“There’s also Colin and Catrina,” added Billie. “Although, I can’t imagine how we’d even begin tracking them down. Colin’s a very powerful young man. I don’t believe for a minute dangerous,” she added, for Noah’s benefit.
“No, I don’t think so either, and I’d be lying if I said having Catrina back wouldn’t be a relief. But I don’t know as searching them out would be any safer or easier than searching for Ivan and Meghan. Juliska probably still has it out for them, too.”
“Is there anyone she doesn’t have it out for?” launched Maura.
“You have a point there,” said Noah.
“What about the Tunkapog?” piped in Maria. “I don’t know much about them other than what I’ve learned in school. But they were once our allies, right?”
“Ah, yes. Indeed, they were,” said Billie. “They tend to stay out of the affairs of magic, opting to live quiet lives.”
“Can’t imagine why,” mumbled Maria under her breath.
“I would definitely not count them out,” Billie added.
“This would probably be easier if we knew more about what was going on,” Maura added, her tone taking a frustrated edge. “We have been so secluded these last months, heck, years, that we have no idea what’s going on, anywhere. We could be creating an even bigger problem, going so blindly into this next step.”
Before anyone could respond, there was a thump from underneath the ship. Maura grabbed hold of the wheel next to Noah; Billie reached out and steadied Maria.
“We are not close enough to shore to hit anything,” exclaimed Noah, answering their question before they could ask it. “There should be no reefs where we are.”
Another thump.
This one rattled the entire ship.
They heard a shout from below the deck.
Maria gasped, the color draining from her face.
“What is it?” Billie asked her.
Maria just pointed.
They turned to look.
Something was skimming across the surface of the water, heading directly at the ship.
“Oh damn,” gulped Billie.
Those below deck climbed the stairs to get topside, each becoming petrified as they witnessed round web-like bodies whirling at great speed towards them.
“Salt Spiders,” whispered Maria coarsely. “So many of them.”
A great host of spiders skimmed across the water’s surface, preparing to consume the ship’s inhabitants.
Another thump hit the bottom, rippling its way to the deck.
“Magic stronger or not, we don’t have the numbers to fight this, and win,” warned Noah.
“We have no choice,” said Billie, in a take-charge voice. “We fight, or we die.”
She jumped down the stairs leaving Noah to steer the ship.
“Prepare for battle!” she called out. “We’re under attack.”
CHAPTER 5
Bedgewood Harbor. An island town that should have been bustling with Svoda going about their day. People coming and going from work. Visiting shops. Kids heading to school. Zone meetings to discuss how to restore their normal, everyday life, after years spent traveling aimlessly from magical portal to magical portal, often separated from friends and family.
The oncoming winter did nothing for the look of the island today. What would already be a dreary landscape of leafless trees and decaying gardens, was now also shrouded in a frosty grayness that didn’t ever lift.
A darkness which greatly pleased their Queen, Juliska Nandalia Blackwell. She stood on the terrace of her stone fortress, just off the coastline of the island, overlooking her new conquest.
Oh, the things she had in store for her people. When she was done with them, they would be nothing more than a shell of what they once were. That is, if she allowed any of them to survive.
Currently, she was awaiting a report from Ardon, KarNavan’s number two in the Striper clan, now serving as guards for Juliska.
Ardon had come up with a devious plan that Juliska hoped would lead her directly to the two people she wanted returned to the island.
She had proposed the idea of allowing a group of escapees to get off the island, under the guise of helping them get away to find help. But not without a warning first: that Juliska was looking for two young people; two young people she wanted returned to her.
The plan: that the escapees, in their need to do good, and protect these young people, would lead them directly to the two people she most desperately wanted to be brought before her.
Juliska’s own powers had not been working correctly for some time. Her visions had disappeared. This fact, which she had shared with Meghan Jacoby (a possibly regretful move), was true.
The rest of her Firemancy skills remained intact, but not a single vision. So far, she had been able to hide this fact from Jurekai Fazendiin, but she would not be able to hide it for much longer. And what would happen after he found out? Would it change anything?
She had not given him anything useful towards his end game for far too long. Her visions had, in part, helped set this current path she was on. It had started long ago, back when she was just a student of the craft. Before she was named Banon to the Svoda. Back before she had met that dreadful excuse for a man, Edward Gillivray. Back before she had agreed to marry him and... a sour look spread across her face, like she had eaten something bitter.
No, she would not sink into memories now.
The only thing she needed to remember was that these people, the Svoda Gypsies, had taken everything from her. Including the most precious thing she had ever possessed.
And for that, they would pay. One by one. They would no longer rule the world of magic. And the world of magic would no longer play by their rules. Soon, it would have a new King, and a new Queen. And a new royal bloodline to reign for all eternity.
The sound of faint footsteps on the ground approaching her fortress turned her sour smirk into a malignant smile.
As Juliska waited to greet her guests, a shadow grew overhead, casting an immense silhouette over the terrace. Powerful wings slapped against the air, lowering towards the terrace floor. Jagged, curved toenails clicked against the stone as it landed, striding towards Juliska.
