by RJ Metcalf
Slate huffed a sigh and shifted on his haunches. A nearby fire poker caught his attention, and he used it to push the layers of dirt and dust and ash around in the bottom of the fireplace. Frustration vibrated along his nerves. They had to find something here. Anything. He tossed the metal stick aside and leaned back to avoid hitting his head on the mantle before he stood.
The tip of his boot caught on something. He scuffed at the loose debris that littered the floor, then bent to finger one of three deep gashes in the time-softened wood. Void take them all. Stalkers.
A chill ran down his spine, and Slate pivoted on his heel to survey the room again. It was clear that the place had been abandoned, ransacked, even, if the treatment of the mattress was any indicator. They were lucky that stalkers hadn’t taken to it for a nest.
Slate caught Ash’s questioning side glance, and he tapped the scarred boards. “Stalkers were here some time ago, but I don’t see any fresh tracks.”
Ash gestured to an empty chest by the sleeping pad. “What may have been here is gone. I’m guessing bandits or sky pirates.” He tilted the trunk for Slate to see the age-thinned garments. “There’s nothing of value in here or anywhere else.” Ash ran his long fingers over a matching whorl carved on the top of the chest, and shook his head. “I’m afraid this is a dead end, sir. Not even a paper weight is left.”
“So it would seem.” Slate gingerly hefted the table back in place and righted the chair, wary of splinters. Something rolled and touched his boot. He glanced down. “Whales!”
Ash rushed to his side, sword drawn. “What is it?”
Empty eye sockets stared up from the floor. Slate gingerly stepped back. The skull rocked slightly when he moved, then it stilled.
Ash pointed to the side of the bone. “Looks like a dragon got him. Either before he died, or soon after.” He shook his head and wiped his hands together, as if rubbing away the taint that hadn’t touched him. “Not an end fit for anyone.”
Slate rubbed his forehead. What now? “Well, that answers the question of what happened to the sage.”
“Yeah, I guess the rumor that he’d survived the Void magic was true.” Ash grimaced. “He just didn’t survive whatever it was that got him here.”
The other side of the room showed signs of Ash’s investigation, but no other bones. Slate rolled his neck and sighed. “And you didn’t find anything over there?”
“No sir.” A crease appeared over Ash’s brow, and his shoulders hunkered down. “Should we, uh, perform rites over him?”
“See any other parts?”
Ash’s eye twitched. “If I had, you’d have heard me.”
“Right.” Slate hesitated before picking up the skull. He carried it over to the dilapidated bed and set it down respectfully on the pillow remnants. It was too easy to imagine a residue clinging to his hand, and he resisted the urge to wipe his fingers on the dusty blanket. Instead, he bowed his head and splayed his fingers just above the skull. “Rest in peace in Areilia.”
Ash murmured the accompaniment of, “Let it be so,” and shifted awkwardly before moving sideways toward the door and peering out. “Should I set off a flare, sir? It looks like we have two hours or less until snow.”
Slate grimaced. There was nothing to be found here, and nothing more to do. And a quick glance out the window confirmed Ash’s prediction. He nodded. ”Do it. We’ll head back. There’s nothing for us here.”
Ash shifted the leather satchel on his shoulder and pulled out Doctor Jaxton’s flare contraption. “What’s the next step?”
“I don’t know.” Slate scowled back at the empty room. “I guess we’re back to the usual. Hopefully Ellie will have something for us at the next port.” He motioned to Ash. “Go ahead and fire that off, then let’s get back to our buggy. I want to make sure Jade made it back safely.”
A loud pop preceded the streak of orange chalky smoke into the sky, and Ash tucked the flare machine back into his bag. “You coddle her more than you used to.”
Slate tugged his jacket shut against the chill breeze and started trudging through the undergrowth. “I know her value.”
Chapter Four
Ben
“I don’t want to be alone, Ben.”
Ben turned toward the woman’s voice. Her face tilted down, hiding her eyes with her blonde hair, so he leaned forward, making sure she would hear his every word. “You won’t be alone.”
