Song of the Forever Rains by E.J. Mellow
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The waves lapped rhythmically around their small boat, the Obasi Sea a warm orange in the dipping sunset. A flock of seagulls flew overhead as thin strips of cottony clouds painted the sky. Larkyra sat with her sisters and Darius, realizing how very lucky they were to have the Thief King on their side—especially since they were searching for the man who took pride in remaining the most elusive ship’s captain on any water.
“I still do not understand why this is necessary,” grumbled Niya as she pulled on her gold mask, fluffing out her dark cloak.
Darius shifted to give her more room on his bench.
“Given that we have explained it over a dozen times,” said Arabessa from where she sat beside Larkyra, each already adorned in their matching Mousai disguises, “I do not see how that is possible.”
“But surely there must be someone else from Esrom that we could ask to get us there.”
“Surely,” agreed Arabessa. “But do you know of any?”
“Michel,” offered Niya.
“Killed in a scraps derby.”
“Nätasha.”
“Imprisoned last week.”
“Haphris?”
“Imprisoned this week.”
Niya huffed. “The people of Esrom need to get their acts together.”
“Or play their cards smarter, like the man we’re about to see.”
“I would hardly associate the word smart with him.”
“And how exactly will we find this pirate?” Darius interrupted Niya’s pout, his new red leather mask shining under his hooded cloak as it caught the sunset.
“The same way we got here so quickly,” explained Larkyra.
“Yes, well, considering I still do not understand that . . .”
“You and Niya sure make a confused pair.” Arabessa pulled out a small coin from her cloak’s pocket. The portal token was rimmed in a gold similar to the one Larkyra had used, but the middle swirled a milky white. “It will be hard to miss him with this.”
With a prick, some blood, and a whispered secret—one that had Larkyra and Niya leaning in to try to hear—Arabessa threw the coin up. It paused right before it fell below the waves, opening a large portal to another part of the sea, one that sat beneath a starry sky and full moon, an impressive black ship silhouetted in its light.
“Now take up an oar and row,” instructed Arabessa, grabbing the one beside her. “We mustn’t be late in being captured.”
The Crying Queen was said to be one of the most spectacular vessels in Aadilor. With three square-rigged masts for greater sailing power, a narrow but lengthy hull giving it maneuverability, and room to carry sixteen cannons, it was a ship thirsted after by many pirates and kingdoms alike. What kept it from being overtaken lay solely in its master and the deplorable crew it contained.
Which was why, by the time their small boat was netted and reeled in and they were thrown on deck and shoved into the pirate lord’s cabin, their hands bound, Larkyra was beginning to question their plan.
Alōs Ezra sat behind a massive mahogany desk, framed by standing candelabras and latticed glass windows that looked out upon calm waters and a low-hanging moon. The pirate’s black-clad form seemed to pull in the shadows around him as his dark, handsome face and burning turquoise eyes drank them in. When he shifted to lean into his chair, his coat strained against his muscles.
“And here I thought we were to have a peaceful evening.” His deep voice washed over Larkyra, mixing with his magic. She could feel it claiming the compartment, the ship. Mine, his powers seemed to vibrate. All this is mine, and soon you will be too. Larkyra held in a shiver as Alōs’s gaze stuck on Niya, who stood in the middle.
Her difference in height always marked her as the Mousai who danced her magic.
“We tried removin’ their masks, Cap’n,” said one of the men who had dragged them in. He was a lanky creature with exactly four strands of hair clinging to his head. “But they wants to stay put, like they’re glued. Nottin’ seemin’ to be done about it.”
“That is fine, Prik,” said Alōs. “I do not need to see their faces to know them. Well, perhaps I would for you.” He regarded Darius beside Larkyra. “Unless you’re the man who always follows this trio?” The pirate lord closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. “No. You haven’t the gifts.”
Larkyra could feel Darius tense beside her, could tell he was straining to keep his promise and remain silent no matter what. Lord Ezra was a clever snake—every word he spoke contained layers of meaning and revelation.
“I would ask your men to give us privacy,” said Arabessa.
“Would you now?” Alōs steepled his fingers. “And why is that, eldest of the Mousai?”
Larkyra swallowed her shock that he would know such a thing. They had been around the nefarious man for many years, but never in any truly intimate way, at least none that she knew. Alōs sharing such knowledge was another card displayed for a reason.
Careful what stories you tell, my pets, for I likely know more.
“Have them leave and not place ears by keyholes if you want to find out,” challenged Arabessa.
The pirate lord remained quiet, pensive, before waving a hand.
Without protest, his crew shuffled out of the cabin, the door latching shut on its own.
Alōs gazed at them, waiting for their part of the agreement to be met.
“We need passage to Esrom, without trouble or detection, tonight,” said Arabessa.
An upward tick to the pirate’s dark brow. “All things that are a hanging offense and close to an impossible task.”
“A regular night for you,” accused Niya.
“Is that a compliment, my fire dancer?”
“If it seemed like one, then I can assure you it won’t happen again.”
“Do not go out of your way on my account.”
“Will you do it?” Arabessa steered the conversation back on course.
“Perhaps if you tell me what brings such desperation to the Mousai?”
“We need to fetch something only found in Esrom.”
“That leaves a great many things. You’ll need to give me more than that if you wish for my aid.”
“We need to obtain orenda.” Larkyra inched forward. She could sense her older sister’s annoyance, but she didn’t care. She was tired of the verbal sparring that was always needed with this man.
“Orenda.” Alōs mulled over the word. “What are you four up to?”
“Nothing you need know,” said Niya.
“Perhaps not, but does this voyage truly require all of you? I’m sure one, particularly a redheaded one, would suffice.” A curl to his full lips as he stared at Niya.
Larkyra could feel her sister’s powers gathering as more known information spilled from the pirate.
“We go as one, or we do not go at all.” Arabessa straightened. “Make your decision quickly, Lord Ezra, or we shall ask the next in line.”
“How are you enjoying being surrounded by this demanding trio?” he asked Darius. “Or have they cut out your tongue to keep you from complaining?”
“Thank you for your time.” Arabessa turned to leave, signaling with a nod for them all to exit, despite their roped hands.
“Very well.” Alōs stopped their retreat. “But this will come at a price. I am not in the business of charity, nor do I sail a passenger vessel. This will take my crew and me away from our planned route.”
“The Thief King will pay your price.”
“Will he now? How interesting. And what exactly is he willing to give up?” The pirate lord’s gaze roamed Niya once more.
“Oh, please,” scoffed Niya. “You wouldn’t know the first thing about what to do with someone like me.”
“On the contrary.” Alōs’s glowing stare grew dark. “I could think of too many things to do with you, my fire dancer. Especially regarding my crew.”
The room grew incredibly hot incredibly fast.
“Not if there is no longer a ship to keep them.” Orange sparks jumped between Niya’s bound fingers, and the pirate chuckled a dark laugh of delight.
Do your worst,he seemed to say.
But before all could, literally, go up in flames, a heavy bag fell onto Alōs’s desk, a variety of shining coins spilling out.
Somehow Darius had wiggled free of his binds to throw down the payment hidden under his cloak. All turned to him in surprise, Larkyra’s gaze staying the longest.
Darius merely shrugged.
Alōs fingered through the bounty, stopping when he grazed over four portal tokens. With a flourish of his hand, they disappeared. “Prepare yourselves,” he said as the rest of their binds fell away. “We leave in a sand fall.”