With each step, it changed. Transformed. Snarls pushed through its wolf-like teeth as its face contorted and shifted. Its rough skin turned smooth and silky. Its wings shrunk, enclosing around a female form emerging underneath them, the wings morphing into a tight dress suit reminiscent to webbed-like mesh.
“My Queen,” said a voice, as the female lowered her head in a bow.
“Ah, Hollee. Perfect timing, I’m about to get a report.”
“Is there anything I can get you?”
“I’ll dine after my guests leave. We’ll speak then.”
Hollee nodded, departing.
KarNavan and Ardon came marching up the stairs onto the terrace.
They bowed in greeting and Juliska nodded back in reply.
KarNavan made an extra nod towards Ardon, indicating she could give her report.
“You’ll be pleased to know the ship’s tracing system is working and we have tracked them to the coastline, near Cobbscott, Maine. The names of the two people you’re searching for were mentioned a few times.” Ardon finished, but looked as though she had more to say.
“And?” prompted Juliska.
KarNavan took over speaking. “And, it seems at the moment they are in a holding pattern. They have not moved position in nearly two days.”
“What are they waiting for?” Juliska asked, with a tone of impatience.
“We can only assume they are trying to figure out where to go, what their next move should be,” added Ardon. “I still feel confident they will seek out the two you are looking for. Their protective instincts will kick in.”
“However,” said KarNavan, in a definitive tone, “we have just implemented a little something to help get them motivated, to speed things along a little. I think you’d find it to your liking,
my Queen.”
Ardon shot him a scrutinizing glare, but let it drop. It seemed that KarNavan had not told her of this, or she disagreed with his actions.
“Not trouble amongst the ranks I hope?” asked Juliska, her voice indicating she really didn’t care.
“Not at all,” answered KarNavan.
Ardon gave a short nod in agreement. But her eyes revealed displeasure just the same.
“And what is this motivation tactic?” Juliska asked, her interest piqued.
“We’ve sent some special guests to shake them around a little. They’ll be forced to move along, very quickly, very soon.”
“I do like your style, KarNavan. I’ll give you that,” granted Juliska. “And frankly, I don’t care how you do it as long as I get those little brats kneeling in front me.”
KarNavan asked, “What is so special about these two brats anyway?”
Juliska let out a gust of annoyed breath.
“The first one, well, he needs to be taught a lesson. You don’t interfere with my plans and get away with it. And the girl,” she let out a needful coo. “I need something only she can give me.”
“Which is?” he asked, assuming she would not actually answer.
Juliska pondered not answering, simply to drive KarNavan crazy with the need to find out, but her desire to have this girl’s powers was stronger.
“I need her gift. Which unfortunately for her, will also claim her life.”
KarNavan did not flinch at her reply. He had expected nothing less.
CHAPTER 6
Colin listened to Catrina breathing. With each inhale and exhale, she slept peacefully and deeply throughout the night. Colin thought he could be perfectly content to sit and listen to her breathe, but the warning song she’d heard from the underwater sea creatures was unsettling. Could they not get away from danger anywhere they went?
He had dozed off a few times during the night, only to jolt himself awake mere minutes later.
He lifted his head and peeked out of the window. It was less overcast, thick rolls of fog mixing with the arrival of the slightly warmer morning air. The sun peeked through the clouds, letting a few beams hit the water.
Catrina still slept so peacefully, he dared not wake her.
He tiptoed to the window.
The beach was deserted.
A long, wide lane of sand and rocks lined the edge of the coastline.
He could not remember the last time he stepped foot onto a beach and just played in the sand.
It was cold though. Too cold to play on a beach. He supposed if he wanted to, he could use magic to make the beach feel like it was a warm summer day. But would something that grandiose be smart? Probably not. The less magic he used, the better. He’d save it for when they were in trouble, or in need of it.
Colin’s mind was so awake, he was afraid that somehow the loudness of it would wake Catrina. His curiosity about what she had heard nagged at him. He couldn’t let it go. He wondered if he could use Projector’s powers to listen to the underwater creatures, mimicking Catrina’s gift; find out what they were so afraid of, or if they were even still afraid. Many hours had passed since she’d heard the cry.
He wasn’t sure if this was a need, but his curiosity got the better of him.
He opened the door and slipped out of the cafe, closing it gently behind him. I shouldn’t leave her. If she wakes up and I’m not here...
He glanced into the window. It did not look like she was going to awaken any time soon.
“I’ll be quick,” he promised himself. He trudged his way through the cold sand until he had reached the water’s edge. He had no idea how to replicate Catrina’s gift as a Song Spinner.
But he did have another idea.
He could use the same spell he used when he originally located Catrina; the one that allowed his mind’s eye travel to great distances, very fast. “Aspectus Remotus,” he spoke through shivering lips.
Suddenly, it was as if he was no longer standing on the beach, but soaring over it, like a bird. At first, he saw nothing. Not a bird in the sky, not a single shadow in the water below.
He dove into the water, swimming along at a quick pace.