“How can you say that?” Her voice sounded broken, despondent.
“Well, you’ve already moved in with me.” He chucked her chin and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “And I’ve talked with Nathalie. She’ll be your roommate when I’m gone.”
That brought her face up, revealing eyes that glistened with tears. “Really? When? You ship out in just two weeks, don’t you?”
He squeezed her slender fingers. “Yes. But we’ll make it work.”
* * *
Ben blinked at the bottom of the bunk above him and rubbed at his forehead. Briar, the ship’s cook, had dropped him off to rest while the teams were out, promising a tour of the airship later. The nap had done Ben a world of good. His headache had disappeared completely, and the pain in his leg had faded back to being barely noticeable. Whatever magic Doctor Jaxton had performed on it clearly worked wonders. There was no other possible way such an injury should feel as good as it did.
But that memory. What did it mean? Who was the woman?
He frowned. Who had he been before he’d lost his memories? Was he the sort of man who moved in with his girlfriend? Was she a sister? What did “ship out” mean?
The chain around his neck clanked as he moved, and he pulled it out, ignoring the tags to study the ring. Three diamonds nestled in a row, set in white gold. Was this hers? Was it supposed to be, and he hadn’t given it to her yet? Or, maybe he had, and something had happened to her. Why would he have a woman’s ring, and why did he have metal tags with his name on them? What did it all mean?
There was no way he could move forward with this life here until he knew his past.
No one came down to meet Ben as he left the bunk room, which suited him just fine. He took his time so he could walk slowly and inspect his new environment. Warm-colored wooden walls, lighter wood for the floor and ceiling. Crystal sconces lined the walls and highlighted the metal accents in the hall.
He cautiously rubbed a finger against a sconce and sighed. It was warm, but not hot. Smooth, yet roughly hewn. Nothing here seemed familiar. And I don’t even know what would be familiar.
Sunshine streamed down on the metal stairs, and Ben blinked as he emerged from below deck. Even the air somehow smelled different than what he’d expected. Sharper. Cleaner.
“Cap’ain, ho!”
The shout came from somewhere above, on the topmost deck. Ben joined the men gathered by the thick metal railing and peered over the edge. Captain Slate and three men came into view from the southern part of the forest. The crew rushed downstairs, and Ben trailed behind, reluctant to return down to the belly of the ship that he’d just emerged from. He watched over the railing at the incoming men. His confusion cleared when they opened a hatch in the Sapphire’s underbelly, allowing the captain to steer his skiff straight onto the airship.
Ben worked his way down to the bottom deck as quickly as he could while favoring his leg. Who knew how long he had been on the airship with the crew, until they left him to be alone and find his own way back to…wherever he was from. He couldn’t risk re-injuring his leg.
He came around the corner in time to see Slate nod a weary greeting to the surrounding men and a red-headed woman who looked uncannily similar to the captain—possibly a sister? Ben picked an empty bit of wall space to lean against and watch unobtrusively.
Slate slumped back against his seat and let his head drop back. “Well, that was a waste of time.” He lolled his head to look at the empty parking spot next to him, and he stiffened. His shoulders drew back as he sat up. “Where’s Jade’s team?” He looked at
the woman. “Garnet, have you heard from her?”
Garnet’s slender eyebrows knit together. “You haven’t been in communication with her or Victor while out there?”
Slate shook his head as his men slowly unloaded their gear, eyes shifting between their captain and his sister. “I expected she’d be back by now. Have you seen any flares?”
“Just one, and I’m guessing that was yours.”
One of the crewmen carefully deposited a leather bag into a nearby wall cabinet. “That was us, yes.”
Slate slid out of the skiff and stood by the entrance of the airship. “They’re still out there. And night is coming.” He looked back, his eyes roaming over Ben as he scanned the surrounding crew. “We need to find them. And fast.”
Chapter Five
Slate
Grief, regret, and frustration roiled in Slate’s gut as he stared out the hangar door. Tall blades of grass waved in the chill breeze, and somewhere a bird cawed, but there were no other signs of life out there. Where were they?
