, it’s been far too long.” His deep, melodic voice somehow soothed my nerves, easing the tension in my shoulders.

“Don’t patronize me with pleasantries, Manann. If I was welcome in your realm, I wouldn’t have had to go to such lengths to get an audience with you.”

“Appears you haven’t changed a bit, old friend,” Manann chuckled.

“Old friend? If that is truly the case, then you’ll extend your hospitality to me and my crew?”

“I would not have extended the invitation if it had been any other way. Please, come and enjoy the fruits of the island. Your men may find safe harbor here as long as they’d like.”

“Your words are not lost on me. My men, but not me.”

“I am bound by the laws, just as you are. I am stretching them thin by allowing you to be here now. Don’t push me, Éadbard—or should I call youBlackbeard?” he mocked.

“You know as well as anyone else, the charges against mewere arbitrary,” Teach scowled. Manann had obviously hit a nerve, and my curiosity flared. I’d been so wrapped up in my own affairs, I’d never gotten around to asking Teach what grave offense he’d committed to get himself exiled and now the question would plague me until I got an answer.

“Never the less, my hands are tied. I will give you sanctuary. Allow you a momentary reprieve. But know this; the clock is ticking. The longer you remain in a fae realm, the easier it will be for him to track you down,” he cautioned. Who would be hunting us here? Who was this ‘him’ that the sea god warned of? I was getting the impression that even after all the truths that Teach had shared over the last few days, I was still ignorant to the danger he’d placed us in.

“Dually noted,” Teach grumbled while he begrudgingly bowed to Manann.

“I see you’ve brought guests. It’s been quite some time since we’ve entertained the lesser race. I speak for the entire island when I say, we are thoroughly intrigued.”

“They may be lesser, but at least they produce some delectable specimens. Let me do the honor of introducing you to Katherine.” Teach had placed a hand on the small of her back, pushing her toward Manann’s imposing figure. His ice-blue eyes raked over my girl, not even attempting to hide the flare of desire as he lingered over her curves.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Mag Mell. I am Manannan, Son of Lir, God of the Sea, King of the Otherworld. You may call me Manann.” His formal titles rolled fluidly off his tongue. “I think the island will be aconsiderable upgrade to the realm you’re accustomed to,” he purred, reaching for her hand and placing a chaste kiss to her knuckles. I focused on Kat, trying to discern any change—any tell that she’d gotten the information that Teach was so desperate for. But she only smiled sweetly, showing no outward response as she curtseyed respectfully.

“Thank you for your warm welcome, Your Highness,” she said sweetly. I could see it in his eyes, he was entranced by her.

“Come friends! Join me in the hall. We shall feast in honor of our guests.” Manann tucked Kat’s arm in his and turned toward the mainland, followed by his entourage. The crew looked to Teach for approval, and with a slight nod from the captain, they followed behind. I took a step forward, determined not to let Kat out of my sight when Teach’s firm grip pulled me back.

“Keep your wits about you here. Evil tends to hide in the most beautiful of places. And do not drink the wine.”

“I can’t drink?”

“I’m giving you an order, boy! I expect you to obey without question. Now get moving. We mustn’t keep Manann waiting.”

I heldmy breath in anticipation as we reached an enormous structure rising from the lush landscape. I’d never seen anything so grand, not even in Neverland. A pair of massive golden doors embossed with woodland scenes and beastsglittered in the sun. The moment the doors swung open, my jaw dropped. It was hard to comprehend the enormity of the great hall. The ceilings rose so impossibly high that even clouds drifted among the stone columns. Silver trees lined the hall, swaying in a nonexistent wind. Their branches hung heavy with golden apples, but it was the music that drew me in the most. A melody that I could only assume was the sound of angels echoed off the cavernous walls. The beauty of it threatened to pull tears from my eyes. Several of the crew had done just that, falling to their knees and sobbing.

“Éadbard, join me at my table. You and your exquisite woman will entertain me for the evening,” Manann ordered, before clapping his hands. The hall instantly became animated as nymphs and satyrs filtered in, clutching platters overloaded with food and bottles of wine.

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