Nothing.
Not a single living thing within view for miles upon miles, except...
What is that? There was something far ahead. It left torrents of water dispersing in tremendous wakes behind it.
Something above the water’s surface caught his eye. He let the Aspectus spell lift him back above the water.
A great swarm of roundish, web-like creatures bounded across the surface, all moving towards the same destination: a ship.
An old looking ship, thought Colin. An ancient looking ship. I know Maine has some old ships around, but this one is… it dawned on him.
Suddenly he was flung back inside his body, standing on the beach.
“That ship is from the magical world. And those things in the water... that ship is under attack!”
Many thoughts wound their way through his mind in a matter of seconds. I should help them. I can’t leave Catrina. It’s the first time she’s slept this well in far too long. What if the people on the ship don’t deserve saving? What if they are trying to hunt me down? What if they are good people? I can’t let them die out there! Even with magic, they stand little chance against all those things.
Colin thoughts raced at full speed, but he took deep breaths to calm himself, allowing the Magicante to kick into overdrive and keep up with him. “Aspectus Remotus,” he whispered, using his mind’s eye to peek in on Catrina without taking a step.
She was still sound asleep.
He let go of the spell and stared out to sea. From where he was standing, he could not see them. He imagined the passengers on board, watching helplessly as those spiders spun closer.
“I have to help. I’ll come back as fast as I can. Before she wakes.”
He used his Projector’s power to magic himself to the deck of the ship, keeping himself cloaked and hidden once on board. He didn’t want any unexpected surprises.
His landing on the deck was hindered by an immediate need to dive to the floor, a harpoon like foot nearly stabbing him. The spider hurled its body, spinning through the air like an unstable frisbee towards another part of the ship.
Being cloaked, the spider could not see Colin. Nevertheless, another one flitted right by him at full speed, straight into... Billie Sadorus!
Colin could not believe he was looking right at her. She fought off the creature using the fresh water spell, Viridatas, which Colin had heard during the retelling festival, while back in Grimble.
It seemed so long ago now that he had attended the retelling festival and watched the movie in the sky, his first introduction to these creatures. He had somehow hoped that in person, they wouldn’t be so formidable, but they were more so. Moving at speeds no one could outrun. Except maybe for him.
He wished himself to the spider, suddenly standing right behind it, his palm so close he was nearly touching it. He drove an invisible spell into the spider’s body sending the spindly monster splashing into the ocean.
Billie spun in circles, wondering where the spell came from.
Another spider crawled over the opposite side of the ship, reaching out its legs to enclose around a woman Colin did not recognize. Billie hurried to the rescue, shooting the fresh water spell at the spider, knocking it off the side of the boat.
A thunderous thump thwacked the bottom of the ship.
Billie grabbed hold of the ship with one hand and the woman with her other, trying to keep them both from falling.
“They’re never going to make it,” realized Colin.
Something below the ship was trying to tear it apart. They’d sink before they’d have a chance to escape. Colin saw no emergency boat on deck.
The ship leveled itself and Billie let go of the woman and the ship, dashing to the side of a man Colin did recognize. Noah Flummer. He shot spell after spell at a spider chasing
a young woman across the deck. She slipped and fell, the spider poising to strike.
Colin threw a spell.
It whizzed by Noah’s head, slamming the spider into the side of the ship. It hit so hard, its mangled body crumpled like paper.
“That’s the second time,” said Billie, looking for the culprit that blasted it away. She had no choice but to shake it off and forget about it. The onslaught wasn’t stopping.
Noah helped the young woman stand, pushing her long brown hair away from her left shoulder. She insisted she was okay, but was clearly in pain. Colin could see a gash on her arm, her coat sleeve cut so badly it was hanging by just a thread.
Colin concentrated on her arm and used his magic to fix her injury. He didn’t wait around to see her response. He moved with instant speed to the other side of the ship, casting another spider over the side.
When he turned, he saw Billie and Noah fighting back to back, trying to fend off the spiders now crawling towards them from all directions.
Behind them, a long, scaly body emerged from the water, crawling up the sides of the ship. It was the Amphivena. The snake-like creature who had an extra head where its tail should be.
Colin felt another thud on the bottom of the ship.
Slopikes had to be causing those. Colin pictured their hard, spiked shells barraging the bottom of the wooden ship. He knew if he did not intervene, the ship would be lost, and fast.
Should he reveal himself? Both Noah and Billie had helped him and Catrina escape.
He decided it was best to remain hidden. Take no chances.
Yes, they helped him escape but that was before they knew he was a Projector. And he did not want to chance them trying to take Catrina away from him.
Plus, if asked, they could say truthfully that they had no idea who had helped them. Fewer people knowing where he had been seemed like the smarter move. He hoped Catrina would agree. His heart skipped a few beats as he thought about her, hoping she had not awakened to find herself alone. She’d be so worried. Why hadn’t he at least left her a note? “Stupid!” he chastised himself.
Control (The Blood Vision, The Immortality Stone, and The Woman in Glass) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 7) Page 5