Zak would do everything in his power to protect Jade if they ran into dragons or any other dangers. But even Guardians bled…and died. Slate of all people knew this too well.
What if they ran into more than they could handle? Slate ground his teeth together. He’d already been hesitant to send her out, but now he felt absolutely vindicated. Something had happened. He could feel it in his belly.
Garnet stepped up beside him and settled her hand on his shoulder. “The skiff is just about ready. We added some extra blankets, just in case you’re out later than expected.”
“Good. Thank you.” Slate turned from the mockingly peaceful scenery to survey the organized chaos of his crew pulling together for a search-and-rescue mission. The new guy, Ben, watched from a corner of the room, his lips tugged down in a slight frown. He looked about the same age as Jade, maybe a bit older, probably in his early twenties. Ben winced and shifted his stance, reminding Slate of Ben’s leg injury.
What if Zak, their field medic, was wounded? Doctor Jaxton could work off-ship when needed, but he preferred having all his tools on hand. Slate turned to the man next to him. “Ash, I want you with me. You’re the next best field medic. William, you’re coming, too.” Slate pointed to Geist. “We don’t know what happened or if there’s any danger to the Sapphire. You’re in charge of security here.” Slate looked to his sister, his own concern reflected in her eyes. “And tell Jaxton to be prepared for whatever we find,” he said softly.
Garnet acknowledged his words with a brief hug. “Be careful. Bring her home.”
Chapter Six
Jade
The plodders pursued them.
A stitch spread in Jade’s side, and her legs burned, but she pressed on. A quick glance over her shoulder provided another spurt of adrenaline.
Plodders were slower than her and Victor, but they didn’t have to weave around brush or duck under tree branches. No, these beasts plowed through obstacles, their superheated spikes scorching leaves and bark as they passed. One plodder pulled ahead of the others, its glossy black eyes fixated on Jade. Its tail brushed a bush and the few green leaves left on it crisped at the edges, curling in.
Jade stumbled on a low shrub and righted herself, one of her father’s blistering oaths on the tip of her tongue.
“Down!” Victor pushed against her shoulder, and Jade stumbled into the ground, barely holding on to her sapphire blue sword. A spiked tail swished over her head, and she froze, breath halting in her lungs.
Victor hacked at the tail until it jerked back. Jade scrambled to her feet, dead leaves and debris floating off her clothes.
She scowled at the plodder. “Bleeding Void Born whale of a—”
Victor slipped forward and stabbed at the tail. “Kill now. Swear later!”
Jade gripped her sword hilt hard enough to hurt her fingers and waited for the plodder to swing its tail back in her direction. She dodged it, then leapt forward before the tail could reverse its path. Her blade bit deep—just above the steaming spikes. The plodder roared, and she backpedaled as it stomped its feet, bleeding appendage swaying.
Victor grabbed her hand and pulled. “Move, move, move!”
The four other plodders pushed past the injured one, their noise almost deafening her. How long until they got tired? Jade used her free hand to swipe at the cold sweat on her forehead as she kept pace behind Victor. Their path had more brambles and vegetation to slow them. A thorn bush snagged her sleeve before ripping it and gashing her arm. She clenched her teeth and focused on Victor’s back. I can’t keep this up much longer.
Deep purple plodder blood dripped off her sword while she ran. Cold air bit her lungs as she panted. Tears streamed from her eyes.
Victor leapt over a fallen log, and crashed to the ground with a startled yelp. He twisted and yanked on his snagged boot. Jade clambered over the dead timber to reach him. A flash of motion from the corner of her eye drew her attention. She squinted, breathing hard.
Nothing was there.
No. There was something. It was just well camouflaged when it held still. Jade swept her sword just to the side of Victor’s face. Her blade struck home. A seeker rippled into view. Victor’s eyes widened, and he dove as far away as his trapped foot would let him.
Fresh tears leaked down Jade’s cheeks. Not another dragon! Not now!
Blood seeped from the mottled burnt red-and-blue nose of the seeker. It reared back silently, stubby arms grasping for her while its tail thrashed.
No finesse today. Just fear and adrenaline, pounding through Jade’s veins as she slashed desperately at the dragon. Zak’s voice echoed in her mind as clearly as if he were right next to her: Seekers have the ultimate predator ability—superior smell, hearing, sight. There is no way to escape if you’re targeted. Kill it before it kills you.
Her first attack must have been too shallow; the seeker only seemed annoyed by her presence. Foul breath washed over her as it bared its teeth. Every tooth looked razor sharp. Jade gripped her sword with shaking hands, praying she wouldn’t drop it now. A quick glance showed Victor furiously sawing at a vine entangled around his boot with a dagger, and the plodders were closer than before.
If she could get the seeker to fight the plodders, she and Victor would have a chance at survival.
But how to make that happen?
She stabbed at the beast, and fear iced her back. She over-reached. She was wide open.
Claws rent the air, and she half ducked/half fell to avoid them. Just beyond the seeker, the plodders had slowed. She would need to provoke them.
Victor appeared at her side, his lean face grim. He jabbed at the seeker’s belly with a blade.
“Stay here. Don’t die,” she snapped at Victor as she turned on her heel and ran toward the plodders.
Just as she hoped, the seeker followed. She swallowed her brief grin. Now to survive the next step. Her legs wobbled, and she pushed on with a low growl. There was no way that her muscles could give out now. She was so close.
“Jade!”
Zak’s sudden cry distracted her, and she jerked to a stop, eyes wide. She pressed a hand against her hammering heart as she scanned the forest for him. The seeker crashed through the undergrowth. There was no air left in her lungs to scream, so she did all she could and stumbled closer to the plodders.
The nearest dragon reared back at her presence, then trumpeted out a deafening roar when it saw the seeker. The carnivore howled in reply. Jade’s boots skidded on leaves. She waited for an eternity of a second while the two dragons stared at each other, then the seeker lunged at the plodder. She turned to double back the way she came.
Zak appeared from the brush, his pale face contrasting with his black clothing. “Are you crazy?” He grabbed hold of her arm and tugged.
She stumbled, leg muscles trembling. He threw an arm around her shoulder and braced the other against her stomach. Zak’s hair brushed her jaw as he looked behind them. Then he took off, supporting most her w
eight.
Adrenaline didn’t cover any of her embarrassment at his arrival. He probably thought she needed to be rescued, when she’d had it mostly under control. Her cheeks felt numb from the cold tears, despite the heat pounding through her veins. Zak led her through the trashed forest path, and she risked a glance back.
Plodders surrounded the lone seeker, pummeling it with their tails.
It worked.
She caught sight of Kerlee’s orange jacket and Victor’s dark hat up ahead. Spots swam in her vision as sweet relief replaced the adrenaline, leaving her weak-kneed. Zak’s arm tightened around her middle as she staggered.
“Almost to the buggy,” he breathed. “Hang on.”
Jade gripped his muscled forearm and gritted her teeth. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall to pieces now. Not when she was so close. Not when her plan had worked. Not with Zak next to her. She had to pull herself together, fast. She was the only one who knew how to push the buggy to the limits and not have it break down immediately. Distracted though the dragons were, she wasn’t going to take any chances.
This was her chance to prove herself. Maybe after this, her father would accept her as a hunter. And Zak would loosen his stifling protectiveness.
She wouldn’t have to leave.
The edge of the forest lightened, and she could make out the form of the buggy just beyond. Her team may not have found any sage house to show for their time and effort, but they had made it out alive. That’s what counted in her book today. A living, unmangled team.
Hopefully her father had experienced better luck.
Chapter Seven
Slate
Slate slid onto the bench seat next to Krista’s father, William, and mentally reviewed his checklist of things to panic over. What if they couldn’t locate Jade and the rest of them? It was getting late, and snow was sure to be falling soon. He tugged on his gloves and closed his eyes. Dwelling on what-ifs wouldn’t help right now. He glanced at his shipwright. “Ready?”